Unhindered: not restrained or held back

Acts 28:30–31 (ESV)

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The last word of the book of Acts, in the original Greek, is unhindered: not restrained or held back

Paul arrested Acts 21

Paul before the Council Acts 22

A plot to kill Paul Acts 23

Paul before Felix the Governor Acts 23

Paul before King Agrippa and Bernice Acts 25

Paul tells of his conversion: Acts 26

Acts 26:12–18 (ESV)

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Paul on Malta Acts 28:1-6

Acts 28:1–6 ESV

After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Paul in Rome.

Acts 28:30–31 ESV

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The book of Acts does not primarily provide us with human patterns to emulate or avoid. Instead, it repeatedly calls us to reflect upon the work of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, establishing the church by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the book of Acts we can trace three ways in which they determined to faithfully and eternally impact the world: they had an

1. Undivided heart, they continually focused on God alone as their chief priority and the only object of their worship;

2. Undistracted eyes, they kept their eyes on the prize, leaving their past behind, ignoring the temptations ahead, and testifying to God’s grace

3. Unashamed ego. they lived wholeheartedly glad to be identified with Christ, never embarrassed by their faith and the choices associated with it

So What?

I don’t know what your context is, or what gifts or fears you have, but I know that you are part of your missional community for such a time as this. I also know that God doesn’t bench people. there is plenty of harvest and the laborers are few. we are all needed, young and old, men and women, new believers and old Christians. We are all needed.

We need to celebrate that we don’t need to focus on the obstacles, but rather on the grace and power God supplies, which allow us to live victoriously and for His purposes.

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.