Paul Arrives In Rome

Paul Arrives in Rome
Acts 28:1-31
- A great journey is coming to an end and it's our duty and privilege to reflect on this ending
- Three steps to be successful in an endeavour/journey: (a) Starting (b) Continuing (c) Finishing
- Difference between the stories of success and tragedy is in finishing the race well
- People are not remembered for starting or continuing, but for how and whether they finished
- When we consider just how much Paul had been through in his journey with God—rejections, abuse, arrest, stoning, beating—we will see the faithfulness of God in his life and ministry
- One of the goals is to reflect on how much Paul loved the gospel when he had all the reason to not finish well; he is indeed an example to emulate.
I. Paul in Malta
- Paul arrived in this tiny island in the central Mediterranean
- They had no shelter, no ship, no food, and it was winter time, but the Lord provided a people (the natives of Malta) to be of service to them
- The episode involving a snake hanging from Paul's hand happened and the people first said he was a murderer, later they changed their minds after finding Paul well after being bit by the snake
- A number of things had to happen to bring suffering to a number of people in order to bring salvation to this little island. This is grace and a clear show of God's sovereignty
- There is Someone in charge of all things, including sufferings and difficulties, Who knows what He's doing
- (Ps. Ian talked in passing about the theological and historical controversy regarding the snake incident)
II. Paul arriving in Rome
- After three months, the people started to have a high view of Paul and respected him.
- Let's notice how encouraged Paul was and how welcoming the people were in Rome who had heard that he was coming to them and came part of the distance to meet him.
- They knew and loved Paul, although they had never met him in person, and only knew him through his epistle to the Romans. This should be an example of how believers should be welcoming to other believers despite them not meeting yet.
- it's worthy to notice that Luke was with Paul on this journey and he didn't abandon him.
- But Christ was all the more walking alongside Paul and He never disappointed him.
III. Paul in Rome
- We find Paul preaching just another message of the same old gospel. And this is because it is that same gospel alone that can save.
- Paul committed himself to knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified.
- That's a lesson for us, that though we come up with new strategies or techniques, it is the same gospel that will prevail.
- There is one miracle that took place in verse 24—"some where convinced"—the miracle of salvation.
This is our goal—to stick to this same gospel and to commit ourselves to presenting it to strangers, our friends, and families, so that at least some of them may be convinced.
We follow Paul's last charge to Timothy:
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching...For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:1-7, ESV)
May this also be our testimony.