The Anticipated Arrival | Acts 28

Intro

Wedding Day

In an instant gratification society, anticipation is becoming a lost art.

We are losing our anticipation of the Lord’s return, the anticipation that Paul shows is basic to his thought.

D. A. Carson

Acts 23:11 NLT

That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

Acts 27:24 NLT

and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’

Roughly 3 years after is arrest in Jerusalem, he is finally arriving in Rome.

Setup

Understanding the anticipation of Paul’s arrival gives us insight to the significance of his arrival.

What if Paul had given up?

Where do I find resolve for my future?

Main Text

The South Wind | Acts 28:13

Acts 28:13 NLT

From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli.

Acts 27:14 NLT

But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea.

The northeaster wind led to shipwreck, but the opposite wind led them to their arrival.

Many people give up before the south wind.

The strain of the northeaster wind strengthens us for the journey of the south wind.

Life has a way of pushing us off course, but the Holy Spirit is what provides constancy.

The south wind was exactly what they needed to reach their destination.

It is our job to be ready when the south wind blows.

The Greeting | Acts 28:15-16

Acts 28:15–16 NLT

The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God. When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

The Appian way was 43 miles from Rome and The Three Taverns was 33 miles from Rome.

People who share the same faith can encourage one another deeply because they share the same hope.

“Encourage” literally means “to put heart into.”

Acts 28:17–20 NLT

Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

Romans 1:16 NLT

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Acts 28:21–22 NLT

They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

The Rejection | Acts 28:23-27

Acts 28:23–24 NLT

So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.

Acts 13:46 NLT

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles.

Acts 28:25–27 NLT

And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, ‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

The was the fifth and final time this prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled.

Matthew 13:13–15 NLT

That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

Paul and Jesus shared the commonality of mission.

We have access to that same mission!

Where there is no mission, there is no Church, and where there is neither Church nor mission, there is no faith.

Mission is a must, not a maybe.

Closing

The Conclusion | Acts 28:28-31

Acts 28:28–31 NLT

So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.” For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

During those two years Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Luke did not write simply to record history. He wrote to encourage the church in every age to be faithful to the Lord and carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

What was begun with so much heroism ought to be continued with ardent zeal, since we are assured the same Lord is mighty still to carry on His heavenly designs.