Acts: The Gospel to Rome

The Gospel of Christ-TGOC

The apostle Paul said “I appeal to Caesar.” And to that Festus said, “To Caesar you've appealed, to Caesar you shall go,” Acts 25:11-12.
We welcome you to the final chapters in our study of the book of Acts. We hope that you’ll get your Bible handy and stay tuned with us as we think about the climax of this great book in these final chapters.
In Acts chapter 26 Paul is now going to be before Agrippa ready to preach the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want you to notice the mindset of which Paul approaches, his defense of Christianity before this leader, who has Paul's hands or Paul's life is very hand. Look in Acts 26:2. The Bible records “So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself, ‘I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things which I'm accused by the Jews.’” How did Paul feel about standing before this dignitary, this political leader, who could snuff out Paul's life if he wanted to? Paul said, “I'm happy to be here today to give a defense of my life and of Christianity.”
As we think about the apostle Paul, and what made him such a great worker and servant and evangelist for the Lord, Paul looked at it as a joy to speak about Jesus and defend his own life in view of that. Friend from this
we've got to realize as Christians, we need to find the joy in telling others about the message of Christ. It is not drudgery. It's not a burden. It is not something I have to do or I'm going to go to hell if I don't. Telling others about Christ, it ought to make us happy to do that because we can tell somebody about the best life. Jesus said “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10. We can tell somebody about the way to heaven. Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father except by me,” John 14:6. We can tell somebody about the only name under heaven among men by which they can be saved, Acts 4:12.
When we speak about Christ, It's not ‘ah I have to do this, or I'm going to be lost.’ No. I'm happy to speak about Jesus- the one who came from heaven, the one who lived a perfect life among men, the one who made that ultimate sacrifice, and the one who promises: “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden I'll give you rest,” Matthew 11:28-30.
Do we really have the joy of Christianity that we ought to have? Paul said “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.”
Now as you look at Paul's defense, Paul is going to appeal to several things in defense of his life and in defense of Christianity. I want you to notice those with me. Paul begins in Acts 26:4 stating that he and his character is well known before God and Christ. Look in verse number four. The apostle Paul says “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know they know me from the first if they were willing to testify that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee,” Paul says ‘You want to give a defense of Christianity in my life? Here it is. You know my life. You know me. You know the way I've lived. You know I've stood foursquare for the truth.’
A person's character is a big part of people wanting to listen to the gospel. Would you listen if somebody came preaching the gospel and they were a known thief, liar, drunk, or great somebody who was immoral? Would you let be prone to listen to that person? Of course not! Whatever they said you would dismiss almost automatically. What about somebody who was always trying to do right? What about somebody who is gone to great lengths to stand up for what they felt is right and true? Paul said,
‘Look at my life. My life is a reflection that I have always tried to do the right thing.’
How else does Paul defend this? He defends it based on the promise of the fathers in the Scripture. Look in Acts 25 or Acts 26:6-7.Paul now says in verse six, “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers to this promise our 12 tribes earnestly serving God night and day hoped to attain for this hope's sake King Agrippa. I am accused by the Jews.” That promise goes all the way back to Genesis 12 where God said to Abraham ‘I'll make you a great nation. I will bless you and multiply your seed in you in your seed all nations of the earth shall be blessed.’ It that seed wasn't necessarily Isaac. That seed wasn't necessarily Jacob. That seed wasn't necessarily David. ‘And to your seed who is Christ,’ Galatians 3:15-17. Paul says ‘look Agrippa you know these things. You've heard these things. I'm being judged for the promise made to the fathers which the Scriptures confirm.’ 2 Samuel 7:12-15 God made the promise to David. ‘I'm going to raise one up from your seed. He'll have an everlasting kingdom. All nations will be blessed by Him.’ That seed is identified in the Scripture as Jesus, Luke 1:32-35.
Then Paul mentions up not only in his defense, God's power to raise the dead. And he mentions several things or several items a you've got Elisha, you've got Lazarus, and no doubt you've got Jesus who was resurrected from the dead. He then says ‘If you think all this is a hoax, look at my life before. I was the persecutor. I was injurious to the cause of Christ. I thought I was doing all those things, but then Christ confronted me. Then I saw the light in essence. I had that conversion to Christianity. I realized that was the right way, and I was doing things contrary to the teaching of God.’ Paul's defense he is ‘Hey I've always lived right. I've lived among you people. You know me. Look at the Scriptures. They teach this. Look how I tried to live the other way to the best my ability, and when I saw the truth I was ready to obey and to do exactly what God said. God wanted me to do.’ When we think about Paul, He illustrates this in such a vivid way his commitment to the teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Now I want you to notice next that Paul also mentions in this address to Agrippa the purpose and the power of preaching the gospel. Look in verse number 18. Paul says this in Acts 26:18 Paul said that “God sent them to open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light from
the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among all those are sanctified by faith in me.” What's the purpose of preaching the gospel? To turn people from darkness to light, to help people to see the way so that others can receive the forgiveness of sins.
I think people get a bad impression of preaching the gospel. ‘Well they're just trying to condemn this lifestyle, or they're just trying to make me feel guilty. Or they don't want to let us have any fun.’ No. That's not it! We want to help people to see the light like Paul did. We want people to come out of error and sin and to receive forgiveness of sins and that inheritance which God has promised. It is that the power of God's word that's able to do that. “The word of God is living and powerful sharper than any two edged sword,” and thus we must live according to its teaching. James said in James 1:21 that ‘we need to receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save our souls.’
Now how do people respond to that? Friend some people, in view of many of the things Paul has said and in view of the preaching that many do today of the gospel of the truth, a lot of people respond by thinking that is sheer insanity and madness.
Look at what is said in Acts 26:24 by Agrippa. Agrippa responds by saying in verse 24, as Paul made his defense or. Festus with a loud Festus with a loud voice said ‘Paul you are beside yourself.’ Now watch this, ‘much learning is driving you mad.’ Here's Agrippa hearing gospel. Festus is there. Festus has had enough. He says ‘You're beside yourself. You're crazy. All this learning has made you mad or insane.’ To Festus and to Agrippa, and no doubt to Felix whose lives were not being lived according to the teaching of God, this was sheer insanity.
But you know what? There was a man in the Bible who at one point was driven mad. Mark chapter 5 that man who we know of as Legion. He had the multiplicity of demons inside him. The Bible says that when Christ cleansed him of those demons that man was sitting clothed and in his right mind. That's kind of the opposite of what Festus thinks here. Jesus and the teaching the gospel doesn't make us mad. Jesus and the teaching of the gospel helps to put us in the right mindset, to focus on heavenly things to focus on what God wants us to focus on. Of course Paul, as he responds to
this, he said ‘Most noble Festus, I'm not mad. I'm just preaching the things of the gospel.’ That soft answer that turns away wrath, Paul uses that no doubt in Acts 26:25.
I want you to notice what I think Agrippa's recipient response; I feel I think is one of the saddest responses in all of the Scripture. Agrippa's been hearing the gospel. It's been taught according to Scriptures. He cannot deny these things. How does he respond? Look in Acts 26:28. The Bible records Paul said in verse 27 “Agrippa do you believe the prophets? I know you believe these things.” Verse 28 then Agrippa said, “Go away for now.” Agrippa said to Paul verse 28, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul says ‘that's a shame for I wanted to almost and altogether for you to be as I am, except these chains.’
I think when Paul heard those words; it had to break his heart. But just imagine Agrippa's mindset. He knew the truth. He heard these things. He'd been raised with a Jewish background. In some ways he could not deny the prophets or what was said here. His response is almost ‘You persuade me to become a Christian.’ I wonder how many people have almost become a Christian? How many people have heard the gospel? How many people have had that prick their hearts? How many people who even with the back the Bible knew that was right? How many people knew they needed to change their life? How many people knew they were going to stand in judgment before God, and their response is right at the brink? And ‘Almost you persuade me to become a Christian, to be almost saved.’
Someone once said ‘To be almost saved is to be altogether lost.’ Friend almost doesn't do it. Getting close won't help you get to heaven. Just doing a few good things, just living right, or just hearing the gospel preached that isn't enough. You've got to make that commitment to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We ask you to think again, personally about your own life. Maybe you've heard the gospel preached. Maybe you know that to be true. Maybe you've been right up at the brink of ready to make that commitment, and you are almost there. Wouldn't it be horrible to be almost saved on the Day of Judgment and to be altogether lost? Don't just say ‘almost.’ Paul said ‘I hope. I wish you weren't almost. I wish you were altogether as I am except these chains. I wish you would make the commitment I have, and I wish
you would take me out of these chains in essence,’ he said. Friend let's think about our life. Let's make sure that we're not almost there. Let's make that firm commitment to serve God and to put our trust in the Almighty so that we can know that we're right in the sight of God.
Now in Acts chapter 27 Agrippa, Festus, and Felix- they're now all going to send Paul of course to Rome to Caesar. Paul is in the midst of making that great journey to Rome itself across the ocean difficult seas perilous times no doubt. Trial and tribulation will arise. How does Paul deal with the difficulties of that journey? I want you to look in Acts chapter 27, and I want you to notice what the Bible says. Look at Paul's great faith in God in Acts 27:25. The Bible records these words as Paul is in the midst of a great storm. Paul said, “To the men therefore take heart men for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” An angel appeared Paul and said ‘As long as everybody stays on the ship, everything's going be okay. There'll be no loss of life.’ They want to throw stuff over. They don't know if they're going to make it. And Paul says “Take heart. Be encouraged. I believe God that it will be just as He told me.”
Friend, Paul was a great man. You we know this from his life. But can you imagine being in the midst of this turbulent sea? Can you imagine in your mind's eye the waves crashing over that boat? Imagine the terror and the heart ache in people's life as they don't know whether they're going to sink in the middle of the ocean or not. Paul receives this vision ‘No loss of life will occur.’ What's Paul say? ‘I believe God that it will be.’ Now you listen to this, ‘I believe God that it will be just as He told me.’ Now friend you talk about faith and example of faith! That's a powerful example of it! “Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God.” Paul had heard that in Acts chapter 9. Paul had seen Christ be with him the whole time from his conversion forward. Paul has that faith to say ‘Settle down,’ in essence. ‘It's going be okay, because God said it would be.’ That's the type of faith that each one of us needs to make it through this life. Listen to these words John said, the beloved apostle John said in 1 John 5:4, “This is the victory we have, even our faith victory over the world, victory over sin, victory over problems.’ If I continue to faithfully trust in God, I can be victorious in the end. Now as you look at the story, God does care for Paul in the shipwreck. Paul is taken care of. When life throws us difficulties, God promises to care for us as well.
I want you to look in Acts chapter 27 and notice what the Bible says in verse number 44. The Scripture records these words in verse number 44, ‘And the rest some on boards and some parts of the ship,’ now watch this, ‘and so it was that they all escaped safely to land.’ Paul said ‘don't worry God's going to take care of everybody. He already told me He was.’ They all get off on the land. The water comes off their clothes. They stand on the beach, and they realize Paul was right. They realize more importantly what he said, God said, was right also. Friend God took care of Paul. He kept His promises. Even in the midst of the shipwreck that Paul faced, God was there with him. In the troubles of life, God's going be with me and you. The Bible says no temptation has overtaken us except such as is common to men but God is faithful, who with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13, God said ‘I'll never leave you nor forsake you so that you may boldly say the Lord is my helper what will man do unto me.’ Let's realize God's not going to abandon His own.
Now we turn our attention to that beach where they have just got out of the water, some old pieces of wood, some on other items, and they're now safe on the beach there. What's going to happen? Well, here a definite miracle is going to occur to prove the apostle Paul is a spokesman of God. Now you think about this- along the way to preach the gospel to Caesar, the ship is broken up. They all make it a land safely, and on this island the gospel is now going to be confirmed.
Look in Acts chapter 28 and watch what happens in verses 3 and 6 or 3 through 6. The Bible says “But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened onto his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he escaped the sea. Yet justice does not allow him to live.” But watch this, “but he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.” However they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they look for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said ‘he was a god.’ Of course Paul doesn't take this. He doesn't want people to think he's a god. Verses 8 through 10 he will identify this as the power of God. Why the viper? Why Paul getting bit? Why this great miracle? To confirm to these natives who have a very odd view about God and punishment to begin with. That they
need to listen to Paul. Paul's not a god, but he has something to say as a servant of God. You know, any man get bit by viper chances are very slim he's going to live. They knew that. They thought this was God's vengeance. No this is God's servant. ‘Listen up.’ That's the point of the miracle. Miracles would you were to confirm the word, Mark 16:18-20 and Hebrews 2:3-4.
Now a lot of the emphasis today is often put on the miracle itself when the miracle is not the main emphasis. The miracle is a big blinking sign to point to someone as a spokesman of God. It's not the miracle that should be the emphasis. It's the message that the miracle pointed to. Paul's message, of course, is that Christ is the Son of God, that He's the way of salvation, that there is a God, and that we must follow His will and His teaching.
As we think about Acts chapter 28, as Paul further journeys on toward, he makes it eventually to Rome. When they appointed Paul a certain day and his own lodging, to who he then begins to explain the promises and the teaching of God at the expense with Rome footing the bill. He is now in Rome, a prisoner, waiting to appeal to Caesar preaching the gospel.
Listen to Acts 28:23. The Bible says, “So when they had appointed him a day many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets from morning until evening, waiting on appeal to look into Caesar's eyes himself and preach the gospel.” Paul is taking every opportunity to continue his mission that he's got his own place to live. They give him a platform and a day. Paul allows people to come in, and he preaches the law of Moses- what the law said, what the prophets said, concerning Jesus that He is the Son of God. He preaches the kingdom of God.
Well Paul, what did you preach about the kingdom? Paul didn't preach the kingdom as a future reality. Paul preached the kingdom in existence. Colossians 1:13 God translated some of the first century out of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. Jesus said “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not destroy it I'm going to give to you the keys of the kingdom.” Acts chapter 2, that kingdom was opened to the
Jews. Peter preached the message of how to get into the kingdom. “God added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Now as you think about the preaching of that kingdom, as you bring the book of Acts to a close, I want you to watch how Paul preaches with a firmness- the present reality of that kingdom. Look in Acts 28:30-31. The Bible says “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence no one forbidding him.” Again you imagine this: Romans paying to get Paul of to Rome and appeal to Caesar. Paul's got his own rented place and in Rome waiting to appeal. For two years, he's preaching the gospel. Imagine the good by these what some would see as tribulation and difficulty and persecution. Look at the mass amount of good that came because of that! And here's Paul preaching the kingdom of God as a present reality that people could obey, could become Christians, and could learn how to do the work and the will of Almighty God.
Friend as you think about the book of Acts, in totality, God made the promise to these servants of His in this book. ‘You will be my witnesses in Judea and Jerusalem-Samaria even- to the uttermost parts the world.’ We saw Judea with the apostles. We saw Jerusalem with the preaching of the apostles. Samaria Philip goes down to Samaria, and then from the conversion of Saul to Paul, all the way to Rome itself. What we think of as the uttermost parts of the world! The gospel is definitely preached.
Friend, as you think about this practical application, let's realize God expects His people, wants His people, to spread that message as far and as wide as we possibly can.
Maybe today you're hearing for the very first time about Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Listen carefully, ‘God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son,’ the Scripture says in John 3:16. Jesus, the Son of God, left heaven, 2 Corinthians 8:9. He came does that to this earth to be the Savior of the world, Matthew 1:19 -21. He lived a perfect life tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. His life came to a blockbuster, or climax, by Him giving Himself as a sacrifice. Listen to these words “He, Himself bore our sins in His own body upon the tree that we having died to sin might live for righteousness by whose stripes we are healed.”
He gave His life so that you could live forever with God.
Friend have you taken advantage of that? Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son, the Savior of the world? Do you believe it to the point that you'd make a commitment to turn from sin, change your life, and repent? Having heard the word, believed in Jesus, and repented-would you confess Jesus as the Savior of the world and Son of God? Would you be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins?
Listen to what Peter said on that very first sermon on the day of Pentecost. Peter said “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.”
If you're hearing the message today, regardless of where you are the world, and you need to obey the gospel- friend, we're urging you to do that.
Don't wait till tomorrow. Don't say ‘Almost or a more convenient time.’
Obey now what you know now, and you can become a child of God.
Study Questions for: “Acts: Lesson 8”
1. In Acts 26:2, how did Paul feel about standing in front of the political leader?
2. According to John 10:10, why did Jesus say He came?
3. According to John14:6, who do we get to God through?
4. According to Acts 4:12, who alone can we be saved through?
5. What will Jesus give us according to Matthew 11:28-30?
6. According to Acts 26:18, why did Jesus send them?
7. What’s the purpose of preaching the gospel according to Acts 26:18?
8. What is able to save our souls according to James 1:21?
9. How does Paul deal with trial and tribulation in Acts 27:25?
10. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, what does it say in times of trial and tribulation?