Faithful Mission Amidst Adversity and Hospitality
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we have some exciting announcements. Miriam McAllister has joined our Senior Leadership Team, and Paul Crutchley is our new community pastor. We are thrilled to have them both on board and look forward to the wisdom and experience they bring.
As we conclude our series on the book of Acts, we focus on chapters 20 through 28. These chapters highlight the trials and tribulations faced by Paul, emphasizing that God's work often continues amidst adversity. The story of Eutychus, who fell asleep and died during Paul's long sermon but was revived, serves as a reminder that God moves even in difficult moments. Paul's journey is filled with hardships, yet he remains steadfast in his mission, always looking to the story Jesus is writing rather than his immediate circumstances.
Paul's unwavering devotion is evident when he receives a prophetic word about his impending arrest in Jerusalem. Despite the warnings and pleas from his friends, Paul is resolute, saying, "I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." This teaches us that our primary prayer should be, "Your will be done," rather than seeking personal blessings.
Paul's arrest and subsequent trials before various leaders, including Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and King Agrippa, provide him with unique opportunities to spread the gospel. His chains do not hinder his mission; instead, they amplify it. This challenges us to reconsider how we view our circumstances and to see them as opportunities for God's kingdom to advance.
Even when Paul is under house arrest in Rome, he continues to welcome all who come to see him and boldly proclaims the kingdom of God. His mission redefines his circumstances, showing us that our calling remains constant regardless of our situation.
As we reflect on Paul's journey, we are reminded to be a welcoming community, especially during Refugee Week. We are called to open our hearts and homes to those in need, following the example of radical hospitality that Paul demonstrated.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Moves in Adversity: The story of Eutychus falling asleep and being revived by Paul illustrates that God is at work even in our most challenging moments. This reminds us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in the larger story God is writing in our lives. [52:09]
2. Unwavering Devotion: Paul's determination to go to Jerusalem despite knowing the dangers ahead teaches us the importance of unwavering devotion to God's will. Our primary prayer should be, "Your will be done," rather than seeking personal comfort or blessings. [54:10]
3. Opportunities in Chains: Paul's arrest and trials before various leaders provided him with unique opportunities to spread the gospel. This challenges us to see our hardships as opportunities for God's kingdom to advance, rather than obstacles to our mission. [56:15]
4. Redefining Circumstances: Even under house arrest, Paul continued to welcome all who came to see him and boldly proclaimed the kingdom of God. This teaches us that our mission remains constant regardless of our situation, and we should always seek ways to fulfill our calling. [01:07:13]
5. Radical Hospitality: As we reflect on Paul's journey and the call to be a welcoming community, especially during Refugee Week, we are reminded to open our hearts and homes to those in need. Radical hospitality is a powerful expression of God's love and kingdom. [01:21:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[44:01] - Introduction of New Community Pastor
[49:54] - Prayer and Commissioning
[51:22] - Story of Eutychus
[52:09] - God Moves in Adversity
[54:10] - Unwavering Devotion
[56:15] - Opportunities in Chains
[57:38] - The Lord Stood Near
[58:38] - Mission Redefined
[01:00:04] - Speaking to Governors and Kings
[01:04:03] - Shipwreck on Malta
[01:07:13] - Paul's House Arrest
[01:21:21] - Radical Hospitality and Refugee Week
[01:25:46] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 20:7-11 - The story of Eutychus falling asleep and being revived by Paul.
2. Acts 21:12-14 - Paul's response to the prophetic word about his impending arrest in Jerusalem.
3. Acts 28:30-31 - Paul's time under house arrest in Rome, where he continued to proclaim the kingdom of God.
### Observation Questions
1. What happened to Eutychus during Paul's sermon in Acts 20:7-11, and how did Paul respond? [51:22]
2. How did Paul react to the prophetic warning about his arrest in Jerusalem as described in Acts 21:12-14? [54:10]
3. What did Paul do while he was under house arrest in Rome according to Acts 28:30-31? [01:07:13]
4. How did the islanders on Malta react to Paul after he was bitten by a snake, and what was Paul's reaction? [01:04:47]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Eutychus teach us about God's presence in difficult moments? [52:09]
2. Why do you think Paul was so determined to go to Jerusalem despite knowing the dangers that awaited him? [54:10]
3. How can Paul's ability to see his arrest as an opportunity to spread the gospel challenge our perspective on our own hardships? [56:15]
4. What does Paul's continued mission under house arrest tell us about the nature of our calling and circumstances? [01:07:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the story of Eutychus, can you recall a time when you experienced God's presence in a challenging situation? How did it change your perspective? [52:09]
2. Paul's primary prayer was "Your will be done." How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily life, especially when facing difficult decisions? [54:10]
3. Paul saw his chains as opportunities to spread the gospel. How can you view your current challenges as opportunities for God's kingdom to advance? [56:15]
4. Even under house arrest, Paul continued his mission. How can you continue to fulfill your calling despite any limitations or obstacles you face? [01:07:13]
5. During Refugee Week, we are reminded to practice radical hospitality. What are some practical ways you can open your heart and home to those in need? [01:21:21]
6. How can you be more welcoming to newcomers in your community or church, following Paul's example of radical hospitality? [01:21:21]
7. Think of a specific hardship you are currently facing. How can you shift your focus from the difficulty itself to the larger story God is writing in your life? [52:09]
Devotional
Day 1: God Moves in Adversity
Description: The story of Eutychus, who fell asleep and died during Paul's long sermon but was revived, serves as a powerful reminder that God is at work even in our most challenging moments. This incident illustrates that God's presence and power are not limited by our circumstances. Instead, He often uses our trials to demonstrate His glory and to further His purposes. When we face difficulties, it is essential to look beyond our immediate struggles and trust in the larger story that God is writing in our lives. This perspective helps us to remain hopeful and faithful, knowing that God can bring life and transformation even in the darkest times. [52:09]
Acts 20:9-10 (ESV): "And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, 'Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent challenging situation in your life. How can you trust that God is at work in that situation, even if you cannot see it immediately?
Day 2: Unwavering Devotion
Description: Paul's determination to go to Jerusalem despite knowing the dangers ahead teaches us the importance of unwavering devotion to God's will. When Paul received a prophetic word about his impending arrest, his friends pleaded with him to avoid Jerusalem. However, Paul remained resolute, declaring that he was ready to be bound and even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus. This level of commitment challenges us to prioritize God's will above our personal comfort and desires. Our primary prayer should be, "Your will be done," as we seek to align our lives with God's purposes, trusting that His plans are greater than our own. [54:10]
Acts 21:13 (ESV): "Then Paul answered, 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to say, "Your will be done"? How can you practice surrendering these areas to God today?
Day 3: Opportunities in Chains
Description: Paul's arrest and trials before various leaders, including Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and King Agrippa, provided him with unique opportunities to spread the gospel. Despite being in chains, Paul saw his circumstances as a platform to share the message of Jesus with influential figures. This challenges us to reconsider how we view our hardships. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, we can see them as opportunities for God's kingdom to advance. Our difficulties can become powerful testimonies of God's faithfulness and can open doors for ministry that we might not have otherwise encountered. [56:15]
Philippians 1:12-13 (ESV): "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ."
Reflection: Think of a current hardship you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to share God's love and truth with others?
Day 4: Redefining Circumstances
Description: Even under house arrest in Rome, Paul continued to welcome all who came to see him and boldly proclaimed the kingdom of God. His mission redefined his circumstances, showing us that our calling remains constant regardless of our situation. Paul's example teaches us that we should not allow our external conditions to dictate our faithfulness to God's calling. Instead, we should seek ways to fulfill our mission in every season of life, trusting that God can use us powerfully no matter where we are. [01:07:13]
Acts 28:30-31 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you continue to fulfill your calling in your current circumstances? What practical steps can you take to remain faithful to God's mission for your life?
Day 5: Radical Hospitality
Description: As we reflect on Paul's journey and the call to be a welcoming community, especially during Refugee Week, we are reminded to open our hearts and homes to those in need. Radical hospitality is a powerful expression of God's love and kingdom. By welcoming strangers and offering them a place of refuge, we demonstrate the inclusive and transformative nature of God's grace. This call to hospitality challenges us to go beyond our comfort zones and to extend God's love to those who are often marginalized and overlooked. [01:21:21]
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Reflection: How can you practice radical hospitality this week? Is there someone in your community or church who needs a place of refuge or a welcoming presence? How can you extend God's love to them in a tangible way?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "And God is moving in the midst of real difficult moments. It's not like that the story of Paul from chapters 20 through 28 is a bunch of blessing and wonder coming down on Paul. It is actually one calamity after another. But what Paul does is he looks again to the story that Jesus is writing, not to the story that is happening to him. Does that make sense?" [52:09] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The number one prayer of a follower of Jesus can't be, bless me, Lord. The number one prayer has to be, your will, not my will, be done. Your kingdom come, your will be done. Your kingdom come, your will be done." [55:02] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you are having a hard time right now, look to see if the Lord is standing near to whisper something into your life. I love that idea. The Lord stood near Paul. And he said, take courage. As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, you must also testify in Rome." [57:38] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What if we took off the lenses of Jesus has come to make everything perfect for me. We put on the lenses of Jesus has come to make me more than a conqueror to walk through anything." [01:08:52] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you don't know Jesus this morning. If you're coming to church for your first time. And you're like. What is going on? I'll be right up here at the front. I'd love to share with you about Jesus." [01:21:21] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul's chains and Paul's hardships took the gospel to unexpected places. Are we only seeking blessing or do we look at difficult circumstances and redouble our efforts and pray even more urgent prayers for his kingdom to come?" [01:03:21] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul welcomed all. Who came to see him. You know, being on the North Coast is a funny thing, isn't it? Because this is the time of the year. We run away for a few weeks. But everyone in the world comes to us. And I mean people from Bellamina. Just kidding. I'm kidding. Come on. Don't at me. Bellamina. I love you. Bellamina. You know, I do. You know, I do." [01:08:52] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul is in that house with a full-time guard, often in chains, and he's under house arrest. So Paul, this missionary who has traveled all across Asia Minor, has suddenly not allowed to be on mission. But that does not change. That does not change his mission. Do you see that? He's locked up in a house. So what does Paul do when he's locked up in a house? He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus with all boldness and without hindrance." [01:07:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I think God is trying to help us change our lens from a lens of God make everything okay to a lens of whatever your kingdom requires is we're ready for. I mean, if you're still here now, then you're ready for some big waves." [01:07:53] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul's literally in chains just having been trialed by the religious leaders. And God says, you're going to Rome. And Paul goes, okay. So often I wonder what we wait for to move forward when God speaks to us. It's such a reset to how we follow Jesus so often." [59:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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