Fully Persuaded

From the Desk of Pastor Toby Powers

Truth Baptist Church

Bremen, GA

www.trumpetoftruthonline.org

Fully Persuaded

Romans 4:16-25

Intro: In our text the Apostle Paul is arguing the necessity of redemption and salvation by grace through faith. He argues that even Abraham of the Old Testament was made righteous by grace through faith and not of works. He gives us the example of Abraham’s faith in the promise of God concerning Isaac, and says he staggered not at unbelief (v. 20). Rather, he was fully persuaded God would keep his promise (v. 21). This faith was accounted to him for righteousness, and we are justified the same way... by grace through faith (v. 22-25).

I am particularly interested, however, in the phrase in v. 12, "being fully persuaded." The Greek root for this phrase is one word that means: to carry out fully with evidence, completely assure or convince, entirely accomplish, to make full proof of, most surely believe, and to fully or completely know. When Paul said Abraham was fully persuaded he simply was stating that Abraham had no doubt that God could and would perform just what he had promised I’m preaching to day on being "Fully Persuaded."

I. SOME WILL NEVER BE PERSUADED: Luke 16:31, "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." The rich man believed that Lazarus could convince his brothers to repent and avoid hell, but Abraham said they would not believe if one were to rise from the dead. Some will never be persuaded.

II. SOME WILL BE ADVERSELY PERSUADED: Matthew 27:20-23, "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified." They could have called for Jesus to be freed, but they were adversely persuaded to free Barabbas. Many will be persuaded, but they will experience strong delusion, believe a lie, and be damned (II Thess 2:11-12).

III. SOME WILL BE ALMOST PERSUADED: Acts 26:28, Paul testified to King Agrippa, and Festus even accused him of being crazy. But Paul’s testimony was so compelling that Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." As far as we know, he was never fully persuaded. Acts 24:25, Paul testified to Felix who told him, "Go thy way this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee." He was almost persuaded. Many on the last day will say Lord, Lord, but they will be eternally judged (Matt 7:21-23). Not everyone that says Lord, Lord will enter heaven, but those who are fully persuaded

IV. SOME WILL BE FULLY PERSUADED: Paul, the writer of our text was fully persuaded, and he was sufficiently persuaded to be able to persuade others.

A. Paul Persuaded Others:

1. Persuaded Men Other Gods Were False: Acts 19:26, "Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands."

2. Persuaded Men To Continue In Faith In God: Acts 13:43, "Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God." If there is anything I want it is to persuade others to trust God and keep on trusting

B. Paul Was Persuaded By Others:

1. Persuaded By The Dependable Laymember: Romans 15:14, "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

2. Persuaded By The Trustworthy Minister: II Timothy 1:5, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." Paul told Titus to hold fast “the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” If you will persuade others, you must be fully persuaded without wavering yourself.

C. Paul Was Persuaded Fully:

1. Of The Power Of God’s Love: Romans 8:34-39

2. Of The Power Of God’s Grace: II Timothy 2:12

D. Paul Testified Of Those Fully Persuaded: Hebrews 11:13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."