The Problem of Procrastination

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Acts 24:24-27Many of us struggle with procrastination, but do we realize that is doing great damage to us? Do we ever grasp the true problem of procrastination? Adrian Rogers tells us, “Procrastination is more than the thief of time, it is the grave of opportunity and it may be the road to hell.”There are a few reasons people reject the Gospel upon hearing it. Perhaps the most common reason is procrastination. They put it off, thinking that they will have plenty of time to receive Christ later on. That’s the case in Acts 24. In this passage, Paul is a prisoner of Caesarea and the Roman judge, Felix calls for him to answer questions he has about Jesus Christ. Paul preaches a Christ-centered message, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit is so strong, Felix trembles. Felix was at the threshold of salvation, but then he did something that so many people do: he said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for you.” (Acts 24:25)There are three things we can learn from Felix’s procrastination.First, see the sermon that convicted Felix.Here was a sinful man whose heart was in need of a Savior. Paul did not back down. He delivered a message, first concerning God’s standard of righteousness. Then he discussed Felix’s self-control, and the judgment of God to come.See, also the pressures that confronted him.When the Holy Spirit convicted Felix, the devil moved in to confront him. There were three mighty forces that warred against this man’s soul—the world, the flesh, and the devil. These are three enemies we all face, and sometimes, like Felix, they cause us to retreat.Finally, see the presumption that condemned Felix.Acts 24:27 reveals that Felix never received Christ. Felix made three tragic assumptions:-that convenience will come,-that conviction from the Holy Spirit would continue, and-that conflicts would cease.But he forgot as many of us do… tomorrow may never come.Adrian Rogers says, “Tomorrow you will have more sin to repent of. And tomorrow you will have a harder heart to repent with.”Apply it to your lifeDo you have trouble with procrastination? Is it harming you more than it should? Don’t wait until tomorrow to repent of your sins; do it right now!