Sermon Central
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Persuading Men
Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on May 18, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus gave all believers a command to go and preach the gospel to all nations. We are to persuade people while the Holy Spirit convicts sinners. How can we persuade people to join God's family?
TEXT: Acts 26:28
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a christian.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; ....
INTRODUCTION
King Agrippa listened to Paul message about his early life and conversion to the Christian faith and declared he was almost persuaded to become a christian. God expects all his children to present the gospel message with passion and grace that men will be left with no option but to declare their faith in Christ. We persuade men while the Holy Spirit convict men.
WHAT CAN WE USE TO PERSUADE MEN TO BECOME PART OF GOD'S FAMILY?
YOU CAN USE YOUR MOUTH
Paul says in Ephesians 6:19, "As for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel". Why do we find it so difficult to open our mouth to declare the glorious message of eternal life? But easily gossip for hours without any difficulty.
Philip, one of the 7 deacons appointed to keep tables, preached the gospel so powerfully that the entire city of Samaria embraced Christ and great joy came upon the city (Acts 8:5-8).
Paul spoke with the power of the Holy Spirit, disgraced the Sorcerer Elymas and persuaded the deputy of Paphos to become a christian (Acts 13:6-12). God is ready to use you also, if only you can open your mouth and declare the message of the gospel. With your mouth you can preach the gospel. God will put his word in your mouth in Jesus name.
YOU CAN USE YOUR GOOD WORKS
Dorcas preached the gospel message in the city of Joppa with her good deeds (Acts 9:36-42). The Bible records that she was full of good works and almsdeed. This persuaded many widows to join her in worshipping her God. When she died, Peter was summoned and he raised her from the dead. Her resurrection attracted even more people to the fold. Jesus declared in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven".
If we cannot speak to persuade men, we can use our good works in the community we live in to draw men into the family of God.
YOU CAN USE YOUR RESOURCES
Barnabas used his resources for the sake of the gospel. This helped the apostles to win souls into the Kingdom of God. He sold his land and dropped the entire proceed at the feet of the apostles (Acts 4:36-37). You can use your resources to persuade men to join the Kingdom of Christ by supporting evangelical and mission outreaches.
CONCLUSION
So, we have no excuse for not preaching the gospel message. You can use your mouth, your good deeds (works) or your resources to persuade men to God's family. You can also use your mental abilities like Paul by writing with the power of the Holy Spirit, words that can persuade men to become followers of Christ.
