MOMENT OF DECISION
- Part Two -
Last week we began looking at the powerful testimony of the Apostle Paul. In the book of Acts, we saw the strength and courage of Paul as he testified to the Roman Governor, Felix. No doubt, Paul was faced with imprisonment and perhaps being executed for his stand for Jesus Christ.
Paul had been beaten, put in chains, and had his life threatened simply because he loved the Lord Jesus.
This story is very lengthy and I don’t have the time to review all of it today.
Church - Many Christians have faced difficult times in their lives simply because they sincerely love God.
Do you realize how often you are put in a difficult situation because you love Christ? For many people, their lives would sometimes be easier if they weren’t so committed to Christ.
I am so glad that Christ makes our lives worth living. There is nothing more important than your having a commitment to Christ. He must be first & foremost in everything we do.
As we found last week, we all have to face certain MOMENTS OF DECISION. We may never experience the kind of persecution that Paul did. Fortunately we live in a nation that still protects the right and freedom of worship.
But that won’t always keep us from facing some kind of opposition from time to time. Wouldn’t you agree with me that we really do need to be a better testimony for Christ, and to be better prepared to speak boldly for our Savior and Lord?
We can find just how to do this in God’s Word. Paul gives us instruction for our testimonies.
Text: I Corinthians 9:18 thru 22
As a result of Paul’s wisdom and commitment, he was able to stir the hearts of men and women of every background. Whether you were Jew or Gentile, religious or rebellious.
As we review our story in the book of Acts, I believe that God wants our own statement of faith to be as powerful as that of the Apostle Paul’s.
Let’s go back to Paul’s story in Acts.
Paul is again testifying, but this time Paul is brought to King Agrippa.
Here is how King Agrippa responded to Paul’s testimony of Christ:
Text: Acts 26:28
To help us understand this particular MOMENT OF DECISION, you should know who King Agrippa is.
1.Grandson of Herod the Great –
Herod’s glut for power caused him to murder his wife. He then murdered their two sons when they realized what had happened.
All male infants who were considered heirs to Herod’s throne were slaughtered. Herod was the King of Judea during the time of the birth of Christ. According to Matthew 2, Herod (again) had all infants in the region of Bethlehem murdered who were under the age of two.
2. Son of King Herod II – He was married, but eloped with another woman. John the Baptist confronted this king with his adulterous affair. King Herod II later imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist for this. This Herod was once haunted by the teachings of Jesus and wanted Jesus killed.
So you see the ancestry of King Agrippa were dangerous & ruthless.
And now, Paul’s confrontation with King Agrippa in Acts 26 is very risky.
King Agrippa was no different than his father or his grandfather. Agrippa was also ruthless and power hungry.
Anything that Paul could say could send King Agrippa off in a fit of rage.
Nevertheless, King Agrippa knows that what Paul is saying about the resurrection of Christ was true.
There could be no denying the gospel any longer. Agrippa is faced with the reality of the Gospel of Christ.
In verse 27, Paul tells Agrippa that he knows that Agrippa believes in the prophets. You see Agrippa has been well educated about the prophets of the Old Testament. And everything that has been prophesied about the resurrection of Christ has taken place.
Why is this story so important?
Agrippa’s response is like so many:
"You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
This is a troubling statement for anyone to say about the Gospel.
What Paul has said (to King Agrippa) is courteous, but requires Agrippa to give serious consideration.
Paul has not condemned Agrippa with harsh words. But Paul knows that this is the most important moment in King Agrippa’s life.
You see it is not Paul’s life that is hanging in the balance, here.
But rather it is Agrippa’s soul that is at stake. Eternal life (for Agrippa) or eternal judgment.
(When we give our testimony to someone, it is not what they think about us that is important. Rather all that matters is whether or not they will live eternally in heaven or hell.)
This was the MOMENT OF DECISION for King Agrippa.
There have been moments like this for many of us. This is the moment a person must decide if they are going to make the right choice.
The Bible clearly tells us -
“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”
The choice is always yours. No one else can make that decision for you. You and you alone. But be careful…
There is a difference between being “almost” a Christian and being “almost” persuaded to be a Christian.
EXAMPLE: A person who “almost” knows how to play a piano may only know how to play chopsticks. But the person who is “almost” persuaded to become a pianist will only need to make the decision to learn.
Church, “almost” being a Christian is not going to save your soul from hell.
When it comes to the saving Grace of the Lord, “almost” means nothing.
But being a Christian means everything!
When I share the Gospel of Christ with you, it is not just to stir your emotions. It is so you will be set free from the judgment of sin and condemnation.
The Gospel of Christ is not just so we can meet once a week, pat ourselves on the back, hug each other’s neck and go back to the life of sin we came from. That would be pointless.
When it comes to knowing Christ, “almost” won’t cut it for any of us!
The Gospel of Christ is given to us so that our hearts our changed and our lives are renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is not just so we can feel good and warm and fuzzy about ourselves.
That is the social gospel that –
· patronizes men and women who are lost in sin and disbelief
· allows men and women to be (one day) judged for their sins.
We cannot and must not accept almost Christianity! We must confront ourselves, and our loved ones, of the truth and commandments of God.
Father God will not stand by and wink at almost Christianity! To almost be a Christian is an offense to the sacrifice made for us at the Cross of Calvary.
In verse 18, Paul identifies how we have been changed.
Paul tells Agrippa then, and us now, what almost Christianity is not.
Being a Christian means that:
1. our eyes are opened to the truths of God
2. we have turned from living in darkness to living in light
3. we no longer live under the power and influence of the devil
4. we have been forgiven of our sins and we know it
5. we have been granted our holy inheritance of redemption and righteousness from Christ
If we choose to live for Christ, this MOMENT OF DECISION means –
1. we have been set apart from sin
2. we hate sin and love God
3. we love the commandments of the Lord and hate the lies of the devil
4. we will not be judged with the devil and his demons, but we will be resurrected in that last day at the sound of the trumpet.
Paul’s testimony had an influence on King Agrippa and everyone standing nearby that day.
History says Agrippa may have never asked Christ to forgive him of his sins.
But what we do not know (until the Day of Judgment) is who else has faced their MOMENT OF DECISION.
The ones you witness and speak to each day may be like Agrippa.
They may never ask Christ to forgive them of their sins.
Some of the people you speak to may “almost” be persuaded to become a Christian.
On the other hand, there will be others who will see your walk, hear your talk, and want what you have.
Paul was listened to by all kinds of people because he had a relationship with Christ that was genuine, and people knew it.
Each of us must be genuine in how we live & who we share our faith with.
There was something Paul said that convinced everyone of his sincerity.
In verse 23 we hear Paul saying:
"that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
Paul was convinced that the Man named Jesus of Nazareth was the one Who suffered and died.
And this same Christ would be the first of many Who would rise from the dead.
This is hope to anyone no matter what their philosophy or persuasion is.
Knowing that there is life after death is a very good reason for someone to be more than an almost Christian.
Paul was not shy with his faith and belief in Christ.
He risked his life to tell one of the most influential men of his day.
Oftentimes, Christianity (itself) forgets the importance of world leaders hearing and believing the Gospel of Christ.
Paul had one chance to reach the Roman government with the Gospel and he pleased God with what he said.
We must take every opportunity that God affords us just as seriously as Paul did with King Agrippa.
Paul told the message of salvation straight to the heart of Agrippa.
So must we when we speak to whoever God sends us to.
