PERSUADED WITH PAUL

King Agrippa said unto Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 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." Acts 26:28,29.

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to Hear the glorious message of God's marvelous grace in this day of grace. I am so glad for all those who have heard and are still listening today. I earnestly pray for those that have seen some measure of grace, and now seem to be waning in attention for Paul's kind of persuasion. He was so divinely persuaded that his manner of life and ministry was also divinely persuasive.

We read of Barnabas, one of Paul's earliest companions in ministry, being sent to Antioch from Jerusalem, when they heard of great numbers being turned to the Lord. "When Barnabas came and had seen the grace of God (at work) was glad and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek for Paul." Acts 11:23-25. Notice this was divine wisdom at work bringing good results with good direction.

"Many followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God." Acts 13:43. The only way to go for spiritual progress. Acts 20:32 (Paul said), "I commend you unto God and the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. In Acts 18: We read of Paul ministering in the synagogue every sabbath and persuading Jews and Greeks. It also tells of God comforting him to not be afraid nor hold his peace. I believe Paul truly needed it. Soon the Jews made insurrection against Paul, bringing him to the judgment seat, "Saying, this fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law." V. 13.

We have the wonderful record of Paul persuading men to worship God in Acts 17: with sadly mixed results. What a charge! It was partly true and partly false. In Gal. 1:10, We read of Paul's choice to please God and persuade men. In II Cor. 5:11 (7-11) Paul said, "knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." This he said concerning the righteous judgement of God, urging them to "Be ready!" God is indeed the righteous judge and there is soon to come a time of rewards. Being fully persuaded from God's promises prompts urgent preparation, and even enthusiastic participation toward the ends which the persuasion points us. Are you persuaded with our forefather Abraham that what our God has promised He is able to perform? Praise God, He is ready willing and able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. We do well to whole-heartedly embrace the promises wherein our God has persuaded us. Heb. 11:13.

COMPLIMENTARY PERSUASIVE

Paul, urged the Saints, "But beloved we are persuaded better things of you, and the things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb. 6: 9-12. Paul was expectant of the Lord concerning these. He wanted to see beneficial blessings, greater fruit to come in their lives when they were altogether persuaded. "Many things (would be) added, accompanying" this great salvation.

PERSUASIVE AGAINST IDOLATRY

In Acts 19: we find Paul marching right into a stronghold of idolatry, coming even into Ephesus. God was working special miracles by Paul's hands. Some copy-cats tried to counterfeit God's work by Paul by calling upon the name of Jesus whom Paul preached, and a Demon possessed man beat them up and sent them running away. Such things brought about the building of a great bonfire of books on magical arts. The word as a result of these workings of God mightily grew and prevailed. The wonderful things that God was doing also stirred up those that were making much material profit by selling silver shrines to the great goddess Diana.

A silversmith named Demetrius made this railing accusation against Paul. "Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people saying there be no God's made with hands:" Acts 19:26. God had used Paul to hit them in the pocket book. The things that relate to religion and money seem to be two of the most fiery subjects to stir man. Praise God, He took Paul on and richly provided the way for him to go in his sweet will. Read I Cor. 8:1-6, Paul's persuasive manner of life and ministry was very effectual in Thessalonica. "For themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from Heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from wrath to come." I Thess. 1:9,10.