God’s Story to Be Continued: Faithfulness Today, Eternity Tomorrow

God’s story is not finished. Each of us is living in the ongoing chapters of God’s redemptive work, a story that began with Jesus and the apostles and continues through us today. Just as a favorite TV series leaves us longing for the next episode, the book of Acts ends not with a conclusion, but with an open invitation for us to step into the narrative. Paul’s journey, filled with trials, miracles, and bold proclamation, does not end in Rome; it continues through the faithfulness of every believer who carries the gospel forward.

Our salvation is the result of generations of faithful witnesses—people who, often at great cost, shared the good news so that it could reach us. From the apostles, to reformers, to missionaries, to family members and friends, each link in the chain was essential. We are the beneficiaries of their obedience, and now we are called to be that link for others. The miracle of salvation is not just a personal experience; it is a generational movement, passed from one heart to another, as Psalm 145 declares: “One generation shall praise your works to another.”

But the story is not just about the mountaintops. Our trials, disappointments, and hardships are woven into God’s plan. Paul’s suffering—his imprisonments, shipwrecks, and beatings—were not detours, but the very means by which the gospel advanced. In the same way, our own struggles can become testimonies that invite others into the miracle of salvation. God works all things together for good, even when the good is not immediately visible. Our faithfulness in the midst of difficulty is part of the unstoppable movement of the gospel.

What we do today shapes eternity. Our obedience, our willingness to speak, to pray, to disciple, and to go where God sends us, has eternal consequences. We may never see the full impact of our faithfulness, but God does. Our legacy is not measured by earthly achievements, but by the lives changed through our witness. The baton is in our hands now. The book of Acts continues through us, until the day our King returns.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Generational Faithfulness Fuels Salvation Our faith is the fruit of countless believers who came before us, each faithfully passing on the gospel. This chain of obedience stretches back to the apostles and ultimately to Christ himself. Recognizing this should fill us with gratitude and a sense of responsibility to continue the legacy, knowing that our witness today may be the link that brings someone else to faith. [37:05]
• 2. Trials Advance the Gospel’s Reach Paul’s hardships were not setbacks, but the very means God used to spread the gospel. Our own trials, when surrendered to God, can become powerful testimonies that draw others to Christ. Rather than seeing suffering as pointless, we are invited to trust that God is weaving our pain into his redemptive story, using it to reach hearts we may never know. [45:08]
• 3. Our Obedience Shapes Eternal Legacies Every act of faithfulness—whether a conversation, a prayer, or a simple act of kindness—can have generational impact. We may never see the full results, but God uses our obedience to change destinies. Our legacy is not in what we accumulate, but in the lives transformed through our willingness to be part of God’s ongoing story. [54:18]
• 4. The Mission Continues Through Us Acts ends without a conclusion because the story is still being written. The Holy Spirit is still at work, and we are called to carry the gospel forward. The baton is in our hands; we are the living chapters of God’s redemptive plan. Let us not let the story stop with us, but boldly continue until Christ returns. [49:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [30:28] - The Power of Prayer and Connection
• [31:00] - Stories Without Endings
• [32:44] - Hope in the Ongoing Story
• [33:12] - Paul’s Epic Journey in Acts
• [34:59] - The Anticlimactic Ending of Acts
• [35:59] - God’s Story Requests Faithfulness
• [37:05] - Generational Faithfulness and Salvation
• [39:02] - Psalm 145: Passing Faith to Generations
• [40:23] - The Miracle of Salvation’s Chain
• [42:35] - Answering God’s Call Today
• [43:12] - Trials as Part of God’s Story
• [45:08] - Paul’s Suffering Advances the Gospel
• [48:21] - Our Witness Shapes Eternity
• [49:43] - The Mission Continues Through Us
• [54:18] - Obedience and Eternal Legacy
• [58:39] - Applications: Living Boldly and Faithfully
• [61:11] - Prayer for Strength and Faithfulness

Bible Reading

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.

Psalm 145:4-7 (ESV) — > One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

Philippians 1:12-14 (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. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 28:30-31, what was Paul doing during his two years in Rome, and how does the passage describe his attitude and circumstances? [34:00]
2. In Psalm 145, what is the role of one generation in relation to the next when it comes to God’s works? [39:26]
3. In Philippians 1:12-14, how does Paul interpret his own suffering and imprisonment? What effect did it have on other believers? [45:08]
4. The sermon mentions that the book of Acts ends without a dramatic conclusion. What reason does the pastor give for this open ending? [35:21]

Interpretation Questions

1. The pastor says, “God’s story tomorrow requests faithfulness today.” What does it mean for believers to see themselves as living in the ongoing chapters of God’s story? [35:59]
2. How does understanding the chain of faithful witnesses—from the apostles to today—change the way someone might view their own faith journey and responsibility? [37:05]
3. Paul’s trials and hardships are described as the very means God used to advance the gospel. How might this perspective change the way someone views their own struggles? [45:08]
4. The sermon says, “The baton is in our hands now.” What are the implications of this statement for how believers live out their faith? [49:43]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that our faith is the result of generations of faithful witnesses, some of whom we’ll never know. Who are some specific people in your life who passed the faith on to you? How can you express gratitude or honor their legacy this week? [37:05]
2. Psalm 145 talks about one generation praising God’s works to another. Are there people in your family, workplace, or community to whom you could intentionally share your faith story? What would that look like in practice? [39:26]
3. Think about a trial or hardship you’ve faced recently. In what ways could God use that experience as part of His ongoing story, either to encourage someone else or to point them to Christ? [45:08]
4. The sermon challenges us to “live boldly” and “reject fear.” What is one specific situation where you have felt hesitant to speak about your faith? What would it look like to take a small step of boldness this week? [58:39]
5. The pastor said, “A bold conversation can start a revival. A prayer can break spiritual chains. A single act of obedience can affect generations.” Is there a conversation, prayer, or act of obedience you sense God prompting you to take? What’s holding you back? [54:18]
6. The message encourages us to “go willingly” wherever God sends us, whether that’s to a neighbor, coworker, or even a stranger. Who is one person or group you feel God might be sending you to right now? How can you take a step toward them this week? [59:46]
7. The sermon ends with the reminder that “the book of Acts continues through us.” What is one way you can be part of God’s ongoing story this month? How can the group support you in this? [49:43]