GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
For the last several months, the youth have been studying the Book of Acts, looking at how to live missional lives. We finished Acts this past week by looking at the last two chapters. Chapters 27-28 are filled with detailed descriptions of Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner. In the midst of this detail, we recognize that when God gives you a task, He will see you through until it’s completion. Remember the key verse of the Book is Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth”. Not only is this the key verse, but it can also be used as an outline for the Book. You can easily track the progress of the Gospel message as people were dispersed into Jerusalem and then into both Judea and Samaria and later to the uttermost parts of the world (i.e. Rome).
Paul has completed the task he was assigned and now has one final witnessing platform in Rome. Acts 23:11 records Paul’s obedience and his final task, “Take courage, for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness in Rome also.” Paul was commissioned to be a witness in Rome, and God will see His plan completed.
CIRCUMSTANCES DON’T MATTER...
No doubt the sailing to Rome didn’t go as planned. The trip quickly turned dangerous, and the ship and the crew were at the mercy of the weather. At the start of the voyage, however, God used the Roman centurion, Julius, and his kindness toward Paul to allow believers to minister to Paul’s needs. It wouldn’t be unfathomable to think Paul was wounded, hungry, and had other physical needs that needed attention from those at Sidon just before the trip across the Mediterranean. (This is a great picture of what Jesus meant in Matthew 25:31-46 by meeting the needs of “these brothers of mine”.) What would have happened to Paul if Julius refused to let him have his physical needs met? Would Paul have made the journey alive if it wasn’t for the kindness of Julius? God had a plan for Paul, and He used Julius as one instrument to see His purpose carried through.
Later in the trip, when shipwreck was unavoidable, God directed the ship’s path toward Malta where natives welcomed the passengers with a kindled fire, fighting off the cold and the rain. Even a poisonous snakebite was not powerful enough to keep God from fulfilling His purpose for Paul in Rome.
...BUT A COMMITTED LIFE DOES
So, what does this mean for us? How can we apply the last two chapters of Acts to our lives and our church? First, we must focus on our purpose. Just like a runner who races toward the finish line, we must keep our eyes focused on our evangelistic purpose. When the evangelism flame is turned down, other issues arise keeping us from fulfilling our purpose. Paul was encouraged during the entire trip to Rome because he knew God’s purpose for him. Difficult winds, an impossible northeastern storm, shipwreck, cold, and a venomous snakebite could not distract Paul from his purpose. How many things in life keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose? How often do you get discouraged because things don’t go as planned? Remember, God has a bigger plan than you or I could ever see. Therefore, remain faithful to the cause, and let God see you through. Secondly, we must latch on to the final words of the Book of Acts, “Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” These last details should keep us focused on our purpose and rebuke us when we become disobedient. Our lives should be characterized by preaching the kingdom of God, teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, and doing so with openness and boldness. Therefore, stay faithfully focused on the task, prayerfully remembering that God is in control, and be unashamedly dependent upon the Holy Spirit for unhindered bold speech.
Blessings,
Nathan
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