Convinced, Convicted, but still Not Converted

Review from previous week;
 1)freedom in Christ
2) dual citizenship
3)spirit of interdependence
Today’s message:
it is God’s desire that none perish
We are in the end times.  Remember Esther
 
Make sure we are focused on the heavenly  vision
To bring others out of darkness to receive the inheritance of the saints
 
Paul stood before King Agrippa, Falsely accused and on trial
Acts 26:26-29 26For 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. 27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29And 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.
 
Paul shared his experience, his testimony…his call to share the truth of the gospel
King Agrippa said you almost persuaded me
Like King Agrippa, many are still not decided.  (Joel 3:14) Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision
*(Jeremiah 8:20) 20The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. Added here
To NOT decide is to go the other way, to make the decision to continue in sin,
(John 3:16) whosoever believeth in me shall not perish, he that believeth not is condemned already
There are many perishing, though somewhat convinced, they are not fully persuaded to follow Jesus.
They must be born again of water and of spirit
 
 
The Church is on trial
We must be able to give personal testimony with the desire to see souls saved
This is the heavenly vision the most important responsibility we have
 The great command is to preach the gospel  these signs will follow as you lay hands on the sick…
 
Mat 28:18
WE HAVE THE PRIVILEDGE OF WINNING THE LOST
We have this ministry of reconciliation
 
Jesus promised and God was with them, confirming the word they preached with signs following
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Know Jesus not just as savior, but as Lord
Many have mental agreement and no heart commitment or true relationship with God
Love darkness rather than light, pride to hold on to who they are
Convicted but not truly converted
 
If we are not convicted we will share a half-baked salvation experience
He has chosen us and equipping us that our fruit shall remain
Let men know that without God they have no hope or future.
People are blinded by the devil
As it is appointed unto men once to die.
Be reminded of the importance and value of a soul.  Not his will that any should perish.
 
 
We are challenged now with easy access to information but Holy Spirit is bringing much more understanding
Grace much more abounds
There are many seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, enticing many and pulling them away
Many are departing from the faith
(Galatians 3:1 "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"
Know how to stand!  Who has bewitched you
Be transformed, not conformed to the world
(Romans 12:2) Prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God!
  We are challenged even as Paul was.
Paul believed in the supernatural resurrection of the body, the Sadducees did not
Now, the theist believes there is a God.  Atheists do not believe without scientific proof! 
Agnostic says I’m Not sure I don’t now. A man shall not say that he knows or beieves something he ha sno scientific grounds for professing that he believes. 
God will prove with supernatural power!
In this hour the spirit of the living God proves the word by The Power of God
(ICor 2:1)  Paul was calling the church of Corinth to repent
Still selfish, carnal. Humanistic, material even though they have seen and operated in the power of God.
the wisdom of this world
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Holy Spirit does the work
You cannot convince people without holy
Spirit
Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, demonstration of the Spirit, manifestation of the supernatural word of God.
(1 Corinthians 2:1-2)  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Not to entice with words or wisdom of this world, not scientific reasoning and wisdom.  You must know by the spirit.
our faith stands in the power of God  must be an outward manifestation, a supernatural work of God thata their faith shall not stand in the wisdom of man but in power
“My message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.’ (1 Corinthians 2:5 )
 
-must put our trust fully in the lord
We will see a greater manifestation as we lay hands on the sick, speak life and see God confirming His word with greater frequency and greater power.
Mk 16:20: And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
Heb 2:4: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost God working with them, confirming the word with signs following.
Put your trust in the authority of God’s word
(Proverbs 3:5-9)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
(Acts 26)  they convicted Paul, do you have enough evidence for them to convict you of being a Christian?
Christianity is being challenged in this nation.  You will be challenged in what you believe.
Are we willing to stand with the three Hebrew boys in Daniel?  Our God will deliver us!  Jesus was with them even in the fire!  The God of the Hebrews is the true God!
He is able to deliver us from all destruction.
 
 
 
4
A total conversion experience is needed.
(Mat. 16”13)  Jesus asked, who do men say that I am?  Who do YOU say that I the son of man am?
 
 
Pride- desire to have your way,  pride goes before destruction, God resists the proud and gives grade to the humble.  keeps many out of the kingdom.  Jesus is Lord of or lives, not just saviour.
Peter had a revelation of who Jesus is!
People have to come to a true repentance
Stand fast, be not entangled again in the cares of this world
Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the lord
Rise and shine for thy light has come
Rise and stand upon your feet for I have appeared unto you for this purpose.
 
(Isaiah 60:2) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
(Acts 26:16) rise, stand up on thy feet
Jesus said to Paul on the road to Damascus, I have appeared unto you for this purpose- to make you a minister – to make you a witness of what you have seen and what will appear unto you
How to be a soul winner?  (Jesus said he’d make fishers of men.- ) added
Give testimony of salvation experience
(Acts 26:18)  God sent Paul back to open their eyes!
Since your salvation, you have a ministry.  All things made new, all things are now of God
(2cor 5:17) you are an ambassador, invite others into the kingdom
There are blessings and benefits in the kingdom
Peace of God, Joy of the Lord, righteousness
joy in knowing that your name is written in heaven
your sins can be forgiven and nothing can separate you from His love
 
say to others:  You can be saved and delivered
you can have a great life ahead of you!
 
We brake up the fallow ground through prayer and fasting and our witness
Reveal to them what sin is
So there can be true repentance
We have made salvation safe and simple
Quick “sinner’s prayer”.  No godly sorrow in their heart
Mindset of what’s in it for me?  what are the benefits
Not what would you have me to do,
Selfish mindset, me mentality. Draw nigh with their lips and hearts are far from Him.
 
2Cor 7  Godly sorrow for displeasing the lord
Many professing Christians, more worldly minded than heavenly minded.
Selfish, prideful. Etc.
Want Jesus to be savior, not Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11  before you were conceived in your mothers womb, I have thoughts toward youl
We are here to be a servant, an obedient doers of the word  our lives  under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Many just look for the benefits of salvation not allowing Him to have lordship over our lives.
Jesus said, why call ye me lord, lord and do not the things that I command?
We tend to offer half-baked salvation experiences
Knowledge abounding of worldly things, but also of supernatural.

A Season of Repentance and Separation
I Peter  the importance of  souls being saved and coming to the knowledge of Christ
(Matt 28:18)
Go ye therefore and teach all nations…
In my name ye shall cast out devils, etc.  in preparation or a ls
We must GO to encourage, warn of judgment
Blessings God has for those who are set apart, who place their trust in Him.
 
We must be faithful to our call, our command, our commission
We are in a season of repentance and restoration!
A season of isolation and consecration in preparation for a last day harvest of souls!
The church is experiencing a time of inspection to judge ourselves, take personal inventory of our lives
1  Gods  Preparation! The time is come now that “Judgment must first begin at the house of God.” –
Why?
To whom much is given, much is required.
Our sins were judged and paid for at Calvary
(2Cor 5:18, Isaiah 53)
(1Peter 4:17)  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
(Romans 6:23), the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
Romans 14:9-12  we shall all give account   Rev 20 white throne judgment
 (John 3:16) for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish but have eternal life
There must be a restoration of the people of God.
“Only as saints are restored will we be able to bring revival to those who are dead to God and being destroyed by Satan”
 
(2Chron. 7:14)  if my people who are called by my name…
A strong word of encouragement to examine, ourselves and pray
Selfishness, strife , competition,
iniquities: hidden things of the heart
man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart
Judge ourselves that we won’t be judged with the world
Only as the saints are restored will there be able to be revival
Standards of righteousness and holiness, right living
Verse 18  if the righteous scarcely be saved, What will be the end of them that believe not the gospel.
If we are not faithful
Standards of this world and wisdom of man over ride God’s wisdom.
It is important that our faith rest in the authority of God’s word.
ICor 2:5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
Pg3
Make sure our foundation is sure,  window of adversity beginning, persecution, trials. Situations to come and challenge our faith.
The things in Revelation will happen!
The 5 foolish virgins knew how to trim their wicks and keep the fire burning
 
4they fell asleep, discarded the warnings of the time to be witnesses and soul winners.
 
Repentance: call to the house of God
(Proverbs 3):  in all thy ways acknowledge him…
We need the wisdom of God like never before
Rightly discern the voices and challenges.
Economic and social unrest, fires, storms, racism, wars, threats, perplexity of nations!
Time is running out, Jesus is coming soon. Lives are in the balance.
(Isaiah 60) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Make sure that we are the remnant, striving for the praises of God in the earth.
4
Have less regard for the world that the written word of God.
Opinions, etc
Our response must be according to that the Bible says!  Study to show yourself approved
(2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(Isaiah 26:20) which version?   Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed. Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. Go home, my people, and lock your doors!
 
(Isaiah 26:20 kjv) 20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
It is time to make our calling and election sure, hear the voice of God and know what God is instructing us to do.
 
Cover your eyes, ears with the blood of Jesus.  Try the spirits by the Spirit of God
There is great increase in cultic practices trying to remove the authority of God’s word.
(ancestral worship/foolishness) 
The devil is the author of confusion.  Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils
“Hold fast until the end” or  “until the indignation be overpast”

 
 

 
 

Also look at this - The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7-18; 2 Peter 3:10-13)
1 Thessalonians 5 1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  
read on to see instructions from God concerning being ready. Verses 7 and on
God is a god of judgment.   When a people resist the grace of god…, This is nothing compared to the great judgment to come as recorded in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Souls are in the balance!
5
II   Times of refreshing from the presence of God
(Hosea 6:1-3) the former and latter rain
let us know and return unto the Lord
Be restored to a place of confidence, knowing that He sent his word to heal and deliver from all destruction,
God will allow some things to happen
(Hosea 5:15 ) “I will return to my place till they acknowledge their offence”
Look at what led up to that: verses 3-14   3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. 4 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD…
Remember “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”
Then shall we know if we return
Three steps to restoration
Acknowledge, Admit, Repent
The saints of God will appear at the judgment seat to be rewarded. 
This mortal shall take on immorality!
Nothing can compare with what God has in store for us.
“Where I am, you will be also.”
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Find recording here.  Missed some of it
 
God will reward you openly
(Rev 20) great white throne judgment for opportunities they refused salvation
He left us here to be a light in this world or darkness until He comes!
It is our great responsibility to be soul winners! 
Understand the importance of true repentance
*Levels of repentance: 2 kinds of sorrow
godly sorrow works true repentance, A deep heart felt repentance to separate from sin  - Let people know this is not a casual prayer
God judges sin harshly.  He sent his son to endure brutal punishment that we deserved.
2 kinds of sorrow –
   Worldly sorrow that you got caught and Godly sorrow works true repentance.
   True repentance sorry that you hurt the heart of God, 
Godly sorrow works repentance (Prov 28:13) “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” God”s mercy over rules judgment!  His mercies are renewed every morning!
We will work for God and lay aside every weight that hinders us!
Then we can resist the devil
We will have strength to abide in the vine.   Look up! “abide”
Bring forth fruit, bring forth life to others!
God is bringing his people to a place of repentance  2 Chron 7:14 if  my people…
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A time of great separation, the line drawn in the sand 
(Joel 2)  the former and later rain  a time of refreshing/restoration in those truly desiring to serve God
True saints of God come forth in this time.  There will be a great outpouring of the spirit to bring revival
 
III Joel 2:23-32    fear not…be glad the Lord…rejoice in the Lord your God
Things that are seen are temporal (temporary)
He will restore the years…my great army that I sent among you!
You shall eat and be satisfied!  Ye shall know that I am the Lord your God
Ye shall never be ashamed…glory, all flesh!
IV  repentance is the first step to revival
2Peter 3:3-73Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that ten was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
God is speaking through his prophetic people. 
There has been a greater increase of the supernatural and the natural, wonders, miracles, signs great move of  His Spirit on all flesh.
It does not matter your nationality, skin color or geographic location.  The spirit of the lord is moving!
The devil has blinded the minds of them who believe not.  Break up the fallow ground in prayer.
Pg 9
How can we better and more effectively bring more souls.
 2Peter 3:1  stir up your minds in remembrance of thy words spoken
2 Peter 3:10-11
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
 
2 Peter 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Challenging the standard of God…”nothing has changed”.  They ignore the fact that God brought a flood!
(Matt. 24:3)  The disciples asked Jesus, when shall the end come? He spoke of signs of the end times: Pestilence famine, wars, earth quakes,  - the day of the lord will come.  
So then what manner of persons lifestyle, mannerism, steadfastness, hold fast our confidence until the end
Nevertheless we look for a new earth…
Be diligent, be found of Him in peace without spot and blameless
We see signs of sorrows, earthpains, what is our lifestyle: priority, holiness and godliness
Now that we are saved, let us bring healing to those in our circle of influence
Holy Spirit come with power so we would be witnesses! Vessels, instruments in the hand of God!
Holy Spirit quickens our spirit to be true witnesses!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I judgement begins at the house of God
2 times of refreshing
3joel  ye shall know that I am God
4 repentance is first step
 
 
 
 
3I
 
 
 

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