ACTS 4 (2)

The Bible passage God is giving us today is from the book of  Acts 28:30-31. Let’s read it together. 
“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Ac 28:30-31)
 
Review
The theme of last summer’s retreat was the Book of Acts. Acts records how, beginning with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples proclaimed the gospel and established churches in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The book can be divided into four parts, following the geographical outline given in Acts 1:8.
The first part focuses on Jerusalem, where the main character is Peter. Through Peter’s Spirit-filled miracles and preaching, many Jews returned to the Lord, and the church in Jerusalem was established.
The second part covers Judea, Samaria, and Antioch. At first, the gospel was proclaimed only in Jerusalem. However, after Stephen’s martyrdom, severe persecution broke out against the believers in Jerusalem. As a result, the Jewish Christians scattered beyond the city and began to preach the gospel elsewhere.
But the gospel did not expand only geographically. Philip went to Samaria to proclaim the gospel to the Samaritans and even shared the good news with the Ethiopian eunuch. The spread of the gospel began to cross not only geographical boundaries, but also ethnic, social, and cultural ones.
Some of these Christians went beyond Judea and Samaria and reached a place called Antioch. There they preached the gospel to both Jews and Greeks, and as a result, the church in Antioch was established. At the same time, God changed Peter’s perspective on the Gentiles through a vision and his encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion. And on the road to Damascus, Jesus met Saul and entrusted him with the mission of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. This is the content of the second part of Acts.
In the third part of Acts, the gospel’s geographical expansion intensifies. The Holy Spirit moved the leaders of the Antioch church to set apart Barnabas and Paul for missionary work. This began Paul’s three missionary journeys, during which he preached the gospel in Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia Minor. Through these journeys, many Gentiles turned to the Lord, and the gospel spread widely.
Last time, we looked at the final part of Acts. The last destination of Paul’s third missionary journey was Jerusalem. His purpose in going there was to deliver the offering collected from the churches he had visited to help the believers in Jerusalem who were suffering from famine. However, not long after arriving in Jerusalem, Paul was seized by the Jews while he was in the temple. Afterward, he stood trial three times—before the Sanhedrin, Governor Felix, and Governor Festus—and gave a total of five speeches.
Regardless of who was in front of him or what the circumstances were, the focus of Paul’s speeches and his defense was always the same: to testify to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—the gospel itself. To Paul, every trial and every speech was an opportunity to proclaim Christ.
This was possible because Paul had the identity of being a “debtor to the gospel.” Jesus had entrusted him with the good news so that he might pass it on to others. Therefore, Paul felt a responsibility to testify to the gospel to people of every background, ethnicity, and social class. Yet Paul did not do this out of mere obligation or compulsion—his greatest joy was not in anything else, but in the proclamation of Jesus Christ. For that cause, Paul did not consider his own life as something to be preserved.
When Paul was on trial before Festus, he appealed to Caesar. He knew that the Jewish leaders wanted to have him transferred to Jerusalem as part of a plot to kill him.
But preserving his life was not the only reason he appealed to Caesar. A greater purpose for Paul was simply to go to Rome. By the end of his third missionary journey, his sights were set on going as far as possible—to Spain—and to get there, he would have to pass through Rome. Moreover, when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, the Lord appeared to him and told him that he would testify about the gospel in Rome. This gave Paul a clear sense of direction and purpose—he had to get to Rome. And appealing to Caesar was the only way for Paul, as a prisoner, to make the journey there.
 
The Voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1 – 28:15)
That concludes what we looked at last week. Today, we will turn to the final part of Acts, considering how Paul came to Rome and how he bore witness to the gospel there.
 
1. From Caesarea to Crete (Acts 27:1–12)
  After Paul’s speech before King Agrippa and Bernice, it was decided that he would be sent to Italy. Paul, along with some other prisoners, was handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. They set sail on a ship from Adramyttium. The journey is described in detail in Acts 27.
 
2) The Storm at Sea (Acts 27:13–38)
Their voyage to Rome was anything but easy. One day, the ship was caught in a violent storm called Euroclydon, and they were swept along by the wind. Driven helplessly by the storm, they drifted at sea without knowing where they were headed. After many days of this, everyone on board began to lose all hope of being saved. Acts 27:20 says:
 “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” (Acts 27:20)
But at that moment Paul stood up and said,  “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:22–26)
Here we see Paul’s spiritual leadership and confidence. On that ship, his social status was the lowest of all—he was merely a prisoner. Yet in that desperate situation, Paul exercised true spiritual leadership. While everyone else was losing hope and waiting for death, Paul gave them a message of hope.
So, how was Paul able to remain strong and courageous without falling into despair when everyone else had lost hope? It was because he looked beyond the situation itself to the Lord who was always with him and at work within that situation. He also remembered the word and promise the Lord had given him.
When Paul was first arrested in Jerusalem, the Lord had appeared to him and told him that he would testify in Rome. Later, when the ship was caught in the storm and drifting, God again sent an angel to assure Paul that he would indeed stand before Caesar in Rome. God also promised, through that angel, that the lives of all those sailing with him would be spared.
That promise was the very source of Paul’s confidence. The situation itself was hopeless. Even the seasoned captain and sailors, with all their training and experience, had given up hope. Yet this did not shake Paul’s confidence. His faith was not rooted in the situation but in the word and promise of God.
This is also the mindset we as Christians are called to have. There are many ways to define what it means to be a Christian, but one of my favorite descriptions comes from 2 Corinthians 5:5–7. This is what Paul said, 
“Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident... For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:5–7)
Here we see an essential characteristic of being a Christian: we live by faith, not by what we see or feel. To live by faith means to treat what is unseen as if it were real. Hebrews 11:1 explains this: 
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Those who live by faith do not let their lives be determined by what they see. Instead, they trust more firmly in the unseen promises of God than in the visible circumstances around them. Their hope is not anchored in their present situation but in God and His word.
Because the source of their faith is the unchanging and faithful God who always keeps His promises, they can remain confident in every situation. Even when what they see and feel seems to contradict their faith, they are not shaken.
This is the kind of faith Paul had. And this is the kind of faith God desires for us as well. In life, we often face situations that seem to be the very opposite of what we believe. We confess that the Lord is our Shepherd, yet at times we find ourselves in circumstances where it feels as if He is not caring for us. In those moments, what will you look to? Will you grumble against God and give up, blaming Him for placing you in such difficulty? Or will you continue to trust Him—even when you cannot fully understand His will—and draw near to Him with unwavering faith?
May you become people of steadfast faith who look to God in every circumstance. The people of this world are easily swayed and shaken by their situations, but we must be different. At the very least, as those who believe in God, we must respond differently. And our response must be one that reflects the faithfulness of God.
 
3) Shipwreck on the Island of Malta (Acts 27:39 – 28:10)
Returning to Paul’s voyage, the ship was driven ashore on an island called Malta as Paul had said. The islanders showed unusual kindness to Paul and his companions. Because of the rain and the cold, they built a fire and welcomed them.
As Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper suddenly came out and fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw this, they thought Paul must have been a murderer or some other kind of wicked criminal. They assumed he was cursed by the gods. But Paul suffered no harm from the snakebite. The islanders expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but when nothing happened, their opinion of him completely changed. They began to think he was a god, and they treated him with great honor.
One day, Paul prayed for the father of the chief official of the island, who was lying sick with fever, and he was healed. When this became known, the rest of the sick on the island came to Paul, and they too were cured. As a result, the islanders honored Paul and his companions even more and showed them generous hospitality.
In this way, God protected Paul from the storm and from the threat of the snake, exalted him in the eyes of the people, and provided him and his companions with much-needed rest. Here we see the warm care and tender provision of God.
 
4) Paul Arrives in Rome (Acts 28:11–14)
Paul and his companions stayed on that island for three months. Afterward, they set sail again to continue their journey to Rome. And at last, as recorded in Acts 28:14, Paul finally arrived in Rome.
 
Paul in Rome (Acts 28:15–31)
The news of Paul’s arrival in Rome quickly reached the believers in the Roman church. They had already received and read the letter Paul had written to them from Corinth during his third missionary journey, and they held him in high regard. They came out a long way to welcome him. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
However, Paul’s status was still that of a prisoner. Because he had appealed to Caesar to come to Rome, he remained a prisoner until he could stand trial before the emperor and be declared innocent. Yet he was not confined to a prison. He was allowed to live by himself in a rented house under the supervision of a soldier. Acts 28:16 says:
“When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” (Acts 28:16)
In Rome, although Paul could not go out freely, he was able to welcome all who came to visit him. And there, he continued his ministry, proclaiming the gospel without interruption. This is the conclusion of the Book of Acts. Let us read together Acts 28:30–31:
“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30–31)
Although Paul was a prisoner, the gospel was not imprisoned. He continued to proclaim the kingdom of God to everyone who came to visit him. During this two-year period, Paul also wrote a total of four letters, known as the Prison Epistles.
Of these letters, one was addressed to an individual—Philemon—and the other three were written to churches: Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Through these Scriptures, we can gain insight into Paul’s emotions and mindset during his two years under house arrest.
First, let us consider Paul’s situation in Rome. Since his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he had been tirelessly proclaiming the gospel. He faced countless life-threatening situations, traveled vast distances on foot, and boldly testified about Christ.
And yet, how did it all end? Because of his faithful witness, he faced repeated threats of murder from many Jews in Jerusalem, which ultimately led him to Rome. Even in Rome, he was not free but placed under house arrest. This was hardly a situation in which one could feel satisfied or joyful—it was certainly a circumstance in which one might complain to God.
Yet, when we read the letters Paul wrote during this time, we find no trace of such complaints or grievances. On the contrary, Paul expressed overflowing joy and peace, continually praying and giving thanks to God.
First, one of the most prominent themes in Philippians is joy. Paul writes in Philippians 1:
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear... The important thing is that in every way... Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice... I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Php 1:12–21)
The deep joy, peace, and confidence Paul displays in this passage are extraordinary. By worldly standards, he had no reason to rejoice, yet he did—and he even declared that he would continue to rejoice.
So, why was Paul able to find joy in such a situation? It was because his imprisonment served to advance the gospel. Many Christians, upon hearing that Paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel, were emboldened to proclaim God’s Word with even greater confidence. As a result, Christ was being proclaimed more widely than ever before. This is the very reason for Paul’s joy.
Even in the difficult situation, Paul’s only expectation and hope was that Christ would be exalted through his life. That was his sole source of joy, his life’s motivation, and his driving force. For this purpose, Paul was even willing to face death without hesitation.
Additionally, when Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, the very first words he spoke—after the greeting—were these:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph 1:3)
Paul’s first words were, “Praise be to God!” How could this be? By worldly standards, Paul had no reason to praise God. Yet he did. Why? Because he was captivated by the love of the Triune God and by the amazing grace of salvation that God had given. Just as he had prayed and praised God with all his strength while imprisoned in Philippi during his second missionary journey, so too, even while under house arrest in Rome, Paul never ceased to praise God.
This is also the very first thing Paul said—after the greeting—when he wrote to the believers in Colossae:
 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” (Col 1:3)
Even in circumstances where praying would have been difficult, and giving thanks even harder, Paul continued to pray and give thanks.
Thus, when we examine Paul’s prison epistles, we see that his spiritual state was far from one of frustration or despair. He continually praised God with overflowing joy, prayed, and gave thanks. The reason he was able to rejoice and give thanks in every situation was that his focus was not on his circumstances or environment, but fixed on God—the source of true joy, the One who would grant him an eternal kingdom and reward, and who would lead him to complete salvation.
What is your current state? Are you experiencing the joy and peace in the Lord that Paul had? Is your life overflowing with praise, prayer, and thanksgiving?
None of us are in a more difficult situation than Paul was. So what reason do we have not to rejoice? What reason do we have not to praise? What reason do we have not to pray? What reason do we have not to give thanks?
The God we believe in is the same God Paul believed in. The Jesus we follow is the same Jesus Paul followed. The Holy Spirit who was with Paul is still with us today. All the spiritual blessings that God gave to Paul have also been given to us. Therefore, no matter the circumstances we face, we can rejoice, we can praise, we can pray, and we can give thanks. Let nothing stop your worship of God. Rejoice and give thanks in every situation. That is God’s will for us.
May God fill your hearts today with overflowing joy, hope, and peace. May your lives always be filled with words of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving.
All right. Let’s sing “Let Your Glory Fall” one more time and take time to pray.
__________
At this time, I want us to take time to pray according to the message God has given us. We have looked at the book of Acts so far. Today we talked about Paul’s journey from the time he was arrested in Jerusalem to his journey to Rome. Paul’s appeal to Caesar was not only to save his life from the Jewish plot. Paul longed to reach Rome because he wanted to preach the gospel in Spain, and because the Lord had told him that he would go to Rome.
The journey to Rome was not smooth. The ship was driven by storms and was in danger of being shipwrecked by reefs. But while everyone else, even the captain and sailors, despaired and lost hope, Paul remained calm and courageous. His courage came from his absolute trust in God and in the promise God had given him. Though Paul was a prisoner on that ship, he was a spiritual leader.
In Rome, Paul was not free. He was under house arrest for two years, guarded by a soldier. Yet in that situation, Paul continued to rejoice, to praise God, to pray, and to give thanks without ceasing.
This is the final scene of Acts. Paul was bound, but the gospel was not bound. Paul all the more boldly preached the gospel to everyone who came to him, and through letters he preached the gospel to places where he could not go himself.
The book of Acts ends with chapter 28, verse 31, but the story of God’s mission to the ends of the earth is still continuing. We are still living in the era of Acts. The Lord’s calling to receive the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses to the ends of the earth is still valid today. Even now, God is calling His people, sending them, making them witnesses of the gospel, making disciples, and proclaiming the good news. All Christians have the privilege of participating in this mission.
So, with gratitude for God’s grace in calling us as His co-workers, let us now take time to pray with several prayer topics.
First, remembering Paul’s journey to Rome, let us pray like this: “God, grant us the courage to live not by what we see and feel, but by faith.” As Christians, what we must look to, where we must set our hope, is not in our present circumstances, but in who God is, what He has spoken to us, and what He has promised. At this time, let us pray first that our hearts and our lives may be fixed on God and His promises, so that in every circumstance we may live victoriously by faith with boldness. Let’s pray.
 
Even while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he rejoiced and did not cease to offer praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God. This was not because he was in a favorable situation, but because his eyes were fixed on God. At this time, let us pray for this heart. Let us pray that we may always live in the joy God gives, that we may set our hope only in Him, and that regardless of our circumstances, our lives may overflow with praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God. Let’s pray.
 
Lastly, as we pray, let us give thanks that God has called us to be His co-workers, participating in His mission. The book of Acts has not yet ended. The work of the Holy Spirit is the same now as it was 2,000 years ago. Even now, God desires that we be filled with the Holy Spirit and become His people who take part in His mission. Even now, God wants us to go to the ends of the earth and proclaim the gospel. That is our calling.
At this time, as we pray, let us seek the glory of God. Just as Moses prayed, “Show me Your glory,” let us also lift up the same prayer to the Lord. Lord, show us Your glory, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and strength through Your Word, and use us so that Your kingdom may be established and Your glory proclaimed in this world. Let us pray together with this as our final prayer.
 
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You letting us know Your will through the book of Acts today. As we reflect on the journey of Paul, we are reminded that his courage did not come from his circumstances, but from his unwavering trust in You and in Your promises. Lord, grant us the same boldness—to live not by what we see or feel, but by faith, fixing our eyes on You and Your Word.
Just as Paul rejoiced, prayed, and gave thanks even under house arrest, help us also to live with joy that comes from You, placing our hope only in You. May our lives overflow with praise, prayer, and thanksgiving regardless of our circumstances.
And Father, we thank You that You have called us to be Your co-workers in the great mission of the gospel. The story of Acts is still continuing today through the work of the Holy Spirit. Fill us with Your Spirit, empower us with Your Word, and use us to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Show us Your glory. May Your kingdom be established in this world and Your glory be declared through our lives.
We pray all this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
 
[Reflection Questions]
1. All Christians are spiritual leaders wherever they are, regardless of their position or social status. Do you see yourself with such an identity? How will you exercise spiritual leadership? What qualities do you think you must have and develop as a spiritual leader?
2. During Paul’s two years of house arrest in Rome, he rejoiced, and his life was filled with unceasing praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God. What do you think made that possible? Are you experiencing such joy now? How much praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God overflows in your life? What are the factors that keep you from living such a life?
3. The book of Acts is still continuing. The Lord’s call to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth is still valid. How will you respond to this mission where God has called you now? What do you think you need in order to be equipped as His witness to the ends of the earth?