It's About The Gospel

She said, “I have one question. What’s so special about the coin?” He looked at her in confusion and asked “what do you mean?” To which she replied, “there must be something special about the coin since one team gets it at the beginning and the other team spends the whole time trying to take it away!”

A man takes his girlfriend to a football game. After the game is over he asks if she had a good time. She replied “yes that was fun, but I don’t understand why they do all of that for 25 cents”. The man, puzzled, asks “what do you mean?” To which the blonde replied “well the game started with a coin toss, and afterward they just ran around hitting each other screaming get the quarterback! get the quarterback!”

She missed the whole point.

In the Christian life, there is a danger of us missing the whole point.

There is a message being preached in many places today that life is about you. Life is about personal growth, personal advancement, and success.

That is not what we see in Scripture.

The Christian life is not about self. It is about the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. It is about the transformation we experience when Christ comes into our lives.

As we finish the book of Acts today, we reflect on all that has been recorded and we understand some important points about Christianity.

After everything Paul has been through to get to Rome, we might expect a huge conversion like at Pentecost or other times.

That isn’t what happens.

We might be tempted to ask, what was the point? Why did God put Paul through all of this?

That’s what our title is all about today.

The man, puzzled, asks “what do you mean?” To which she replied “well the game started with a coin toss, and afterward they just ran around hitting each other screaming get the quarterback! get the quarterback!”

Paul’s journey was about 1 thing. The Christian life is about 1 thing.

We all laugh because she watched the whole game, and never understood the point.

It’s about the gospel.

As believers in Jesus Christ, life has a point. It has a purpose.

The gospel brings glory to God. The Gospel grows the believer. The Gospel changes a sinner into a saint.

I don’t want us to get to heaven, stand before the King of kings, and realize that we have missed the whole point.

It’s about the gospel.

As believers in Jesus Christ, life has a point. It has a purpose.

The purpose of our lives is to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.

This is accomplished as we grow in our faith and share Christ with others.

In short, it’s about the gospel.

It’s about the gospel.

As the book of Acts draws to a close, we are faced with a final gospel presentation.

In this presentation a familiar and common format is observed.

The gospel is preached, some believe some don’t, and Paul keeps preaching.

Why? Because he is all about the gospel.

That’s where we are going this morning.

PURPOSE STATMENT

As believers in Jesus Christ our lives must be all about the gospel.

we must live to be all about the gospel.

For life to be all about the gospel we must embrace three situations.

When these have been embraced we can live with gospel purpose.

Situation #1…

1. The Gospel Proclaimed 23-25a

I can’t even list the number of movies that use a similar plot point.

There is a person in the movie; a daughter, a son, a loved one, we waits for a letter or letters that never arrive. They grow bitter and angry only to discover as the plot unfolds that the letter or letters were written, they just never received them.

Had the letters been delivered there would have been so much pain avoided!

If only they had gotten the message.

Church. We have the greatest message anyone could ever receive.

We have the words of eternal life ()!

We are supposed to be all about the gospel. But as Paul writes to the Romans, people cannot hear if we do not proclaim the gospel ()!

I cannot be about the gospel if I never share it.

CONGREGATION

There are people who need to hear and they need to hear the gospel from us! They can avoid so much pain if only we will share the message!

With that in mind, we get into our passage here and discover something vital.

There are two elements of a successful gospel proclamation

Element #1…

a. A comprehensive proclamation v. 23

Our gospel proclamation must include everything they need to hear!

Look at what Paul does here.

READ v. 23

First off, we note that this is what they had asked him to do. Look at v. 22.

This means that he has an invitation to share the gospel.

Secondly, they established the day, not Paul.

This means he has an opportunity to share the gospel.

Thirdly, they came to him, God is using the freedom given Paul to have his own dwelling.

This means he has a willing audience to which God has specifically called him.

I want to dig into this a little bit here.

Luke tells us that Paul explained and solemnly testified.

Explained – ἐκτίθεμαι (ektithemai) explain; expound. To elaborate, to give an account and clarify the meaning of something through discourse.

Explained – ἐκτίθεμαι (ektithemai) explain; expound. to elaborate v. — to give an account and clarify the meaning of something through discourse. Finite verb, imperfect, middle, indicative, third person, singular.

Explained – ἐκτίθεμαι (ektithemai)

Paul is explaining the truth about Jesus from the Hebrew Scriptures.

Solemnly testified – διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartyromai) warn; testify solemnly. To bear witness, to solemnly assert something, offering firsthand authentication of the fact; often concerning grave or important matters.

Solemnly testified – διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartyromai)

It is almost like Paul is putting himself under oath here.

He is explaining and testifying about the kingdom of God.

Historically speaking, this is what the Jews were waiting for at this point.

They wanted a Messiah, not to save them from their sin, but to deliver them from Rome.

They wanted a literal, physical king to deal with their social and economic problems.

God saw that they had a great need. They needed Spiritual healing first.

We find ourselves in the same boat.

We want someone to deal with our social and economic problems in this country. Jesus wants to deal with our hearts first.

Make no mistake. Jesus is going to return. He will reign. He will rule. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord.

But that is future. Right now we are to be about the gospel because it is the gospel that changes everything! It is the gospel that changes lives!

Paul is explaining to them the truth about God’s kingdom.

The truth about God’s kingdom concerns the person and work of Jesus Christ.

As Paul explains and testifies, he is persuading them to believe in who Jesus is.

He wants them to change their mind about Jesus!

Therefore, Paul takes them to the Law and Prophets.

The books of Moses and the prophetic accounts are used by Paul to present the gospel.

One very obvious fact presents itself here. Paul knew the Law and Prophets well enough to explain how they pointed to Jesus.

How well do we know Scripture?

Could we present the truth about Christ from the OT?

Can we present the truth about Christ from the NT?

If we are to be about the gospel, we must know how to share it.

Paul speaks to them from morning to evening! All day long he is persuading them.

v. 23 – He persuades them from the Law of Moses and the prophets showing that Jesus is Christ. He speaks with them all day.

Explained

I don’t think this was a lecture. I think it was a discussion.

solemnly testified - like in a court of law? I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God.

Paul leaves nothing out. He takes them through Scripture revealing who Jesus is.

Persuading

A gospel proclamation is focused on the person of Christ.

From morning to evening

CONGREGATION

The first element in a successful gospel presentation is that it must be comprehensive. We must tell people everything they need to hear.

Giving a partial or incomplete gospel leaves people lost!

Element #2…

b. A comprehended proclamation vv. 24-25a

If our gospel proclamation is not clear and understood, it is useless.

In fact, I would argue that an unclear or misunderstood gospel presentation is dangerous.

We know Paul’s proclamation was comprehended because of what we learn here.

READ v. 24

This verse reveals the two reactions that a gospel presentation will always produce.

In some the gospel message brings belief. In others, unbelief.

Our verse states that some were persuaded.

This is the same Greek word used in v. 23. Paul is speaking persuasively. Speaking to convince them of the truth about Jesus. Some are persuaded.

Others, however, disbelieve. This is an active verb signifying that they chose to reject what Paul has said.

disbelieve

This is what happens when we share the gospel. Some believe, some don’t.

Who believes and who doesn’t is in God’s hands. We have no control over that.

This is very important in sharing the gospel.

Disagreement

Our responsibility is simply to proclaim the truth and leave the decision up to the person who has heard.

I want to emphasize here that Both those who accepted and those who rejected the gospel message understood it.

Paul was not unclear. His message was not confusing.

We need to be clear in our presentation of the gospel.

Saying things like “ask Jesus into your heart” or even “believe in Jesus” can be confusing.

Why? Because it can give the impression that all you need to do is believe that Jesus existed. Or it can leave a child with some weird idea of Jesus living in their physical heart.

When we share the gospel we must make it clear what we are saying and what someone must do to be saved.

It is always good to be reminded of what says (S).

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

This is the gospel.

When we ask people to believe, this is what they must believe. Jesus died for their sin. This carries with it the idea that they must understand they have sinned.

They must believe that Jesus really died. That is what His burial signifies. It also demonstrates the complete removal of sin.

Finally, they must believe that Jesus rose again on the third day.

Implied here is that this is all they believe.

What I mean by that is they don’t believe these things and then add that you must also make Jesus Lord, do a certain number of works, give money to the church, and come to every service.

gives some needed clarity here (S).

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

This is the message we preach.

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.

Some will accept it, others will reject it. We preach regardless.

When the gospel is preached in a group setting as Paul does here, division can be the result.

READ v. 25a

Paul is meeting with the Jewish leaders in Rome. It is only natural that those who believe what Paul has said about Jesus and those who do not would disagree.

Their disagreement is so sharp, that they leave.

However, their departure seems to be motivated by what Paul says in vv. 26-27. We will get there soon.

Here’s what I want us to walk away with from this point.

The reception of a gospel proclamation will be divided.

CONGREGATION

This doesn’t mean we have failed! It doesn’t mean we should stop telling people about Jesus!

This is simply the reality of sharing truth. Some people believe it, some people don’t.

If we are going to be men and women of the gospel, we must share it.

We share it clearly, completely, and we let the Holy Spirit do His work.

The first situation we embrace is that the gospel must be proclaimed.

Situation #2…

2. The Gospel Prohibited vv. 25b-29

Prohibited = to prevent or hinder.

This word “prohibited” means “to prevent or hinder.” This can happen to the gospel.

There have been a few times as a parent where I will attempt to tell one of my children something, and they will plug their ears.

I can remember doing this as a child. Somehow it never occured to me that this wouldn’t end well.

My children also don’t seem to understand that until after the fact.

When we try to tell someone something and they plug their ears, it can be a very frustrating experience.

We cannot communicate with people if they refuse to listen.

This can be a very frustrating experience.

We cannot communicate with people if they refuse to listen.

When we have had this experience we may have attempted to communicate a second time.

If they still refuse to hear, we often give up.

Someone refusing to hear us can lead to discouragement.

Here’s the thing.

I cannot be about the gospel if I grow discouraged.

CONGREGATION

People’s response to the gospel message is not my responsibility. REPEAT

My responsibility is simply to faithful preach Christ.

As I share, I must be aware that the gospel my be prohibited by two factors.

Factor #1…

a. By hardness vv. 25b-27

hard-hearted

a. By hardness vv. 25b-27

b. By hatred vv. 28-29

v. 28 – The Gospel has been sent to the Gentiles! This is the case until the rapture. When the tribulation comes God’s program with Israel will resume culminating in their national salvation and the millennial kingdom.

We just talked about how the Jewish leaders disagree and then depart.

Their departure is motivated by what Paul says here. Which we will get to. But first…

READ v. 25b

We will get to what Paul says.

What I find really significant here is how he introduces his quotation.

Notice how the message got to the nation of Israel.

It originated with God the Holy Spirit Who spoke to Isaiah who then communicated it to the fathers.

This is a great testament to the inspiration of Scripture.

While it was Isaiah who told it to the fathers, it was the Holy Spirit who gave the message.

This falls right in line with what Peter declared in (S).

2 Peter 1:20–21 NKJV

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

This is exactly what Paul communicates here.

This book is not the creation of men. It is the Word of God given through the Holy Spirit.

What did the Spirit say through Isaiah?

READ vv. 26-27

Ouch!

This is a verbal slap in the face.

The Jewish leaders in Isaiah’s day were told they would hear and not understand, see and not perceive.

This same message is being applied to the Jewish leaders of Paul’s day.

The same Holy Spirit that moved Isaiah now moves Paul.

They are not going to hear with comprehension, they are not going to see with understanding!

Why not?

Their hearts are dull, their ears are hard, and their eyes are closed.

Dull – παχύνομαι (pachynomai) make dull; make impervious. To be or become dull or unresponsive; conceived of as becoming fat or plump.

Dull – παχύνομαι (pachynomai)

Their hearts are unresponsive.

Elsewhere in Scripture this is called being hard-hearted.

Their hearts are no longer impacted by truth. They have made it difficult to hear with their ears. They closed their eyes.

They have made it difficult to hear with their ears.

They closed their eyes.

What’s interesting here is that their dullness was passive, while their inability to hear and see are active.

What does that mean?

Their hearts grew dull through inaction. They quit exercising their hearts. This is a danger for all of us.

When you stop allowing the truth of God’s Word to impact your heart, you grow unresponsive.

But to stop hearing and stop seeing you must actively choose to no longer listen or see.

That is what people do with the gospel. They choose not to hear it, choose not to see it. Choose not to understand.

Why?

It means that when the gospel is rejected, we don’t take it personally, we move on.

Why?

Why have they become dull, hard, and closed?

All so they can avoid understanding and being healed by God.

Does that mean we stop sharing the gospel? No!

It means that When the gospel is rejected, we don’t take it personally, we move on.

We continue sharing the gospel while keeping one truth in mind.

A hard heart may not be permanent.

CONGREGATION

Paul was hard-hearted, God changed him.

Just because someone doesn’t accept Christ now, doesn’t mean they never will.

Have faith. Keep praying. Keep witnessing.

The gospel can be prohibited by the hardness of the one who hears it. That is factor #1.

Factor #2. The gospel can be prohibited…

b. By hatred vv. 28-29

READ v. 28

This is something we might expect all the Jews to already know. Paul hasn’t made any secret of the fact that he is now reaching out to the Gentiles.

However, we saw in v. 22 that they hadn’t heard much about “the way” which we now call Christianity.

The salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles.

What is very apparent here is the contrast.

The Jews were dull, hard, and closed. The Gentiles would hear.

The Gentiles would hear.

The people who should have been the most open, would refuse to listen or see.

The people who were usually considered outside of God’s favor, would listen.

READ v. 29

Some argue that v. 29 shouldn’t be included in the text. I find their evidence against v. 29 underwhelming. It boils down to which manuscripts you place the most weight on.

It seems to me that v. 29 is a fitting capstone to v. 25.

It is Paul’s declaration that salvation will go to the Gentiles that causes the dissension and dispute.

Why? The Jews hated the Gentiles.

The gospel is being prohibited by their hatred!

However, the gospel can transform lives. It can take the most hardened, the most blind, the most dull, and change them completely!

We have seen this repeatedly in Acts.

In ch. 17 we saw some of the religious elite in Athens join Paul and believe the gospel!

In ch. 19 the Ephesian believers left the practice of magic for the gospel!

Those are just two examples of many.

Hatred can be transformed by the gospel.

CONGREGATION

We look around and see a country filled with division and hatred. The solution is not different leaders or better legislation.

The solution to division and hatred is the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Once we have been saved we need the continual teaching of Scripture to have our hearts and minds transformed.

Think of Peter back in . God had to repeat His lesson with the sheet three times before he finally got the message!

Once he finally understood, many Gentiles were brought to Christ.

When we share the gospel message there will be opposition.

The gospel will be prohibited. Sometimes by hard hearts, sometimes by hatred.

What we must always remember is that God is more than able to save even the most hardened heart.

I love what the Lord said to Moses after God promised to provide for the people and Moses questioned Him. (S).

Numbers 11:23 NKJV

23 And the Lord said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”

This is an expression meaning, “has God’s power lessened.”

Has God’s power been limited? Is He unable to save some people?

NO!

Don’t be discouraged. Preach the gospel and let God do with His message what He wills.

If we are going to be men and women of the gospel, we must share it. We must accept that it will be prohibited. Those are our first two situations.

Situation #3…

3. The Gospel Propagated vv. 30-31

Propagate = to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock.

to reproduce (itself, its kind, etc.), as an organism does.

to transmit (hereditary features or elements) to, or through, offspring.

to spread (a report, doctrine, practice, etc.) from person to person; disseminate.

vv. 30-31 – Two of my most favorite verses in the book. Paul preaches the kingdom and teaches about Jesus and no one forbids him! He is in Rome for 2 years close to the palace and the guards. Captive audience with the Apostle Paul for two years! which is written during this time states that there are believers in Caesar’s household!

“Propagate” means “to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock.

to reproduce (itself, its kind, etc.), as an organism does.

to spread (a report, doctrine, practice, etc.) from person to person; disseminate.”

to spread (a report, doctrine, practice, etc.) from person to person; disseminate.

The final two verses in Acts tell us about the propagation or spread of the gospel.

We need to see the gospel proclaimed. We will see it prohibited. As we faithfully preach Christ, we will see it spread.

For that to happen, we must be persistent.

I cannot be about the gospel if I give up.

CONGREGATION

a. Without restriction v. 30

The gospel can and will grow, it will spread. But only as it is faithfully, boldly, and clearly proclaimed.

As this is done there will be times when the gospel grows as it does here.

It is spread in two powerful ways.

#1. The gospel spreads…

a. Without restriction v. 30

READ v. 30

I love this. This is not a normal occurence.

Paul is in this situation by what I believe to be a miracle. Look back up at v. 16.

All the other prisoners were delivered to the captain of the guard.

Only Paul is allowed to live under house arrest.

This miraculous freedom enables Paul to have visitors on a regular basis.

For two years Paul is under house arrest welcoming any who came.

Interesting background note.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament 28:17–31—Paul, Jews and Gentiles in Rome

At the end of two years, if no accusers had arrived and no charges had been sent against him (28:21), Paul would normally be automatically released.

“At the end of two years, if no accusers had arrived and no charges had been sent against him (28:21), Paul would normally be automatically released.

History tells us that Paul was eventually released.

For two years Paul is under house arrest welcoming any who came.

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Ac 28:30.

Paul does not discriminate.

This reminds me of Jesus in (S).

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

"All” who labor. Anyone and everyone is invited to come to Jesus.

This is emphasized even more strongly in (S).

Whosoever will

Revelation 22:17 NKJV

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

All are invited to come! Drink of the water of life!

Paul has an open door policy. Do we?

Are there certain types of people who we don’t want to share Christ with?

Paul receives everyone who comes because he has a bigger agenda. Which we will see in the final verse.

Any limits man imposes on the gospel miss the heart of God.

CONGREGATION

All are invited to come to Jesus.

Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The gospel spreads without restriction.

The second way we see the gospel spreading here is…

b. Without restraint v. 31

READ v. 31

Conclusion

For two years Paul does two things.

1 - Preaching the kingdom of God.

When we read Paul’s epistles we learn that the kingdom of God looks different now than it will in the future.

Right now Christ rules and reigns from heaven.

One day He will rule and reign from a literal physical throne here on earth.

Paul preaches about the kingdom because he was living in the midst of a people who wanted physical deliverance.

Sometimes we fall into that same trap.

We need to be reminded that physical deliverance is coming. But that shouldn’t be our focus right now.

Scripture reveals all that we need to know about the kingdom of God.

One of the most important things it reveals is that the physical manifestation of God’s kingdom is a future event.

The timing of its arrival is out of our control.

Don’t get me wrong. I want Jesus to return! As I look growing more hostile to Christianity every day, I want Him to return soon.

But my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, Until He returns, we have a job to do!

That brings us to Paul’s second activity.

2 - Teaching the things of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This lost and dying world needs the gospel of Jesus Christ!

It doesn’t need Christian’s who are consumed with Christ returning so they can get out of here.

Our world needs Christians who are consumed with seeing lives transformed by the gospel!

Our world needs Christians who tell their neighbors about Jesus. Christians who live out the truth of Scripture. Christians who never stop talking about Jesus!

What kind of Christians are we?

I love that in the last verse of this book the full title of Jesus is used.

Paul wants people to understand who Jesus is.

He is Lord.

This is the Greek word kyrios and it means “master.”

Jesus is the master.

Do we live like it?

A master is obeyed without question. A master knows the work to be done and assigns responsibilities as He sees fit.

A master is not a co-pilot or a backseat driver. A master is the one behind the wheel.

Is Jesus your master? Is He your Lord?

Paul says He is the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is the title given to God the Son upon the announcement of His conception to Mary in .

However it is when the angel reveals these things to Joseph in that we learn what the name means (S).

Matthew 1:21 NKJV

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The name Jesus encompasses the human nature of our Lord as well as His Divine mission.

He came to save. He came to die on the Cross for the sin of all mankind.

That is further emphasized by His final title which is Christ.

There really should be a definite article before Christ.

He is the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

He is the Messiah. The one promised in . The one spoken of by the prophets.

The suffering servant revealed by Isaiah. The conquering King seen in Ezekiel.

He is the solution to all problems. The physical deliverer, the Spiritual Savior. The King. The ruler of all!

The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending the first and the last.

He is Almighty God!

For two years Paul teaches the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence.

I love those three words. “With all confidence.”

Confidence – παρρησία (parrēsia) confidence; boldness; plainly. The trait of being willing to undertake activities that involve risk or danger; especially that involve being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech.

Confidence – παρρησία (parrēsia)

Paul knows full well the risk he is taking when he speaks of Jesus as the Christ.

At this point in his life the events spelled out in have already taken place. That is where Paul lists all the things he had suffered up to that point.

Here at the end of Acts we are in early AD 60’s. Paul wrote 2 Cor. somewhere in the early 50’s AD before his third missionary journey.

My point is that Paul has suffered much for the cause of Christ.

Yet here he is. In Rome. Boldly preaching the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ.

For two years he preaches. To anyone and everyone who will listen.

The miraculous thing here is this last phrase. “No one forbidding him.”

Nothing hinders Paul from preaching the gospel.

This is another miracle.

For two years he has a captive audience in those who guard him.

For two years people come and go, listening to him preach and teach.

Philippians is one of the books that Paul writes while he is in prison. Listen to what he says in (S).

Philippians 4:22 NKJV

22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

Paul’s time in prison bore much fruit for the kingdom of God. Much fruit for Christ.

Instead of growing bitter or angry at his circumstances, Paul saw the opportunity, and He preached Christ.

Do you have difficult circumstances this morning?

Look for the opportunity. There is one.

God has a reason plan and purpose for what you are going through.

Don’t get so focused on self that you miss the opportunity He is giving you.

Gospel opportunities must be met with bold proclamation.

CONGREGATION

Will we share the gospel like Paul does here?

Conclusion

That’s it.

That’s the end of the book of Acts.

Next week we will do an overview of the entire book in 1 message.

Some people see the end of Acts as abrupt.

I look at it as a perfect conclusion to the outline Luke gave in .

The gospel was to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the whole world.

To the thinking of that time, when the gospel got to Rome, that mission was accomplished.

Also, we know historically, when Luke wrote this Paul was in prison. There was nothing more to record!

Everything in Acts is about the spread of the gospel. It is about how the early church grew through the bold preaching of Jesus.

They lived with gospel purpose.

We are called to live with that same purpose.

To live with gospel purpose we must proclaim the gospel, endure opposition against the gospel, and keep preaching Christ no matter what.

All of us have people God has placed in our sphere of influence who need to hear the gospel.

We need to preach the whole gospel and preach it clearly.

Will we share the gospel?

We need to preach the whole gospel and preach it clearly.

When the gospel message is shared, it will meet with divided opinion.

Some will believe, some will not.

We will be met with hard hearts, closed eyes, and stopped up ears. There will be anger and hatred.

Will we still share the gospel?

As the gospel is boldly and faithfully proclaimed it will spread and grow.

We must never restrict the gospel message to only certain people groups or types.

We must be bold in our declaration of Jesus as our Lord and Christ.

Will we share the gospel boldly?

Final Thought On Acts:

Preach Christ everywhere, to everyone, with passion, boldness, and clarity.

Acts 28:23–31 NKJV

23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

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