Our Unfinished Business: The Gospel to Nooks & Crannies
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Carry the gospel into every nook and cranny, despite opposition, confident in its power to extend God’s Kingdom and Christ gracious rule on earth!
Have you ever heard of Franz Schubert? His Unfinished Symphony? No 8 B Minor: If a biography of famous dead guy - disappointing - what makes Bible so surprising - no hero’s David end of life disappointments failures, warts and all, think of Peter brashness, think of Paul - possible Luke writing while everyone leaves him excpet… But this book not written about Paul - unrelenting theme - seeks to prove and lay before us - is that the LORD JESUS is alive erho, really - truimph not of Paul - but of the an activity - he carried on even in 4 1/2 year impirsonment, he was chained,he was hindered going freely to plant churchs visit 11 ssyngagogues, , he was growing old, despair, but word of God isn’t - grass withers flower fades, so do pstles pastors even churches, but the Word of God stand sforever. Lukeis recording how we are to fnish the symphony of grace this world so desperately needs, this church so desperately needs, each genreation in danger of the song dying among us, tobe carried on else where - Luke’s call for us to engage in this symphany even like Paul des in this closing scene! Exact same way he ended gospel of Luke, begins Acts = positive healthy forward movement of the gospel. Looking at chapter 28, but really questin this mornign are we writing acts 29 in the same way!
A. The Context of Outreach is a church with in-reach & up-reach
- through out book of Acts, church engaged upward in worship - prayer, singing, engaged with living and personal God - ie Joni Earkson Tada - Paul too - But also in our text MAP, first at Puteoli - no apostle yet visit these church, Paul had written letter, allowed to stay 7 days.
Amazed grown so much, truimphal entry - of gospel, like Christ going to Rome, believers meet him, though going to prison trial… 43 miles out, sprwaling city market - Forum of Appius,
then 33 miles out Three Taverns = Same in the middle Paul finds a room to rent, in NE corner of Rome, close to Caeasar residents the Praetorian Guard - invites Jews in ; they came to him a this lodging -= word for hospitality = people he call my people ; closing scene at end - 2 years, whole time this contniues - welcomed all who came to him! Coffee socials - need this
And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
B. Paul had a passion to go to people like him - his tribe! (though the apostle to the Gentiles)
B. Have a passion for people like you
Shoudl strike us that this is completely unique situation - normally gospel went to Jews first, then if rejected go to Gentiles, establish Christain church - often mixed. But here in Rome, Gentile church established, very well established Jewish community with at least 11 synagogues, many Romans become converts or sympahziers, even Nero’s second wife. But misinformed about sect, and Paul’s doing, unawae of most recentl developments. Is Paul going to just try to get to court and mnister to Gentile Christians.
You don’t know Paul then. To Romans he already wrote willing to be cut off if only win his country men to Christ. This is why in
“Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Jesus himself said Paul must testify in Rome just like he was doing in Jerusaelm. Why the angel said must appear before Caesar on that ship.
and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Now we see why and it is postive and woenderful., though he is under house arrest chanined to guard. He won’t let rumours circulate but first ahnd meets with the Jews as soon as he can, ragtag random group - formally - truthfully - says I am a prinson for our nation and our faith - Hope of Israel = shorthand for resurrection - declares innocent of charges of being against the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL or the customs of Moses - true Jew who has found the fulfilment in the promsied Messiah. Nothing guilty of before Rome, nor - peple from your tribe, may have wrong ideas, assumed about religious people fanatics, - head off - show really for them. Boil down to point that with this hope resurreciton, with this supppsoed sect Nazarene - all about Jesus being fulfillment - Sanhedrin divided didn’t send letter, nor witn4esses - so come here why I am in chains for this hope!
Now as an aide Paul not in chains, but chained so no further trouble with most elite soldiers of Caesar in charge his protection and prisoners. - You can bet not only Jewish ears, but this guard told a story -
C. Use Logic on Fire with Your Personal Experience
Well C. We Do Have a Responsibility to Use Logic on Fire with Personal Experience to Win others to Christ - but leave the results to the Lord!
The appointed day came, Praetorian guard curious - these Jews had been expelled allowed to return, Nazarene sect growing - in fact found drawing of man on cross with donkey head, and roman solider praying - make fun of Roman soldier - A prays to his God. They want to hear what this apostles of the Christian movement has to say.
Paul himself has said in Philippians written in this imprisonment - soldiers speak to influential friends - Christians in Caesar's own household.
… so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
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.
Further some estimate before all the sporadic persecutions of five generations to come in which 1 MXns martyred, to come, up to 1/5th of population f Rome became Christian.
But now mark this this official appointed day, marked by Jewish ledaer not radomn rag tag, but by all indications the most learned rabbis have shown up - packed to limit - Paul had said, early not now its afftteronon - need a hwole day conference.
Don’t belive the lie that people arn’t interested in faith, supernatural , religious diaologue deicussion debate - end of life, abortion, world view - Never end - incurably religious. But wtach how Paul does it, listen to how Luke describes - not jsut events, but on oing action, imperfect tense -
Paul has become the means for these epoopel to come to their hour of grace! You and I too… Do you see that the point isn’t how great Paul’s life is or even how it ends, but that those around him come to know Jesus: Listen to Paul
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
John Milton lost his sight, pastor, writer, politician in some ways, but above all a poet: On His Blindness: God doeth not need either man’s work or his own gifts. Wh bes bear his mild yoke, they serve Him best. … they also servcee who only stand and wait. POint of the sonnet is that faithful despite surrounding and circumstances - what see in Paul
4/12 years of imprsonment -gospel not hindered in his life. Patience tuaght, humblenss and meekness bear with one another - joy in the Lord like Joni Tada - produce prsion letters. It’s not our to control circumstances or the results of sharing, its our to walk closely with the Lord and share of His goodness to others!
Learn from Paul’s method:
Expounding - facts
Testifying - Cindy - not the facts, but the experience - for Paul direct contact with jesus, for Paul direct revealtion - for we have a story to tell too… testify to the truths . But look at the last thing doing in ongoing way trying to convince
Testifying - Cindy - not the facts, but the experience - for Paul direct contact with jesus, for Paul direct revealtion - for we have a story to tell too… testify to the truths . But look at the last thing doing in ongoing way trying to convince
Interesting question in premarital is it good to try to persuade, convince argue with each other - not spineless - believe truth, don’t think you alone dialogue grow -
So too not discussion for discussion sake, there is an argument, a conclusion, a logic - One of the best selling apoogetics books: TACTICS
What are the two big ideas - that he conects and gets them to see the connection to - Kingdom of God - avgue material - comfort, riches, propsperity poltical. Actually rare phrase in OT and in Lk Acts, though begins and ends with Kingdom of God Simeon - Acts , key points, the idea is all over the BIBLE = REIGN OF GRACE IN MESSIAH - Moses and propehts declare a plan of slavion , sacrficial death, glroious resurrection,
- shows Kingdom of God is a spiritual relaity that changes everything - all that hope for real peace and pwoer and truth - andcommhnity - linked to Messiah - but who is the Messiah - shows from MOSES and PROPHETS - spiritual king, who at the centre of his work - new idea - atonement, God incrante glrious resurrection - eternal future glory -
- shows Kingdom of God is a spiritual relaity that changes everything - all that hope for real peace and pwoer and truth - andcommhnity - linked to Messiah - but who is the Messiah - shows from MOSES and PROPHETS - spiritual king, who at the centre of his work - new idea - atonement, God incrante glrious resurrection - eternal future glory -
Jean Vanier - book being human - in Christ have an argument for how to be really human, forgiveness testimony deal with guilt , shoot for more than sorry do my best, right with God access to God, testimony to what comes next - glory eternity - etenral kingdom! redemption of all things - live in a world given up on redemption, given up on objective truth - Persudae testify , convince !
Though enough to have Word burn in our guts and then speak that word confident God will bring the increase - take care of results what can we expect?
D. Leave the results to the Lord, but Don’t Give Up!
Seems to be the point Luke is make in Greek some were convinced, some weren’t some believed unto salvation some didn’t 50/50 in how we would phrase it. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
Don’t matter what you say or what you do, some people never belive - David Meece. Calvin. Paul didn’t win them all, let’s not wonder if today the unbelief of many resists the clear teaching of the gospel. Plain as nose on face, yet hardened heart… will not move from hearing, to perceiving, seeing understanding - grasping with faith!
While its true Luke is recording another judgment on unbelief of Jewish leadership, while the whole of Judaism falls and is changed forever in destruction of the Temple and the Jewish State. Paul is not announcing some final turning of God away from Jewish people.
He quotes . Back then prophet said it that God, after all Israel's persistent unbelief in that generation, would harden their hearts. No turning from the exile and punishment, but after they would turn and repent and remnant saved. So too here But Paul like Jesus says now in this generation,Watch out you are hardening your hearts - they are growing thickened literally hardened, , though God’s word his gracious promises before you - if you continue to persistently hardened your heart, God’s punishment will be to give you over to a hardened heart . And though God does that hardening, giving them over like Pharoah to his own hardness, the cause is always ever not in God but in the persistent rejection of these people to God.
What about we who have family members that have seemingly reject the word - imperfect tense tells us story isnt over - warning yes, but never give up hope!
Sadly Luke is recording that in this world not all will believe, saying this because the Holy Spirit Himself has said it. Always the gospel goes out to mixed audience - can’t know eternal destinies of those hearing - until Christ returns kingdom of darkness, will grow along side the kingdom of light.
E. Write “Acts 29” by sharing God’s Word with all who will listen
But then listen to what Paul concludes from God’s Word, whole point of that hardening is that the gospel, go beyond Israel to the nations, provoke Israel to jealousy so they to turn back - fulness of the Gentile, fulness of the Jews. Paul concludes from Scripture:
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Regardless of the response of the Jews God will build HIis church among us - even with Jews that believe and the many Gentiles pouring in! Quotation from Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
The rest of the Psalm shows the world sharing in the salvation of Israel’s God. The grand conclusion is that the half of the Jews that did believe and with gentiles come into see Paul - this activity continues - Proclaim , herald kerux to the people who don’t know Kingdom nor the King, and the teaching t those who come to believe need to be built up ...
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
And here is a challenge to each gnereation, what determines whether we are just playing church, replacing the main thing or supporting it.
Charles Simeon - what happened to faith comunity of Isaiah’s day, Jesus with the Pharisees, Paul with Jewish leaders at this conference, could happen here - thick hearted to God’s word - the church is alway one genreation from extinction -
lively preaching yes need that, but key is lively reception - same way Bible needs to be inspired - also needs inward working of the Spirit for it to be illuminated - smae way nee preaching of the word, need receiving and applying in our homes, relationships, work - politics - with all boldness and without hinderance!
proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Those last twe words - key words in Acts -BOLDNESS AND WITHOUT HINDRANCE Why does Acts begin and end with this boldness? because Jesus promised - with you always to the end of the Age! Paul fully expects he will be released in the Prison Letters
Those last twe words - key words in Acts -BOLDNESS AND WITHOUT HINDRANCE Why does Acts begin and end with this boldness? because Jesus promised - with you always to the end of the Age! Paul fully expects he will be released in the Prison Letters
Paul fully expects he will be released in the Prison Letters
At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
says better he stay, then depart to be with Christ for their sake, his service. Short two years later imprisoned again, after visiting churches perhaps to Spain, arrested again, this time Nero executes him- Paul in Titus and 2 Timothy resigned that his course is over - PASSING THE BATTON - to Timothy, to you to me! See the point isn’t a biography of Paul or you or me, but of Jesus Christ continuing acts - thorugh the SPirit, through the church
Conclusion:
How would you fnish that Shubert Piece? How will we our lives here - our church life in next 20 years - what part you play
Well suppose if you want to add the next movement of Shubert piece, you’d need to know the theme of the symphany - might want to actually do it - still step out boldness - share Jesus’ reign and his kingdom! With boldness sharing the word - eachother, outsider,s insiders - God will cause it go grow. But use every siutation,even our limitations and setbacks. Who would have thought God would use 4 year imporsonent - produce prison letters, reach the miperial Gaurd! Paul’s prison room mbecame a fulcrum from which he moved the world!
1976 Olympics a Japanese athlete broke his leg during one of his routines, and everyone thought he was finished. As the competition turned out, the last day's performances would determine whether the championship went to the Japanese or the Russians. Despite the fact that his leg was broken, the injured athlete mounted the rings for a final performance, and it was sparkling. The look of pride on his face as he ran through the exercise was magnificent. But there was also obvious anguish as from ten feet in the air he came hurtling to the floor for his dismount, landing on his broken leg. His fighting spirit made him indomitable. With his goal firmly in mind, he refused to quit, no matter how severe the pain. Like Paul here, yes difficulty yes can’t control circumstances, but will finsih my calling, do my duty:
Well suppose need to know the theme of the symphany - might want to actually do it - still step out boldness -
1976 Japanese vs. Russians gold medal gymanstics, brken leg, up ten feet inthe air on rings - determination - grit - Like Paul here, yes difficulty yes can’t control circumstances, but will finsih my calling, do my duty:
If in life you have diligently attended to your calling, then you cannot die a wicked or disdainful death. After a good Christian life, no wicked or untimely death can follow. For Christians, because they have been buried with Christ through baptism, are prepared to die—any year, any day, even any hour and moment. Death, as grisly, as terrifying, as traumatic as it may be, can do them no harm; rather, it sanctifies them. For it helps them out of this wicked world, yes, out of this valley of misery into eternal life. . . .
A Christian should press on in his calling and not fear death, but instead he should be like those people waiting on their Lord, waiting for him to commence the wedding, so that when he comes and knocks they can let him in immediately. And the Lord, the heavenly Father, will accept them as devout, faithful servants, drawing them into his joy, into eternal life.
1976 Japanese vs. Russians gold medal gymanstics, brken leg, up ten feet inthe air on rings - determination - grit - Like Paul here, yes difficulty yes can’t control circumstances, but will finsih my calling, do my duty:
- never die too soon, never face too much opposition - hold to this word, recive it, inward, upward, but poistivc helathy outward
Often that when we find - everything else stripped away - rely on God ie. Joni: I had no other identity but God, and gradually He became enough. I became overwhelmed with the phenomenon of the personal God, who created the universe, living in my life. He would make me attractive and worthwhile. . . .
Maybe God's gift to me is my dependence on Him. I will never reach the place where I am self-sufficient, where God is crowded out of my life. I am aware of His grace to me every moment. My need for help is obvious every day when I wake up, flat on my back, waiting for someone to come dress me. I cannot even comb my hair or blow my nose alone!
And there's one more thing. I have hope for the future. The Bible speaks of our bodies being "glorified" in Heaven. In high school that was always a hazy, foreign concept. But now I realize that I will be healed. I have not been cheated out of being a complete person - I am just going through a forty-year delay, and God is with me even through that.
Being "glorified" - I know the meaning of that now. It's the time, after my death here, when I will be on my feet dancing.
- hold to this word, recive it, inward, upward, but poistivc helathy outward
Schitzophernia of missions - just out there not here, or just here not out there balance… DOn’t need to know results - comit to our duty, rely on his plan, means, do business God’s way - WORD WON”T COME BACK EMPTY!
forbids the evangelistic schizophrenia - lavishing our attention on foreign missions while neglecting our neighbors, or attending to the immediate needs around us while millions overseas have never heard about Jesus. We need balance. We must reach our neighbors and the world with our gospel witness, our social witness, our money, our time, ourselves, our offspring. We must put all we have and are in the hands of Christ and allow him to use it all in his way, in his time, for others' salvation, for his glory.o which we so easily fall prey - lavishing our attention on foreign missions while neglecting our neighbors, or attending to the immediate needs around us while millions overseas have never heard about Jesus. We need balance. We must reach our neighbors and the world with our gospel witness, our social witness, our money, our time, ourselves, our offspring. We must put all we have and are in the hands of Christ and allow him to use it all in his way, in his time, for others' salvation, for his glory.