To Be Continued…
Notes
Transcript
Intro: Theme/Topic (What’s the problem, the question, etc.)
There are certain stories that just don’t feel right when they end.
Not because they’re bad…
But because they feel unfinished.
One of the most famous examples of this is the movie
The Empire Strikes Back.
If you’ve seen it, you know how it ends:
The heroes are scattered
Luke Skywalker has just had his hand cut off
He learns that Darth Vader is his father
And the movie just… ends
No resolution.
No final victory.
Just tension.
And then you’re left thinking:
“Wait… that’s it?”
Now because I was only 6 months old when this movie was released in the theaters. My experience with this movie was that I could just push play on “Return of the Jedi” for it to resolve!
But for everyone who saw it when it first came out—they had to wait years to find out what happened next!
They had to sit with the tension.
Sit with the unanswered questions.
Sit with a story that clearly wasn’t over…
but didn’t tell you how it would continue.
And in a very real sense, that’s exactly what the ending of the book of Acts feels like.
We get to the end of the story…
And we’re left with questions:
What happens to Paul?
Does he ever stand before Caesar?
Is he released… or executed?
And Luke doesn’t tell us.
It just… ends.
Which raises an important question for us this morning:
Why does Acts end the way it does—and what does that mean for us today?
Scripture
Let’s find the answer to this question now by turning to Acts chapter 28, beginning in verse 17…
If you need to use a pew Bible, you’ll find today’s text on page 1114. Once you’re there, please stand with me if you are able and follow along with me as I read...
After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had 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.
When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”
And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
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.
This God’s Word!
Prayer
Father, give us eyes to see and hears to hear the good news about Jesus and His Kingdom today. Soften our hearts to respond to Him now with great joy. We ask this in Jesus’ name — AMEN!
Intro: Formal (give context to passage, setting the scene, big idea)
So we come to the end of the book of Acts…
And if we’re being honest, it doesn’t quite feel like an ending.
Paul is in Rome…
Still under house arrest…
Still awaiting trial…
And then—suddenly—the story just stops.
No trial before Caesar.
No verdict.
No final chapter of Paul’s life.
Which brings us back to the question we asked before we read this passage:
Why does Acts end the way it does—and what does that mean for us?
Why does Acts end the way it does—and what does that mean for us?
Because if this was really just Paul’s story…
It feels incomplete.
But what if that’s the point?
What if Luke ends Acts this way—not because he ran out of space…
But because the story he’s telling isn’t actually over?
Here’s the answer I want us to see this morning:
Paul is in chains—but the gospel isn’t—because Jesus is still advancing His kingdom through His people.
Paul is in chains—but the gospel isn’t—because Jesus is still advancing His kingdom through His people.
So as we walk through this final passage together, I want to show you three things:
The Story Stays Open
The Mission Moves Forward
The Gospel Still Confronts
And as we see how Acts ends…
We’re going to discover that it doesn’t just tell us what happened…
It shows us what is still happening—
And invites us to consider where we fit in the story.
Now, let’s first look at how this story ends…
The Story Stays Open
The Story Stays Open
Acts ends on a big “to be continued…”
Luke has taken us on this incredible journey—
God promised Paul he would make it to Rome…
And what a journey it’s been:
Trials before governors and kings
Angry mobs
Assassination plots
A life-threatening storm at sea…
A shipwreck…
Luke has us on the edge of our seats…
And then—nothing.
No trial before Caesar.
No verdict.
No final word on Paul’s life.
That’s how Acts ends.
It feels unfinished.
Unresolved.
Like a story that just… stops.
But why?
Luke doesn’t end this way because he ran out of space…
He ends this way because Luke’s goal was not to write a biography about Paul.
Paul is not the hero of this story.
The true hero of Acts has always been the risen and ascended Jesus—
Continuing to build His kingdom…
Advancing His gospel…
Through His people.
Remember how Luke began this book:
In Acts 1:1, he says:
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
Don’t miss that word Began.
Meaning—Acts is about what Jesus continues to do.
And that’s exactly how the book ends.
Paul is in chains…
But the gospel isn’t.
The message of Jesus Christ is still going forward—
With boldness…
And without hindrance.
And that takes us back to the mission Jesus gave His church in Acts 1:8
You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
And this is what we’ve watched that unfold throughout the book of Acts:
Peter proclaiming Christ in Jerusalem.
Philip proclaiming Christ in Samaria.
Paul carrying the gospel across the Roman world.
But church—listen—
The mission didn’t end in Rome.
Because the ends of the earth…
Still haven’t been reached.
And this is where the story becomes our story.
Because for the gospel to reach us…
Someone had to carry it.
Generation after generation…
Across countries and cultures…
Through hardship and sacrifice…
Faithful men and women took up the baton.
And if they hadn’t…
You and I wouldn’t be here!
Let that sink in.
And yet—even now—the work is not finished.
There are still entire groups of people in this world…
Who have little to no access to the gospel.
According to the Joshua Project—which tracks this globally—
There are still over 7,000 people groups
Representing about 3.5 billion people…
Nearly half the world’s population…
Who are considered unreached for the gospel.
This means there is no strong, self-sustaining church among them…
And fewer than 2% of the people profess to know Christ.
And within that number…
There are billions — about a quarter of the global population — who live in places where you might meet only one Christian out of a thousand people…
And even more sobering—
There are still thousands of groups…
Hundreds of millions of people…
Where no one is even actively trying to reach them yet.
No missionaries.
No church presence.
No gospel witness.
Church—this is the world we live in today.
The story is still open…
Because the mission is not finished.
And this is why we care so deeply about missions as a church.
It’s why we commit a significant portion of our budget to support missionaries all over the world.
It’s why, in just a few weeks, on Sunday May 24th, we’re going to welcome Steve and Lois Manda.
They’ve spent decades of their lives—since 1981—serving among tribes in Indonesia.
Decades.
Learning languages…
Living in hard places…
Faithfully bringing the gospel to people who had never heard it.
They are a living example of what it looks like to step into the ongoing story of Acts.
And they’re coming here to say thank you for faithfully supporting their gospel work for so many years…because on June 1st they will be officially retiring.
Church, they’re coming here to thank us…
But when they come, I want them to know how much we thank God for them!
So, when they’re with us in a few weeks, let’s make sure they know how grateful we are.
Because their story…
Is part of this story.
The story that never really ended.
And now the question is not just how Acts ends…
The question is:
Where does it go from here?
Or more personally:
Where might God be sending you?
The story is still being written… then how is God writing the next chapter today?”
The Mission Moves Forward
The Mission Moves Forward
He’s writing this next chapter…
With the ink of the lives of faithful servants like Paul.
So the question is:
How does the mission move forward?
It moves forward… through ordinary people living with gospel intentionality—right where God has placed them.
And Paul shows us what that looks like from some of his letter that he wrote from prison.
First—Paul relied on prayer.
Listen to what he writes from prison in Colossians 4:
Continue steadfastly in prayer…At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word,
to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear…
Don’t miss what’s going on here!
Paul is in prison…
And he’s not asking them to pray for his release.
He’s asking them to pray for opportunity.
Not, “Get me out of here.”
But, “Give me a door to share Christ here.”
Church—what do your prayers sound like?
Are you only praying for God to change our circumstances?
Or are we praying for God to use you in our circumstances?
In your workplace
In your neighborhood
In your school
In your daily routines
What if we started praying:
“God, open a door for the gospel… right where I already am.”
Second—Paul stayed focused on the mission despite his circumstances.
He’s in chains… but he’s not complaining.
He’s proclaiming!
This shows us that he refused to let his situation didn’t define his mission—
Instead it was his mission defined how he saw his situation.
Church, it’s so easy for us to say:
“I’ll share Christ when things settle down…”
“When life is less busy…”
“When this season passes…”
But what if this season…
Is the mission field God has given you?
Church, your current circumstances are not an obstacle to your witness—
They are often the very platform for it.
Third—Paul made the most of his time and his opportunities.
He goes on in Colossians 4:
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
And that’s exactly what we see him doing in Acts 28:
For two whole years…
He welcomed all who came to him…
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus.
And don’t miss this:
While Paul was the one chained to Roman soldiers.
The truth is…
They were chained to him!
These Roman soldiers were Paul’s captive audience for the gospel!
Now listen to what he says in Philippians 1:
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
Paul made the best use of his time…
Every moment…
Every conversation…
Every interruption…
Was an opportunity.
Church—how are you using your time?
Not just your free time…
But your ordinary time.
The conversations you have at work
Parents what about the conversations you have on the sidelines at your kid’s games?
Conversations with your neighbors when you’re on walks in your neighborhood or in your yard
Church we just passing time…
Or are we making the most of it?
Fourth—Paul’s faithfulness inspired others.
Paul continues writing in Philippians saying:
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Notice how Paul’s courage inspired courage in others.
His boldness multiplied boldness.
Church, your faithfulness doesn’t just affect you.
It shapes the people around you.
When you speak about Christ…
When you live with conviction…
You give others boldness to do the same.
You may not realize it…
But someone is watching your life…
And your boldness might be the very thing God uses to awaken it in others!
Finally—Paul was intentional in how he shared Christ.
Let’s slow down and look closely at what Luke tells us in verse 23:
From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
There is so much packed into that one verse.
First—Paul was patient.
“From morning till evening…”
This wasn’t rushed.
This wasn’t a quick, 3 minute gospel presentation.
Paul gave his time…
His attention…
His energy…
Because people matter.
Church—are we willing to slow down enough to invest in people?
We live in a world of quick conversations and short attention spans.
But real gospel ministry often happens over time:
In ongoing conversations
In repeated interactions
In relationships that are built, not rushed
So, let me ask you: Who is someone in your life right now…
That God may be calling you to patiently walk with?
Second—Paul kept the focus on Christ and His Kingdom.
Luke says he was:
“Testifying to the kingdom of God… and trying to convince them about Jesus…”
Paul wasn’t just talking about life advice…
Or general spirituality…
He was talking about Jesus as King.
This is the hope of Israel that Paul was talking about back in verse 20…
The long-awaited Messiah.
God’s promised King!
So, when you talk about your faith…
Do you eventually get to Jesus?
Not just:
Your values
Your Morality
Or the latest culture war issues
But Jesus—
His life, His death, His resurrection, His authority as King.
Because the gospel is not just good advice…
It’s a declaration: Jesus is King.
Third—Paul aimed for the heart, not just the mind.
Luke says he was:
“trying to convince them…”
That word means to persuade.
Paul wasn’t just dumping information.
He was appealing…
Reasoning…
Urging…
Because he knew this wasn’t just about understanding facts—
It was about surrendering to a Person.
As Paul says in Romans 10…
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Church—when we talk to others about Christ…
Are we content to just explain the facts…
Or do we lovingly call for a response from the heart?
Do we move toward questions like:
“What do you think about Jesus?”
“What’s holding you back from trusting Jesus?”
Faithful witness doesn’t pressure people—
But it does invite them to respond.
Fourth—Paul used all of Scripture to point to Christ.
Luke says he taught:
“from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets…”
In other words—from the whole Old Testament.
Why?
Because all of it points to Jesus.
Just like Jesus showed us in Luke 24
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
This shows us that the Scriptures are not just a collection of laws and moral codes…
Or exciting stories about large fish and slaying giants!
It’s not even about giving you the best spiritual life hacks.
The primary purpose of the Scriptures is to point us to Jesus!
So, the more you know Scripture…
The more you will come to know Jesus…
The more you know Jesus the more you will be able to point others to Him.
So let me ask you:
Are you growing in your understanding of God’s Word—
Not just to deepen your own joy in knowing Jesus…
But to point others to that joy as well!
This is what faithful witness looks like:
Patient with people
Centered on Christ
Aiming for the heart
Grounded in Scripture
Not polished…But intentional.
Now if we embrace all of that (which we should)…
Be careful to avoid the thinking that:
“If I pray like this…
If I live like this…
If I share Christ like this…”
Then surely people will respond positively…
But that’s not what we see.
Because even the most faithful, careful, loving witness…
Does not guarantee a favorable response.
And just like in Paul’s day—some will be convinced… and others will not.
Because the Gospel Still Confronts
The Gospel Still Confronts
The Gospel Still Confronts
Verse 24 shows us the results of Paul’s faithful witness:
Some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
That’s it.
Some believed.
Some didn’t.
And this is nothing new.
This has been the pattern all throughout the book of Acts.
In fact, the Jews themselves say it back in verse 22:
With regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
And listen—this is not a failure of methods.
This is not because Paul lacked clarity…
Or skill…
Or persuasion…
Remember—Jesus Himself was polarizing.
Crowds followed Him…
And crowds rejected Him…
To the point where they nailed Him to a cross.
So when you speak about Jesus… and someone rejects Him—
Don’t take it personally.
Ultimately… it’s not you they’re rejecting — It’s Him.
But this still leaves us with a question:
If Paul is proclaiming what he calls in verse 20 “the hope of Israel”…
Then why would they reject it?
Here’s the answer:
Because before the gospel comforts us…
It must confronts us!
Paul quotes from Isaiah 6 in verses 26–27 to diagnose the problem:
Their hearts are dull
Their ears are deaf
Their eyes are closed
This is not a lack of information…
It’s a resistance of the heart.
And here’s what they were resisting:
A King they did not want.
You see, Israel had long been waiting for the Messiah—
A King who would come in power…
Restore their nation…
Establish justice…
And Jesus is that King!
But not in the way they expected.
And deep down…
They didn’t want a King like Him.
This goes all the way back to 1 Samuel 8.
When the people demanded a king like the nations around them…
God said to Samuel:
They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
That’s the issue.
Not just then…
But here in Acts…
And still today.
We don’t naturally resist religion…
We resist rule.
We resist surrender.
We resist a King who has authority over our lives.
And so what do we do?
Just like these Jews—
We close our eyes…
We block our ears…
And our hearts grow dull.
But here’s the truth:
Jesus is not just the King we’ve been waiting for…
He’s the King we desperately need.
Every human king failed Israel.
Israel had king after king—
And most of them led the people further into ruin.
Their failure ultimately led to exile.
But God promised His people a better King.
And so He sent Jesus!
Not just to rule…
But to rescue.
For Christ died for your rebellion.
He rose again in victory.
And now—He reigns.
And one day, He will return to usher in His Kingdom in it’s fullness.
But here’s the tension:
While Jesus is the King we need…
He is not the King we naturally want.
Because the gospel confronts us.
It confronts our sin.
It confronts our self-rule.
It confronts who sits on the throne of our lives.
Friends: Jesus did not die and rise again to be your life coach…
Or your advisor…
He came to be your King!
And becoming a Christian is nothing less than…
A regime change in your heart.
You step off the throne…
And you surrender your life to Him.
And yes—that is painful.
To see your sin clearly…
To admit your need…
To let go of control…
That is very costly.
But listen—
The same passage that speaks of blindness and hardness…
Also holds out hope:
Because if you turn to Christ your dull hearts will be healed!
This is the beauty of the gospel:
The wound that hurts…
Is the wound that heals!
And so I want to ask you this morning:
Who is sitting on the throne of your heart?
Is it you?
Your desires…
Your plans…
Your control…
Or is it Jesus?
If there are any here today who have never surrendered your life to Christ—
Let today be the day!
Turn from your sin.
Trust in Jesus.
Receive His forgiveness.
And bow to Him as your King.
And for those of you who do belong to Christ—
This same gospel still confronts you.
Are there areas of your life…
Where you are still holding onto control?
Still resisting His rule?
The call is the same for you:
Surrender.
Trust.
Follow your King.
Conclusion/Response (Gospel & Repent/Believe)
Remember where we began…
With The Empire Strikes Back…
A story that ends…
But doesn’t really end.
The credits roll…
But the tension remains…
Because the story wasn’t over.
And now we’ve come to the end of Acts…
And we’re left with that same feeling.
Paul is in Rome…
Still in chains…
Still waiting…
And then—nothing.
Which brings us back to our question:
Why does Acts end the way it does—and what does that mean for us?
Here’s the answer we’ve seen:
Paul is in chains—but the gospel isn’t—because Jesus is still advancing His kingdom through His people.
Paul is in chains—but the gospel isn’t—because Jesus is still advancing His kingdom through His people.
That’s why the story feels unfinished.
Because it is.
Acts doesn’t end…
It continues.
Not on the pages of Scripture…
But in the lives of God’s people.
And that means—
This story has reached us.
Not through perfect people…
But through ordinary people…
Who pray…
Who stay focused…
Who make the most of their time…
Who live with gospel intentionality right where they are.
People like Paul…
People like Steve and Lois Manda…
People like you.
And wherever this gospel goes…
It still calls for a response.
Some will believe…
Others will reject…
And that brings us to this moment.
You don’t have to wait years for the next chapter of this story…
Because the next chapter…
Is being written right now.
The question is:
Will your life be part of it?
Church—where will you proclaim Christ?
In your home?
In your workplace?
In your school?
On your team?
In your neighborhood?
Across the street… or across the world?
Church, the story is still open.
The mission is not finished.
And Jesus is still advancing His kingdom…
Through His people.
So step into the story.
Take up the baton.
And be part of what God is doing…
So, the book of Acts has come to an end with the gospel going forward without hindrance…
Which means the story hasn’t really ended…
It’s simply:
To Be Continued…
Prayer
Father,
We thank You that even now, You are still advancing Your kingdom through Your people.
Thank You for the gospel—
A message that could not be chained,
And still cannot be stopped.
Lord, we confess…
So often we shrink back.
We grow comfortable.
We hold onto control.
But today, would You soften our hearts?
Help us to surrender more fully to Jesus as our King.
Give us boldness to speak of Him without fear.
Open doors for the gospel—right where You have placed us.
And Lord, as we look out at a world where so many have not yet heard…
Burden our hearts.
Stir our affections.
Send us—across the street and across the world.
Use our lives to carry this good news forward.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus, our King — Amen!
Closing Song: Facing a Task Unfinished
Closing Words:
Church, we’ve just sung…
“Facing a task unfinished…”
That’s not just a lyric—
That’s our reality.
The story is still open.
The mission is not finished.
And Jesus is still advancing His kingdom…
Through His people.
So let me ask you one more time:
Who is sitting on the throne of your heart?
If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus—
Let today be the day.
Turn from your sin.
Trust in Christ.
Receive His forgiveness.
And bow to Him as your King.
There will be people available up front here after the service who would love to help you do this and pray with you.
And for those of you who do belong to Him—
What is your next step?
Where is He calling you to step into the story?
Maybe it’s speaking to someone you’ve been avoiding
Maybe it’s praying more intentionally for gospel opportunities
Maybe it’s growing deeper in His Word
Maybe it’s stepping into the mission in a new way
Don’t let this just be something you heard…
Take a step.
We would love to help you take that step.
If you’d like help, just fill out our Next Steps form on your phone by tapping the round white tag in the pew in front of you…
Or by scanning the QR code on the screen.
Let us know how God is leading you—and we’ll come alongside you.
Church—this is our moment.
The story is still being written.
The gospel is still going forward.
The task is still unfinished.
So go now…
And be a part of the story God is still writing…
Benediction: Hebrews 13:20–21
“Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Church, you are sent — Go now in the joy of the Lord!
