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Decision time Acts 26:22-28
Acts 26:22-28 • But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you
insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Agrippa was lost and doomed • History does not tell us about a later conversion of Agrippa. • King Agrippa, wealthy, powerful, friend of the Roman elite, is in hell. • He couldn’t make up his mind when the time was right. • Paul presented the Gospel to him but Agrippa had other priorities.
Many people get into the self-defeating habit of not making up their minds. • Did you know that Europe was almost conquered by an African once? • Hannibal brought his army and his elephants to Spain, crossed the Pyrenees, beating back the Roman legions, crossed France and the Alps, came to the gates of Rome and lost his decisiveness. After 9 years he was driven out of Italy.
Sit on the fence; eventually you’ll fall off! • 1 Kings 18:21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lordis God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” • But the people said nothing. • When it comes to spiritual decisions, God is not pleased with a lack of grit.
In fact God despises indecision • To the church in Laodicea he said, “I know your deeds,that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:15-17
We could discuss many negative examples.. • Now fear the Lordand serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household,we will serve the Lord. joshua 24:14-15
God gave life-giving counsel to the laodiceans • I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,(so you can become rich; and white clothes(to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come inand eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I over-came and sat down with my Father on his throne.He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
