Knowing About Christ vs Knowing Christ
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Pastor Jojo Ma
Weekly Bulletin | Song Lyrics | Nicene Creed
Acts 24:1-27
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
I. Knowing About Christ vs Knowing Christ
II. Worldly Sorrow vs Godly Sorrow
III. Delaying For Tomorrow vs Doing It Today
IV. Loving The Earthly vs Living For Eternity
I. Knowing About Christ vs Knowing Christ
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way…
There is a big difference between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ. There is a big difference between knowing about God and knowing God. It’s the difference between eternal condemnation and eternal life. Felix had a lot of facts about Jesus but had not faith in Jesus.
The 3 Elements of Saving Faith
Don’t miss eternal life by 18 inches. Hear the truths about Christ, believe them to be true, and put your full trust in him to save you.
II. Worldly Sorrow vs Godly Sorrow
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed…
There’s a big difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. The governor Felix had worldly sorrow. The question is --- which sorrow do you have?
2 Cor 7:9-10 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Martin Luther: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” [The first of his 95 theses]
III. Delaying For Tomorrow vs Doing It Today
25…Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.
Is 55:6-7 Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
J.C. Ryle: “Repentance and faith are the gifts of God, and gifts that He often withholds when they have been long offered in vain. I grant you [that] true repentance is never too late, but I warn you at the same time [that] late repentance is seldom true. I grant you [that] one [repentant] thief was converted in his last hours, [so] that no man might despair; but I warn you, only one was converted, [so] that no man might presume.”
IV. Loving The Earthly vs Living For Eternity
26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
I’m trying to remind you of the call of Jesus on your life --- to die to self, to live for God…daily, hourly, minute by minute…and to see what kind of life that leads to.
1 Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
John Owen: “When someone sets his affections upon the cross and the love of Christ, he crucifies the world as a dead and undesirable thing. The baits of sin lose their attraction and disappear. Fill your affections with the cross of Christ and you will find no room for sin.”
“Jesus Christ is most important. We must fight worldliness because it dulls our affections for Christ and distracts our attention from Christ. Worldliness is so serious because Christ is so glorious.”
Mk 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
I. Knowing About Christ vs Knowing Christ
II. Worldly Sorrow vs Godly Sorrow
III. Delaying For Tomorrow vs Doing It Today
IV. Loving The Earthly vs Living For Eternity