Acts.18

Unstoppable Grace: Paul's Mission in Rome and Beyond to the End of the World

Bible Passage: Ac 28:1–6, Ac 28:7–10, Ac 28:11–16, Ac 28:17–31, Romans 15:24, 28

Summary: This Message concludes Paul's unwavering dedication to the Gospel in challenging circumstances. It highlights how God can use our hardships as a conduit for His grace, as evidenced by Paul's missionary efforts in Rome and Malta, even under duress. Paul continually shows that suffering is not an end but a part of a larger divine narrative that brings hope and healing. The end game of Paul’s plan to evangelize the world.

1. Persistence in Providence - Malta's Miracle Mission

Acts 28:1–6 “1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”

διασῴζω diasozo to be delivered, saved, brought safely through something, here to be rescued from a danger or hazard. Paul and those with him had escaped drowning in the sea and delivered to a sandy beach. Read Ps 107:23-32 as an illustration of the grateful heart that is rescued and delivered especially from the dangers of the sea.

φιλανθρώπως philanthropos (ADV) is found of the Centurion treating Paul kindly in Acts 27:3

Acts 28:2 and Titus 3:4 love of God our Savior toward man is φιλανθρωπία philanthropia (N) kind, benevolent. The only uses of the Greek.

The Islanders welcomed the shipwrecked men with an unusual kindness. This is how the church should be opening to the shipwrecked men and women around us. 1 Timothy 1:19 “19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,”

Life is unpredictable: sometimes it is out of the frying pan and into the fire. Paul’s run for the beach had been interrupted by some hidden rocks, God had delievered him and he was safe from that danger

In Acts 28:3 Paul found himself drawing a lot of attention by the simple act of gathering sticks for a fire. When a viper latched onto his arm he without much ado shook it off. He was not too concerned Acts 28:5 says he just shook it off. What a great testimony for those who suffer and focus all their attention to the suffering. We should follow Paul’s lead and just shake it off.

Jesus told His disciples to cast their cares on Him (Ps 55:22; 1 Pe 5:7). Focusing on our problems allows them to fill our perspective and make them seem enormous. God gives us the word to fill our perspective and allows us to put all things in their proper place. Vipers belong in the fire.

God uses this seemingly deadly snakebite to give Paul and his message an advantage of being heard above the miraculous escape from the sea.

Through observing Paul they changed their minds! First about the messanger then the message.

2. Powerful Acts of Care - Blessed By Compassion

Acts 28:7–10 “7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.”

Paul’s notoriety brings him and the others to the house of Publius. Paul did not let it go to his head, he was first and foremost a missionary for the Lord. Sure he was a celebrity , but he used it to bring a light to the gospel.

Upon hearing that his hosts father was sick, Paul immediately went in and prayed. God healed Publius’ father. Once the news got out, the whole island heard and came for deliverances.

God used Paul’s shipwreck as an amazing opportunity to reach a whole Island. God uses signs to validate the messenger and bring people to salvation. John 20:30–31 “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Those that escape the sea showed the lost how to get saved. They reaped the rewards of faith.

Healings: did the sign ministries cease (1 Cor 13:9-10), become secondary (Pp 2:25-27), still the most important thing?

Paul in Lystra Acts 14:8-18 healed and was called a god, he turned them to the true God.

Here God used signs to save many, but Paul couldn’t heal Timothy (1 Ti 5:23). 2 Timothy 4:20 “Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.”. He didn’t heal himself (2 Cor 12:7-9; Gal 4:13-14).

Sign ministry described in John was written (Jn 20:30-31).

3. Perseverance to Purpose - Rome Reached Resolutely

Acts 28:11–16 “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.”

The brethren came out to greet the apostle. Not ashamed of his chains, they rejoiced and welcomed the words he brought.

Paul εὐχαριστέω eucharisteo thanked God, and this thanksgiving brought him encouragement.

He was finally brought to Rome. He was permitted. Paul’s testimony of deliverance offered, leadership in trials, as an emissary of peace to peoples wherever he went earned him great respect with the centurion that brought him to Rome and afforded him special treatment.

Paul was given privilege to live and preach in Rome.

4. Proclaiming the Unstoppable Gospel

Acts 28:17–31 “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.

Another appeal to the Nation. For the hope of Israel = the kingdom promise now achieved through the resurrection. This was Paul’s frequent message in his incarceration (Acts 23:6; 24:15, 21; 26:6-7 ).

Paul exegeted the scriptures to them concerning Jesus (just like our Savior did in Lk 24:27).

24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 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. 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.”

Some were persuaded, some not. Even the best evangelist cannot turn the hardened just make them accountable. Paul was through with the Jewish leadership. He was the apostle to the Gentiles.

The Disciplined Disciple knows they are an ambassodor delivering the message of life. We are here to persuade those who hear and to bring conviction to those who won’t .

Paul spent two years in this situation until his case was dismissed. The Book of Acts ends with “no one forbidding him”.

Luke’s “progress verses” for the spread of the gospel in the world, (Acts 2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:31) the churches grew and were strengthed in the word of God.

5. Partnership in Mission

Romans 15:24 “24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.”

Romans 15:28 “28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.”

He did not let circumstances dictate or control his vision. His directive came in

Acts 1:8 “8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Paul took this command personally and literally.