October 31, 2023 | Be On Mission
Paul Testifies about Jesus and the Kingdom
Scripture: Acts 28:23-29(NIV)
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Devotional
When an even bigger group of Jewish people arrived at Paul’s rented house arrest, he didn’t miss a beat. He witnessed to them from sunup to sundown. These days, people get weary when my sermons go beyond a half hour. Some would prefer twelve minutes. One friend at the gym gave me some unsolicited advice: “Just say, ‘Amen’ and sit down.” I figure I’m paid by the word, so no thanks.
Paul’s twelve-hour sermon covered everything from Genesis to the Prophets, pointing out how all of it pointed to Jesus.
Soon we will be wrapping up this year-long study of the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. It is the second year of our three-year pursuit of deeper understand of God’s Word.
In year one, the theme was “Be with Jesus” as we explored His life through the four gospels.
In this year two, the theme has been “Be on Mission” as we asked how God wants us to be everyday missionaries.
And in year three coming up, we will examine what it means to “Be God’s Light” by connecting the Old Testament promises with the New Testament gospel.
What we will attempt to do in a year, Paul tried to do in a day. His straightforward goal was to persuade them about Jesus. Don’t you love that? True, not everyone bought it, but some did.
Are you growing in your understanding of God’s Word? Are you persuaded about Jesus, believing Him to be the Son of God and Savior of the world? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to give you His gifts and fruits to minister to the people around you? What are you asking for God to do in your life in the near future?
Poem
Refusal
Can hear but can’t listen
Full shown and yet blind
The truth being given
The closing of mind
The Way—sound direction
Yet wanderers all
Fueled up Great Commission
Yet engines are stalled
On hearts, Christ is knocking
Still doors bolted tight
The call, “Liberation!”
Most huddled in fright
God’s given His bounty
Yet poverty reigns
A famine of Gospel
The closing of brains
