Acts 29 - The Story Isn’t Over

Introduction

If you’ve ever read a book or watched a movie that ends abruptly, you know the feeling of wanting more. The book of Acts ends in a way the feels unfinished. Paul is in Rome, preaching the gospel, and then… the story just stops. There is no dramatic ending, no “The End.” It’s as if Luke is inviting us to keep the story going.

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.” - Spurgeon

Today, I want us to see that the story of Acts isn’t over. We are called to be “Acts 29” believers - people who continue the mission of Jesus in our world.

1. The Open-Ended Ending (Acts 28:30-31)

Let’s look at how Acts ends:

“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 28:30-31, ESV)

Paul is under house arrest in Rome, but the gospel is not chained. He welcomes everyone, proclaims the kingdom, and teaches about Jesus with boldness. The last words are “without hindrance.” The message is clear: the mission continues.

Why does Acts end this way? Because the work of the church is not finished. The Holy Spirit is still at work, and God’s people are still called to share the good news.

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible—what a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” - Tozer

2. Our Call to Boldness (Acts 1:8)

At the very beginning of Acts, Jesus gave His followers a promise and a mission:

“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.” (Acts 1:8, ESV)

The book of Acts is the story of that promise being fulfilled. Ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, became bold witnesses for Jesus. They faced opposition, persecution, and hardship, but they kept going.

That same Spirit lives in us. We are called to be bold, not because we are strong, but because God is with us. The mission Jesus gave to His first followers is the same mission He gives to us.

“Do something! Do something! Do something! While committees waste time over resolutions, do something.” - Spurgeon

3. Carrying the Gospel Forward (Matthew 28:19-20)

Jesus’ last words to His disciples were a command:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

The Great Commission is not just for pastors or missionaries—it’s for every believer. We are all called to go, to make disciples, to teach, and to baptize. Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way.

“We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.” - Stott

4. Practical Application: How Can We Be “Acts 29” in Our Community?

So what does it look like to be an “Acts 29” church today?

- Welcome all who come: Just like Paul, we open our doors and our lives to people from every background.

- Proclaim the kingdom: We share the hope of Jesus in our words and actions.

- Teach about Jesus: We help people know who Jesus is and what He has done.

- Live with boldness: We don’t let fear or opposition stop us from following Jesus.

- Trust the Spirit: We rely on God’s power, not our own.

Maybe God is calling you to reach out to a neighbor, to serve someone in need, or to share your faith with a friend. Maybe He’s calling our church to step out in faith in a new way. The story isn’t finished—God wants to write the next chapter through us.

Conclusion:

The book of Acts doesn’t have a neat ending because the story of the church is still being written. We are Acts 29. The same Jesus who worked through Paul and the early church is alive and at work in us today.

The story of the revival with evangelist Mordecai Hamm in Charlotte, NC 1934.

Let’s be a church that welcomes, proclaims, teaches, and lives with boldness. Let’s trust the Holy Spirit to empower us. And let’s carry the gospel forward, until the whole world hears.

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay.” - Spurgeon

Gospel Invitation:

If you’ve never trusted Jesus, the good news is that He died for your sins and rose again so you can have new life. He invites you to be part of His story. Will you say yes to Him today?