Unhindered

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now, we are in our series where we are essentially asking, should we share our faith…and then how do we do that. That’s the essence of this series, and we’re using the early church to answer those questions.

Something that we have been saying over and over again through this series is that success is not saving people…Success is faithfulness. We speak. The Holy Spirit changes hearts. Jesus saves.

Now I want you all to do something for me real quick this morning.

Imagine reading a great story and getting to the final chapter expecting everything to be tied up. You expect the hero to win, the conflict to be resolved, and the story to end with, “And they lived happily ever after.”

But instead, the author simply stops.

The hero is still working. The mission is still happening. The story isn't finished.

That's Acts 28.

You see in the ending of Acts, the author Luke doesn’t tell us about how Paul died. He didn’t give us a big revival in Rome or any other dramatic conclusion to his two part story of Jesus and the church.

Instead, he leaves us with Paul proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. “with all boldness and without hinderance.”….then…he just stops

Luke’s story ends there — but the mission doesn’t. Acts may be finished as a book, but the work of proclaiming Christ continues through the church. That means that Acts 28 isn’t simply a conclusion to Paul’s ministry…it points us toward the continuing mission of the gospel.

The book of Acts ends…becuase the mission continues even today.

Let’s look at the final words of Acts and see what God wants us to understand about the mission we’re now responsible to carry forward.

Now…before we look at Acts 28 I want to remind us about what we’ve talked about over the last couple of months.

We’ve talked about the people in your life that don’t know Jesus…about noticing people and building relationships.

One of the big thing we’ve talk about is that evangelism is just about having conversations with people.

We’re speaking with people about Jesus and trusting God with the results.

Today I want us all to think about the kind of church we can become.

A church where talking about Jesus isn’t unusual.

A church where praying for each other openly is normal.

A church where inviting our friends, families, and neighbors to join us isn’t strange

Ultimiately…what would it look like if we were a church where ordinary believers naturally begin to carry the gospel into ordinary places every day.

The goal of this whole series was never to create an evangelism program. The goal was to cultivate a culture of evangelism.

And remember…this is so important. Success is not saving people…Success is faithfulness.

You are not responsible fo rthe outcomes of these conversations. You are responsible for your own openness and obedience.

Now, as we close this series I want to say just three more things.

First…

God Opens Doors

Acts 28:16–20 ESV

16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. 17 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. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 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.”

So.it took a while, but Paul has finally arrived in Rome.

This wasn’t the way that Paul would have preferred to get to Rome…but here he is.

You see, Paul has been imprisoned, he has been beaten, faced opposition, storms, shipwrecks, and much suffering.

And now here he is. You might look at Pauls circumstances and say, “This isn’t an ideal environment for evangelism”.

I mean Paul has got to be tired of suffering—But Luke shows us something remarkable.

Telling others about Jesus isn’t about waiting for ideal circumstances. As a matter of fact

Paul didn’t wait for the perfect circumstances.

Here we have Paul under house arrest…for the second time by the way.

He has a guard over him, but he is given much more freedom at this point.

Paul is waiting for his trial as he has appealed to Cesar.

However, Paul doesn’t find this current circumstance any excuse to stop talking about Jesus.

You know, frequently we can think something like, “I’ll talk about Jesus when the timing is right”

When life settles down…when I feel more confident…when my relationship with Jesus is stronger…when I have all the answers.

Church…Acts 28 teaches us that God has placed you in your circumstances becuase God can use you right there.

Your limitations don’t limit God’s mission.

Have you ever thought about that? The situation you’re in doesn’t limit God’s ability to work through you.

THe interesting thing here is that Paul’s circumstance is somewhat restricted. I mean, he has freedom to move around, but he is still under arrest, and so he can’t leave or go elsewhere.

Paul is limited…but the gospel is not.

Paul’s movement is limited…but the gospel’s movement is not

Paul’s freedom is limited…but Jesus’ mission is not.

Listen, don’t underestimate what God can do through your ordinary life.

You don’t have to be Paul…you don’t have to be a professional evangelist…you don’t have to know everything…you just need to be willing to say, “Lord, when you open a door, help me walk through it.”

Here’s the reality though folks…

Open doors require open eyes.

So many times we will pray something like this, “God give me an opportunity.”

Church…the opportunity that God is giving you is already sitting right in front of you.

Your neighbor — your coworker — your family member — the guy or girl at the gym

Maybe even a bit closer…you know, you’re friend that hurting. The person that keeps bringing up their doubts. The person who knows you’re a Chrsitian and is watching how you live.

Church…don’t just pray for God to send someone.

Pray, “God help me see the people you’ve already put around me.”

So…Who’s your one? was never primarily about finding the perfect person. This whole series is about learning to see the people God has already placed in your life.

Of course…when God opens the door, eventually, someone has to speak.

We Speak The Gospel.

Acts 28:21–28 ESV

21 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. 22 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.” 23 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. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 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: 26 “ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 27 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.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

This is one of the most important passages for this series.

Paul doesn’t just tell people that God exists. We see that Paul was

“Testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus…”

The very center of all of Paul’s message is always Jesus.

Paul isn’t teaching a good morality.

He isn’t teaching some self-improvement.

Paul isn’t showing people how religious living is good for them.

There is no call for political change here.

Paul is teaching about Jesus and Him crucified, leading to the coming kingdom of God.

You see…

Evangelism is ultimately about a person.

You’re not trying to get people to attend church, become nicer, clean up their lives, become religious or even agree with Chrsitianity.

You’re talking about the man Jesus Christ.

The gospel is the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done.

Jesus is the King

Jesus lived a righteous life that you and I fail to live.

Jesus died for sinners…like you and me.

Jesus’ body literally rose from the grave.

Jesus is reigning right now from heaven and there is coming a day, very soon, when he will come back for his church.

Jesus calls sinners to repent and believe in him so that we can join him in eternity.

Evangelism doesn’t require you to have every answer for every question.

You just need to know who Jesus is, what He has done, why sinners need Him, and what He calls us to do.

And when someone asks you something you don't know, it's okay to say, “I don't know—but let me tell you what I do know about Jesus.”

Faithfulness means speaking even when the response is uncertain.

Did you notice what happens in Acts 28?

Some believe — some don’t

Paul doesn’t get to control the responses of others.

Paul doesn’t control their hearts or the outcome.

Paul faithfully bears witness to what he has seen and learned from Jesus.

We’ve been placing ping pong balls in the cross, and we will continue doing that, not becuase we want to see how many people we’ve saved…we can’t save anyone!

The point of the cross is to show how many times ordinary believers were willing to participate in the mission of Jesus.

That’s called faithfulness!

Some of you haven’t placed a single ping pong ball in the cross have you?

Why is that? remember success isn’t about saving people…success is you being faithful.

We pray — we invite — we speak — we trust God!

Rejection doesn’t mean failure.

You will encounter some people who will say no.

Some won’t understand.

Some won’t care at all.

Some will even disagree, or out right reject you.

That doesn’t mean you’ve failed folks.

Jesus was rejected…The prophets were rejected…the apostles were rejected…you’re in good company if you’ve been rejected.

Your job is not to manufacture conversions.

God gives the growth.

Remember

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 ESV

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Your calling is to faithfully bear witness to Jesus.

So..don’t measure your faithfulness by how many people say yes. Measure your faithfulness by whether you were willing to say what needed to be said.

But then…Acts doesn’t stop with Paul preaching. Luke, the author, fives us one final word that takes this message beyong Paul himself.

You see…

God Keeps The Gospel Moving Forward

Acts 28:29–30 ESV

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

These are the final words of Acts…they’re almost strangly…ordinary…aren’t they?

Paul is living in a rented house on house arrest.

People are coming to Paul to learn about the gospel of Jesus.

Paul is teaching them…and then Luke stops writing…

But…pay attention to how he ends:

“with all boldness and without hindrance”

NOT:

…and the mission was complete.

NOT:

…and everyone in Rome accepted Christ as Lord.

NOT:

…and Paul has now successfully reached everyone.

None of that…simply, Paul proclaimed Christ without hinderance…

as if to say, “The gospel keeps moving forward.”

The reality is that…

There is no finish line for faithful witness.

Acts 28 isn’t the end of God’s mission — it’s just the end of Luke’s accout.

The mission of the gospel continues.

That means this sermon isn’t a graduation from evangelism…it’s a commissioning for the gospel to continue through you.

We’re not finishing the mission today…We’re finishing a series that was meant to help us live differently tomorrow.

This is the beginning of a culture of sharing the gospel as a church.

Remember…

The gospel moves through ordinary people.

In many ways Paul was extraordinary!

But Luke’s larger story consistently shows the gospel moving through various types of ordinary believers.

The church is not built around one evangelist.

The church is not built around one pastor.

The church is not built around one gifted speaker.

The gospel moves when ordinary Christians faithfully live and speak for Jesus.

You may never preach to thousands of people.

You may never stand behind a pulpit.

You may never cross an ocean as a missionary.

But God has already given you a mission field.

Your mission field has names…You’ve written the first name on your card.

What if we were able to live different. What if…

“Unhindered” becomes our posture.

That word unhindered shouldn’t make us think that nothing will ever go wrong.

We’ve very clearly read the opposite through the book of Acts.

Paul experienced opposition — imprisonment — storms — shipwreck — rejection — and uncertainty.

Yet the gospel remained without hinderance.

So being unhindered doesn’t mean circumstances are easy.

It means — nothing can ultimatly stop Christ from accomplishing his mission.

That’s why we can trust God.

We don’t need to manipulate people.

We don’t need to pressure people.

We don’t need to panic people.

We don’t need to do any of those things because we don’t measure ourselves by results…

We faithfully pray for people, invite people, speak to people, and trust that Jesus will save people

Pause

Now, since we’re ending Acts, I do want to tell you the end of Paul’s story very quickly in case you don’t know.

Pauls came on the scene encouraging the martyrdom of Stephan in Jerusalem shortly after the Pentecost.

Well, Paul was released from house arrest in Rome and visted some churches again.

However, he was arrested again and sometime between 62-68AD Paul was killed during the Christian persecution of Nero.

This was roughly 5-10 years after the events of Acts were completed.

But here’s what I really want you to notice.

Luke doesn’t end Acts by telling us all how Paul died.

Luke ends Acts by telling us what Paul was doing while he was alive.

That’s important — Paul’s story didn’t revolve around how his life ended. It revolved around whether he was faithful to Christ while he lived.

That’s the question I want us to take to heart today.

Hold up a “who’s your one?” card

You’ve been praying for someone.

Don’t throw this card away just because this series is over. Keep it!

Your prayer for your one doesn’t end just because this series ends.

Now I want you to ask God one question: “What is my next faithful step toward my one?”

There’s really four possibilities:

PRAY:

“God, open their heart—and open mine.”

INVITE:

Invite your one to coffee, diner, church, a small group, or into a deeper level of friendship.

SPEAK:

Have the gospel conversation that you’ve been praying about for a long time. Don’t keep putting it off becuase one day it will be too late!

TRUST:

Leave the results with God.

Pause

You don’t have to do all four of these things this week. Ask God which one is your next faithful step. — Then do that thing!

Acts 28 ends with the gospel going forward without hinderance. Let’s all pray that we will be the kind of church where that gospel keeps moving in Ogle County

Now, before I ask you to think about who you’re going to tell about Jesus, I need to ask you something more foundational.

Have you, yourself, trusted Jesus with your life?

Not, have you trusted the cultural Jesus who says everything is ok, or the Jesus you met at a false teaching church.

Have you trusted the real Jesus, that died on the real cross, for the real you?

Listen…you can’t spend your time talking about what you don’t know yourself.

The gospel isn’t simply a message you’re supposed to carry to someone else…the gospel is a real message you desperately need yourself.

You are a sinner by your birth and your actions!

You cannot make yourself right with God. Your morality cannot save you. Your church attendance cannot save you. Your baptistm cannot save you.

The whole gospel is this:

Jesus Christ came for sinners!

He doesn’t make you clean up yourself before you come to him. He calls you to repent and beleive!

So listen, some of you may have spent these last few weeks thinking about the person you’ve been praying for, but you’ve never actually trusted Christ yourself!

Folks, don't leave here today thinking about your one while ignoring your own soul.

Don't spend this moment thinking about who you're going to tell about Jesus.

Spend this moment coming to Jesus.

Christians…if you’ve come to Christ, then you have the most amazing story of all time to share with others. You really have something worth sharing all over social media and all over your life.

You don’t have to be impressive…I’m not.

You don’t have to know everything…I sure don’t

You don’t have to save anyone…I sure can’t

You just need to faithfully obey Christ and trust Him with the results.

Acts 28:31 ESV

31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The book of Acts may end here — The mission of God continues.

And by the grace of God, it will continue through ordinary believers like you and me.

Keep praying — Keep inviting — Keep trusting — Becuase folks…the gospel is really moving in Ogle County!

Let’s Pray