Day 21
Read: Acts 28
Introduction: Have you ever watched a movie or a TV show and at the end of it there are many things that still went unanswered? They leave it up to your imagination to dream about. One of those TV shows that leave the ending open for the imagination is Lost. They did such a great job creating mystery and suspense, but at the end of the show, never really answer many questions. It was almost like the story was unfinished in many ways and that there was more to be written. The ending of Acts is one of those endings as well. The last 8 chapters are leading up to Paul giving his defense before Caesar, but the book ends before he makes it.
Acts 28:30-31
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Think about it: The whole book of Acts has been building off of Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” That commission for the church is still in process today. I believe that Luke, the writer of Acts, ends the book in a way that makes you want more. Paul’s mission is still unfinished! But Acts isn’t about Paul—it is about the growth of the church by willing men and women powered by the Holy Spirit. So, it’s not just Paul’s mission that is unfinished, but it is the church’s mission that is unfinished. You are a part of the ongoing story of Acts. There are people in your school, work, neighborhoods, and family who do not know Jesus and his saving grace. Just like the book of Acts, Jesus is looking for willing people empowered by the Holy Spirit to say, “Jesus, send me.”
Take away: The church today continues to grow and people’s lives are changed forever by normal people saying “yes” to Jesus and his calling.