Acts 28:11-31 ACTS 28:11-15 • “After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to . The …” “The Final Act” ACTS 28:15-17a, 30-31 • “brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews ... For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly …” “The Final Act” ACTS 28:31 • “and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord .” (NIV)

“The Final Act” PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME

“The Final Act” ENCOURAGED (tharsos) • 1x in N.T. • Literally, Paul thanked God and gained boldness.

“The Final Act” Acts 28:17-27 APPOINTMENTS WITH CHRISTIANS

• Luke (Col 4:14) • (Phil 4:18) • Aristarchus (Philemon 24) • (Col 4:15) • Mark (Philemon 24) • (2 Tim 1:16) • Timothy (Phil 1:1) • (Philemon 10) • (2 Tim 4:10) • Crescens (2 Tim 4:10) • (Eph 6:21) • All the brothers who • (Col 4:12) are with me (Phil 4:21) :16 • “At my first defense, no one came to my support but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” (NIV)

“The Final Act” APPOINTMENTS WITH JEWS • “Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews … They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day and came in even larger numbers … He explained and declared to them the kingdom of God … Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.” (Acts 28:17-24, NIV)

“The Final Act” APPOINTMENTS WITH GENTILES • “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the . As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard … that I am in chains for Christ.” (Phil 1:12-13) • “The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.” (Phil 4:22-23)

“The Final Act” APPOINTMENTS WITH THE PEN • Ephesians • Philippians • Colossians • Philemon

“The Final Act” APPLICATION • What Paul did – Paul preached the gospel wherever he went, even under house arrest. – Paul’s message was clothed in humility and gentleness, always finding common ground. – Paul preached biblical (23) and doctrinal (31) sermons. – Paul preached tirelessly (23) and incessantly (30-31) – Paul preached to everyone: Jews (23-27) and Gentiles (28)

“The Final Act” APPLICATION • What Paul did • How Paul was able to do it –He was encouraged by God –He was encouraged by God’s people

“The Final Act” “At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” Acts 28:15