Paul's Final Message

Introduction

Example of a Street Evangelist

Have you ever seen some preaching at a park, or somewhere in public and you thought, how difficult would that be.

However, sometimes a more difficult type of evangelism is teaching to people you are already close with

Evangelism Talk

Today we are going to be looking at an amazing example of Gospel sharing through the apostle Paul

Maybe some of you today have a certain type of person you fit in with or a certain people group, and you feel a calling to preach the Gospel to them.

Maybe you meet certain people where you meet where you connect on every level. Maybe you are from the same location, have similar interests, and same passions but they are not believers, and you feel called to share the Gospel with them.

However, maybe because you are so close with this person, Gospel sharing can become difficult. You may fear rejection, or worry that they will not accept the message of salvation.

This is exactly the personal type of situation Paul was in

Goals for today

Understanding Paul’s example of Evangelism

Further Appreciate of the book of Romans

My personal bible reading journey through Romans

Paul’s Final Message in Rome

Acts 28:17–31 (ESV)

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. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 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.” 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. 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.”

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. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 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:

“ ‘Go to this people, and say,

“You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

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.’

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Introduction to Acts

Why am I teaching on this today?

I appreciate this passage

Helpfulness for the study of Romans

Reading Luke/Acts and then reading Romans

Luke 2:29–32 ESV

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Overall purpose to explain accomplishments

Salvation

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Similarity to Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Luke 24:45–48 ESV

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Favorite verse of mine generally involves scripture explanation

Acts 7, Acts 8 .

Gospel Message is shared

Acts of Christ

Repentance for the forgiveness of sin

Reception of Salvation

Proclamation of this Salvation as witnesses

Paul Appeals

Acts 28:17–22 ESV

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. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 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.” 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. 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.”

Interesting choice of who Paul is speaking to

Does not separate himself at all from the Jewish nation

Paul wants to appeal the Jews as one who is not attacking the Jews, but is one

Did not countersue Jews to show himself innocent

Qualifications of Paul

Pharisee

Acts 22:3 ESV

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.

Expert in the Law and the Prophets even before faith in Christ

Love for Jewish Nation

Romans 9:2–3 ESV

that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Deep emotions of anguish for the rejection of Christ from Israel

Said that he wishes he could be cut off from Christ is if meant Jewish salvation

Sake of the hope of Israel

Fits with this theme of Luke/Acts

Salvation had come to fulfill what was written

What Simeon had spoken of

Hope grounded in scripture (at the time meaning the OT)

Common false interpretation of scripture is to discard the OT as unimportant, however it is Gospel revelation before Jesus was born.

Areas in the OT hope of salvation is found

Paul explains and Israel Rejects

Acts 28:23–28 ESV

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. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 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: “ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 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.’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

Morning till evening

Paul

Expounding to them

Paul was explaining the OT to the Jewish leaders for a full day

The emotion behind this explanation of the Gospel

The Kingdom

All encompassing way of explaining the Gospel

Something that the Jews already believed in

Trying to Convince or Persuade

Shows the character of this talk being a back and forth debate or discussion

Paul would explain and then most likely allow counter arguments

The Law and the Prophets

The Old Testament

The Gospel can be perfectly explained by the Old Testament

Guesses of where Paul would go

Passover

Isaiah 53 example

Simeon’s quote in Luke 2

Romans structure

The Gospel is primarily rejected

The last recorded effort in scripture preaching the Gospel to God’s chosen nation

Paul’s best efforts could not convince the majority of the Jews of Christ

Paul responds

OT Quotation

Isaiah 6:9–10 ESV

And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Isaiah is given the task of preaching to an unrepentant Jewish nation in this passage.

In a passage that discusses the general nation of Israel as unreceptive of the truth and unrepentant

Sad reality of the fortold rejection of the Gospel

This is why Romans covers this issue in such great detail

Romans 11:2–6 ESV

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Perfect picture of the explanation happening

Some believe but many reject

God preserves a remnant

Paul proclaims

Acts 28:30–31 ESV

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Presumable when he wrote the Prison epistles while he was here

Paul preached in spite of being under house arrest

Welcomed all

Preached the Kingdom and the life of Christ

Boldly

Conclusion

Abrupt Ending Explained

Weird that Acts ends before much of Paul’s ministry is done

Many books of the bible that Paul writes are not written

Final Death of Paul is not recorded

Book of Acts is not Paul centered or Peter center but salvation centered

Final Takeaways

When the Gospel is preached, rejection is common.

Reception of the Gospel is not in our hands

The Good news of Salvation must be preached in spite of circumstance

Proclaiming the Gospel should be done boldly and without hindrance