2014 Acts #38: an exposition of Acts 28:17-31. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 23, 2014.
Intro:
We all know there are certain words that just don’t go together even when they go together. Phrases that have become commonplace but the words themselves are contradictory. We call them oxymorons. Officially an oxymoron is defined as “a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.” Originally it meant something pointedly foolish. We talk about jumbo shrimp. We say we’re doing nothing. Just how do you draw a blank? We think someone is pretty ugly or we take a working vacation. Common words we use together that don’t go together – like long-winded preacher. Come on, really?
There are other things that are not oxymorons but they seem equally foolish because we just don’t see how it could possibly be. One great example is found at the end of the book of Acts. Paul has been falsely accused. He has been arrested and imprisoned for two years. His life has been threatened. Corrupt politicians had sought political gain by using him as a pawn. Paul appealed to Caesar and finally was sent to Rome.
Along the way Paul found himself in the midst of a violent storm. A storm so fierce seasoned sailors feared for their lives. After assurance from God, Paul declared that they would be safe though the ship would be lost. Once the ship ran aground and the castaways made it safely to shore. Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake. By the grace of God he survived. For three months Paul ministered to the people of Malta and God granted success. Finally Paul reaches Rome. He spends another two years in prison with no formal charges brought against him. Yet in spite of being held prisoner by the most powerful nation on earth, in spite of having a guard chained to his wrist 24 hours a day – Paul’s Gospel went forth unhindered for that two-year period! During that two years visitors moved freely in and out of Paul’s residence. Paul was faithful to preach and teach with great boldness throughout that time. It is also at that time Paul wrote the New Testament books of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians. It may well be that Paul’s most fruit years of ministry took place while shackled as a prisoner in Rome. Chained yet unhindered. Locked up and yet free.
Our text this morning is found in the 28th chapter of the book of Acts.
Text: Acts 28:17-31
Dr. Luke has come to the end of his two-volume history of the life and ministry of Jesus.
As a careful historian he has told of Jesus’ ministry and the movement of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the capital of the Roman Empire.
The outline of Acts is found in chapter 1 and verse 8.
“You will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
- Jerusalem = Acts 1-7
- Judea and Samaria = Acts 8-12
- The ends of the earth = Acts 13-28
As we reflect on Paul’s ministry and the advance of the Gospel we find some encouragement for our own ministry. After all we are heirs of this same ministry. In a real sense the book of Acts is unfinished. We are writing the final chapters.
As we conclude our study we are reminded that:
Thesis: We have been called to boldly go forth as heirs of an unhindered Gospel.
Regardless of our circumstance, regardless of the forces aligned against us the Gospel is powerful and will accomplish God’s ordained purpose. If the pagan power of Imperial Rome cannot chain the Gospel, neither can secularism, postmodernism or the tide of public opinion.
In considering Paul’s ministry in Rome we find three characteristics of a faithful Gospel servant.
- The faithful Gospel servant passionately pleads the “good news” of Christ. (28:17-23)
- The faithful Gospel servant prophetically denounces unbelief. (28:24-29)
- The faithful Gospel servant powerfully proclaims the unhindered message. (28:30-31)
Conclusion:
At the end of Acts we are left to wonder whatever became of Paul?
Luke doesn’t tell us.
Why is that?
It is because; in the final analysis it doesn’t matter.
The whole point of Paul’s life, in deed the book of Acts, is what matters is that we are faithful in the calling we have received. Paul wasn’t the church. The gospel is not dependent upon Paul anymore than it is dependent on me or you.
We have been called to boldly go forth as heirs of an unhindered Gospel.
May we passionately plead the good news of Christ;
Prophetically denounce unbelief;
And powerfully proclaim this unhindered message.