Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

Paul finally makes it to Rome. His circumstances improve, though he remains under house arrest. The apostle never tires of telling others about Jesus. Even as the book of Acts begins to come to a conclusion, we find Paul proclaiming the Gospel. From this passage we learn three simple lessons about evangelism. They are: 1) Be proactive; 2) Be ready; and 3) Be aware.

As Paul finishes the final leg of his journey to Rome, we are offered some surprising insight into engaging the culture. The Christian must engage without compromising his convictions or without isolating from others. There are three ways the text helps us navigate this. We must first interact with the culture. Secondly, we disarm the culture. And finally, we find in the cross and resurrection, freedom from the culture.     

Paul miraculously healed the father of the leading man on the island of Malta. In doing so, Paul was following the example of the Lord Jesus.  He was also exercising the authority of the Lord. By following the guidance of God, Paul operated in the power of God, and therefore, made an impact for God. The Christian is always representing the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Two people can experience the same thing and come to opposite conclusions about its meaning. The inhabitants of Malta observed a snake fasten itself to Paul's  arm. They went from viewing Paul as a murderer trying to escape justice to a god in their midst. Both conclusions were based on their observations and both were wrong. In this passage we are warned against three false conclusions: 1) a Christian should never suffer; 2) a Christian should always know why; and 3) a Christian is always understood. By accepting we usually don't know why something happens, we are in a much better position to understand what God would have us do.

Providence is a word we don't use very often these days. But the idea of God's providence is found throughout Scripture and is presently active in our lives. In love and wisdom God is caring for and directing all things. In this passage we see how God's providence relates to our cooperation. We observe how providence is displayed in practical matters. And we notice how far God's providence extends. Everyone benefits from the providence of God. But only the Christian recognizes it for what it is.  

Everyone aboard the ship with Paul faced a storm that was disorienting, unpredictable, and volatile. We all face these seasons in life. This text teaches us to prepare for a coming storm we must first, heed wisdom, and secondly, expect difficulty.  When you are in the midst of the storm, it is time to, thirdly, receive grace. It is often when we are brought to the end of ourselves that we are really ready to receive the help of God. 

Paul begins his journey by ship to Rome to stand trial before the Emperor. The Lord reveals Himself through ordinary means along the way. As we seek to recognize what God is doing in our own circumstances, we consider from the passage the answer to three questions: Who is with you? What's around you? Where are you? The ordinary is brimming with the activity of God. 

As Paul concludes his last recorded defense in the book of Acts, the Roman governor Festus and the Jewish King Agrippa respond. Like a modern man, Festus doubts the miraculous. Even though Agrippa believes the OT Scriptures, he ignores the implications of what he's heard. Both men fail to embrace the opportunity before them to respond to the Gospel. Paul, however, in spite of his chains, faithfully discharges his duty. It is easy to think of Paul as the hero of his own story. To do so is to miss the point. Jesus Christ looked beyond the present suffering to the joy of resurrection. So must the Christian. 

It is clear as Paul has made his various defenses before governors, and now a king, he is focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The danger for the Christian is that the resurrection fails to make a moment-by-moment impact upon his life. When the risen Lord encountered Paul, Jesus spoke clearly and personalized the experience to him. This encounter not only transformed Paul, it continued to transform him as he lived out of the resurrected life of Jesus that dwelled within him. The Holy Spirit personalizes the resurrection for every single believer.    

Before King Agrippa, Paul describes how he once was a Pharisee of Pharisees. He then goes on to tell of his actions as a persecutor. But all this changed when he met the risen Lord Jesus. Having received a new commission, Paul became an ambassador for another Kingdom. Every Christian battles the inner Pharisee and the hidden persecutor. Both must be suppressed. In this way the Christian, like Paul, focuses on his primary identity as one who shows others how to be reconciled to God through faith in Christ.