Last Stop

Intro:

AG:

TS: This is the final chapter of the first book of the history of the Christian Church. According to the plan given by the risen Lord, we have been following the witnesses as they act in response to the Great Commission by taking the Gospel message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Luke tells the story of the rapid growth of Christianity, as it moves from Jerusalem to Rome; and there he ends.

RS: The book is an unfinished fragment, and incomplete, because every person ever born or yet to be born, have a place in the book. You and I today are part of the same story begun by Jesus when He said, "upon this rock I will build my church." The ending has been recorded in Revelation. Jesus will write the last line and place the final period.

Paul in Rome

The Setting

At long last Paul reached his goal of Rome!

Paul arrived in Rome in the days when she was under an imperial dictatorship.

The Republic had passed away and the city of Rome and the empire were under the tyranny of an emperor

These were the days of Nero, perhaps the worst of the emperors.

Nero Claudius Caesar ruled Rome from 54 A.D. until his death by suicide 14 years later.

He is best known for his debaucheries, political murders, persecution of Christians and a passion for music that led to the probably apocryphal rumor that Nero “fiddled” while Rome burned during the great fire of 64 A.D.

When Paul arrived in Rome, Nero's hands were red with the blood of those he murdered.

Perhaps the most infamous of Rome’s emperors, Nero Claudius Caesar (37-68 A.D.) ruled Rome from 54 A.D. until his death by suicide 14 years later. He is best known for his debaucheries, political murders, persecution of Christians and a passion for music that led to the probably apocryphal rumor that Nero “fiddled” while Rome burned during the great fire of 64 A.D.

His mother Agrippina, had been murdered about a year before Paul’s arrival;

In all probability, Octavia his wife was also already murdered.

Nero occupied the throne of the Caesars, and he was cruel, indecent, and weak.

Rome at that time was the very center of paganism.

The Circumstance

Paul's time in Rome wasn't that of a typical prisoner.

Acts 28:17 ESV

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.

Paul, as a Roman citizen, was given preferential treatment. He was allowed to lodge in the city, where he was placed under light house arrest in the custody of a Roman soldier to whom he would be gently chained. We can be sure that Paul diligently witnessed to those men, that he told them about Jesus, that some of them became believers, and that most of them became his friends.

The Actions

Acts 28:18–21 ESV

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.” 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.

Shortly after arriving in Rome, Paul called a meeting of his own people; for he could not, as was his custom in other cities, go to them, for he was a prisoner, chained to a soldier. However, he was treated considerately during his first imprisonment.

Acts 28:23–29 ESV

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.”

Acts 28:23-29

Paul shared the gospel with His fellow Jews

Paul shared the gospel with His fellow Jews

He again focused on the hope of the resurrection

He explained Jesus as the fulfillment of the OT law and prophets

Some were persuaded, yet others rejected.

After rejection, he turned the masses of Gentiles in Rome

Paul stayed true to character and pattern even here in Rome.

The Application

The book abruptly ends.

There is no death of the hero.

There is no victory and happily ever after

It just stopped.

Probably because at the time of the writing, Paul was still under house arrest.

Paul’s story from history:

Paul had long cherished a desire to visit Spain.

Clemens Romanus, a contemporary, affirms that Paul did travel to the “extremity of the west”

Rome couldn’t be considered that extreme!

Many of his writings such as 2 Tim appear to indicate he had been free and was back in prison.

Most likely, he was freed around 62 AD

2 years later after the Great Fire in 64 AD, Nero blamed Christians and stepped up his persecution of them.

It is believed that Paul was imprisoned again in that persecution of the late 60’s

His death is believed to have come after the Great Fire of Rome in July of 64 and the end of Nero’s reign in 68 AD.

1 Clement 95-96 AD suggests that both Paul and Peter were martyred.

Ignatius in 110, Dionysius of Corinth in 170ish AD, also said this.

The Acts of Paul (an apocryphal work and Tertullian all say he was beheaded under the command of Nero.

The Application

As we have seen throughout this entire series, Paul is a great example for us to follow.

As we have seen throughout this entire series, Paul is a great example for us to follow.

Today, I want to encourage us to finish by focusing on this one last example – the way Paul lived an unhindered life and had an unhindered ministry.

I don’t mean unencumbered –

I don’t mean unencumbered –

I’m not talking about having no obstacles or challenges or troubles

I’m not talking about having no obstacles or challenges or troubles

I’m talking about being unhindered in spite of obstacles and challenges and troubles.

Paul had more than his share of those!

2 Corinthians 11:23–33 ESV

23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:16–33 ESV

16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

I’m talking about being unhindered in spite of obstacles and challenges and troubles.

I’m talking about being unhindered in spite of obstacles and challenges and troubles.

I believe Paul armed himself with two attitudes that helped him to be truly unhindered, contentment and commitment.

I believe Paul armed himself with two attitudes that helped him to be truly unhindered, contentment and commitment.

1st Paul’s life and ministry were unhindered because of contentment.

1st Paul’s life and ministry were unhindered because of contentment.

Paul wrote the book of Philippians during his 2yr house arrest.

Paul wrote the book of Philippians during his 2 yr house arrest.

He wrote this letter while confined in a rented house chained to a Roman soldier.

He wrote this letter while confined in a rented house chained to a Roman soldier.

a daily reminder that he wasn’t free in spite of his loose confinement

The letter bubbles over with joy and rejoicing –

In spite of the circumstances, the letter bubbles over with joy and rejoicing –

not because his circumstances are so great, but because his relationship with God and his resulting attitude are so good.

not because his circumstances are so great, but because his relationship with God and his resulting attitude are so good.

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Did you notice that two times in two verses, Paul said, “I have learned to be content…”?

Contentment doesn’t come naturally, rather it is something that must be learned.

Contentment was something that Paul had to cultivate.

Contentment- self-sufficient (REB, NAB), find resources in self (NEB), manage whatever one has (NJB), (+)

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Paul had learned how to not allow circumstances to impact him negatively.

It is so important that we learn that kind of contentment.

Life is hard and we will often find ourselves in situations that are far less than ideal.

Life can be difficult and frustrating and painfully unbearable.

If a man like Paul who faced so much hardship and opposition could live beyond his awful circumstances, so can we.

To do that:

Christ must become our central focus

He alone can empower us and teach us to live above and beyond our circumstances.

2nd, Paul’s life and ministry were unhindered because of his attitude of commitment.

Paul’s primary commitment in life was serving and glorifying God.

This gave Paul great determination and perseverance.

Determination: a quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult.

That kind of commitment and determination is clearly seen as Paul endured and overcame all kinds of persecution and obstacles to continue to spread the good news of Jesus.

Paul spoke of this in . ()

Philippians 1:12–14 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul’s attitude of commitment and determination caused him to just keep on serving God any way he could, no matter what the circumstances.

We need that same commitment today!

We live in an age where commitment is shallow

we change brands quickly

people go from praising a celebrity one day to demanding they be pulled the next for 1 tweet!

Even political parties are seeing drastic swings back and forth among voters.

We must be committed to Jesus!

Conclusion:

Through contentment and commitment, we can follow in Paul’s steps, which is ultimately following Jesus since that is whom Paul followed.

I urge you today

Be content

Be grateful and see the higher picture of what is happening.

Don’t get caught up in circumstances!

Be committed

Be dedicated to serving God in spite of everything!