“To Be Continued…” Acts 28:17-28 Bible Study 02/25/18

For the last three months, we have been following Paul’s ministry as recorded in the book of Acts. We have traced the trajectory of his three missionary journeys, including their mountain-top highs and valley-like lows. This morning, as we conclude our study in Acts, we find Paul on his way to Rome. With unflinching consistency, he saw every circumstance as an opportunity to showcase the gospel of Jesus Christ. Fittingly, Luke closes the book of Acts with Paul, yet again, sharing the unhindered word of God.

I. Background

-on an Alexandrian ship headed for Italy and Paul’s unheeded warning (27:1-12)
-a great storm and Paul’s assuring words (27:13-44)
-three months on the island of Malta, a criminal or a god (28:1-10)
-on the way to Rome: after arrest, imprisonment and shipwreck (28:11-16)

II. Paul Explains the Circumstances of His Arrival (17-20)

-chained prisoner
-first consultation with Jews in Rome
-appeal to brothers and declaration of innocence
-notable absence of condemnation
-objection of Jews
-appeal to Caesar
-hope of Israel
-response and request to hear about “this sect”

III. Paul Expounds the Truth of the Gospel (21-28)

-second consultation with Jews in Rome
-in greater numbers
-expound, testify, persuade
-mixed response
-implementation of Isa. 6:9-10
-listening Gentiles

IV. Paul Employs His Imprisonment as a Gospel Opportunity (30-31)

-proclaiming and teaching
-with all boldness and without hindrance

V. So What?

-Because the word is unhindered and we are its messengers, continue to share the gospel in every circumstance.
-“Let us have confidence in the greatness of the word, though the world may be deaf to its music and blind to its power.” (Maclaren)
-Dare to “mobilize” your “limitation” and send it into battle.
-“Am I a soldier of the cross, a follow’r of the Lamb? And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name? Must I be carried to the skies on flow’ry beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas? Thy saints in all this glorious war shall conquer, though they die; They see the triumph from afar, by faith’s discerning eye.” (Watts)

“The Change that Changes Everything” Acts 26:19-32 Bible Study 02/18/18

This morning we turn our attention to a text which records Paul’s powerful defense and testimony before Agrippa. Following this bold presentation of the gospel, Paul is sent to Rome. We will observe that Paul stewarded the gospel which was transmitted to him faithfully and that he yearned for all people everywhere to know its transforming power.

I. Background/Context

-arrest and defense in Jerusalem (22:1-29, last Sunday)
-Jewish religious leaders convene to address Paul’s case (22:30-23:5)
-Paul addresses leaders, things get violent and Paul is sent back to the barracks (23:6-11)
-plot to kill Paul, Paul’s nephew discovers, Roman tribune informed, Paul to Caesarea (23:12-35)
-Jewish religious leaders arrive in Caesarea with charges and Paul’s defense (24:1-21)
-Felix delays Paul’s case and meets with Paul, leaves Paul in prison for two years (24:22-27)
-Paul appears before Festus and appeals to Caesar (25:1-12)
-Agrippa arrives in Caesarea and meets with Paul (25:13-26:18)

II. Paul’s Submission to Gospel Transmission (19-23)

-orders from the risen Christ
-inclusive declaration
-message specifications
-supernatural protection
-biblical validation

III. Paul’s Passion for Gospel Transformation (24-32)

-interruption by Festus
-objection of Paul
-extension of invitation to Agrippa
-earnest desire of Paul
-a case of confused condescension

IV. So What?

-Submission to gospel transmission leads to gospel transformation.
-“The tumult and the shouting dies; The captains and the kings depart: Still stands the ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart. Lord of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget-lest we forget!” (R. Kipling)
-“Let others in the gaudy dress of fancied merit shine; The Lord shall be my righteousness, The Lord forever mine.” (W. Cowper)
-“I am resolved to enter the Kingdom, leaving the paths of sin; Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, still I will enter in.” (P. Hartsough)

“For the Sake of the Gospel” Acts 22:1-29 Bible Study 02/11/18

Our text this morning recounts Paul’s determination to go to Jerusalem and the opposition that he encountered there upon his arrival. It also includes his powerful articulation of the gospel’s transforming power and reflects his steadfast commitment to exalt the name of the Lord Jesus at all costs.

I. Background/Context

-determination to go to Jerusalem (21:1-17)
-meeting with church leaders and their proposal (21:18-26)
-arrest in the Temple (21:27-36)
-request to address the people (21:37-40)

II. Paul Asserts His Jewish Identity (1-5)

-defense in Aramaic
-emphasis on Jewish credentials
-persecution of the Way
-connection to Philippians 3:7-11

III. Paul Affirms His Life-Changing Encounter (6-16)

-light on the way to Damascus
-the Lord’s call: note the repetition
-question from Paul
-strategic role of Ananias
-commission clarified: to all people

IV. Paul Explains His Assignment (17-21)

-three years after his conversion
-vision in the Temple
-far away to the Gentiles (Acts 2:39, Ephesians 2:17)

V. Paul Experiences Rejection and Protection (22-29)

-desire to “wipe him out”
-protection through appeal to Roman citizenship

VI. So What?

-Because the gospel matters most, communicate it clearly at all costs and leave the results to the Lord.
-Before a holy God, heritage without Jesus is a pile of rubbish.
-Refuse to let your obedience be contingent on an anticipated positive outcome.
-Extend the transforming power of Jesus to all people.

“Paul’s Parting Shot” Acts 20:17-38 Bible Study 02/04/18

As we come to our text this morning, we find Paul hurrying to reach Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost. Seven weeks separated Pentecost from Passover, which he had spent in Philippi. Later, having sailed past Ephesus, Paul came to Miletus. From there, he summoned the elders of the church of Ephesus. What follows is what one might term the “super bowl’ of apostolic farewells. In this farewell address, Paul highlights the Lord’s prevailing providence and the sustaining power of His word.

I. Paul Reflects on His Recent Past (18-21)

-serving with humility, tears and trials
-relaying the word in public and in private
-repentance and faith to both Jews and Greeks

II. Paul Anticipates His Immediate Future (22-24)

-to Jerusalem
-constrained by the Holy Spirit
-impending imprisonment and afflictions
-completing the received ministry
-testifying to the gospel of the grace of God

III. Paul Delivers a Charge to the Elders (25-31)

-will not see them again
-Paul the “watchman” (Ezek. 3:18-19)
-“not shrink” for the second time
-pay attention
-be alert

IV. Paul Leaves the Elders in the Best Hands (32-35)

-prevailing providence of God
-sustaining word of God
-the blessing of giving

V. Paul Concludes the Meeting with Prayer (36-38)

-kneeling on the promises
-weeping on the premises

VI. So What?

-Regardless of earthly circumstances, the Lord remains with His own and sustains them through His word.
-Remember that our message is not our own. It is God’s and it has urgent life and death consequences.
-Model the self-forgetting urgency of Paul that focuses on the spiritual well-being of others.
-“Send us strength, oh, Pilgrim Guide, Sin would drown us in its tide, Be close at hand and go before, As we sail to heaven’s shore.” (P. McHugh)

“Piercing the Darkness”   Acts 19:8-20   Bible Study   01/28/18

“And Now for a Word of Encouragement”   Acts 18:1-17   Bible Study   01/21/18

“Lessons from a Philippian Jail”   Acts 16:22-40   Bible Study   01/07/18

“Providential Progress” Acts 15:36-41; 16:1-5 Bible Study 12/31/17

Our text this morning addresses events after Paul’s first missionary journey and the separation of Paul and Barnabas preceding Paul’s second missionary journey. Luke’s historical account reminds us of at least two important principles. First, God uses human instruments in the objective of gospel expansion and these human instruments are not always “on the same page.” Second, God is quite able to superintend scenes that seem counter-productive to His plans and transform them into concrete cases of gospel progress.

I. The Parting of Ways (36-39)

-after the Jerusalem Council
-Paul’s intention to check on spiritual progress
-sharp disagreement regarding John Mark
-Paul and Barnabas separate

II. The Provision of God (40-41, 1-3)

-Barnabas and Mark to Cyprus
-Paul and Silas to Syria/Cilicia
-addition of Timothy at Lystra
-Timothy’s circumcision: normalization and not imposition

III. The Progress of the Church (4-5)

-communication of Jerusalem Council decision
-strengthened in the faith
-increased in numbers

IV. So What?

-Because God’s Kingdom purposes cannot ultimately fail, “do the next thing” and align your agenda with His.
-“Do it immediately; Do it with prayer; Do it reliantly, Casting all care; Do it with reverence, Tracing His Hand, Who placed it before thee with earnest command. Stayed on Omnipotence, Safe ‘neath His wing, Leave all resultings, Do the next thing.” (quoted by E. Elliot)
-What true progress looks like in 2018: that you and others know Christ and grow in Christ.

“Simeon’s Satisfaction” Luke 2:25-32 Bible Study 12/24/17

In our culture, satisfaction is a desperately sought after and fleeting commodity. The mantra of many today is captured in the words the Rolling Stones made famous: “…can’t get no satisfaction.” The concept even expresses itself in candy-bar marketing: “Snickers satisfies.” Yes, satisfaction has to do with hunger and longing. This morning we turn our attention to a man who found true satisfaction-deep, permanent soul-satisfaction. His name was Simeon and he discovered that only a sovereign God who keeps His promises can provide true satisfaction. Nearing the end of his life, he experienced the fulfillment of a promise that he would not see death before he had “seen the Lord’s Christ.” His “song”, or word of praise, traditionally is referred to as the “Nunc Dimittis,” a Latin designation meaning “now You are dismissing…” From Simeon we learn that real satisfaction is all about an appetite for the right things.

I. Introduction

-note the intentional old age/infancy contrast
-note the repeated emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit

II. Rest completely assured

-foundation: Spirit and Word
-revelation: see the Lord’s Christ
-reception: a new era

III. Understand the mission

-global scope
-light to the nations
-glory of Israel
-set for falling and rising

IV. Yearn for fulfillment

-looking for consolation
-the other side
-shall we long for Him less?

V. So What?

– When you rely on the Lord’s own revelation of Himself and relish it for all that it is, you can know true satisfaction.
– “He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found…” (I. Watts)

-Recognize that the mission of Jesus is not sentimental but sacrificial.
-Let the ground of your satisfaction center in the certainty that God has a perfect track record of keeping His promises.

“Christmas and the Lord’s Zeal” Isaiah 9:1-7 Bible Study 12/17/17

Our text this morning ends with the powerful assurance that “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” The “this” in the sentence refers to the promise of a coming, ultimate and everlasting Ruler-Jesus Christ. God the Father is no passive spectator in the drama of redemption. With ardent desire and fervency, He orchestrated and executed His plan to exalt His Son and to gather a people to Himself. As we study this morning, we will see that the Lord’s ultimate display of divine wisdom and almighty omnipotence occurs in the giving of His only Son to be our only Savior and everlasting Lord.

I. Delight in the declaration of a deliverer

-a royal birth announcement
-for those harassed by darkness-light!
-a child born-humanity
-a son given-deity (Psa. 2:7, Heb. 1:1-2)
-the shoulders of Jesus-administrative authority and superiority

II. Discern the depth of the double-names

-confirmation of His excellencies
-Wonderful Counselor
-Mighty God
-Eternal Father
-Prince of Peace

III. Depend on the Lord’s determination

-perpetual peace (Luke 1:33)
-a promise kept (2 Sam. 7:12-17)
-justice and righteousness
-LORD of hosts
-infinite fervency

IV. So What?

-Your zeal for God’s Son should reflect the Father’s zeal for Him-at Christmas and always!
-“Zeal has attained its highest aim, its end is satisfied, if sinners love the Saviour’s name; nor seek aught beside.” (Watts)
– Every name He wears is a blessing He shares. His names are wonderful!
-Come and see the zeal of the LORD: Immanuel!