Here in Acts 28:16-28 Paul explains himself, the gospel and their rejection of it.
Why I’m wearing these chains.
Why Jesus is the Christ.
Why do your hearts reject him, and where will God go from here.
Jenny and I were walking along in the neighborhood a few weeks ago when we came across something that made me mad. Does that ever happen to you? Do you ever see something that really makes you mad? Well this one did. Somebody had written some terrible things about the Signal Mountain police with spray paint right on the pavement in the middle of the road. It was disgusting. Anyway, I had my cell phone with me and I called the police to report it. I told the officer that I could get a can of black spray paint and cover over it. Then he started laughing. I didn’t understand so I asked what he was laughing about, and he said, “You might have some explaining to do if one of our officers drove up and saw you there with a can of spray paint in your hand.” He’s right! How ironic would that be! That would be an amusing picture for the post. He said, “Thanks for reporting it, we’ll get someone out there to take care of it.”
Back in Acts 19 when Paul was working with the Ephesians, he said he was headed for Rome. He probably never dreamed at the time that he would go there as a prisoner. When he arrives in Rome it appears that he feels he has some explaining to do about why he’s wearing chains. Notice his explanation of his circumstances in Acts 28 verses 16-20.
16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
17 And it happened that after three days he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they had come together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 "And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.
19 "But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any accusation against my nation.
20 "For this reason therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel."
Some of us often feel like we need to explain ourselves for various reasons. But notice how Paul also uses this as an opportunity to introduce the gospel! I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel! Notice that it was Paul that called this meeting in verse 17. He wants to be very clear about why he is there and why he is in this condition. But more than that, he wants to share the gospel with these Jewish leaders. Where will they stand? What will they do with Jesus? Paul wants first of all to remove any obstacles that may hinder them from receiving the gospel. What a noble concern!
What about us? Are we aware of things in our lives that may hinder others from receiving the gospel? How much of a concern is that to you personally?
I remember once hearing a speaker at a youth rally say, “If you are not going to try to act like a Christian, please don’t tell anyone that you are one.” It’s Christians like that who make it hard for those of us who want to share our faith with others! If you wear the name, live the name. Peter once said, “(1 Peter 2:12) Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Jesus said, “Matt 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Jesus expects us to influence the world around us for God’s glory. We need to be concerned about it. If my life puts me in a position that appears to compromise that, I want to explain it. Paul did. More than that, I should use that as an opportunity to introduce the gospel! Those chains got attention. Paul starts with an explanation, that leads to an introduction to sharing Jesus. Look at what happens next and how this is exactly where this leads, 21-24.
21 And they said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.
22 "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."
23 And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
24 And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.
Just look at what has happened. These Jewish leaders haven’t heard anything against Paul, but they sure have heard some bad things about the church. Look at verse 22. ...for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere! So for Paul, while he is trying to remove the obstacle of his chains he discovers other obstacles that have been set up by others against the church.
They are about to get the other side of the story. But do you understand the battle lines here? It is one thing to share the gospel with someone who has no previous exposure to it. It is quite another to tell the gospel to someone whose mind has already been poisoned against it. I wonder what negative things they had heard? Whatever it was it had nothing to do with Paul’s name. That’s helpful.
When we were up in Concord, NH, I used to read all kinds of books and Christian papers that told about problems in the church with this issue or that issue. There were even some preacher’s meetings where for some this was the fodder of almost all discussion. After hearing some of this I remember getting some of the books and magazines of those that represented one side and some books and magazines from those that represented the other side. I started reading. I’m telling you! I got to reading and worrying and wondering and getting upset. I’d read one side and it would sound pretty solid, then I’d read the other side and it would sound pretty solid too! I would talk to Jenny about it and fret and get heartburn. I even started getting sick!
Listen, if you want to really get a case of spiritual heartburn, there is plenty of material available to give it to you! It dawned on me that some preachers seemed to have little else to do other than spill ink over issues!
There are preachers and professors and elderships who are consumed by issues that plague the church, and some of them are more the cause of the plague than the answer to it.
At one point I was fuming over some church problem when Jenny got my attention and gave me the best advice I’ve ever had. She said, “I wish you’d just stop reading all that garbage and just read your Bible!” What a novel idea!!! Well, I listened to her wisdom and did just that! Do you know what? God’s word is so full of life and help! The more I just read scripture, and meditated on God’s word, the more peace and strength I began to experience. It was transforming! It was such a healing and helpful blessing. That’s one reason I love this church! We are a place where you will hear God’s word taught. The Bible is the book God has given us to strengthen us to face the issues of life. The Bible is the book God has given us to teach us how to worship, live, serve, grow, reach out to the lost, and get along with the saved! It is the book that guides us through the path of life.
What we listen to determines how we act and where we end up! Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and our ears open to his word! Instead of studying issues, lets study scriptures.
I remember an illustration about how a teller at a bank could distinguish a counterfeit from a genuine piece of currency. Instead of studying counterfeits to see what they are like, all one needed to do was study the real thing and handle lots of it. Then when a counterfeit comes along, it stands out because the teller is so used to the genuine.
I don’t know about banking and bills, but I know that this is true of God’s word. The greatest protection against error is to be familiar with the truth. Notice that when Paul preaches the kingdom of God and Jesus, he proves Jesus as genuine with the scriptures.
See verse 23: …and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
If someone will not listen to the Bible… what other higher or better authority can you present?
A poisoned mind is difficult to save. The antidote is still the same, present Jesus as the Christ and prove it with God’s word. Look at what happened here: 25-28.
25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
26 saying, ’GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I SHOULD HEAL THEM."’
28 "Let it be known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."
God will find listeners! God is looking for those who will hear him. Aren’t you glad that you can hear the word of God and enjoy his healing work in your life!
Praise the Lord for the power of the gospel to save those who will listen and learn the way of life. Jesus said over and over, “If anyone has ears let him hear!”
Michael Card wrote: Is not he who formed the ear worth the time it takes to hear?
Should he who formed our lips for speaking, be not heeded when he speaks?
Will you not listen! Why won’t you listen! God has spoken peace to us! Why will you not listen?
Hearing and heeding the gospel is a matter of heaven or hell.
Can you hear me now?
