We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.

Sermon Title: THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION CONTINUES

Scripture References: ACTS 28:1-31

There’s something called Mission Drift…it’s also the title of an excellent book…Mission drift is when an organization or church drifts from the intended vision, mission, and purpose of existence. You’ve witnessed companies and products that drift from what they are known for or gifted at and are no longer the same. The church is susceptible to this same mission drift when we take our eyes off Jesus and the Word of God. The book of Acts has served Christianity and churches for the past 2000 years as an excellent ruler or standard by which we measure ourselves and keep from drifting from God’s intended mission and purpose. In our last chapter, we see that the book of Acts ends the same way it started, faithful to the mission of God to seek, love, and save the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray and hope we are challenged to carry on what the first church passed on to us!

V. 1-3 A warm welcome

Paul and all the sailors receive a friendly welcome with a warm fire. Paul serves by helping to gather firewood for everyone.

V. 4-10 Miracle and healing ministry at Malta

V. 4-5 As the snake latched onto Paul the people being somewhat superstitious believed Paul must be a murderer and the goddess of justice finally takes him out after surviving a shipwreck at sea. They had no idea of Paul’s innocence and his God.
V. 6 God didn’t preserve Paul from the storm just to let him perish by a snake. Paul was protected. It was promised he would go to Rome (you must also bear witness at Rome, Acts 23:11), and Paul wasn’t to Rome yet. It wasn’t so much that nothing would stop Paul as it was that nothing would stop God’s promise from being fulfilled. -Enduring Word commentary
Application point: God's promise to us is all who believe will be saved and inherit eternal life. Faith in this truth and promise is certainly tested when death is approaching. But whether we live or die before Christ’s return, the resurrection is our reminder that we will live forever in the new heavens and new earth.

Faith and ministry of miracles break out. The rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed: Soon, the work Paul did went to many others. Luke was also with Paul so it’s possible Luke attended to the needs of people.
Application: The words of Jesus are being fulfilled in Paul’s life, Mark 16:15-18 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
When it was time to sail 3 months later, the hospitality of the island provided everything they needed for the journey, no doubt in response to the powerful ministry of Paul and his team.
Application point: Kindness and hospitality to others, prayers of faith for healing, and miracles all go a long way in being a witness of the good news of Jesus.

V.11-16 They finally arrive just outside of Rome and receive another warm welcome this time from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Two groups of believers come to meet Paul and co-workers showing honor to Paul but also showing the gospel had already reached Rome most likely from the day of pentecost. They also had received Paul’s letter to Rome a few years before.
The noun apantēsin, translated as an infinitive “to meet,” was used in Greek literature of an entourage coming out of a city to meet an official going to the city. It is also used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which speaks of believers being “caught up … to meet (apantēsin) the Lord in the air.” Like an entourage, believers will go up at the Rapture into the clouds to meet Jesus, their Savior and Lord, coming from heaven to take them to Himself. Paul looked forward to joining that group. Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 430). Victor Books.

V.16

Paul wasn’t in a normal prison. He was allowed to dwell by himself and provide his own living space (a rented house according to Acts 28:30). Yet he was constantly under the supervision of a Roman guard, and often chained. The rotation of the guards gave him a constant supply of people to talk to. Read Philippians 1:12-14, written from this Roman custody, Paul told of how his message reached the palace guards of Rome. Though he was the prisoner, he had a captive audience. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-28/
Application Point: Don’t over-complicate who you can reach with the good news of Jesus Christ. Who’s your captive audience? Whoever you talk to regularly is someone you can share what Jesus has done for you and what Jesus has done for them!

V. 17-24 Paul connects with the Jews and shares the gospel and kingdom of God

We neither received letters from Judea concerning you: This demonstrates that the religious leaders who accused Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea knew their case was hopeless. They made no effort to send ahead documents confirming their case against him. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-28/
The discussion was also longer. All day long Paul spoke of the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets (cf. 24:14; 26:22). The term “kingdom of God” includes the death and resurrection of Christ as its basis but also looks ahead to Christ’s reign on earth. It is clearly eschatological in significance (cf. 1:3–6; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; Luke 1:33; 4:43; 6:20; 7:28; 8:1, 10; 9:2, 11, 27, 60, 62; 10:9, 11; 11:2, 20; 12:31–32; 13:18, 20, 28–29; 14:15; 16:16; 17:20–21; 18:16–17, 24–25, 29–30; 19:11; 21:31; 22:16, 18, 29–30; 23:42, 51). To the Jews the concept of the Messiah dying for sins as an atonement and the teaching of justification by faith as the way of entering the kingdom sounded strange. Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 430). Victor Books.
A major reason the Jews would reject this message is because they anticipated a political reign on earth with a king who would deliver them from oppression and rule over all other kingdoms, once and for all. They had a different interpretation of the Messianic reign.
V.23-24 When Paul shares the gospel, some believe and some reject it. Paul, considered the best evangelist for this task, couldn’t persuade some.

V.25-28 After arguing back and forth, Paul gives one final word

Paul affirms and quotes the prophet Isaiah’s words from the Lord from Isaiah 6:9-10
What does this mean? Their hard hearts and stubbornness have closed off their willingness to hear, see, and their hearts to absorb the truth. When you can connect all the dots and give evidence of the truth but they still deny and reject it that’s heartbreaking. This is where you have to give them over to the Lord, pray He has mercy or they are humbled and change their minds before it’s too late.

V. 29-31 End of Acts and the remaining years of Paul

Paul remains in Rome for two years at his own expense boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. And just like that Luke’s historical documentation of the early church concludes.
During these two years in prison, Paul wrote what is commonly called his “Prison Epistles”—Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians.
While Paul was in Rome during this incarceration the gospel was not bound. He spoke boldly (cf. comments on Acts 4:13). The last word in the Greek text of Acts is the adverb akōlytōs which means without hindrance. Men may bind the preachers, but the gospel cannot be chained! Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 431). Victor Books.
By the way, the gospel reached Caesar’s household - Phil 4:21-22 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
In A.D. 63 Paul was acquitted, declared not guilty and released. For the next few years, he continued his missionary endeavors, perhaps going to Spain as he had planned. During this period, he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. Paul was again arrested, about A.D. 67, and was taken back to Rome. He wrote 2 Timothy during this second imprisonment at Rome. His imprisonment ended with his martyrdom, dying for his faith. Tradition says he was beheaded under the Roman Emporer Nero. -FireBible Study Note, page 1764

Application

The Spirit and mission of the church in the book of Acts continues today

The Book of Acts begins like this: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Book of Acts ends suddenly with no formal conclusion. This is appropriate because the mission for his church is not over yet. God plans that the acts of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of Christ's message continue in the lives of Christ's followers until - he returns (Matt 28:18-20). -FireBible Study Note, page 1764
The purpose and mission of the church is to worship God, equip the believer to be a disciple maker, and go seek and reach the lost with the gospel. The purpose of Sunday mornings is threefold:

Praise and Worship God
Be built up and empowered by the Word, the Spirit, and one another
Go make disciples in your world by seeking and saving the lost

Paul never loses sight of the mission and purpose of the church. Even chained to a Roman guard, Paul embodies the resilient, unstoppable missional Spirit of God and the church.

The Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus cannot be chained!

2 Timothy 2:8-10 NLT Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

Paul in chains preached the gospel for two years. With no hindrance meaning no one stopped him. We have no physical hindrances except what we make for ourselves and the gospel will spread if we start to share it! If Paul can do this from chains in a home certainly we can stop chaining ourselves and let loose the gospel from our lips and lives.
Pastor Coon is in Dialysis for a few hours 3 days a week and makes it a point to shine and share the love and truth of Jesus Christ
Give your life to love and serve God and His mission becomes your mission!
Jesus said I will build my church and the gate of hell will not prevail against it. We belong to the prevailing church and the prevailing gospel. No obstacle and no hindrances can stop the church unless we choose to not do our part in and with the church.

Simple and Practical Steps to serve in the mission and purpose of the church

Meals for Thanksgiving
Christmas at Calvary for those who could use a fun and safe night out to learn about the meaning of Christmas to Christians
Get involved in serving with the church this season and beyond.
Invite others to church. People are looking for a loving community and are seeking God.
The Discipleship Journey course starting in January
Give your tithe to God and His eternal work being done through this church

Discussion

What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
What are some examples from chapter 28 where the church stayed on mission and didn’t drift?
What are some ways the church today has drifted from the church we see in Acts?
What can we do individually and corporately to come back to being the Spirit-filled, missional church?
What should we ask God for in our prayer time to help us apply this message?

The most important decision you will ever make!

If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!

We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.

Pray Together

We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!

Ryan Coon

THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION CONTINUES