Almost Persuaded

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Almost-very nearly but not exactly-you can close, but did not quite make it.

To persuade is to call someone to do something through reasoning or argument. It is to cause someone to believe something especially after a sustained effort.

In this world of make-believe open it is treated like a speech on Broadway, make-believe Christians are everywhere.

People now identified themselves as Christian by the relationship of their parents with the church or birthright. What I mean by birthright is this, a Catholic is a Catholic by birth not by conversion. One does not have to be born again to be a Catholic. However, on the other hand, to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus, a child of God, you must be born again!

John 3:7 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

My brothers and sisters, only God's children can claim heaven as their home.

To be born once hail and then the lake of fire and brimstone shall be your place for all eternity. To be born again is to enter into your rest of the Lord in that land of no more: no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow or crying nor pain.

Being almost saved is the same as not being saved a born again at all. There were many in the day that Jesus walked the dusty streets of Jerusalem that heard the sermons he preached, witness the miracles he performed and may have even eat of the fish and loaves of bread while sitting on the hillside that continue to walk in darkness because of unbelief.

John 6:64 "But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believe not, and who should betray him."

There are times when almost works both positive and negative for us, such as, I almost went to that party and later found out that everyone there got sick. In eternity one might say I almost accepted Christ as my Savior and now I find myself in torment and field with regret.

Hebrews 3:15 "While it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."

Provocation is the action of speech that makes someone a no aid or angry, especially deliberately.

My dear brothers and sisters whatever you do, don't be an almost Christian!

In these evil days we must be committed even in the face of ridicule or death for the kingdom of God. We who are called by his name, purchased with the blood of Jesus, there is no half heartedness and I will walk. We ride or die with Christ, there is no almost with us.

We find in the text the apostle Paul now appearing before Festus and King Agrippa this is his fourth trial. This man of God did not use flattering words as he addressed the King but went directly to the point. His purpose was twofold, to defend himself and to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ before one of the highest courts of the land.