Acts 28: 23-31, For the kingdom of God

Acts 28: 23-31, for the kingdom of God

23-31,
23. They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
24. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
25. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26. "`Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
27. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 
28. "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"
29. (BLANK)
30. For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 
31. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

  * The tesotmony of Elder Jong Ho Park.
 
   Life is not a bond. Jesus, the gospel, does not bind. Paul was called an evangelist for the gospel of Jesus. He preaches the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1: 8). He went to Rome, which was called the end of the earth by the prisoner's body. Beyond many deaths, only the gospel, only Jesus, the life of the kingdom of God burned. Today's text is the last part of Acts. Paul is still in the house, but he is devoted to the gospel and the kingdom of God (23,31). What should we do for the kingdom of God?

1. Deliver the gospel to the kingdom and entrust the result to God (23-28)

   Paul does his best for the kingdom of God. Some have accepted the Gospel, others have rejected it (24-28). He will not be disappointed to see the rejecter, but will consider the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9 ff, and will turn to the Gentile mission. When we are doing the work of the Lord, we sometimes feel discouraged because the results are not good. But if you do not be discouraged  and do not give up, God will reap the fruit in time (Gal. 6:9).
    We pray that we can look after the victorious Lord and look at the kingdom of eternal kingdom and do our duty quietly.
* Are you preaching the Gospel? Did not you feel discouraged because there was no result? Would you continue to tell the gospel without disappointment or giving up?

2. The kingdom of God advances unceasingly (30-31)

   Paul is pensioned for two years in his rented house in Rome, but the gospel continues to prevail without being trapped. He preached the kingdom of God boldly to those who come to him. Vs. 23, 31, 23. They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 31. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
   He also wrote four books of the Bible, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon in prison. Whatever the situation we are in and what the outcome is, we must practice the mission of preaching the kingdom of God to the world. Paul did not grumble, even when he was trapped, and did not complain or blame. Let us also witness and evangelize.
   Paul's message of evangelism is twofold, the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ(31). The kingdom of God is the ruling of God, where the Lord is king. Paul as an agent of the kingdom preaches Christ and dedicates himself to the Lord and His kingdom until he is martyred.

* Do you want to continue to preach the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ like Paul? 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.”

  Beloved believers, we do not know how much time we have left. Like Paul, let us preach the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ. It is incomplete, but do not abide by the outcome, but grab hold of the Lord and His Word, write down Acts 29, boldly and unceasingly, and pray for preaching the kingdom of God. Amen.