The End of the Journey (10/26/2025)

Scripture: Acts 27:1-6; 28:16, 30-31

Title: The End of the Journey

The End of the Journey

After spending at least 2 years in a Roman prison in Caeserea under Felix and Festus, arrangements are finally made for Paul to be sent to Rome.

Now, before we look at these chapters, and Paul’s journey, I want to remind you of a few things:

Paul’s Purpose.

I remind you of a conversation that Paul had with the Lord over two years prior to Acts chapter 27 and his journey to Rome.

Acts 23:11 KJV 1900

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

God had a very specific purpose for the Apostle Paul; he was to bear witness of Jesus Christ to those in Rome!

Are you convinced of the truth that God has a specific purpose for you and for your life?

Purpose (as defined by Noah Webster):

An American Dictionary of the English Language PURPOSE

That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished;

An American Dictionary of the English Language PURPOSE

the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure or exertion.

An American Dictionary of the English Language PURPOSE

We believe the Supreme Being created intelligent beings for some benevolent and glorious purpose, and if so,

An American Dictionary of the English Language PURPOSE

how glorious and benevolent must be his purpose in the plan of redemption!

I want you to understand, though, that I am not simply talking about the nebulous “purpose” of glorifying God. (2 Corinthians 10:31)

God has a specific purpose - a specific object to be reached; a specific task to be accomplished - for each of you.

Joseph saved the world.

Noah led the nation of Israel out of Egypt.

Joshua led the nation of Israel to conquer the Promised Land.

Saul was the first king of Israel.

David was the second king of Israel.

Esther saved the Jews from destruction.

Daniel served God as a government official within the administrations of wicked kings.

Illustration: This past Thursday and Friday, I was at West Coast Baptist College. There, I was amongst a group of young adults who were/are desperately trying to determine what God’s specific purpose is for their life because they are convinced that God has a specific purpose for their lives.

The reason I make this distinction is for the fact that it is too easy for a believer to ignore God’s specific purpose for their lives in favor of doing what they want to do and then justify themselves by declaring, “I am glorifying God in all that I do!”

Again are you convinced of the truth that God has a specific purpose for you and for your life? Or do you believe that it doesn’t really matter what you do just so long as you are doing it “for God’s glory?!?!”

Psalm 37:23 KJV 1900

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.

Proverbs 16:9 KJV 1900

A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.

Pastor Campbell, what do I do if I don’t yet know what God’s specific purpose is for my life?

Are you truly surrendered to God’s specific purpose?

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I’m afraid that some Christians want God to reveal His specific purpose to them so that they can then decide whether they will pursue it or not. God knows your heart. Why should He - why would He - reveal His specific purpose to you if you are not already surrendered to obey and do His specific purpose?

Ask God to reveal His purpose to you.

Acts 9:6 KJV 1900

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

Seek His purpose in the page of His Word.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Walk with God

Micah 6:8 KJV 1900

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900

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.

God has a specific purpose for you. Are you surrendered to His specific purpose? Are you seeking to know His specific purpose?

Paul’s Purpose

Paul’s Patience

Paul spent two years in Caesarea…waiting.

Then, it took Paul about 6 months to make the journey to Rome (which, under normal circumstances, should have only taken about a month). And, during this journey, Paul experienced a shipwreck!

Then we, are told, in Acts 28:30, that Paul spent at least 2 years, in Rome, under house arrest. We really don’t know how long Paul had to wait before standing before Caesar.

Paul was a man of patience.

2 Timothy 3:10 KJV 1900

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Patience: steadfastness, endurance, perseverance

Paul was steadfast; he did not waver.

Once he settled upon God’s purpose, he did not allow anyone or anything to move him from that purpose.

Paul endured; he continued faithful even during times of difficulty.

Not only did Paul have to wait for God’s purpose to be fulfilled but he also experienced difficult times during that wait!

Acts 27:14-44 describes for us the shipwreck that Paul experienced on his way to Rome. Everything was lost except for the lives of those in the ship.

Turn to and read Acts 27:20-25.

Some times, especially during difficult times, we need to do the same thing. We need to remind ourselves to be of good cheer; we need to trust God; and remember that God has a purpose for us!

Illustration: Interview with Jeff & Hannah. I felt really good about the interview and expressed my desire to take it to the next level ( and I sensed that maybe they felt the same way). However, I was a little discouraged when they responded that they wanted more time to consider all their options.

Paul persevered; he stayed steady in his pursuit of God’s purpose for his life.

Illustration: Run the gauntlet

Everyday - each day, Paul began his day with his eyes fixed upon one thing: God’s purpose and he was determined to stay steady in his pursuit of God’s purpose!

Remember our theme:

Focus. Faith.

Remember what Paul told the Ephesians elders as he was making his way to Jerusalem:

Acts 20:24 KJV 1900

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Remember what Paul wrote to the Hebrew believers:

Hebrews 12:1–2 KJV 1900

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Remember what Paul told Timothy (as he awaited the end of his life in Rome):

2 Timothy 4:7 KJV 1900

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Illustration (told by Dr. Goetsch) of an individual that I know:

Paul Cauhgill, at 8 years of age, purposed in his heart that God had called him into evangelism.

He had a paper route and stated that, after tithing, he would save his money so that he could purchase a truck and trailer for evangelism.

After college, he did just that. He went into evangelism and purchased a truck and trailer.

Paul’s Purpose

Paul’s Patience

And then, finally,…

Paul’s Practice

So, what did Paul do in the interim? Between point A and point B?

Paul stayed busy sharing and proclaiming the Gospel.

Aside from what we’ve already seen of Paul during his time in Caesarea, I would like you to consider his time in Rome as he waited to stand before Caesar.

Turn to and read Acts 28:30-31.

Paul’s hired house in Rome became the headquarters of world evangelism. He could not go, but others could. People flocked to him. He led people to Christ and inspired others to go and give out the Gospel!

Wherever Paul was became a mission field and every person he met was a potential convert to Christ.

Philippians 4:22 KJV 1900

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

Even as Paul “waited” he had a far-reaching and effective Gospel ministry.

You may not know God’s specific purpose for your life at this moment, but, as you wait, there are two things that you can do…

Consider every place you are to be a mission field; your mission field.

Consider every individual you meet as a potential convert to Christ.

This past week, as I attended the Interview Days at West Coast Baptist College…

An American airlines flight became a mission field and a 73 year old Jewish man was a potential convert to Christ.

A 4 AM Uber ride to the airport became a mission field and my 46 year old Uber driver became a potential convert to Christ.

Paul’s Purpose - God has a specific purpose for you.

Paul’s Patience - Don’t get discouraged. Don’t allow difficulties and dark times get you off course. Keep your focus on Christ!

Paul’s Practice - Every place you are can be a mission field; every individual you meet can be a convert to Christ. Faithfully proclaim the Gospel.

I find it “interesting” that God guides Luke, in the writing of the book of Acts, to leave things “open ended.” Luke did not write, “The End” or “Paul died.” He simply left Paul doing what Paul, since his conversion on the Road to Damascus, had been doing - preaching the kingdom of God and pointing others to Jesus Christ.

Until God calls us home, we should never, truly, come in off of the mission field. We should take seriously what Christ said in Luke 19:13

Luke 19:13 KJV 1900

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

That is exactly what Paul did and it is exactly what we should do!