The Mission Continues

This seems like a momentous day. Does anybody know where we are in the Book of Acts today?

This is in fact the last message on the Book of Acts. This completes our series on this very special book in the New Testament. The origins and practices of the early church.

While not necessarily doctrinal in nature, it spells out the practice of the early church before it became diluted by institutional religion, or as some call it, organized religion.

It was the church in its purest form. We see the early church polity. Elder led, and assisted by men initially called deacons, who I believe became the office later spelled out by the Apostle Paul.

We see the gospel spread out from the Jews first, then to the Samaritans, and ultimately to the Gentiles around the world at the time. Thus fulfilling the promise and mandate from Jesus in Acts 1:8.

So where are we?

We’ve been in the book of Acts for 2 1/2 years.

We journey now ends with the Apostle Paul finally in Rome as he had promised.

To get here, Paul has survived a storm, a shipwreck, and a snakebite. He’s spent three months on Malta, serving, healing, and blessing the very people he never planned to meet. And finally, the day comes - Rome. The place God told him he was going all the way back in Acts 23:11: “As you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

This chapter isn’t just Paul finishing his journey. It’s Luke showing us that even in chains, the mission of Jesus moves forward. And that’s the theme today: God’s mission doesn’t stop when circumstances change—it keeps going through you.

Let’s begin with verses 11-16.

Acts 28:11–16 NKJV

11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Like Paul, we should be…

I. Be Faithful in the Ordinary (vv. 11–16)

Notice the detail—ships, ports, place names. It almost reads like a travel blog. Why does Luke include all this? Because the mission is often lived in the ordinary details of life.

Life is not just the mountain tops and majestic moments. It’s in the monotony of the mundane.

Paul is walking. Waiting. Meeting. Traveling. Nothing flashy here. Just faithfulness in the in-between.

And then, my favorite part—believers from Rome walk miles just to meet him. Paul sees them, and the text says he “thanked God and took courage.”

Application: Don’t underestimate the ministry of showing up. Just being present can give someone else courage.

Action Step: This week, encourage someone simply by showing up—at the hospital, at their game, at their moment of need.

We move on…

Acts 28:17–24 NKJV

17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” 21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

Paul is in Rome, but he’s still under guard. He’s not free to roam the streets. So what does he do? He invites people to come to him.

II. Share the Gospel Where You Are Placed (vv. 17–24)

He gathers the Jewish leaders, tells his story again—why he’s there, what he believes—and points them to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Scriptures.

Paul doesn’t allow his circumstances to hinder his mission. He’s going to tell the story of Jesus no matter what.

John MacArthur deathbed… in and out of lucidity, sharing the gospel with the nurses til the end.

Some believe. Some reject. That’s always the way it goes. The gospel demands a response, but it doesn’t guarantee the same response from everyone.

Application: You can’t control who receives the message, but you can control whether or not you share it.

Action Step: Look around where God has placed you—your home, workplace, neighborhood. Who has God already put within reach for you to invite into conversation about Jesus?

Now…

Acts 28:25–29 NKJV

25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

We should…

III. Stay Committed, Even When Rejected (vv. 25–29)

Imagine Paul pouring out a whole day—morning till evening—laying out the gospel, and some walk away unconvinced. That hurts.

But Paul doesn’t crumble. He doesn’t say, “Well, I guess I’m done.” He quotes Isaiah to remind them that rejection of the truth is nothing new.

And then—this is huge—he says the message of salvation will go to the Gentiles, “and they will hear it!” (v. 28).

Rejection didn’t stop Paul. It redirected him.

Application: Some people will reject your faith, criticize your stand, or tune out your story. Don’t quit. Don’t grow bitter. Keep pointing people to Jesus and trust God with the results.

Action Step: Identify one place you’ve grown discouraged because of rejection. Ask God for fresh courage to keep going.

Now, for the moment we have been waiting for over 2 1/2 years. The last verses of the Book of Acts.

Acts 28:30–31 NKJV

30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

IV. Keep the Mission Moving—No Matter the Circumstances (vv. 30–31)

This is the grand finale of Acts. How does Luke end? Not with Paul’s release. Not with his trial before Caesar. Not with his death.

He ends with Paul still preaching—still welcoming, still teaching, “with all confidence.”

That’s intentional. Because the point isn’t Paul’s biography—it’s the unstoppable mission of Jesus.

The book of Acts doesn’t really end. It’s still being written—in your life, in my life, in the church today.

Application: You may feel confined—by health, by circumstances, by responsibilities. But the mission isn’t confined. God can use you right where you are.

Action Step: Ask God, “Who can I welcome into my space this week? Who can I encourage or point to Jesus, even from where I am?”

Conclusion – The Mission Continues

From Jerusalem to Rome, from the upper room to the rented room, the gospel has gone out.

And here’s the takeaway: God’s mission doesn’t stop when your circumstances change. It keeps going—through you.

Wherever you are—ordinary days, unexpected detours, even in chains—God is still writing the story.

So here’s the challenge: Don’t wait for perfect conditions.

Don’t wait for freedom. Don’t wait for “one day.” Start now. Keep the mission moving.

Because Acts 29? That’s you. That’s us.