Fully Committed: The Call Beyond Almost Believing

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision but declared first to those in Damascus, and in Jerusalem, throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.” [00:00:14]

“Now, Paul’s not here articulating a doctrine of justification by works. No one was ever a more clear advocate of justification by faith alone. Paul understood that our works do nothing to make us right in the sight of God. But once we are converted and once God pronounces us just in Christ by faith, that living faith is supposed to produce works of obedience, works of righteousness in our lives.” [00:06:45]

“Christianity did not begin as a mystery religion with secret rites and rituals that only the initiates knew about. It didn’t begin like the Mormons in Palmyra, New York, when Joseph Smith said he received special revelation on golden tablets hidden from anybody else’s view by sheets that were hung around him when the angle Moroni came and revealed these things to him. No. The manifestation of the Son of God was a public matter. It wasn’t secret. It wasn’t private.” [00:13:36]

“Paul, you’re pretty persuasive. Yeah, I read the Bible. I know about those prophecies. I’ve heard the rumors coming out of Jerusalem. You’re making a good case here. Paul, I’m that close. ‘Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.’ The most tragic words Agrippa ever uttered in his life. The apostle of Christ is standing before him, preaching Christ to him, and Agrippa said I’m this close. Maybe some other time. I’m almost persuaded, but not quite.” [00:16:10]

“Paul looked at the king and he said, ‘Would to god that not only you but everybody in this room who’s within the sound of my voice would not just be almost but all together just as I am—except for these chains.’ Beloved, that’s my plea for you—that nobody walk out of this room almost a Christian and spend eternity in regret. I would that you were almost and all together, such as Paul was, a man on fire for his vision of Christ.” [00:20:55]

“Paul could care less about religion. Christianity is not about religion. Here’s what it’s about, folks. It’s about truth, sober truth. Not finding a purpose for your life but coming to a saving knowledge of Christ and understanding the whole world around you in light of the truth of God. It’s a sobering truth.” [00:12:41]

“Paul said that’s the message I’ve been preaching everywhere I go, trying to get people to turn to God. And it’s because of this, not because I went in the temple, it’s because of what I’ve been preaching that they seized me and they tried to kill me. That’s why I’m here before you, O king, because all I’ve been doing has been preaching what Moses taught, what the prophets taught, what the whole Old Testament teaches about the Messiah—that he would suffer.” [00:07:30]

“Paul’s not ruffled. He listens to the charge. It wasn’t the first time somebody called him crazy. And he looks Festus in the eye and he said, ‘No. No, no, most noble Festus. No, I’m not mad, but I’m speaking to you the words of truth and soberness.’” [00:11:29]

“Paul was not bragging. He was speaking the truth before the king. I was not disobedient to the vision that Christ gave me of himself. And then he went on to say I kept the great commission. I preached first in Jerusalem to the Jews, then in Judea, and then to the Gentiles. And I’ve stood before little and great proclaiming the Word of God and calling people to repent, to turn to God, and to do works befitting repentance.” [00:05:49]

“Paul, you’re beside yourself. Much learning hath made you mad. You hear what he’s saying? Paul, I understand you’re learned. I understand you’re an intellectual. I understand that you are a heavily degreed scholar. But I’m afraid you’ve been educated beyond your intelligence. They say there’s a thin line between genius and insanity, and I think you’ve skated over the line, Paul. You’re beside yourself.” [00:10:34]

“Paul, I’m not crazy. I’m telling you the sober truth. And the king knows what I’m talking about. He’s no stranger to… Is that right, Agrippa? You know about what I’m speaking here. You know Moses. You know the prophet. You know that these things were not done in a corner.” [00:13:36]

“Jesus was killed publicly. He was raised from the dead and didn’t just appear to a few disciples in the upper room, but he appeared to over five hundred people at one time. It’s a public matter. And God has declared that this truth is to be made known to the whole world. You believe the prophets, don’t you? I know you do.” [00:15:12]