Sermon Outline - The Almost Christian, Acts ch.26 vv.28-29
| Date | 08/02/2004 |
|---|---|
| Time | 18:30 |
| Preacher | Rev. Maurice Roberts, Inverness |
| Sermon Title | The Almost Christian |
| Text | Acts ch.26 vv.28-29 |
| Sermon ID | 770 |
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Introduction
- Paul is now a prisoner
- This interview - the persons present
- Paul's testimony here
APPLICATION: Be ready to give your testimony.
THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE "ALMOST CHRISTIANS"
- See what Agrippa says: "Almost ---",
- Q. Was he serious/sarcastic?
A. I think serious - see Paul's answer here. - It is a foolish think to jest about God.
- Surely, Paul's words affected him.
APPLICATION: Do not despise a "word in season", See how Peter puts it: "Be ready ---".
- Q. Was he serious/sarcastic?
- What was the reason why Agrippa was affected?
- v.25: Paul's respect, courtesy, character.
- v.26: The gospel was not "done in a corner".
- v.27: Agrippa knew the OT scriptures. APPLICATION
- v.27: Paul's love and zeal for souls,
OBSERVE: The gospel touches people - even those whom we might not expect. APPLICATION: Have you met an "almost Christian"?
- See what Agrippa says: "Almost ---",
THE "ALMOST CHRISTIAN" IS NOT YET SAVED
- Agrippa was affected - but not yet saved if ever he was. It was Common Grace.
APPLICATION: Do you know the difference? - A person might go quite far and not be saved -
- The mind might feel the truth of the gospel message.
- The conscience might be stirred with fear.
- The will might be inclined to yield.
ILLUSTRATION: a battering ram on a wall. - A measure of the Spirit "striving".
See Hebrews 6: certain effects of the Spirit
- But he is not yet converted - needs to have something more. See Christ's words: "Thou art not far from the Kingdom".
OBSERVE: I have known people to show great promise for a time...then fall back or even become harder than before.
APPLICATION: Are you an "almost Christian"?
- Agrippa was affected - but not yet saved if ever he was. It was Common Grace.
THE LORD'S PEOPLE WOULD DEARLY LOVE ALL TO BECOME FULLY CONVERTED AND TO HAVE THEIR JOY
- See Paul's love and prayer: "-not almost but altogether - except these bonds."
OBSERVE: All the blessings; none of the trials.
APPLICATION: See how kind the gospel makes people. - What is it to be "altogether persuaded"?
- To understand the danger of a sinner.
- To be persuaded of God's love as that is shown in the Cross of Christ.
- The inward persuasion that the gospel is true and the Bible inspired.
- A willingness to profess Christ before others by life and lip.
- So the "Almost Christian" is not yet safe:
- Illustration: a man overboard - the rope thrown.
- a man bitten by a serpent - will he look to the remedy? (Jn. 3:14-15).
- he has leprosy - will he do as the prophet says? (Naaman).
- See Paul's love and prayer: "-not almost but altogether - except these bonds."
CONCLUSION
"A miss is as good as a mile".
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