11.24.19 - Shipwrecks, Rome, and What We Can Say About "Acts" (Matt Murphy)
SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:22-28:30 (Acts 27:33-38)
The final voyage of Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts takes him to Rome, where he is ultimately placed under house arrest. However, his journey to the capital is not without incident: he is shuffled between a number of ships, one of which sinks in a winter storm and leaves him (and the rest of the crew and passengers) stranded on the island of Malta for three months. During all of this, Paul is a model of Christian kindness, charity, encouragement, and hope. Although we never hear Paul’s case before Caesar, we do witness the defense his life presents of the Gospel. As we close our series, we want to return to our initial question: why church? Paul’s life as a missionary suggests that the answer to that question is unavoidably focused on how we live our daily lives. The desire to expand the circle of the church drives Paul’s invitational kindness towards others, it keeps his heart open to the particulars of others’ circumstances, and when he himself is in need, it is the church who supports and ministers to him, too. As we look to our future at Revolution, we want to be a church that follows the example we see in Acts: we want to create a culture of belonging, grow in our beliefs as we live them out, and become more and more like Jesus together.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
How would you summarize the second half of the book of Acts? What are some of the big themes you have noticed or that we have discussed on Sundays? What would you say you have learned in this study?
What example does Paul set for us about how to endure “persecution” well? In what ways are you currently experiencing hardship? How can Paul’s example challenge you to respond?
Where can we see God’s hand at work in Paul’s story?
Who are the “fellow passengers” in your own life? How can you be a more encouraging presence to them, even if you are in the midst of your own trials?
In what ways can you lean more on the support of your church family? What keeps you from reaching out for help at times?
Spend time over the coming month praying for others by name: ask God to work out his will in their lives and to show you ways you can be an encouragement and hope to them.