June 10, 2012
Rome at Last and The Victory of the Gospel
Paul spoke to the Jewish leaders of the Hope of Israel: the Kingdom of God manifested in the resurrection of Christ. As with all Paul's preaching to the Jews, some believed the message of faith in Jesus and others did not (Acts 28:24). God's Word cannot be put under arrest. Likewise the gospel in our time will ultimately succeed. Acts ends with the gospel witness spreading from Rome, and today the power of the gospel is operative in Toronto.
Scripture: Acts 28
Sermon Notes:
- Luke's narrative highlights the strategic importance of the gospel coming to Rome, the center of the empire.
- Serving in the gospel and the kingdom of God is the most important adventure to invest our lives in.
- Paul was not alone; he had men of like mind who worked alongside, providing help and encouragement.
- Paul was uniformly calm, trusting God's providential governance even when all hope was lost (Acts 27:21-26).
- Paul is not above menial work, gathering sticks for the fire.
- Meeting fellow believers, Paul thanked God and took courage (Acts 28:15).
- The whole account of Acts 27-28 is about difficulties and dangers, as Paul makes inevitable progress to Rome.
- When we're walking in fellowship with God, we have confidence (Psalm 25:14; 107:25-30).
- God has a place of service for every one of us.
- The great empire of Rome with its cruel emperor was soon to bow before the message of the gospel.
- Paul spoke to the Jewish leaders of the Hope of Israel: the Kingdom of God manifested in the resurrection of Christ.
- From morning to evening, he expounded to the Jews about the kingdom of God and the theocracy of Jesus who sits on the throne forever (Acts 28:23).
- As with all Paul's preaching to the Jews, some believed the message of faith in Jesus and others didn't (Acts 28:24).
- Matthew 13, John 12, and Isaiah 6:9-10 all pass judgment on Israel in terms of its rejection of the gospel.
- We observe the judicial agency of God and the suicidal nature of people, as God excommunicates the Jewish nation for their obstinacy and hardness of heart.
- Still under arrest, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God so that the gospel invaded even the household of Caesar.
- The power of the gospel and the supremacy of Christ are at the center of Paul's preaching, as seen in his letters.
- Paul declared the Lord Jesus Christ with candidness, confidence, and without hindrance.
- God's Word cannot be put under arrest. Likewise the gospel in our time will ultimately succeed.
- Acts ends with the gospel witness spreading from Rome, and today the power of gospel is operative in Toronto.
- We must rely on the word of God in public life as a standard by which to measure all human law.
- The redefinition of family and gender is to assert paganism, denying the creator-creature distinction.
- Apart from the supremacy of Christ, there's no absolute point of appeal to stem the tide of tyranny.
Application Questions:
- What is the destination that God has appointed for us?
- How can we like Paul live in confidence, peace, and security, knowing the promises of God for our lives?
- Can we still praise God despite every challenge that we face in the journey of service in His kingdom?
- How did Paul's arrest, imprisonment, and trials work out for the furtherance of the gospel?
- How is the victory of the gospel manifested in Acts 28? How is that power alive and active in our city today?
- In what ways can we bring encouragement to those like Paul who face the front line hardships of gospel ministry?
- What are the judicial consequences of rejecting the authority of the gospel for our lives?
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