What's Next in 2012
Sermon Notes
Paul’s reception in Rome
1. He was not exactly welcomed with open arms - bound to a soldier and met by Jewish skeptics
2. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus with only partial success but still focused on reaching Jews and Gentiles
3. He stays in his own rented quarters for two years preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Some Reflections on Our Journeys with Paul
1. Consider the providence of God in the story of Paul (and the book of Acts).
2. Consider the providence of God in the growth of the church (Acts 28.26,27)
• The ministerial agency of the prophet
• The judicial agency of God
• The suicidal agency of the people themselves
4. Consider God’s work in Paul’s life in these last years – Acts 29
• God brought Paul to Rome - his desired goal
• God brought Paul to Rome in an undesired condition
• God’s ministry through Paul in Rome came through two years of house arrest (in which he wrote the prison epistles – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon)
• Paul is then freed for two years but then re-arrested, re-tried, condemned, and executed in 64 AD
A Challenge for DBC in 2012 – Acts 29
1. Let’s preach the kingdom of God and teach the Lord Jesus Christ (studying Ephesians together to start 2012)
2. Let’s make disciples – growing disciples who make disciples
3. Let’s build the church together – be a LIFE transforming community reaching our world for Christ.
• LIFE transformation – what does God want to transform in you?
• LIFE transforming community – what does God want to transform in us?
• Reaching our world – both personally and also as a church?
“God is the hero of the book of Acts, and the plot line is how He reveals His Word through Jesus and a faithful church. God will make sure it happens, and so will a faithful church” (Darrell Bock, Acts, p.760).