The Mission: GO! (Acts 28:11-31)

At first glance, this week’s passage might seem like a collection of information telling a story about Paul, but it is so much more than that. It is a reminder that God faithfully provides for his children and because God faithfully provides, we can faithfully complete our mission, we can Go! because God will always be with us, even to the ends of the earth!

Most people say Paul had three missionary journeys, but we could really consider Paul’s voyage to Rome a fourth missionary journey! Think about it, God caused Paul to take the Gospel to an island that had not heard about Christ and that Paul would not have intentionally gone to.

When we think about Paul’s life and all the incredible human heroes, they heroically took the Gospel wherever they went. Paul’s life was no different: his whole purpose was to proclaim Christ everywhere. He pointed to God all the time. He didn’t stop being a missionary because he was in chains. That had not stopped him before, that does not stop him here. I want to act like that, we need to act like that! Please turn to Acts 28.

If I am going to convince you to “GO!” and if Luke is going to convince us to “GO!” we have to appreciate God’s provision and we have to fully rely on God to provide when we faithfully obey. These last verses should inspire us to stop being afraid because God always provides!

God provided a way to Rome. (v11-13)

Acts 28:11–12 (ESV) 11 After three months (Feb/ March of AD 60) we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

(SLIDE: MAP 1 - Malta to Rome)

Luke didn’t name the twin Gods because at the time his readers would have instantly known what he referring to. The figurehead was the front part of the ship which often had an ornate carving or statue. This ship had the twin gods Castor and Pollux on the bow, guiding the ship, if you will. We know Castor and Pollux by a different name. They are called the Gemini, twin sons of Zeus and a constellation is named after them. When ancient mariners saw the Gemini constellation during a storm they believed they would be lucky and survive. Perhaps Luke and Paul had a good laugh as they boarded “the good luck ship” after the last one had been torn to pieces in that violent storm.

We need to know God always does exactly what He promises.

God came through for his people once again. They had a ship, a south wind blew pushing them rapidly northward. This has been a recurring theme all through Acts and it is a recurring theme through the whole Bible. Why? because we often forget. We often think of God as merely human who fails and forgets. Paul and Luke say God as high and lifted up, seated on his throne, arrayed in all glory and splendor and power. When we see God as he is our thinking will be transformed and we will act like God our God is full of power and glory and splendor who has our best interest at heart every moment of every day.

It is no surprise then that...

God provided Christian companions. (vv14-15)

Remember, for at least three months, Paul and Luke (maybe a couple of others) had been travel companions. We know that where two or three gather, God is there, but they hadn’t been to church with many believers in a long time. Some of us can remember what it was like to be away from church because of sickness, or surgery, or maybe we just didn’t want to go to church at all!

Jay (Bush), how does it feel to be in church again? Archie and Colleen, how does it feel to be back in church again? We can relate to these verses 14-15!

(SLIDE: MAP 2 - Appian Way)

14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 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.

God provided for Paul in many wonderful ways.

When Paul arrived in Puteoli, Christians were there! Those Christians sent word all the way to Rome. “Paul has finally arrived! God has blessed us!” So when those Christians heard the great news, they traveled from Rome down the Appian Way to greet him. The Appian Way was a main Roman road marked by the green line on the slide. Those Christians met him at these various points along the way and traveled with him.

They had church for many days as they were traveling along, some 130 miles, some 40 miles, some 30 miles. They had church not in a building, but in the party bus. They didn’t go to church on Sunday but had church every day of the week! They didn’t talk about how God continued to answer their prayers and about his abundant mercies just for one hour one day of the week, they talked about Him constantly!

God had changed Jewish and Gentile hearts all over the known world, and it was no surprise that Christians were there! Paul knew a church existed there and wrote the book of Romans in AD 56, four years earlier. In that letter, he mentioned how he hoped to visit them. So they had been awaiting his arrival for four years and it is quite apparent that they had been very eagerly waiting for him!

God provided for Paul in many wonderful ways, in Acts 18 but no blessing impacted him as significantly as this.

We need to know that Christian companions are perhaps the most significant blessing on earth. (v15)

Can someone shout out Paul’s two responses at the end of verse 15? (Thanked God and took courage!) Christian companions effect the very inner parts of our being and stir up deep emotional responses.

We carry many burdens. Life is hard, right? Christian companions lighten the load on our hearts even thought the weight of the chains may be heavy.

Some of us are closer to the end of our journey and you younger ones might have a long journey left. Paul still had a 130 mile walk and even then his journey was not over. Christian companions keep our feet moving we have a LONG way to walk.

We cannot make it through life without our brothers and sisters. Our bond is incredibly important for the journey ahead. A famous Spanish Poet by the name of Miguel Cervantes wrote this:

“He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he who loses his courage loses all.” - Cervantes

We don’t know if Paul lost all courage, but Christian fellowship was like an iced glass of water in the middle of summer. Fellowship removed his road-weariness and nourished him for the other big tasks ahead of him. Paul had no idea when he might stand before one of the most powerful persons alive. He might stand trial immediately, or he might need to wait several years, but he would certainly need courage for that task.

God provided something else for Paul. Verse 16 says, “And when we came into Rome.”

God provided safety to Rome. (vv15-16)

These are very important words! God said He would do it, but it took some time. It wasn’t so much about the destination as it was about the journey. Paul had certainly learned incredible truths about God along the way and all those people on the island and the ship needed to hear who God is.

Luke needed to remember who God is. He had his doubts when Paul said he needed to go to Jerusalem. He had his doubts when the storm intensified. Luke, in verses 14 and verse 16 wrote, “we came to Rome.” He repeated himself!

When they finally stepped into Rome, Luke must have thought, “God did it!” “I didn’t think it was possible, but God did it!” “I should have known. I wasted time being afraid instead of trusting God. I need to tell others that God did it!”

We need to know that life is also about the journey.

We know where we are going, but God wants us to enjoy the journey. He wants us to get to know Him now! Along the journey, we have experienced hard things and also amazing things. Everything along the way is supposed to continually teach us who God is.

In the remaining verses in the book of Acts, Luke reminds us that God is deeply involved in our journey. It isn’t just about the destination. When we think about what we have learned across the whole book, Luke knew life is also about the journey.

God was with the 11 apostles, faithfully providing for them until it was their turn to enter Heaven. During our journey God always provides.

God was with the early Christians every step of the way even though being a Christian was extremely perilous.

God had faithfully walked with Paul every step of the way showing Paul that there is nothing he cannot do. God was incredible, He is the hero in Acts!

Family help me! Shout out what God did in all of Acts for his people! God did....?

list miracles here:

provided the Holy Spirit

God provided the church

God provided power

God caused the lame man at the temple gate to leap and dance.

God caused rejoicing in prison and deliverance from prison many times.

God caused the gospel to explode across the known world.

God converted Saul a very bigoted religious zealot

Jesus directly spoke to His people 6 different times

God provided salvation from the Gentiles

God caused countless escapes from death and traps and plots and schemes.

God caused unity when disunity came knocking on the door.

God established global missions.

Demons were cast out, all kinds of diseases were cured

God provided courage in hopeless situations

God comforted the hurting

God delivered from the sea

He spared lives and always kept His word.

Isn’t God amazing? Life is about the journey. It is learning more about who God is every day. It is about applying those truths to life. It is about and telling others that God is the constant hero of our story.

I think verses 14 and 15 might have been written for us task oriented people. Let’s get there and get there as quickly as possible because I have a lot to do that I can’t do along the way. I love the image that verses 14 and 15 paint for us.

(included just for reference) (Acts 28:14–15 (ESV)14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 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.)

There we see a group of people headed to a specific destination, but while they were traveling along, Paul had been thoroughly enjoying that part of the journey.

The journey isn’t just about us, it is about God teaching us who He is and talking about who He is because we all need to be reminded to fix our eyes on Him instead of our immediate surroundings.

Luke brings the book of Acts to a fitting close with one final picture of Paul, under house arrest, probably chained to the soldier who faithfully guarded him, still “going” with the Gospel. Lets read how Paul continued “going” with the Gospel from verses 17-28.

Acts 28:17–28 (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. 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. 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:

Our Mission is to Go! (vv17-31)

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.”

Go: invite the mission field to your house! (vv17,23,30)

If you have been pleading to God for just one more chance to share the Gospel, God has probably brought a person or a family or a group of people to your mind. We find Paul’s group of people first in verse 17. He invited the local leaders of the Jews into his home. Why?

Paul went to the Jew first, and then to the Gentiles. That was the same example God set.

We know it was the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and parts of Asia who stirred up trouble against him, so it just made sense to talk with the local spiritual leaders first, so Paul did that. He explained his arrest, trials, imprisonment, and how he ended up in Rome.

and in verse 20 he said something worth highlighting. He said, “It is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” I have your best interest in mind. I want to tell you about God who has plans for your hope and blessing. Plans that are good and not evil. I have something important to tell you, will you please give me a chance to tell you who God is and how he wants to give you hope?

What a great way to start a conversation with someone! “I have something important to tell you that will give you hope and a future, and I am even willing to wear this chain so that you and all my countrymen can also hear this message of hope! Being personal, inviting others in gives us that opportunity and Paul didn’t waste an opportunity in these verses. verse 17, he invited people into his home, in verse 23, he invited them to come back and even greater numbers came to his home, and in verse 30, people kept coming into his home!

Go: invite the mission field into your house. Our community needs to know where we live. They need to know who they can drop in on when their world turns upside down. They need to know who to call and who to go to when important petitions need to be signed to speak out for truth in our community. They need to know where to send their friends who are hurting and need questions answered. Let your light so shine so you can be found in our community. I’m working on that one myself.

Our mission is to go...

Go: share what your views are! (v22)

Would you look at verse 21 in your Bible? I want to show you something else that really spoke to me this week. Do you think Paul might have been concerned about what the leaders in his home thought of him?

Paul seems to have been concerned at some level that those leaders may have been influenced by and bought into the lies propagated by other hateful people. Paul was concerned what they had heard and maybe even thought about him and his reflection of God. Did that group think Paul wanted to bring evil upon Jerusalem? Did they think he intended to destroy the temple? Did they think he wanted to rebel against Rome? Paul was concerned because that is not what the Gospel teaches. Those accusations were not the way of Christ and Paul didn’t want them believing lies.

The leaders replied (v21-22 paraphrase), “We haven’t heard anything about you, but we do know everyone everywhere is seemingly speaking against what you believe.”

This dialogue is very interesting and quite relevant to life today. Think about this for a moment, when you are talking with a person, do you wonder what they have heard or what they believe about our God? I do! Has your fear of what they have heard or think kept you from boldly talking about God? I am ashamed to admit it, but yes I have been afraid of what people might think.

Today, most mainstream media would have us believe that everyone everywhere is speaking evil against us. We are being called intolerant, unloving, unforgiving, haters, bigots, woman oppressors, and so on. Some have even claimed Christians undermine everything this country was built on. So if media can successfully cause us to believe we are in the minority they win. The big guy always wins, right? General Millie thought Russia was going to overtake Ukraine in 72 hours. In 1967, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria thought they would quickly overpower Israel, but Israel won the conflict in 6 days with very minimal losses.

The truth is that we are never in the minority because God is on our side and he always wins! And I love how Paul knew this and what he did next. He was concerned, but Paul really wanted to share his views. When we are in a situation when someone might have a wrong view of who God is try using this as a conversation starter, “Will you listen to my views and judge on your own? Will you commit to hearing me out from start to finish and just listen? Could you forget for a few moments what you have heard from others? Will you hear the truth from my own lips and choose for yourself?

Look at the leader’s favorable response in verse 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.” Their response had nothing to do with Paul except that he confidently trusted God and God had provided by preparing those people to set aside their presuppositions and to at least listen.

And do you know what? the leaders scheduled another day to return to hear Paul out. If you will, follow along in Acts 28:23-28

Acts 28:23–28 (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.”

Go: proclaim the kingdom of God with all boldness and without hindrance! (vv30-31)

Even though many doubters were in the room, Paul kept on preaching. Paul was accountable to share, they were responsible to hear and it was up to God to deal with life and eternity.

Because the doubters are no match for God’s power! (v24)

Look at verse 24, “And some were convinced by what he said” Even though Christianity was spoken against, the Spirit overwhelmed the doubters! Even though most Jews were stubborn and blind, God caused them to believe. Doubters are no match for God’s power because God has called them to believe.

Because we don’t know who God has called! (Rom 8:30; Jn 6:37)

Romans 8:30 (ESV) “30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

John 6:37 (ESV) “37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

Why doubt and worry? God knows what He is doing. Here is the refreshing truth… the results are not up to us! The results are up to God. We just have to be faithful and let the Spirit do what he does best… turn rock hard hearts into fertile soil! I don’t win souls. God wins souls. When we latch on to that truth, the storm stops, our lame legs walk, our shaking hands become still, our mute tongue is loosened, and we stand all alone in the middle of the crowd boldly proclaiming our love for our great God.

After Paul shared all things about Jesus and the coming kingdom, Paul said...

“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.”

“I was faithful. I did my best. Now you have to stand on your own before God. You must give account for your own souls. You have heard the truth and chosen not to be set free by that truth.”

Because God told us to! (Acts 1:8)

…in Acts 1:8 and many other places throughout the Bible. You might write the Acts 1:8 reference in the margin of your Bible right next to the final verses of Acts.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Why do we tremble and doubt and cower? We have the power of God’s Spirit! The Holy Spirit desperately desires to work powerfully through us. God’s power and provision for use is what Acts is all about. Luke began the book reminding us of that important truth and he closes the book reminding us of this important truth. Please follow along as I read Acts 28:30-31,

Acts 28:30–31 (ESV) “(Paul) lived (in Rome) two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

What happened to Paul? He was released and later imprisoned again and it is likely he was executed by Nero around the same time as the Apostle Peter. It is fitting that Luke doesn’t tell us what happened to Paul. Acts is a book about God’s power and he closes reminding us that we serve an incredibly faithful God. God provided Paul with blessing after blessing because Paul believed in God’s overwhelming, always winning, unstoppable power.

Now what? Go! Talk about God and be unstoppable!

Prayer Ideas:

Courage! Strength! Overwhelm us with deep love for you!