Rev. David Holwick ZJ
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 31, 1993
                                                            Acts 26:19-29

                            "ALMOST PERSUADED?"


  I. "Here I stand."
      A. Paul is at last stage before he goes to Supreme Court - Nero.
          1) History of Agrippa.
              a) Descendant of King Herod the Great.
                  1> Incestuous relationship with sister.
              b) Hears Paul's defense against charges of sedition.
                  1> Agrippa considered an expert on Judaism.
          2) Paul stands before him chained, but bold.
              a) Three centuries ago, the philosopher Gracian gave some
                    worldly wisdom:
                 "Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose."
                                                                    #1028
              b) Compare Martin Luther before Diet of Worms:
                    "Here I stand.  I can do no other."

      B. Paul's testimony.                                           26:4
          1) Christians should always be ready to give an explanation for
                their belief in God.                         1 Peter 3:15
          2) Your personal appeal has an impact.

             Research shows that 2/3 to 3/4 of all new church members
                in this country responded because a friend or family
                   member invited them.
             In fast-growing churches, the range is two-thirds to 7/8s.
             In very rapidly growing churches invitations from friends
                or family members account for more than 90% of new
                   members.                                         #2317

          3) Paul was ready; most of us are not.

             Herb Miller, in his book FISHING ON THE ASPHALT, writes that
                the average church member has:
                   listened to 6,000 sermons,
                   heard 8,000 prayers,
                   sung 20,000 hymns over and over,
             and asked ZERO persons to accept Christ as personal Lord
                and Savior.                                         #2249

          4) Reasons why we don't witness.

             George Barna is a writer for "Discipleship Journal" and he
                has always been interested in the topic of witnessing.
             Since most Christians know they should witness, and hate to
                actually do it, he decided to do some research.
             Barna found that 9 out of 10 individuals who attempt to
                explain their beliefs to other people come away feeling
                   as if they have failed.

             The reality of human behavior is that most people avoid those
                activities in which they perceive themselves to be failures.
             As creatures seeking pleasure and comfort, we emphasize those
                activities in which we are most capable and secure.

             Therefore, despite the divine command to spread the Word,
                many Christians redirect their energies into areas of
                   spiritual activity that are more satisfying and in
                      which they are more likely to achieve success.
                                                                    #1263
          5) Paul's own track record.
              a) His hearers were often indifferent or hostile.
                  1> Few converted, at least among leaders.
              b) Yet Paul kept at it, in spite of failure, and God
                    blessed him.
              c) The Apostle Paul is remembered today; they are footnotes.

      C. Everyone has a story to tell.                                  26:4
          1) Paul recounts, again, his experience of conversion.
          2) He keeps his message simple and direct:
              a) Repent, turn to God.

                 Repentance is an easy concept, meaning to head in a
                    different direction.
                 The element needed most to change is to simply admit you
                    need to change, and ask directions of the ONE who has
                       the power to change you.

                 A motorist was driving through the state of Pennsylvania
                    and got lost.
                 She asked a certain gentleman how far it was to
                    Philipsburg, New Jersey.
                 The gentleman replied, "Well, the way you are going it
                    is 24,995 miles.
                 However, if you will turn around and get back on Route 22
                    going East, it is about 5 miles."
                                                                    #2262
              b) Prove repentance by deeds.
              c) Good news is open to Jews and Gentiles.
              d) Old Testament testifies to truth of gospel.
                  1> It is not a new gospel, but fulfillment of the old.

 II. The reaction of the worldly mind.                              26:24
      A. Festus was worldly-minded.
          1) Festus was married to another man's wife.
          2) Paul had preached to Festus about self-control and
                righteousness.                                      24:25
          3) He was a typical corrupt politician.                   24:26

      B. Festus deflected by saying message is too deep to comprehend.
          1) Too trapped in the natural to grasp the supernatural.
          2) His actual feeling: the gospel is not worth the risk.
          3) Millions today have the same attitude.
              a) Not even God can cramp their style.

      C. Paul's response.
          1) The gospel is simple.
          2) The gospel is supported by factual events.             26:26

III. The reaction of the cynical mind.                              26:28
      A. Paul gives an invitation to Agrippa.
          1) "Do you believe the prophets?"                         26:27
              a) (prophecy is the pathway to gospel)
          2) Agrippa apparently felt put on the spot, because he gives
                a flippant reply.

      B. Almost persuaded?
          1) The King James Version translates:
                "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."
              a) Famous sermon by Rev. Brundage in a packed prison:
                    Almost persuaded, almost saved;
                    Almost saved, entirely lost.
                 Out of 800 hearing the message, 2/3 were saved.
                                                                     #523
              b) Hymn writer P.P. Bliss adapted it to music.

          2) KJV mistranslates, and misses sarcasm of the statement.
              a) Not almost persuaded, but not enough time to persuade.
              b) Agrippa is deflecting Paul, as one who has heard it all.
                  1> It would take much longer for him to become saved -
                        in other words, never.
                  2> Agrippa stops within hearing distance.

      C. Why people choose to evade gospel.
          1) Intellectual questions.
              a) Truth of Bible, miracles, evolution.
              b) Lack of commitment and/or change in Christians.
          2) Moral questions.
              a) They are living in sin, and don't want to change.
              b) They have done something they feel God can never forgive.

      D. Finding answers.
          1) Tens of thousands have wrestled with the intellectual
                questions and concluded Jesus is Lord.
          2) Problem is not lack of convincing proof for gospel, but
                their choice not to respond.

 IV.  Breaking chains.
      A. Paul turns the rejection into an invitation.
          1) He makes a personal appeal to everyone present.        26:29
          2) He is confident of the value of salvation, in spite of
                worldly appearances.
          3) It is not enough to explain what we believe.
              a) We must challenge others to accept it.
              b) We are calling people to greatness.

      B. Paul was not limited by his circumstances.
          1) Different perspective once a person is a Christian.
          2) Our desire for others to come to Christ should overshadow
                our own problems.
              a) Too many Christians let their chains become their focus.
              b) Salvation in Jesus is the only proper focus.
          3) Is your love for Jesus real enough, that you would want
                others to be like you?

  V. Have you been persuaded?


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