We desire to hear from you!
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 49:17
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Faithful voyage, to faithful works
Faithful voyage, to faithful works
Paul finally made it to Rome, now the work begins as he waits.
Paul had a tempestuous journey to get to Rome the place he held in his heart.
Paul finally made it to Rome, put under house arrest (Act28:16)
Paul had appealed to Caesar and pending that time (Act25:9-12, 28:30)
Paul never was very idle was he? He stayed busy, so you would not think it would be any different while in Rome awaiting his time before Caesar.
You will see tonight that he
Meets with the Jewish leaders
He receives many visitors
He wrote several epistles (implied)
Here is the breakdown for tonight
Paul speaks up (Act28:17-29)
Paul’s life in Rome (Act28:30-31)
Paul speaks up
Paul speaks up
Paul’s pattern was to never miss an opportunity to preach the gospel. His pattern was to start with the Jews, that does not change when a prisoner awaiting to see Caesar.
This is a long passage and too much for one chunk and to stay engaged, so I’m breaking it down a little more.
Paul’s first meeting (Act28:17-22)
17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, 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 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.
19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”
21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
What do you see, what do you notice what sticks out to you?
Gleaning from the scripture:
How long after arriving in Rome did Paul wait to speak up (v.17)?
It was after three days, then to the leading men of the Jews.
Paul opens his mouth with a defense (v.17-19) and then stated reason why calling them in (v.20) what is the reason?
For the sake of the hope of Israel!
In (v.21) they respond back to Paul, not as he expected but look at (v.22) what do they desire?
We desire to hear from you
So, summarizing this section
Paul shortly after getting there to ROme calls for the elders (leaders) of the Jews there.
Paul conveys why he is there in Rome, not because of anything he had done but because of the Jews in Jerusalem he appealed to Caesar
The Jews there wanted to hear from him and his opinions
Paul’s second meeting (Act28:23-29)
23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.
25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, 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 also listen.”
29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
So a day had been set for them to meet Paul, where did they meet? What did Paul testify about from the start in (v.23)?
They came to him at his lodging.
He testified about the kingdom, starting with Law of Moses and the Prophets
What was the results of Paul’s testimony (v.24)?
Some were persuaded and believed, others would not believe
So then when there was no agreement many began to leave (v.25) But Paul, well he gives some parting words (v.26-27)
In (v.28) Paul does not want them to miss an important fact, what is it?
Salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles and they will listen to it!
In summary of this portion:
The leaders and many came to Paul to hear what his opinions were on the sect (v.23)
They heard him testify from morning until evening about the kingdom concerning Jesus, starting with Moses and the Prophets (vv.24-25)
Let me bring in another passage to help.
44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Paul’s departing words came from (Isa6:9-10) (v.26-27)
He gives a stern warning to them in using the Isaiah passage about closing their ears to the truth, just as their forefathers did.
Thus fulfilling the prophesy of Isa42:1, 6)
1 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
and add
6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
You know something, we have time, open your bibles to Isaiah chapter 42 with me and let’s look at the context and see that who the Lord is speaking about can only be Jesus.
1 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 “A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 “He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”
5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,
6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
8 “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. 9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
They left and disputed among themselves (v.28)
Jesus fulfilled but they did not see it, accept it, they were still looking forward when they should be looking back. Paul fulfilled his commission, he preached Jesus and the kingdom of God, they were now responsible for it.
(Transition) This leads us to our last portion of scripture but lots of other scriptures will come into the mix as we close out this study we have done for the last 13 months.
Paul’s life in Rome
Paul’s life in Rome
Believe it or not, we are drawing to the end of the recorded biblical history of the early church. Ending with Paul’s life in Rome, and not much is said about it as to words, but much said in content.
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Gleaning from the scripture
How long was Paul in his own rented house (quarters) while awaiting his appeal to Caesar (v.30)?
He stayed a full two years
What did Paul do during these two years (vv.30-31)?
Welcoming all who came to him
Preached the kingdom of God
Taught regarding Jesus, open and unhindered.
In wrapping this up and with the time we have remaining tonight may I expand on some noteworthy things?
His companions
His preaching
His letters
His love
His faith
His companions:
Timothy (Act16:1-3, Phm1; Col1:1; Php1:1)
His young protege who became the evangelist in Ephesus. He spent time with Paul on mission trips and in Rome and assisting in several of the Epistles
Epaphras (Col1:3-8, 4:12-13; Phm1:23)
Came to see Paul and this led to the writing of the epistle to the Colossians
Onesismus and Tychicus (Phm1:10-21; Col4:7-9; Act20:4; Eph6:21-22)
Onesismus the runaway slave and fellow prisoner, he along with Tychicus were the carriers of the letter to the Colossians
Tychicus also carried the letter to the Ephesians
Marcus (Act12:25; Col4:10; Act12:25, 13:4, 13; 15:37-40)
Marcus, aka John Mark, aka Mark, Barnabas cousin
Aristarchus (Col4:10; Act19:29, 20:4, 27:2)
Paul’s fellow prisoner, as mentioned in previous lesson, it would seem by choice not by arrest
Demas (Col4:14; 2Tim4:10)
He later forsook Paul and his faith and acted contrary to the gospel
Luke (Col4:14; Act16:10-12, 20:6, 21:1-17, 27:1-28:16)
The doctor, the writer, the companion, the friend and fellow prisoner who traveled to Rome with Paul (another person by choice not arrest).
Jesus called Justus (Col4:11)
What we know about him is that he is a fellow worker with Paul
Epaproditus (Php4:18, 2:25-30)
Carrier of the gift from the church at Philippi to Paul. He also was the carrier of the letter back to the church at Philippi
(Transition) what an assortment of men, - each brought something to the mission, to the ministry, most for the good, but in a couple of cases they left the faith, left the ministry. Because of the companions much work was able to be done in Rome while even in chains!
His preaching
Continued in spite of chains (Col1:23-29; Eph3:1-9; Col4:3-4 and Eph6:18-20)
In writing to Colossi, Paul encouraging them to continue in the faith that his suffering (v.24) is worth it. that his preaching is for their benefit.
To Ephesus he says he is a prisoner for them! For the Gentiles, that they are fellow members of the body, fellow partakers of the promises (V.6)
Converted Onesimus (Phm1:10)
Let me read this one to you. (It is not on the screen)
10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
Preached the all the praetorian guard (Php1:12-20, 4:22)
His imprisonment had been for the greater good of the gospel that the whole praetorian guard had the good news.
It also brought more confidence, boldness because of Paul’s willingness to suffer for them to speak up and speak out more
(Transition) the preaching proves that the chains of man cannot overcome the truth of God’s Word and that it will not return void (consider Isa55:11).
His letters
The following are the letters that he penned from prison.
Philemon (Phm1:1)
To Philemon about a brother now, Onesimus, with a theme about restoration and forgiveness.
Colossians (Col1:1-2)
To warn about false teachings, heresy that was entering the church there. The theme being the fullness and preeminence of Christ, as well as the sufficiency of Christ.
Ephesians (Eph1:1)
Ah written to remind them who they are in Christ and knowing that then who they are to be as the church
Philippians (Php1:1)
A joy filled letter filled with gratitude for them, their faithfulness and their support with a theme of rejoice in the lord always.
(Transition) So from Rome, Paul impacted the world then and the world today! NOw, one more section to cover, Paul’s love and care
His love and care for the churches
To the church at Colossi he had never met (Col2:1-5)
To the church at Ephesus he had spent much time with (Act20:17-21)
To the church at Philippi that were close to his heart (Php1:3-5; 4:1)
You can read on awesome prayers he offered for them (Col1:9-11; Eph1:15-21, 3:14-19; Php1:9-11)
Paul’s faith in his suffering
He rejoiced in it (Col1:24; Php2:16-19)
He wanted to magnify Christ in and through it (Php1:20)
Paul’s time in prison gave him opportunity to practice what he preached (Rom5:3-5)
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
J.W. McGarvey says “No two years of Paul’s life were better filled with earnest labor than these two in the Roman prison”
or we can close out with Paul’s own words as recorded by Luke
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
Now may we learn from that and be willing to go and share and be willing to even suffer for the gospel if necessary.
We have journeyed over the first 40 years of the church, from birth announcement, to birth pains, to growing pains, to some great lessons on the unity of the church. May we continue to be a people who glean from the scripture to learn from the history and apply what we can for today in our transformation process.
(Prayer) (Close)