That was me about 7 years ago. I had all but given up on God until the demonic attacks became life threatening to me and I knew I had to search for this God everyone seemed to know but me.
I'm going to share with you a small portion of the message I heard from Bro Steve Ross that changed my life forever.
In Acts 26:24-32, Paul is sharing his testimony with King Agrippa and Festus, he's trying to persuade them to see truth.
Read with me in Acts 26:24-32
24Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!".
25But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe."
28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
29And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."
30When he had said these things, the King stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, "This man is doing nothing deserving of death and chains."
32Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
King Agrippa had to make a decision; he had to decide to either be for or against Jesus Christ. He knew what had happened. He was familiar with Jewish customs, traditions and teachings, the word says he was an "expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews....." He knew the teachings about the Messiah which is why he wanted to hear from Paul.
"For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner." Acts 26:26
Agrippa understood exactly what Paul was talking about when he said "this thing was not done in a corner". He knew he was talking about the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said he was convinced that NONE of these things escapes his attention. The crucifixion was still fresh on their minds. He knew the words spoken at the mock trial ("I find no fault in you"). King Agrippa couldn't explain the crucifixion and resurrection, he couldn't explain the miraculous. The Holy Spirit was touching the heart of Agrippa.
So why was he "almost persuaded"?
The first thing I see is SIN......If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times, sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go and cost you more than you ever wanted to give. Sin stood in King Agrippa's way.
"The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the City. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in." Acts 25:23
Pomp means a dignified or splendid display.
Bernice was King Agrippa's sister. Flavius Josephus a historian scholar stated that rumor was King Agrippa was in an incestuous relationship with his sister, Bernice. Agrippa obviously didn't want to deal with his sin. He wasn't ready to give it up.
People love sin, don't we? It's appealing to the flesh and a lot of times we just don't want to call it what it is.
When I heard this message, Bro. Steve proposed these questions:
What one thing is worth spending an eternity in hell for?
What is one thing worth giving your soul for?
What is one thing worthy of you spending an eternity in eternal fire forever and ever and ever?
Is one passion, one moment of pleasure worth it?
Premarital sex, possessions, drugs, power, money, pride?
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
Matthew 16:26 says, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
King Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian. He almost turned from his sins and excepted Christ but sin stood in his way.
The second reason King Agrippa was "almost persuaded" was because of Fear......He was afraid he would be classified as crazy just like Paul had been. (vs 24)
Have you wondered what people will say about you if you get totally committed to Christ? Have you wondered if you'll lose your friends, have you wondered if you'll be made fun of? We are so concerned with what others think about us but is it really worth giving your soul for?
The third reason he was "almost persuaded" was due to Cost..... He knew it would cost him something to follow Christ. He saw the chains that Paul was wearing. He knew the position Paul was in for following Christ.
Salvation is free but it's definitely not cheap. It's not easy, it's hard but it's worth it in the end.
If you think that you can say a prayer and keep living life as usual than you've missed it all. Salvation will cost you your life as you know it. It's a surrender to Him and His will. Are you willing to pay the price? Are you willing to lay down your sin for Jesus?
The fourth and final reason was he wasn't willing to surrender his Will....King Agrippa was unwilling to surrender his will to Christ. He wasn't willing to be saved, it felt good, his eyes were opened but he rejected the gospel. He was almost persuaded but decided not today.
Salvation is so much more than an intellectual, emotional experience. If all you ever do is cry and weep about how you want Christ as your Lord and Savior but you're never willing to surrender your will to him, you have nothing more than an intellectual knowledge of who he is. You haven't found that transforming life that comes through knowing Christ as your personal savior yet. You have to be willing to give him your all. That means your desires, your wants, your life, your sin and allow him to use you as he designed you for from the time you were formed in your mothers womb.
In closing I pray if you don't really know Jesus as your Lord and Savior that you will after reading this. The youtube video I've posted below is a video I did years ago after hearing this message for the first time.
