Almost Persuaded Series

Acts 26:19-32 “Almost Persuaded!”

Rev Brundage ‘HE WHO IS ALMOST PERSUADED IS ALMOST SAVED;

BUT TO BE ALMOST SAVED IS TO BE ENTIRELY LOST ’. many came

Philip P Bliss wrote ‘ALMOST PERSUADED, NOW TO BELIEVE’

FESTUS REPRESENTS THOSE ALIENATED FROM CHRIST

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

PAUL REPRESENTS THOSE ALTOGETHER FOR CHRIST

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. Philippians 1:21 ‘FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST’

AGRIPPA REPRESENTS THOSE ALMOST TO CHRIST - 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

To be ALMOST PERSUADED to be a Christian, is to be a child of Satan. ALMOST PERSUADED to repent of your sins, is to die in those sins. ALMOST PERSUADED’ to go to Heaven, is to go to Hell.

ALMOST PERSUADED is to be saved is to be entirely lost.

1. THE PASSION OF THE SPEAKER - 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa,

I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come

Acts 9:15 Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

2. THE PREACHING OF THE SAINT - 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

‘Repentance means - ‘TURNING TO GOD ’ ‘TURNING FROM SIN ’

‘TURNING IN SORROW ’ doing works meet for repentance

‘TURNING FOR SALVATION ’

3. THE PROMISE OF THE SAVIOUR - 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Jesus is the door to salvation; there is no other way. Jesus Said -

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Exclusive - I am the door:

Inclusive - by me if any man enter in

Conclusive - he shall be saved,

4. THE PERSUASION OF THE SCRIPTURE - 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

The purpose of Scripture is to help us to be saved.

It cuts like a sword; it crushes like a hammer; it consumes like a fire.

But it shows us the way to salvation.

II Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

5. THE PROFANITY OF THE SINNER - 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

LOST THROUGH - PRIDE - Almost cannot avail

LOST THROUGH - PROCRASTINATION - Almost is but to fail

LOST THROUGH - PRESUMPTION - Sad, Sad, that bitter wail

His Disregard for the Word of God, the Will of God, the Work of God.

- Almost but LOST.