1. Almost Persuaded Acts 26:27-29
Title Slide: Almost Persuaded—Acts 26,27

2. Acts 26:26,27
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’”
Our text—Acts 26:26,27. Paul’s defense before King Agrippa.

3. King Agrippa: Almost, But Lost!
He heard and believed the facts about Jesus.
Faith that does not prompt obedience is not enough.
Others also believed:
Demons—James 2:19
Rulers—John 12:42,43
Agrippa’s statement tells us some valuable truth:
He heard and believed the facts about Jesus. He was aware and had knowledge about Jesus’ teaching, his death, and the facts surrounding Him.
Yet, faith that does not prompt obedience is not enough. Proper Bible faith must motivate action. (Hebrews 11)
Others have also believed, but they did not have true Bible faith:
Demons—Jam.2:19;
Rulers—Jno.12:42,43.

4. King Agrippa: Almost, But Lost!
Principle: If one knows the truth and continues in sin, no hope remains.
Hebrews 10:26-31
We must have obedient faith.
Romans 6:16-18
An important principle is taught here: If one knows the truth and continues in sin, no hope remains to save him—Heb.10:26-31; Rom.6:1,2. Must have faith with obedience to be acceptable to God—Rom.6:16-18

5. Other Bible Characters Who Were Almost Saved
Other Bible Character Who Were Almost Saved…

6. Lot’s Wife Genesis 19:15-26
Let us begin by examining Lot’s wife—Gen.19:15-26.

7. Lot’s Wife: Evil Influence Overcomes Good
“Looking back” refers to a longing desire--to look.
Despite all of the evil in Sodom, it had become her home, and she wanted one last look.
Lot’s wife is an excellent example of ”evil influence overcoming good.”
“Looking back” God commanded that no one should look back. It seems she had a longing desire to look back—why?
Despite all the evil in Sodom, which vexed Lot’s righteous soul, it had become her home, and she wanted ONE last look. Was she afraid she’d left something behind? Sadly, she became a pillar of salt!

8. Lot’s Wife Evil relationships can corrupt us.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Familiarity with sin breeds acceptance of its practice.
Psalm 1:1,2; Galatians 6:7
There’s only one sure way to avoid evil.
Proverbs 4:14,15
Evil relationships can corrupt us—1 Cor.15:33.
Familiarity with sin breeds acceptance of its practice—Psa.1:1,2; Gal.6:7 It becomes second nature, and we become immune to its destructive ability.
There’s only one sure way to avoid sin—Prov.4:14,15—stay away from its path and allurement!

9. Rich Young Ruler Luke 18:18-23
Rich Young Ruler—Lk.18:18-23 (Matt.19:16-22)

10. Rich Young Ruler: Materialism Over Salvation
The rich young ruler wanted salvation, but not enough.
Luke 18:20,21
He was not willing to put the Lord above and ahead of material things.
Luke 18:23
The rich young ruler asked a good question, and he asked the best person who could give him the correct answer!
He wanted salvation, but he did not desire it enough (Lk.18:20,21}.
He was unwilling to put material things and wealth behind the Lord (Lk.18:23). The price was too high!

11. Rich Young Ruler: Materialism Over Salvation
Requires spiritual service over material concerns.
Matthew 6:19-33
Remember Moses’ example. Hebrews 11:24
Wealth, power, and money are short-lived.
1 Timothy 6:7-10
Materialism, a bag without a bottom!
Haggai 1:4-6
Materialism over Salvation:
Christ requires that spiritual service take priority over material concerns and pursuits (Matt.6:19-33).
Must remember the example of Moses (Heb.11:23,24).
Wealth, power, and money are short-lived (1 Tim.6:7-10).
Materialism is a bag with the hole in the bottom (Haggai 1:4-6).

12. Felix: Acts 24:24-27
Next, let us examine the story of the governor, Felix. (Acts 24:24-27)

13. Felix: Fearful, But Delaying
Felix was moved when he first heard the gospel.
Delaying made his heart grow cold to the truth.
We do not have assurance of tomorrow.
James 4:13-17
Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla sent for Paul to hear him concerning “faith in Christ.”
Felix was moved by his first hearing of the gospel (he was afraid).
Delay made his heart grow cold to the truth. (Acts 26:24,25)
Waiting is a luxury we don’t have. We have no assurance of tomorrow (Jam.4:13-17).

14. Felix: Fearful, But Delaying
Procrastination before obeying shows that other things have a greater priority with us.
Luke 9:57-62
If people reject truth, it is because they close their minds, not because the Bible is unclear.
Acts 28:23-27
Procrastination before obeying shows other things have greater priority with us (Lk.9:57-62).
If people reject truth, it is because they close their minds, not because the Bible is unclear (Acts 28:23-27; Eph.3:3-5; 5:17).

15. Am I “Almost” or “Altogether” Persuaded to Obey Christ Now?
Has a knowledge of the truth moved me to obey, or do I remain unchanged as I reject the gospel?
Has my love for the sinful world caused me to come close to salvation, but look back?
Am I “ALMOST” or “ALTOGETHER” persuaded to obey CHRIST NOW?
Has a knowledge of the truth moved me to obey (Acts 2:37), or do I remain unchanged as I reject the gospel? (Acts 7:51-54)
Has my love for the sinful world caused me to come close to salvation, but look back? (1 Jno.2:15-17; Jam.4:4)

16. Am I “Almost” or “Altogether” Persuaded to Obey Christ Now?
Has my pursuit of earthly things and concerns taken the priority over spiritual things?
Has delaying obedience until a convenient time caused my heart to harden?
Am I “ALMOST” or “ALTOGETHER” persuaded to obey CHRIST NOW?
Has my pursuit of earthly things and concerns taken priority over spiritual things? (Matt.6:19-21, 24)
Has delaying obedience until a “convenient time” caused my heart to harden? (1 Tim.4:2) Have relationships hindered my obedience?

17. “…first sit down and count the cost…”
Luke 14:26-33
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it --
lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
“…first sit down and count the cost…”
Must count the cost to see if I’m ready for it…

18. Luke 14:26-33 Family Hardship Material Things Everything
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it --
lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
Family
Hardship
Material Things
Must count the cost to see if I’m ready for it…Family…Hardship…Material Things...Everything…
Everything

19. Costs to Be Counted
Following Christ may cost relationship with family.
Luke 14:26—love of family
Matthew 10:34-37
Following Christ will cost hardships in life.
Matthew 16:24—deny self
2 Timothy 3:12—suffer persecution
Costs to Be Counted:
Following Christ may cost relationship with family—
Lk.14:26--Compare loving Christ with hating (loving less) the family.
Matt.10: Serving the Lord can bring family trouble.
Following Christ will cost hardships in life.
Matt.16:24--Deny self, take up cross and follow Him.
2 Tim.3:12—All who live righteously and godly will suffer persecution.

20. Costs to Be Counted Following Christ will cost material things.
Matthew 19:16-22
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Following Christ costs time.
Ephesians 5:15,16
Following Christ costs my whole self.
Romans 12:1,2
Costs to Be Counted:
Following Christ will cost material things.
Matt.19:16-22—The rich young ruler was told to sell all and follow Jesus.
1 Tim. 6:17-19—Giving service lays up eternal riches.
Following Christ costs time.
Eph.5:15.16.
Following Christ costs my whole self.
Romans 12:1,2.

21. What Might It Cost Me?
Following Christ may cost you family relationships.
“My mother and father will be hurt if I obey.”
My family may reject me for putting Christ first.”
Following Christ will cost you hardships in life.
“Living as a Christian means overcoming my lusts.”
WHAT MIGHT IT COST ME?
Following Christ may cost you family relationships:
“My mother and father will be hurt if I obey.”
“My family may reject me for putting Christ first.”
Following Christ will cost hardships in life:
“Living as a Christian means overcoming my lusts.”
“I will never be popular If I’m strict about serving Christ.”

22. What Might It Cost Me? Following Christ will cost material things.
“Giving to the Lord as I should will cost me too much.”
“Does God really expect me to give for all these things?”
Following Christ will cost time.
“Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night. It’s too much.”
”You mean I must study, meditate, and pray always.”
WHAT MIGHT IT COST ME?
Following Christ will cost you in material things:
“Giving to the Lord as I should will cost too much.”
“Does God really expect me to give for all these things?”
Following Christ will cost time:
“Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night. It’s too much.”
“You mean I must study, meditate, and pray every day?”
YES SERVING CHRIST WILL AFFECT YOUR WHOLE LIFE!!!

23. Is Following Christ Worth the Cost to You?
Have You Considered
The Cost of Not
Following Christ?
Summary—Conclusion—Invitation