Sermon: This Is My Story, This Is My Task

BE EMPOWERED SERIES: BOOK OF ACTS

1.  POWERED FOR LIVING (Acts 1, 2)
2.  THE POWER OF THE NAME OF  JESUS (3:1–4:31)
3.  IF THIS IS FROM GOD (4:32–5:42)
4.    A FEW SPIRIT-FILLED LEADERS (6:1–8:40)
5.  THE POWER OF CHANGE (9:1-12:25)
6.  HOW THE SPIRIT LEADS US (13:1-15:35)
7.    CONFRONTING THE POWERS (15:36–18:22)
8.  THE NEXT LEVEL (18:23-21:14)

THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY TASK
(Acts 21:15 – 28:31)
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 20 July 2008

 

 

I.   THIS IS MY STORY ( Acts 9, 22, 26; Phil. 3; 1 Tim. 1)

The year was 57 A. D. Paul was taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea because of an alleged violation against the temple. A riot followed (21:30-31). The captain of the Roman guard broke up the riot, and bound Paul with chains (21: 34). Paul asked the captain for an opportunity to speak up (21: 39-40). Paul then gave his personal testimony (22:1-15).

1.  PAUL: MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE RISEN CHRIST (Acts 21:37-22:21)

Paul’s arrest and defense (21:27-22:29) Paul brought before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10)
Paul escorted to Caesarea (23:11-35)

· PAUL DID NOT GLORIFY HIS PAST LIFE OF SIN (22:3-5).
· IT IS THE POWER OF CHRIST THAT MAKES HIM DIFFERENT.
· PAUL PRESENTED HIS CONVERSION AS A FACT NOT AS A FEELING (: 11-15)
I was CONCEITED.  I was CONFRONTED
I was CONVERTED.  I was CONSCRIPTED

2. PAUL STANDS BEFORE THE RULERS: THE PREACHER AND THE POLITICIAN

Paul’s defense before Felix (24:1-27) Paul’s defense before Festus (25:1-27)  Paul’s defense before Agrippa (26:1-32)
· “I Was Blind to God’s Truth”
· “God Spoke to Me” (26:14; 22:7)
· A Life Changing Experience (26:1-23)

 3. THE POWER OF YOUR TESTIMONY

“A Christian should talk to the Lord about his neighbors and then talk to his neighbors about the Lord.”
In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering. - Howard Hendricks.

How do we overcome the Devil? Two ways:
Rev 12:7-11; 1 Peter 5:8-9

1. By the blood of the Lamb

2. Through our testimony. 

Paul’s testimony is our testimony (Luke 8:39; 1 Pet. 3:15)

II.  THIS IS MY TASK

· “I Was Given the Task to Rescue the World” (26:16-18)
· “I Believe and Declare that Jesus Christ is the One and Only Risen Savior of the World” (26:23) 
· “I Want Everyone To Believe What I Believe” (26:27)

COURAGE FOR A DIFFICULT (23:11)
“…. the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
“Be of good cheer. Cheer up Paul.”
Only Christ uses this word in the New Testament and all instances brought wonderful comfort.  (Matt 9:1-8; 9:22; 14:27; John 16:33).

MINISTRY IN THE STORMS OF LIFE  (27:1-44)
“Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” (Acts 27:31)
 The existence of the church is the hope of the world! 

GOD’S PROMISE FOR THE TASK
“Do not be afraid Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously you the lives of all who sail with you… And I have faith it will happen exactly as he told me.” (27:24, 25). “I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me” (27:25) “God said it. I believe it. That settles it!”

Revival on the island of Malta 28:1-10
We must come to realize that on the other side of the storm God may not bring us to a resort paradise, but to a place where we can be a blessing to others.

This Is My Task
 To love someone more dearly every day
To help a wandering child to find his way
To ponder o’er a noble thought and pray
And smile when evening falls
This is my task
To follow truth as blind men long for light
To do my best from dawn of day till night
To keep my heart fixed in His holy sight
To answer when He calls
This is my task
And then my Savior, by and by, to meet
When faith hath made her task on earth complete
And lay my homage at the Master’s feet
Within the jasper walls
This crowns my task
III.  FAITHFUL TO THE END (28:17-31)
… fight the good fight, finish the task / race

Paul’s voyage to Rome  (28:11-16)    Paul’s ministry at Rome (28:17-31)

And he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered. (Acts 28:30-31 RSV)
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:31

THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY TASK
Luke’s purpose was not to provide us with a book that has a “happily ever after” ending. Much of our uneasiness with the ending of Acts is that we don’t have a fairy tale conclusion. What Luke does tell us, however, is that the gospel was proclaimed to the “remotest part of the earth” just as Jesus had said  (Mat. 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-8)

But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen
(2 Timothy 4:17-18).

This is “the end of the beginning.” The book of Acts is just the beginning of the record of the operation of the body of Christ at work in the world since his resurrection and ascension. It is just the first chapter. We have come now to the last page of that chapter. The rest of the record is being written as history is being unfolded.

ACTS 29 - It is still being written today. That is what we must understand. Fresh and wonderful chapters are now being written in our own day, ultimately to be incorporated into this account. It is a tremendous privilege and joy to be a part of this divine record.