This morning I want to spend some “honest time” with you. And I’m hoping that you will be honest with yourself and with God. Because, after all, He already knows. And, as for me, I don’t want to assume anything about you. I don’t want to pass any judgement on you… But, here’s where I’m going with this: If somewhere, deep down inside, you have some lingering questions, nagging doubts or aggravating hesitations about Jesus and the Gospel, let me ask you this.
What is it that is holding you back from being a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ?
Are you “almost persuaded that you should unreservedly follow Jesus?” Not quite, but almost. Are you mostly convinced of the truth of Gospel? Are you this close, but not quite there? You basically agree, but something is holding you back. You are very close to full commitment, but fall just short of it. Are you almost persuaded.
Let me tell you the story of a man and his friends, that during his growing up years they were “almost persuaded” that alcohol, drugs and sex were bad for you. Almost. When I was in seventh grade, the school tried to scare us to death about alcohol. We saw a film about a party where students danced and drank. One guy passed out. They couldn't revive him, so they called the ambulance. The paramedics rushed to the hospital where someone called the parents. Mom was crying. Dad was crying. The doctors stuck needles in his veins and tubes up his nose. The moral of the movie was "Don't drink alcohol or they'll stick needles in your veins, tubes up your nose, and your parents will cry."
We were convinced that none of us would ever drink alcohol ever. We even stayed clear of the water fountain, the rest of that day. But we were only almost persuaded.
Then they brought in another film, whose plot was basically the same, but the moral this time was "Don't take drugs." Again, we were almost persuaded. Another time, we got to look at and touch the lung of some poor soul who had smoked all his life. The object was, "If you smoke, your lung will look like this, and kids will touch it." We were convinced there in the seventh grade that we would never ever smoke cigarettes – almost.
Yet, soon after we entered high school, most of my friends were smoking. drinking, and I lost several of my friends to drug overdoses.
How could we be convinced that something was so deadly, unhealthy, and unwise, yet not act on our beliefs? What happened to my friends in the seventh grade also happens to us. We mostly believe Jesus. We accept Christianity in theory. But We were only - almost persuaded. Nagging questions persisted.
It turns out that to be almost persuaded is not really to be persuaded at all. Almost is not enough.
You might say, “I almost went to college, but didn’t. I almost invested in Microsoft, and became a millionaire. I almost believe it all, almost. Your life is defined, not just by the decisions you do make, but by the ones you don’t make.
"Almost" is never enough because it represents a painful gap between potential and what could have been. You never want to be known as the little engine that almost could. Or the hare that almost beat the tortoise. Or the person who almost gave his all to Jesus, but didn’t.
You don’t want to be the person who says, “boy I wish I had,” instead you want to be the one who says, “man I’m glad I did.” What will it take for you to be fully convinced?
Today we are going to look at two people: One who wasn’t convinced: Agrippa who was a religious guy, but just couldn’t bring himself to believe. And another who was a persecutor: Saul who fought Jesus off with his whole heart, but finally surrendered and became a fully committed follower of Jesus. What a difference a decision makes. On almost was, the other almost wasn’t.
The question is, which one are you?
Let’s get into it. Let’s begin examining the Scripture with this question:
If you were on Trial for Your Faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you.
If you were compelled to sit on the witness stand and give an honest account of your faith, would you be convicted of being an all in Gospel believing Christian, or not? And remember, God already knows.
The Apostle Paul was on trial for his faith. Acts 25:13-17
“After some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: ‘There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.’ To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to death before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.” King Herod Agrippa II and his sister Queen Julia Berenice, were co-rulers over Galilee and the northern territories. They were ethnically mixed, holding Jewish on the mother’s side and Edomite on the Father’s side. Jewish = Jacob, and Edomite = Esau. During their reign, they often tried to do the best they could for the Jews, but they were also completely loyal to Rome.
Bernice. Just who was this woman? History tells us that Agrippa’s life, like the Herods before him was filled with scandal. Bernice was his sister, and according to rumor, they were lovers. Early on in his career, this incestuous relationship had caused a stir in Rome, and for a time they separated. But when Agrippa was promoted after his father died, Bernice left her husband and came to live with him again.
And Agrippa had no problem justifying this with his religious beliefs. He was after all a religious man. He made many large charitable gifts to the synagogues and Jewish charities. He loved the traditions and rituals of Judaism. He loved the swinging of incense, the candles, torches, chants and sacrifices. The mysteriousness of Judaism enchanted him. To him, That’s what religion was all about! But Paul was just about to challenge all of that. Porcius Festus was the Roman Procurator (governor) of Judea. His headquarters were in Caesarea Maritima on the Judean coast. As governor, he succeeded Felix and got stuck with Paul. Festus inherited a volatile political situation because the Jews hated the previous governor, Felix. Felix had been removed from office by Caesar due to his corrupt, cruel, and ruthless behavior, which resulted in numerous complaints and violent conflicts. So Agrippa, Bernice and Festus got together to strategize and to try and figure out how to rule the unruly Jews! How do you keep from stiring them up. And Paul was right in the center of the storm! He was on trial for his faith. And because he was on trial for his faith, it raised ultimate questions. This was an opportunity to hear the leading voice of “the way” defend his faith. Festus’ problem is that he knew very little about the Jewish faith. And he was completely ignorant of Christianity. So he needed expert help. He had questions about religion that he had no answer to. Maybe, like Festus, you have questions about religion that you just can’t answer. Do You Have Questions about Religion? 25:13-22 “When Paul’s accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of the things I expected but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was ignorant about such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be judged there concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed the decision to Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar .” Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself.” (Agrippa was an expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. 26:3) Notice that Paul was in prison because of religious “questions”. Festus had expected the Jews to accuse Paul of sedition, treason, murder, intrigue, terrorism, or some other revolutionary act. And they did try to accuse him of being a troublemaker, stirring up riots all over the world, and trying to desecrate the temple. But Paul simply said, “where’s the proof,” and poof, their accusations went up in smoke. So in the end Felix had to conclude that Paul was right, that he was on trial for believing in the resurrection of the dead. (24:21) and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. (25:14) But Festus was ignorant about Jesus! Somehow the stories of the resurrection had not yet reached his ears! That left him with questions he couldn’t answer. He had never had the oportunity to examine these claims. He must have thought; “How is it possible that any man could rise from the dead!” Festus did have a sharp mind, and he realized one important fact: He realized that Jesus is the central issue. That was the issue that divided Jews and Christians, and it is still the issue that divides Christians from the rest of the world! If you can answer the question of the resurrection of Jesus, you have definitively answered whether Christianity is true or false. Good thing Festus had Agrippa around because, Agrippa was considered an expert in Judaism. Festus, may not have had the answers, but he hoped Agrippa would, and that would help him formulate charges against Paul to pass on to Caesar. Because Festus had no charges. The ones he did have didn’t stick. If they brought charges against you would they stick? “So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. And Festus said: ‘King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him." Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You are permitted to speak for yourself.’ So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: ‘I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.’”
Herod Agrippa II came from a long line of Herods. He was well schooled in the pomp and expressions of power. His public appearances had only one purpose: to impress his subjects, admirers and detractors alike with his political clout. And one of his goals was to impress Paul. Most people melt in the presence of power. All a king or president has to do is introduce you to the halls of government and shake your hand, and most people are overawed. So Agrippa made his theatrical entrance; dressed in his royal robes, a crown upon his head, trumpets announced his coming, and a Paige shouted his introduction. The leading men of the city, and the six centurions of Caesarea, dressed in their battle finest attended him. Then the humble Paul, in nothing more than simple robes was brought in. What a contrast. But Paul was not in awe – because Paul had been in the presence of the Living God.
People try to impress others with their spiritual knowledge, but God is more interested in issues of the heart – And paul’s heart had been transformed
Has Your Life been Transformed? BC
“My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, which all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
I believed that I should do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.”
Paul’s explained his Past and how he came to follow Jesus: He was born in Tarsus, but he grew up in Jerusalem. He joined the Pharisees. They were the strictest of the strick when it came to rules. They were legalistic and unyielding. They were religious zealots, but they were misguided.
And Paul was misguided as well. He lived throught the crucifiction and it didn’t move him. He knew about the resurrection and he scoffed at it. He came to believe he was obligated to oppose Jesus. As a self righteous Pharisee, he was enraaged against Christians, so much so that after the death of Stephen, Paul made it his mission to kill Christians!
He Imprisoned them, He sat on a jury at their trial and voted for their death penalty. When that wasn’t enough he tortured, punished and persecuted the saints. Paul was the worst of the worst. He would later say that he was “the chief of sinners, because he persecuted the saints to the death.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
Paul’s faith was on trial, and he gave a complete rundown of the life he had before Christ (BC). And then he pivitoted and told about how Christ had saved him.
Has Your Life been Transformed? AD
“As I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ‘But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.”
I want to pick out some of the key phrases of Paul’s Conversion: #1 Paul saw the light! To come to Jesus, you also need to see the light and change your ways. #2 He heard God’s call. He heard a voice speaking to Him. To come to Jesus, you need to hear the Savior speaking to your heart, “come unto me!” Listen to that call! #3 Paul met Jesus! Paul asked, “Who are you?” The answer, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” You need to meet Jesus, and come to know that He is the Savior of the world and that he died for your sins. #4 Paul became a witness to the Resurrection. God changed Paul! He turned the persuctor into a preacher! He turned a wayward man into a witness. He changed a menace to a minister! And God wants to change your life too!
Now comes the invitation:
Have You Heard a Clear Gospel Presentation 19-23
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 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.”
Here are some of the simple elements of the Gospel: 1. Each of us needs to repent and turn to God. He wants to turn us from our way to His way. And His way is the only way. #2 The gospel is that Jesus Christ would suffer and die for our sins. His death on the cross is the only way you can be saved. #3 The Gospel is that Jesus would rise from the dead on the third day, the proving his claims and securing a place in heaven for us. #4 We proclaim that Jesus is the light of the world and that he is the way the truth and the life, and that no man comes to the father but through Him.
It is at this point, the point of decision that you can either receive Jesus or reject him.
Do You Believe?
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" 25 But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both what as I am, except for these chains.”
There were two responses to the message: The first was from Festus. He thought Paul was mad and out of his mind. To the unbeliever our message sounds ridiculous! But we know that the words we speak are the words of truth and reason. As incredible as it seems, Yes Jesus did rise from the dead!
The second respons came from Agrippa. He told Paul, “you almost persuaded me!” You almost had me. I was almost there… but wait! NOT! To be almost persuaded is the same as to not be persuaded at all
So here’s the bottom line of this message, do you believe. Are you almost there, or are you going to go all in? That’s your choice. It’s one thing to be religious, it’s quite another to place your faith in Jesus the Savior.
So Agrippa stumbled over Jesus as so many seekers do. Almost persuaded. They have a little religion, but Jesus is just too much, and the lights go out. It is just too incredible for their minds to conceive. Their God is too small. Their idea of religion too tame. And so they turn away. Jesus is rejected.
What’s Your Decision?
30 “When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, ‘This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.’ Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’”
The interview was over. They left. Just as so many do today. The conviction becomes too great, the message is too personal. Sure Paul wasn’t guilty of any crime, but come on, he is a little crazy!
I guess the bottom line is that seeking isn't good enough unless we seek God with our whole heart, that being persuaded doesn't transform us if it's only "almost" persuaded. That interest, attentiveness and attraction, as good as they are just don't get us eternal life... unless we place our faith and trust in Jesus alone for our hope of all things.
What will it take for you to be fully convinced?