Part of our series in the Book of Acts. For more information as well as audio and video options, please check out the blog www.thoughtsfromeb.wordpress.com
2. The Church grows
• Paul had been the first to share the gospel in
Europe
• On his third journey, he had written to Roman
Christians
• Now he finds believers everywhere
• In Puteoli
• From Rome, Paul was encouraged and gave
thanks
• The fellowship of the saints
• This is a strange victory parade
3. The message is consistent
• Centred on Jesus
• Proclaiming Christ from the scriptures
• The Holy Spirit speaking through the scriptures
• Explaining and declaring the kingdom of God
• “Tried to convince them about Jesus”
• Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we
try to persuade men (2 Corinthians 5:11)
• “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though
God were making his appeal through us. We
implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to
God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
4. The ministry continues
• To the Jews
o The Jews had been responsible for many of Paul’s
problems
o The leaders had plotted his death
o Why did he waste his time?
o “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God
for the Israelites is that they may be saved”
(Romans 10:1)
o Do we need to go to the same people again?
o Some were convinced
5. The ministry continues
• To the gentiles
o They will hear
o He welcomed all
o “All the saints send you greetings, especially
those who belong to Caesar’s household”
(Philippians 4:22)
6. The ministry continues
• To the church
o Confinement must have been difficult for Paul
o “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth,
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly
make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I
am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may
declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19-
20)
o “As a result, it has become clear throughout the
whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am
in chains for Christ.” (Philippians 1:13)
7. The ministry continues
o “And pray for us, too, that God may open a
door for our message, so that we may
proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am
in chains.” (Colossians 4:3)
o We may never have had the blessing of the
prison letters were it not for this time
• To the outcast
o “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who
became my son while I was in chains”
(Philemon 10)
8. The story is not finished
• Why does Acts finish ‘in the air’
• Paul had not finished
• The story goes on
• The last word is ‘akōlytōs’ - freely