Redemption Hill Church

It's always bittersweet for me when we close out a series. On the one hand, I have loved walking through this with you and have learned so much. I have hope that we have been shaped as a church to be more Spirit-led and to see our part in the story God is writing as the Word advances through the church of Jesus Christ. On the other, it's hard to say goodbye.

In this passage, Paul makes it to Rome at last. That doesn't mean it was easy, though. When we left off, he and the others aboard the ship had made it safely to land after a shipwreck. We see that they had landed on the island of Malta. There are clear themes of hardship and hospitality throughout this section. In all of it, we will see that God's promises bring us freedom, and our ability to trust His promises will free us to live life to its fullest. 

On Sunday we had the privilege to hear from Pastor Lucas Parks. Lucas is a dear friend of RHC. We have partnered alongside the Village Church Belfast for six years now. This past year they planted a new congregation, leading our expanded partnership with Village East, and Village South Belfast. This past year was also a difficult one for Lucas and his family, as he was diagnosed in the fall of 2018 with cancer in his throat and neck - frightening for anyone to walk through and perhaps even more so for a preacher. Through the common grace of medicine the Lord has brought Lucas through. He preached for us from Luke 18:9-14 and shared with us what God has taught him over the past year. 

This passage is the most detailed nautical narrative in any ancient literature. It is a gripping story of sailing, a storm, disagreements on board, and an eventual shipwreck. Through it all, Paul shows an incredible sense of calm, focus, decisiveness, and confidence. He had faith that Jesus would bring him to Rome, even if it wasn’t quite the path he, or anyone else, imagined. This is an important passage for us. There is an important interplay of faith and action, trust and wisdom, in our lives. 

In this passage, Paul encounters his 5th trial and interrogation. This time it is in front of King Agrippa. We will focus in on Acts 26:13-32. In the face of intimidating circumstances, Paul is strikingly bold and focused. He is also incredibly winsome, taking the opportunity to proclaim the Risen Savior Jesus to Festus, Agrippa, and all who will listen. It's an incredible example of what it looks like to live life as a Christian with nothing to lose. So, we have the chance to consider what it is that holds us back from similar boldness and allow God's Word to challenge us to live with greater abandon.

Our final sermon in the book of Joel turns to focus on God’s justice and judgment over the wicked and wicked nations, contrasting the Lord’s might to save His people. This focuses on the reality of The Day of the Lord on an eschatological level. There are implications for us as God’s people as we look ahead to the end of all things. God’s might and power will be a source of fear for the unjust, but a source of joy and peace to us as his people. The key verse is 3:16, the Lord is a refuge and stronghold for His people.

This section focuses on God’s mercy and grace. The key verses are 2:28-32, which are quoted by Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2. There’s a clear command to rejoice and the passage ends with God’s promise of salvation which will ultimately lead us to joy. God is good, and His Spirit is at work in all of His people. 

Chapter 2 turns attention to individual sin, and looks with hope to God our Savior. It is a call to true repentance, not just outward action, relying on God’s goodness and faithfulness, and love. The key verse is 2:12-13, “Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord.”

In this first sermon of our new series, Pastor Chuy focused on the reality of suffering around us. It is a call to open our eyes, recognize the realities of the destruction and pain in this world, and to respond by crying out to God. The key verse is 1:14, a call to cry out to God. In the midst of no ability to bring our own offering, we only have hope in God who provided the ultimate offering for us in Christ.

Last week we saw Paul on trial before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, and transferred to a Roman court in Caesarea. This week we will see what happens when he stood on trial before Felix, and later Festus. Two years later. That's right. The Apostle Paul sat in prison in Caesarea for two whole years awaiting a decision on baseless charges. It can't help but feel like a waste of his incredible giftedness as a pastor and church planter. Paul's posture and approach throughout his imprisonment will help us as we wrestle to understand God's timing in our own lives and circumstances.