ONE WORD THAT KEPT A MAN OUT OF THE CHURCH

 

Text: Acts 26:28.

 

INTRODUCTION:

Dramatize Paul before Agrippa (Acts 26).

In Agrippa's way were position, pride, and admirers.

 "Almost" - a little word, but what depth of meaning!

 

PROPOSITION:         Reasons for and result Of being almost persuaded.

 

I. SOME WHO ARE ALMOST CHRISTIAN.

 

1.   One with Christian environment. Jn. 3:3,5

 

2.  One with Christian principles. Acts 10:1 f.

 

3.  One who has partially obeyed the Lord's commands? Lk. 6:46.

 

4.  One who intends to accept Christ some day? 2 Cor. 6:2.

 

5.  Such should be Christians instead of "almost."

     

II. WHY SOME REMAIN ALMOST CHRISTIAN.

 

1.  Some do not realize their lost condition. 3n. 3:36.

 

2.  Some are afraid of ridicule. Lk. 9:26.

 

3.  Some are unwilling to relinquish sin. Rom. 6:23.

 

                            4. Some are afraid that they cannot overcome. Phil. 4:13.

 

5.  Nothing should be great enough to keep a soul from the Saviour

 

III.     RESULTS OF REMAINING ALMOST CHRISTIAN.

 

1.  No peace. Phil. 4:7.

 

2.  No pardon. Acts 4:12.

 

3.  No power. Rom. 7:24-25.

 

4.  No title to heaven. Rev. 21:27.

 

5.  These possessions may be yours when you are fully per­suaded.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Are you an "almost Christian?"

 

Seeing the results of remaining almost persuaded, would you be fully persuaded for Christ.

 

The Spirit says, "Come." The bride says, "Come." He who hears says, "Come." He, who will, let him come.

 

 

Almost Saved

 

It was George C. Needham who told the story of the three brothers who put out in a little boat on a lake in

 

Scotland. The lake was large, the boat was frail, and the storms came suddenly. When the boys were far from

 

Land a sudden storm swooped down upon the lake and, in all of its fury, caught the little craft. The boat was

 

tossed to and fro in the raging tempest and finally capsized. The three boys were tossed into the icy water,

 

The middle-age boy being caught in the rigging of the boat and drowned immediately.

 

As he felt the icy chill of the water, the older boy  instinc­tively started to swim for a rocky island nearby. As

 

He swam; he looked back over his shoulder and saw the younger brother doing his best to follow. The older

 

one made the safety of the rock and  with his last remaining strength, pulled himself upon the rocky ledge. He

 

turned his head and looked back into the water, and here came little brother-doing his best to breast the

 

current, but his strength  was waning so rapidly. The exhausted boy on the rocky ledge watched helplessly as

 

the swimmer came to the rock and reached out toward the slippery ledge, then slipped back; reached again,

 

searching  for a hand-hold, then slipped back;  reached desperately for the third time, then slipped back, not

 

to  reappear.

 

It was not long until a rescue ship put out from shore and took the survivor from the little island. When he

 

was  brought into the safety of the boat all that he could say was: "Oh, lads, little brother was nearly saved!"

 

All are so near the place of salvation. May it be "altogether" instead of "almost" saved?