Salem Church
Unstoppable Kingdom
Globally: For King and Kingdom
Locations & Times
Clove Lakes Campus
634 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Unstoppable Kingdom
Globally: For King and Kingdom
Acts 28:1-31
As we wrap up our series in the book of Acts, we are on a journey with the Apostle Paul. Last week we read about the issues at sea and left him along with 275 companions shipwrecked on an unknown beach somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. From there, we pick up the story…
“After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. 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.”Acts 28:1-31
Main Idea: We Will Live for King and Kingdom OR Control and Comfort
Two Elements of Kingdom Living from Acts 28:1-31
I. Trust the King with Control Over Your Life
For nearly 5 years Paul has been under arrest. Some might call this required waiting, and you can imagine how difficult that might have been. Yet Paul accepted that this was God’s will for him and was even more useful.
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”Philippians 1:12 – He trusted the King!
Trust the King:
• Over the Opinions of People – One minute he’s a murderer (vs. 4), the next he’s a god (vs. 6). The fellow believers loved him (vs. 14-15). The Jews wanted to listen (vs. 21) and some believed (vs. 24) while others disbelieved (vs. 24). Yet, he trusted the King!
• Over the Circumstances of Life – He’s been shipwrecked (vs. 1), snake bitten (vs. 3), under house arrest (vs. 16), and without provisions (vs. 30). Yet, he trusted the King!
• Over the Desire for Certainty – God always provided what Paul needed. Notice the warm welcome of the Maltese people (vs. 2, 10), the available ship to journey (vs. 11), a place to stay in Puteoli (vs. 13), house arrest over prison (vs. 16), and people coming to him to hear the gospel (vs. 30). He trusted the king!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”Proverbs 3:5-6
At 17-years-old Joni Eareckson Tada dove into a shallow part of the Chesapeake Bay & fractured her spine paralyzing her from the shoulders down. During physical therapy, depression, suicidal thoughts, and doubts about the goodness of God gripped her. Yet she became one of the most inspirational Christians across the world over the last 50 years. How?
“It was me, just a helpless body, and God. I had no other identity but God, and gradually He became enough. I became overwhelmed with the phenomenon of the personal God, who created the universe, living in my life…Maybe God’s gift to me is my dependence on Him.” Joni Eareckson Tada
We can learn from the whole book of Acts that citizens of the Unstoppable Kingdom of God can joyfully and confidently relinquish the control of their lives to the King because that’s what you were made to do.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
II. Seek the Kingdom Over Comfort for Your Life
At no point did Paul prioritize his own comfort over advancing the kingdom and preaching the gospel. There was nothing more important.
“But I do not account my life of any value or precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”Acts 20:24 – True to his word!
Pursuing the Kingdom over Comfort:
• Expands our Witness – Many people came to hear the gospel. Paul was given an audience with Felix, Festus, Agrippa, and even Caesar.
• Enriches our Witness – His years of imprisonment were hardly wasted. He wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. He mentored Timothy, John Mark, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, & Demas. He led Onesimus (runaway slave) to Christ. Epaphroditus & Tychicus were encouraged and sent back with letters we still enjoy.
• Authenticates our Witness – Nobody questioned his commitment.
“Nothing proves the sincerity of our beliefs like our willingness to suffer for them.” John Stott
“You will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything else.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Booker T. Washington was born a slave but was freed when Union soldiers reached his part of Virginia. He so desperately wanted an education that he walked hundreds of miles to one of the few universities that accepted black students. He was told that classes were full, so he stayed on campus sweeping floors and making beds waiting for a spot to open. The faculty was so impressed that they took him on as a student and he excelled. He became one of the greatest educators, orators, authors of his time and became the first principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Why would he suffer and sacrifice his own comfort? Because he had something bigger on his mind!
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”Matthew 6:33
The book of Acts concludes so abruptly, don’t you think?
“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.” Acts 28:30-31
What Happened to Paul? Luke doesn’t tell us. But historical accounts and a few small hints in the scripture indicate that after two years he was released from his house arrest to continue his missionary work. Possibly going all the way to Spain. Then, he was rearrested and kept in prison until he was beheaded under the savage Emperor Nero around 67-68 AD.
Why Doesn’t Luke Finish Paul’s Story? Because it wasn’t about the preacher, it was about the message. It wasn’t about the apostle; it was about the Kingdom. Luke finished his writings with the gospel flourishing in the most powerful city in the known world and left it open-ended for us to live!
What if Luke Were Still Writing? It might be about Salem Church, or a missionary in Nepal, or a church planter in Brooklyn, or a businessman in Iran secretly sharing Christ, or some other kingdom work in the world today.
Why? Paul is not the hero of Acts, Jesus is! So…
Let us Live for King and Kingdom rather than Control and Comfort
Jesus was the perfect embodiment of this type of life. And he is the atoning sacrifice for us as we all fall short of it.
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
The New American Commentary: Acts – John B. Polhill (1992)
Acts: Bible Study Commentary – F.F. Bruce (2017)
Acts for Everyone – N.T. Wright (2008)
Acts: The Church Afire – Kent Hughes (1996)
Acts - John MacArthur (1994)
Acts – K.O. Gangle (1998)
The Kingdom of God – Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1992)
The Message of Acts – John Stott (1994)
Kingdom First – Jeff Christopherson (2015)
The Acts of the Apostles – William Barclay (1976)
Unstoppable Kingdom
Globally: For King and Kingdom
Acts 28:1-31
As we wrap up our series in the book of Acts, we are on a journey with the Apostle Paul. Last week we read about the issues at sea and left him along with 275 companions shipwrecked on an unknown beach somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. From there, we pick up the story…
“After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. 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.”Acts 28:1-31
Main Idea: We Will Live for King and Kingdom OR Control and Comfort
Two Elements of Kingdom Living from Acts 28:1-31
I. Trust the King with Control Over Your Life
For nearly 5 years Paul has been under arrest. Some might call this required waiting, and you can imagine how difficult that might have been. Yet Paul accepted that this was God’s will for him and was even more useful.
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”Philippians 1:12 – He trusted the King!
Trust the King:
• Over the Opinions of People – One minute he’s a murderer (vs. 4), the next he’s a god (vs. 6). The fellow believers loved him (vs. 14-15). The Jews wanted to listen (vs. 21) and some believed (vs. 24) while others disbelieved (vs. 24). Yet, he trusted the King!
• Over the Circumstances of Life – He’s been shipwrecked (vs. 1), snake bitten (vs. 3), under house arrest (vs. 16), and without provisions (vs. 30). Yet, he trusted the King!
• Over the Desire for Certainty – God always provided what Paul needed. Notice the warm welcome of the Maltese people (vs. 2, 10), the available ship to journey (vs. 11), a place to stay in Puteoli (vs. 13), house arrest over prison (vs. 16), and people coming to him to hear the gospel (vs. 30). He trusted the king!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”Proverbs 3:5-6
At 17-years-old Joni Eareckson Tada dove into a shallow part of the Chesapeake Bay & fractured her spine paralyzing her from the shoulders down. During physical therapy, depression, suicidal thoughts, and doubts about the goodness of God gripped her. Yet she became one of the most inspirational Christians across the world over the last 50 years. How?
“It was me, just a helpless body, and God. I had no other identity but God, and gradually He became enough. I became overwhelmed with the phenomenon of the personal God, who created the universe, living in my life…Maybe God’s gift to me is my dependence on Him.” Joni Eareckson Tada
We can learn from the whole book of Acts that citizens of the Unstoppable Kingdom of God can joyfully and confidently relinquish the control of their lives to the King because that’s what you were made to do.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
II. Seek the Kingdom Over Comfort for Your Life
At no point did Paul prioritize his own comfort over advancing the kingdom and preaching the gospel. There was nothing more important.
“But I do not account my life of any value or precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”Acts 20:24 – True to his word!
Pursuing the Kingdom over Comfort:
• Expands our Witness – Many people came to hear the gospel. Paul was given an audience with Felix, Festus, Agrippa, and even Caesar.
• Enriches our Witness – His years of imprisonment were hardly wasted. He wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. He mentored Timothy, John Mark, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, & Demas. He led Onesimus (runaway slave) to Christ. Epaphroditus & Tychicus were encouraged and sent back with letters we still enjoy.
• Authenticates our Witness – Nobody questioned his commitment.
“Nothing proves the sincerity of our beliefs like our willingness to suffer for them.” John Stott
“You will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything else.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Booker T. Washington was born a slave but was freed when Union soldiers reached his part of Virginia. He so desperately wanted an education that he walked hundreds of miles to one of the few universities that accepted black students. He was told that classes were full, so he stayed on campus sweeping floors and making beds waiting for a spot to open. The faculty was so impressed that they took him on as a student and he excelled. He became one of the greatest educators, orators, authors of his time and became the first principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Why would he suffer and sacrifice his own comfort? Because he had something bigger on his mind!
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”Matthew 6:33
The book of Acts concludes so abruptly, don’t you think?
“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.” Acts 28:30-31
What Happened to Paul? Luke doesn’t tell us. But historical accounts and a few small hints in the scripture indicate that after two years he was released from his house arrest to continue his missionary work. Possibly going all the way to Spain. Then, he was rearrested and kept in prison until he was beheaded under the savage Emperor Nero around 67-68 AD.
Why Doesn’t Luke Finish Paul’s Story? Because it wasn’t about the preacher, it was about the message. It wasn’t about the apostle; it was about the Kingdom. Luke finished his writings with the gospel flourishing in the most powerful city in the known world and left it open-ended for us to live!
What if Luke Were Still Writing? It might be about Salem Church, or a missionary in Nepal, or a church planter in Brooklyn, or a businessman in Iran secretly sharing Christ, or some other kingdom work in the world today.
Why? Paul is not the hero of Acts, Jesus is! So…
Let us Live for King and Kingdom rather than Control and Comfort
Jesus was the perfect embodiment of this type of life. And he is the atoning sacrifice for us as we all fall short of it.
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
The New American Commentary: Acts – John B. Polhill (1992)
Acts: Bible Study Commentary – F.F. Bruce (2017)
Acts for Everyone – N.T. Wright (2008)
Acts: The Church Afire – Kent Hughes (1996)
Acts - John MacArthur (1994)
Acts – K.O. Gangle (1998)
The Kingdom of God – Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1992)
The Message of Acts – John Stott (1994)
Kingdom First – Jeff Christopherson (2015)
The Acts of the Apostles – William Barclay (1976)
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