The Gospel Truth

The Gospel Truth

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Gospel and the Resurrection

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15

The word “Gospel” means “Good News”. There is only one Gospel!

The Gospel is described in many ways:

Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The Gospel of the Grace of God.

Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The glorious Gospel.

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

The Everlasting Gospel.

This church at Corinth, like many churches today, is confused about the resurrection of believers.

This resurrection concerns our bodies, no matter if they are in the grave, have been burnt to ashes, thrown into the ocean, or eaten by some wild animal.

Some were denying the resurrection of the body.
Some were following false teaching, claiming that it occurred at the time of our death.
Some just said God couldn’t resurrect our old bodies when God made us from the dust of the ground to begin with.

There is nothing too hard for God!

Paul said this was a simple thing for God when He showed the power of resurrection by raising His own Son from the dead.

We do not need any other proof!

*1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

No matter where the Apostle Paul preached, he included the resurrection as part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We cannot take our stand on the Gospel of Jesus Christ without standing on the fact of His resurrection and our resurrection.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Paul had said earlier that he was not able to preach the meat of the Gospel to these Corinthians, but he did preach the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is a major doctrine and principle of our salvation and our resurrection.

We, as the Church, need to pay particular attention to this chapter.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

We should understand that we will see our Heavenly Father face-to-face, and we will be in a glorified body, and that body will be a version of the body we had when we were upon this earth.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Paul is declaring these things again to these Corinthians as if they had never heard them because they had not remained with them.

We must live by faith in the Word of God.

We already know that without faith, we cannot even please God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We are being saved by the same Gospel that was presented to these Corinthians!

We must hold fast to the Gospel.

When we take a stand as a Christian, we are standing upon the truth of the Gospel!

Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

*1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

The first act of the Gospel was that Jesus Christ died for our sins, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.

Isa 53:5-8, Daniel 9:26, Psalms 22, Zec 12:10, Gen 22.

All these Scriptures teach us the death and resurrection of our Savior, God’s Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the first thing that should be preached because with His death, He paid for our sins.

Paul is saying that these are the first words that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The death of Jesus Christ was the substitute that Our Heavenly Father allowed for payment of our sins.

Jesus died as our sacrifice.
Jesus died as our ransom.
Jesus died as our propitiation.
Jesus died according to the Scriptures.

Luk 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luk 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Joh 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was despised and rejected by men.

*1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The second fact of the Gospel is that the Lord Jesus died and was buried, and He rose again on the third day, just as the Old Testament had testified.

We should understand that there were many witnesses to these events; they were not done in the dark or hidden from sight.

There are still those today who say there was no resurrection because there was no actual death.

We need to just pay attention to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the truth, and it is our faith that saves us and our faith that pleases our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ did die a human death. No one buries a man who is alive except a murderer.

If Jesus had not been buried, then there could be no resurrection.

The empty tomb is still evidence that the Lord Jesus arose from the dead!

It is the resurrection of Christ Jesus that proves that our bodies will also one day rise from the grave, and our tombs will be empty no matter how our bodies were buried, scattered, or remain in some urn, or thrown in the ocean.

The resurrection proves that the Lord Jesus Christ is exactly who He says He is, the Living God!

There is no other power anywhere upon this earth that can raise people from their death!

Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is our Savior.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is the Spirit of Life.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is no liar.

Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

The resurrection proves that Christianity is real!
The resurrection proves that our Heavenly Father accepted the work that His Son Jesus did for our reconciliation, our salvation.

When the Lord Jesus prayed at Gethsemane, it was a prayer that His death would bring life through His resurrection.

His Heavenly Father heard His prayer!

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

His resurrection was essential in the plan of God for us to receive the Holy Spirit.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

There was an empty tomb.
There was the shape of the linen wrappings. Those wrappings still retained the shape of the body. The Lord Jesus had passed right through those wrappings.

Remember Lazarus: Joh 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

The graveclothes of Jesus had remained in that empty tomb with the napkin folded and laid aside, which meant He would return.

Then some witnessed seeing Him after He arose.

*1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Peter, who had denied the Lord, now became one of the greatest witnesses for the Lord.

The Lord appeared to the remaining Apostles. Judas at that time was already dead having committed suicide. There were twelve Apostles after his death.

Then there were five hundred witnesses at one time who could testify to seeing the resurrected Christ.

Then the Lord appeared to James, His stepbrother, who would be the Pastor of the Church at Jerusalem.

It is then that the family of the Lord Jesus Christ found out that their stepbrother was telling the truth all along.

He later met Paul on the Damascus Road. Paul became the twelfth apostle hand-chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ.

And Paul preached:

*1Co 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Still today, some unbelievers deny the resurrection of the human body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that the Lord was one hundred percent God, but He was also one hundred percent human. That human body did die, but God cannot die. He has always existed!

Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Isa 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

There may be many things I do not understand and cannot explain, but the resurrection of my Savior has enough witnesses to make me a believer, and I have enough faith to accept all the Word of God as the truth.

BUT:

*1Co 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
1Co 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1Co 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is nothing to Christianity.

Most of this world believes in some supernatural being, and that being would not be much if it could not bring a human body back to life.

The message of the Gospel is the “good news” of our resurrected Savior, who is the God of the Bible and the God of all truth.

Since the God of the Bible raised the Lord Jesus Christ back to life, He will have no problem raising all the bodies in the future that He wants to raise.

Jesus said to his disciples after He had risen Luk 24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luk 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

I will live forever in the presence of the Lord!
I will have a personal face-to-face relationship with the Lord!
I will be made perfect and serve the Lord face-to-face in a New Heaven and a New Earth!
I do know that I know all these things are true!

The Lord Jesus died to free me from death and all other believers, and His Father raised Him, so He will raise all those who have been freed from death!

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

*1Co 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Christians whose bodies are in the sleep of death is a principle that we must reject as impossible!

The goodness, the faith, the love, the tenderness of that Saint of God cannot be dissolved into nothing.

God simply will not allow it!

Since Jesus Christ rose from His death, then that old body of that saint of God that is asleep in Jesus will also rise from that grave!

That old body will not only rise from the dead, but it will be glorified just as the body of Christ is glorified.

The Lord Jesus did not have to take His earthly body back to Heaven with Him, but He did.

He could just as easily have gone back in His Spirit, but He chose to take that earthly body with Him.

If the Lord Jesus Christ did not arise from that grave, then neither will we. It is just that simple.

Why do we question God so much when He expects us to have faith?

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ goes hand in hand with our own resurrection!

If all we have is hope in this life, then certainly we will be miserable as we grow older in years.

If we have served the Lord as He commanded and suffered for it, then we have endured something false.

But now Jesus Christ is risen!

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The fact is, we will live in the New Heaven with our Redeemer in our glorified bodies throughout eternity.

Since we are in our old body that is now glorified, we will be known by sight, just as we will recognize those who have gone before us by sight.

Where is our faith?

We should be very clear if it is possible to live in the presence of God, and it is, then the human body must first undergo a radical change. Th

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1Pe 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

*1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

If we are not settled on this issue of our bodies, then listen as Paul tells us how these things will take place.

The human body is flesh and blood. It is a physical body and not a spiritual body that will be needed in the New Heaven.

This body is made of earthly materials and substances, not spiritual materials and substances.

This body must be completely remade!

The bodies we have today are made to live in this physical world and dimension.

This physical body is made for the kingdoms of this world and not to inherit the Kingdom of God.

We cannot inherit eternity as we are; a change is necessary!

This means those who have gone on to meet the Lord and their old flesh was left behind and, includes any who are alive when the Trumpet sounds, and we will all meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

When we meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds, it will not be for salvation, but the Lord will take this time to issue rewards for the work that was done on earth.

1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The workman is saved the work itself is burned with fire.

Both the living and the dead will receive newly created bodies.

These things will happen quicker than can be seen clearly and will be invisible to those who will remain on earth during the tribulation period.

We should not worry, as the Lord Jesus said, the Lord’s children will hear that trumpet!

These things are absolutely certain!

The trumpet will sound.
The Lord’s saints will hear it.
The dead shall be raised incorruptible.
We shall be changed.
These things will take place in the twinkling of an eye.

Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

The resurrection of the damned will take place over a thousand years later than the Rapture of the Church.

*1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The nature of our old bodies is corruptible, but the nature of our new bodies will be uncorruptible!

You do not have to tell a senior citizen about how his body is deteriorating, and his days are getting shorter, and a day of death awaits us all unless the Lord Jesus returns soon.

We are all waiting for our heavenly body that will live throughout eternity.

We know that if we are going to live with God, then these old bodies must change!

*1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

This change of our bodies will swallow up death, as it will not exist in our new bodies.

The grave will no longer be in our future.

This is the victory that was promised by Jehovah long ago.

Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

It is sin that gave death its power, and the New Heaven is a place where there is no sin and there will never be any sin.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Sin will now be erased from the picture.

It is laws and standards that show us our shortcomings.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Yes, Lord, I believe you.

When we have been perfected by the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be no law hanging over our heads.

With no law, there will be no condemnation!

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

*1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

It was the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that proved He had the power over death.

It is through Him and Him alone that we can be resurrected from our death!

His perfect righteousness overcomes sin and sin’s penalty; it condemns sin!

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Those who are afraid of the Holy Ghost will find that He is our greatest gift after salvation.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

These things should encourage us all as we live for Jesus Christ.

These promises are to all those who believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! These are promises!

We must stand on the truth of our Lord, unmovable!

Unyielding.
Unshaken.
Undisturbed by what goes on in this world around us.

We must work harder for those we love and those we meet.

Our labor will not be in vain!

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Amen

Why It Matters

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Warnings and Words to Teachers.

Book of James Chapter 3

Today our lesson concerns those who teach the Word of God.

*Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

The word “masters” means instructors or teachers.

James included himself when we said we shall receive greater condemnation.

What James is saying is, that the Lord Jesus is our Master and we are to teach the things that He said or that He approved, which is the Word of God we have in our possession.

What did the Lord Jesus say? Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

We certainly only have one Master and He is our Lord and Savior.

We can never be a master teacher but we can teach the way Jesus taught by using all the Word of God, rightly divided.

2Ti_2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Is teaching a calling?

We must understand a Pastor is a calling and the biggest majority of them are also great Teachers like our own Pastor.

A Teacher on the other hand is not a Pastor and neither can he be unless he is called of God.

A teacher also is not self-appointed.

How did I get into this position? I first thought I was drawn to help in the youth department.

At that time Travis was our youth Pastor and I asked him if there was a place where I could help him with the youth.

And I began to teach the kids and I loved it.

As time passed the previous teacher of this class asked me if I could help him by teaching every other Sunday.

Now do not get me wrong, I do not feel I was called but I was pushed along by the Holy Spirit and felt I could not say no to either of these things.

So I was trying to teach the youth on Sunday night and every other Sunday in this adult class.

During this time I began having some medical issues which cause me to run to the bathroom.

I did not have a helper with the kids which was needed and you cannot just run off and leave a bunch of kids to themselves for any amount of time.

It was during this time that I had to make a choice and I chose the adult class because I can run off to the bathroom and leave you lovely people.

My issues have cleared up and I am much better now.

The previous teacher left to go to another Church and I became the full-time person filling in until this class elects someone else.

Any time someone else wants to teach in this class we can have an election and that person will be the new teacher if the votes are his.

I have been here since 2013 filling in until that teacher arrives.

What James is saying is, to love the work of being a teacher, but do not strive to be after the honor of a Teacher like our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, I must learn just like you do and then we can all learn together the truth of the Scriptures until we get what the Lord is trying to teach us.

You see, the temptations and trials that we face, we will face them together!

Just so we understand, the tongue is the tool of the teacher and because of this, if I use my tongue for a sinful purpose in this class, I will face a harsher judgment from the Lord!

I must never give you a warning from the Lord without applying it to myself also.

To be honest, teaching this class has given me an opportunity to learn more from the precious Words that the Lord God, our Creator, has given to us.

****Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

If I allow the Word of God to be my bridle then, in that sense only, I have become a perfect teacher, but in no way am I a perfect person, as only the Lord Jesus Christ has been perfect in the time He was upon this earth and He is our only Master!

All this being said, I will not allow this fear of judgment to neglect doing my best as a teacher.

I depend upon the Holy Spirit to keep me straight, and I know I still make mistakes, and if you hear me do that then tell me and we will get the right answer from the Word of God.

The Words God has given to us, are the only perfect thing upon this earth!

Psa_119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Sometimes I use too much politics and I will try to use less.

You see, as long as there is fuel to our temptations, then we have to be on guard in this life until Jesus Christ returns to take us home.

You see, I always know if I got the message across that I had and failed to do so.

I also know that when I stand before you that the Holy Spirit will bring out things that need to be said.

Another thing I know is, that when I have prepared a lesson that has too much information in it for the time we have, I try to rush the lesson and sometimes mess it up completely.

I am trying to do better.

The one thing my tongue shows me is that I am always stumbling and coming up short with what I am trying to teach, but I make no excuses because I know the Lord rewards effort and the Holy Spirit will correct my mistakes.

We know our tongue will speak about what is on our minds and what is in our hearts so, that same tongue will either justify us or condemn us before God.

This is exactly what the Lord Jesus said!

Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I depend upon Him to teach me!

Every part of me, from my head to my toe and everything inside me, was designed to serve the Lord and I want to try to make sure that they do!

The Lord wants us to be clear about the harm and the good that can come from the proper use of our tongues.

*Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Sometimes, we can understand what the Lord is saying by the way we do things ourselves.

A horse is a powerful animal, but a bridle and a bit can place this large animal under our control.

The Lord says if we follow His instructions, we will not need a horse’s bridle with that bit that controls the tongue.

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psa 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

A piece of rope or leather connected in the right places, with a bit can control a very large horse!

Even the largest of ships have a small rudder compared to their awesome size, but that rudder turns the ship in the way it should go!

So it is with our tongue! It is such a small member of our body, but the destructive power of our tongue is very great!

We can boast about anything, but no matter how that boasting is done, it is almost always destructive.

Boasting is nothing more than vain or empty talk, unless we are boasting about what the Lord has done in our lives!

Our words are the expressions of our thoughts!

There was no such phrase in the American language as “brotherly love”, until Christians used it!

We should understand that every word we speak has its own history and at its appointed time, it was added to the library of the world’s thoughts.

It is only the wisdom that is from above that gives us the proper way to use our tongues!

We should ask ourselves, why are we so willing to freely speak about the business of others than to attend to our own affairs, when we should be freely speaking the Words of Christ Jesus and His affairs?

A kind word has helped more people than can be counted when cruel words can break the heart of weak spirits who may never recover from them.

We must consider that we are the king of our tongue, but we are also a slave to suffer from its abuse.

In most cases, it takes a bridle to calm a nervous horse and a ship is only a useful thing if it can turn to a set course.

That small rudder gives safety to a ship, just that bit gives calmness to a horse.

Those that do not know the Lord do not have the power to control their tongue, and we see this increasingly today in this wicked world.

*Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

We have an upcoming election between two men.

We will be asking ourselves, are we voting on what they say or are we voting on the actions we have seen from them both.

The main thing we should be asking is, what is their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?

We know that all the fires that roar over our nation every year, each began with one spark.

One of the greatest fires in California was started by a man lost in the wilderness so someone might find him.

Billions of dollars were lost and several people died because he made a foolish mistake in a dry forest.

This is the same action of our tongues if we do not bridle them and give the Lord the reins and the control of that bit in our mouths.

We know that a forest fire can destroy everything in its path and our tongues can destroy every good relationship we have ever made.

Boasting is also a sin of the tongue.

What are some of the things Our Lord hates?

Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

We see a lying tongue, and a false witness using his tongue to speak lies, when he that sows discord by the use of his tongue.

Any sort of falsehood will ruin our testimony!

Any sort of falsehood can ruin the testimony of any Christian.

I wish our politicians could understand this one thing as well as each of us are to understand.

Lies destroys marriages.
Lies destroys friendships.
Lies destroys our reputations.

In this life we have now, our tongue is an ever-present tool of evil, unless we allow it to be bridled by the Word of God.

Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

If the Potter does not remake us, then our tongue will lead us into the fires of Hell!

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

We must allow the Word of God be the bits in our mouths, to control that terrible wicked tongue that we have!

The tongue can defile our whole body!

Our nation is on a slide to Hell, because of all the lies that are spoken in it today!

Our news sources no longer post the truth but use politics to sway others to certain things almost always against the Word of God and the actual truth.

Only the Lord Jesus can tame our tongues!

*Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

In our world we hear that word “religion” an awful lot and we should be able to see that “religion” is not good for anyone, because religion cannot tame the tongue!

Religion cannot rule the speech so, it is a failure and it is fraud.

The tongue is like a wild beast that needs taming, but religion is not a tool that will work!

The tongue is fierce and uncontrollable, and religion does not have the answers to tame it!

Why, might we ask? It is because the unbeliever is a child of the Devil.

1Pe_5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can tame the tongue because it is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can cage the Devil!

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Religion is only a friend of the Devil, but the Lord is the Master of all His creation.

*Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

No matter how much we claim to be Christian, it must show in our actions, and our tongue and our speech is a ready indicator of what is in our heart.

All of humanity were first made in the image of God!

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

What people seem to forget is that image did not really mean our bodies.

God is Spirit and you cannot see a spirit.

It is true that the Lord Jesus was a man and also God, but He took on the looks of man.

There is an enormous difference between “image” and “likeness”.

“Image” is our reproduction in form and substance.

“Likeness” is more our resemblance of thoughts and actions other than outward similarity.

We should understand that it is our nature that was made in the image of God.

It was the sin of Adam that changed this image!

The truth of these things is that humanity possess qualities that no animal could ever possess, and most true scientists have found this to be true while evolutionists try to make this to be false.

Evolutionists have great imaginations but they have no concept of the truth!

We can trust that the Lord speaks the truth!

The truth is, when we bless the Lord, our Heavenly Father, and then, use that same tongue to curse some person who is made in the similitude of God we are not who we say we are.

We cannot profess the Lord Jesus Christ and act like the heathens that are in the world!

Heathens meaning idolaters who oppose the truth of the Lord Jesus!

Psa 50:16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Psa 50:17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

Psa 78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

The Lord gives us His own examples of what He means here.

Then the Lord asks, “are we really wise or fools?

*Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

When you go to a water fountain you will get either bitter water or good water.

If you go to an apple tree you cannot get oranges.

If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not act like those of the world!

When the Holy Spirit speaks of wisdom, He is speaking of a moral matter rather than an intellectual quality!

To be “foolish” is to be without the Lord Jesus Christ!

Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

It is only by the Lord Jesus Christ that this wisdom comes to us!

1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The wisdom of God brings about the good life we all deserve, the life that our Heavenly Father intended for us, when He first created mankind until the sin of Adam.

We cannot twist and turn the Word of God to mean something that God did not intend!

As teachers, if we cannot teach the Word of God as God intended, then we are not teachers to begin with!

The wisdom of the world cannot compare to the wisdom of the Lord!

The Christian teacher must apply the facts of the Bible, and they are facts, no matter what this lost world says.

We must have a translation into our language from a reliable source which is the Received Text.

A translation from a translation such as the Vatican Text, will never have the complete truth!

Not only is the Biblical teacher to teach the truth of God, that Christian teacher must live what he teaches!

A knowledgeable teacher is not a person who has all kinds of facts and theories, speculations, and notions in his mind!

A Biblical teacher is a good moral person who is just, loving, and caring, and who lives what he knows, and teaches according to the Word of God!

Meekness is the strength to control and discipline and does so at the right time.

Meekness does not make us weak; meekness is a strength!

Meekness is having strong self-control!

The Christian teachers who teach should show a control with righteous anger against injustice and evil again, according to the truth of God!

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is only false wisdom and wrong teaching in this world and especially in our own nation.

*Jas 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Each teacher is to concentrate on those before him and not be envious of others.

Teachers cannot compare themselves to other teachers because comparison cuts and hurts.

If any teacher begins to teach a false doctrine, then those he stands before must question him immediately.

It is the same for any preacher who stands before any congregation anywhere.

As Christians we do not have to tolerate such things!

False wisdom and wrong teaching can only cause problems in the entire church!

We have seen much of this throughout our nation.

As teachers, we must not react angrily while being corrected if that is the case!

The Bible, the Word of God will settle all disputes!

True wisdom comes only from the Lord who knows all things!

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

We must understand that envy is the mother of strife, just like the Devil is the father of all lies.

When these two things come together nothing but wickedness can come from it!

Ambition can sometimes lead to these things, when we all should be seeking the wisdom of God and not the wisdom of some man!

*Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

To be honest if these things are allowed in a church, then that church will cease to be a tool in the hands of God!

The soul will become restless and the soul will not be at peace with itself nor with others!

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

When we have grieved the Holy Spirit then He cannot do His work of Redemption.

Some can feel pride in their different beliefs, but the teacher must not give in to different beliefs that go against the Word of God.

The Word of God can settle all differences rightly divided!

2Ti_2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This is a command unto all of us and not just to the teacher or the preacher.

Any teaching that goes against the Word of God is false teaching and false wisdom!

When we are not teaching the truth then we are not living the truth!

All false teaching is of this earth because there is no false teaching that comes from Heaven.

We must be very clear on this!

*Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

America is full of false teaching today as is the world and we have allowed it to happen!

There is no such thing as a modern Gospel!

The Gospel we have today is the same Gospel that has worked since the time that the Lord Jesus Christ taught the truth of the Word of God!

The source of true wisdom is from the Lord!

True wisdom does not come from the knowledge of this world we live in!

True wisdom has first got to be pure!

It must be pure from fault and defilement, which means it must be morally pure!

All we have today is an immoral world from the knowledge of immoral men.

A person with pure wisdom will lead a clean and pure life!

He will discipline himself in all things and keep himself fit for the use of the Lord.

A wise person will keep his relationships pure!

He will lead a moral and just life!

He will protect his family from this immoral world!

Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

A truly wise person will keep himself pure before God, so that his relationship with God is always open to the being used of God!

A true teacher works to bring mankind closer to the Lord and closer to each other!

A true teacher will be gentle in dealing with other people.

The effect of true wisdom is the fruit of righteousness!

Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

If we can just get people to be at peace with each other, this world would be a much better place!

As true Christians we are not the enemies of this world, we in fact want to be friends, but take note, we will not tolerate the worlds objection to us living according to the Word of God because we have no choice!

We have chosen to live by the truth and we will and nothing in this world can change that!

We must maintain our relationship with the Lord!

We will not force the Word of God on anyone!

We just ask that the world just take one look at what the Lord Jesus Christ has to say.

Why is this world so afraid to take one look at Jesus?

Most of our world does not know what the Lord says, because the world listens to false teachers and false Christians.

Every building with a steeple is not a Church.
Every gospel that is taught is not the true Gospel.
Everyone who claims to be a Christian is not a true Christian, because a Christian must walk in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Church is to be peace makers and not war mongers, but we will not allow the world to walk all over us!

Amen

Almost Persuaded

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Paul Before Agrippa

Book of Acts Chapter 26

Chapter 26 begins with the Apostle Paul in the hearing room of King Herod’s palace in Caesarea, standing before the Governor Festus, King Agrippa, and his sister Bernice.

We will see that Paul will give a complete description of his calling.

When we repeat the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are giving to the world the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is what the Lord Jesus asked us all to do.

We cannot be ashamed of the Gospel!

Paul will also give his own testimony and things that concerned his own calling.

Christianity always appears in person.

The Lord Jesus uses human beings as His voice upon this earth and as His legs to take the Gospel to the world.

Christianity must be heard.

Paul gives his own testimony! We cannot give the testimony of someone else.

If we have nothing to say out of our own conscience, then we cannot be a witness for the Lord.

Our salvation may be between us and the Lord, but our experience in the Gospel is to be in full view of others.

Paul said, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

Before Paul was known, he was first called Saul and Saul had been on his way to Damascus to do terrible things just as before we were saved, we were on the wrong road with the wrong purpose in life.

It is the Lord Jesus who brought about a change in Paul, just as He has brought about a change in each and every Christian, no matter where they are located.

Paul said, “I have seen the Light of the Lord Jesus”.

It is the Light of Jesus that allows us to see the filth that was in our lives, and that is in this world.

To be a Christian is to have mental illumination and liberation.

Paul said it was on this day on the road to sin that he met the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah God.

*Act 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Remember, a Godly vision is much different than a dream. Dreams may seem real sometimes, but in a Godly vision all the characters have names, and the characters are real people, and it is as if you were dropped into the middle of something happening that was real because it is real.

God allowed those in these visions to see a future happening that was real. Dreams are just dreams good or bad and some bad ones are called nightmares.

Paul knew he had a Godly vision when he was on the Damascus Road.

This was Paul’s call into the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul was obedient to God’s call!

The Lord’s call was not up for discussion to Paul, and neither should it be to us.

Paul’s call was from Heaven, and this is the way we should all see it.

That call from Heaven should override any calling we may think we have in this world!

Paul’s vision of the Lord Jesus Christ was so real, that he knew he had seen the Lord Jesus in person just as the other Apostles!

There is no need to seek another’s opinion, when we are called of God, we know and understand it is reality!

All the charges against Paul were unjustified because Paul was obedient to the call of God.

We must never break any law when we are obedient to the Lord!

When we are faithful to the Lord we are on the right path, and we will be doing what the Lord wants us to do!

Our job is to let Christianity speak for itself!

We must allow the Word of God to do its job!

It is the Word of God that has the answers to all our questions and all of life’s questions!

We may think that our Godly experience is something between ourselves and God, but this is not true.

Paul never thought this because our relationship with God is to be shared with others!

Many times our testimony is the beginning of our conversation with those in the world.

If we are ashamed of our conversion, then we are ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who have met Jesus Christ and have turned away, are running from their call into the ministry!

We cannot eat the Word of God one time, and this be enough.

We must sit down daily at the table of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Co_4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

When we dine with the Lord, we are refreshed with His never-ending strength!

When Paul was allowed to speak his defense was that the truth of this world is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord is serious when He calls anyone for reasonable service to the Gospel!

*Act 26:21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
Act 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
Act 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Do you know why the queer movement, the trans crowd, the abortion industry, and many others do not believe they have to change their ways to be saved?

Because they look into the Church, and they see the so-called Christians and they do not see changed lives.

Now it is true that we cannot make everlasting changes to our lives because it is the job of the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us at salvation.

He has regenerative power, but we must be willing!

It is that changed life that shows the power of God!

We cannot neglect proclaiming the works of repentance!

Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

You, without the Lord God of the Bible cannot accomplish anything worth speaking of!

There is no salvation apart from a life of righteousness, that righteousness according to the Word of God!

Religion, ritual, ceremony, church membership, baptism, worship attendance, heritage, good parents, morality, and many other things are meaningless, without a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is faith and repentance that shows our love for Jesus Christ!

Who would want to be in a Church where you do not have to change your wicked ways? Not me!

This is saying that the Word of God has no meaning!

Who wants to go to a Heaven that is just like this world? Not me!

This is saying that Christianity is just like all the false religions of this world.

Why was Paul being persecuted? Because he was obedient to the Lord’s call to preach the truth.

The world does not want to hear the truth!

What was the message of the Apostle Paul?

That men and women, queers, abortionist, drunks, immoral people, transgenders and all the lost should repent, turn to God, and do good works as described in the Word of God.

Paul was the Lord’s witness in teaching these things.

Paul had this same message to the lowest of humans upon this earth and those who sat on thrones!

Paul added that they need look no further than himself to see that God takes care of His children.

God cares for us even when no one upon this earth does!

As true believers, we can always count on our Lord God!

God does sometimes allow trials to come into our lives to make us tougher in facing the reality of this cruel world.

The Lord Jesus Christ also suffered on this earth at the hands of cruel men, as our example of the suffering we may have to go through.

Paul did not select his audience, he witnessed to those who stood in front of him at any given time.

He showed respect to the king for his position, but the message of Jesus Christ did not change because he was a king, or a Caesar, or the title of any ruler, or for any religious man.

No one is exempt from the message of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel.

What was the truth for these Jews?

Paul bore witness to the Scriptures of the Messiah, the same Scriptures that the prophets and Moses used to say the Messiah would come.

1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Paul bore witness of the death of our Savior.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

The death of Jesus Christ was ordained before God created this world!

There was no other way for God to save us, but by His death and He will explain that to us one day soon!

Paul bore witness to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Jesus Christ had to be the first one to rise from His death.

He was the first fruit, the first in importance to the truth of God!

He never again had to die because another death would have no meaning!

Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Lazarus rose from the dead, but Lazarus had to die again and there were others mentioned in the Bible and all these in this court room knew these things.

King Agrippa had never heard the Word of God preached in this manner and Festus could not accept these truths.

*Act 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Act 26:25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
Act 26:26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

We see that Festus could not accept the truth of the Scriptures. Festus was a Roman and knew truly little of the Hebrew people.

The idea of fulfilled prophecy, the resurrection of the dead, and this crucified Jew, giving light to the Roman world were foolishness to Festus.

Festus had no spiritual discernment because he had no knowledge of the one true God!

The gods of Festus were all statues and imaginary, with no such power as this Christian God.

All the gods of this world’s religions, besides Christianity are all also false gods.

Festus was saying to Paul that old book of writings had no meaning in the Roman dominated world.

The same thing is said today about the Word of God, but the Word of God is alive, and its meaning is truly clear in this world, for we are in the last days and the Word of God will become more meaningful as we get closer to the return of Jesus Christ.

Paul says. No, I am not mad Festus because the truth of God stands clearly opposed to falsehood.

The Word of God is real, the Word of God is fact, spoken in a world where lies dominate our existence, and riches rule our ways.

King Agrippa did have knowledge of the things Paul spoke of and Festus had no knowledge of those things.

None of these things were hidden from the ruler of Israel.

The Scriptures had predicted the coming of the Messiah and at least a few had gotten it right.

The news that what the Lord Jesus Christ had claimed, and His death and His resurrection, had swept through the whole country and Agrippa knew these things.

So Paul gets bolder.

*Act 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Act 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

There is a Christian song that is titled “Almost Persuaded” and it was written about these words of King Agrippa.

“Almost persuaded” now to believe.
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive.
Seems now some soul to say,
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.”

“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are ling’ring near,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wand’rer, come!

“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last!
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail—
“Almost,” but lost!

So, what is a Christian or who is a Christian?

To be religious is one thing, but to be a Christian is much much different.

This is where the false Church has its problems.

There are many who belong to the Church, but they are not Christians.

In fact, my opinion or your opinion is irrelevant!

We have to go to the New Testament, the Word of God to get this answer!

A Christian is that person who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the basis if his faith and the rule of his life!

The Lord Jesus Christ is our foundation onto which we shall build upon!

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Law according to which we think, and we feel.

When we adopt Jesus Christ as the law of our thoughts and our feelings, then we must be Christians.

To be a Christian is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ in His ways, not the ways of the world!

The Jews deny that Jesus was the Messiah so, they will always deny Christians are anything of value to God.

To the Jews those who followed Jesus were “the Way”, or “that Way”.

Should we be known as Christians?

When we study the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He is, and all that is said about Him, and His relation to God and to man, and see that these are the traits we need in our own lives, then we will see that we ought to be Christians. To be more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

These are the same things that were ordained by God from the beginning of creation!

When God said, “let us make man”, I believe God meant, “let us make Christians”.

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

The image of God is the image we see in the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are not made to be gods!

We can be made in the image, our character, like our God.

In respect to intelligence.
In respect of His moral nature.
In respect to righteousness.
In respect to true holiness.
In respect to life eternal.

We are to do our absolute best, to be like the Lord Jesus Christ in all His ways!

To King Agrippa, to become a Christian would seem to be a demotion from his current status as king.

This was the most critical moment in Agrippa’s life, and he answered with “almost”, as he was beginning to close his ears to the words of the Apostle Paul.

You see, when we are offered an opportunity to meet the Lord Jesus at Mount Calvary, we will have to make a discission about our destiny.

We cannot say that King Agrippa was almost a Christian because that person does not exist!

We cannot be almost Christians!

We must in every deed become a Christian!

If we believe the Bible is indeed the Word of God, then how can we deny the fact that we need to be like Jesus Christ.

If we reject becoming a Christian, then we are saying the Bible is a book of lies!

How did Paul respond?

*Act 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

An almost Christian, is someone who wavers between Jesus Christ and the world.

Paul said; you have to move from being almost persuaded to altogether persuaded, before you can become a Christian.

There are many false notions of Christianity.

Many believe to be a Christian is having a free ticket to sin and then be forgiven but this is not true.

Rom_6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

God forbids Christians to intentionally sin and then beg for forgiveness!

We live in a pleasure mad society, and it is this pleasure of sinning that the lost refuse to give up, even though God says that pleasure will not last very long.

Yes, to be a Christian there will be suffering in this life!

Heb_11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

To be become a Christian is by “Grace”, a free gift, because it is God’s Will that we all become Christians.

That is being like the Lord Jesus Christ in all our ways!

There is a great danger than some with a vast knowledge of the Scriptures may never seek a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This sounds like King Agrippa.

If we have been on a long journey and finding that we are near to the end brings great comfort, but to almost be a Christian should bring no comfort at all because, it is still rejection of the truth of God!

We should remember the story of the Ten Virgins.

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

All ten of these were virgins, but five of them did not the Holy Spirit (oil) living within them which means they had rejected the truth of God and God had never signed their names in His Book of Life so, He did not know them.

We cannot just live a pure life; we must accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ to be a child of God!

King Agrippa died and went to Hell, because even knowing the truth of the Scriptures, he could not give up the pleasures of this world even though they can last no more than a lifetime and usually not near that long.

Amen