Bent Oak Church

We have finally reached the end of Acts, but it's not what you might have expected. Luke seems to stop the story without an ending. It is a freeze-frame, Paul proclaiming the Gospel in Rome with boldness and without hindrance. As a reader, we are left to decide how this story should end. We are pulled into it. Participants in the kingdom's work.

Paul makes his final defense before Festus and King Agrippa II. Luke draws together the developing themes of Paul's three speeches into a dramatic and poignant final moment. For Paul, his message is clear. Jesus suffered and was raised from death as the first of a great resurrection to come. This message is the light which had transformed Paul's life and was now being declared to Jews and Gentiles. but that message was not received by Agrippa or Festus. One saw it as madness the other wasn't so quickly convinced.

Under threat of assassination, Paul was transferred to Felix where he would again face Jewish accusations. Paul again shows himself courageous even in the face of an unjust ruler and court. Paul places his confidence not in his citizenship, his case, or the judge but in the hope he has in God.

The Roman tribune was attempting to gather information about Paul. He decided to gather the Sanhedrin. Things deteriorated quickly. But Paul shrewdly navigates the political and debate to reveal the truth, he is hardly the instigator. 

Paul finally reached Jerusalem and as expected, there were those unwelcoming to his return. Paul's attempts to go to the temple are met with a mob and public beating, eventually interrupted by the Roman Tribune and his soldiers.Paul reminds us that our Christian faith rarely fits into the powers and politics of our world. Yet still, Paul manages to demonstrate that far from being an enemy, he is much like the Jews and the Romans who beat him. We are in this world but never of it—citizens of heaven.

Paul continues his trip to Jerusalem. As he goes, he is continually warned about what he faces. Still, Paul is determined, driven by the Spirit, compelled to give. Josh walks us through the passage and helps us recognize how each of us is called and the inevitable sacrifices that calling requires.

Before Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he stops in Miletus and gathers the church leaders of Ephesus. There he says his final goodbyes. He offers them final words, knowing that they will never see each other again.Paul's final words are striking, a summary of the way in which he had served, ministered, and lived among them. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul has begun his journey back to Jerusalem. he knows that what awaits him is the risk of riots, arrest, and possibly execution.As a reader, we assume that what follows will be Jerusalem, but Paul stops in at Troas. At Troas, we are introduced to Eutychus, a young man who drifts off to sleep during Paul's sermon. Asleep, he falls from a third story window to his death.Paul, speaks life over him, passes out communion, and goes back to preaching until sunrise.

God's with us finds its first promise in Isaiah, to a king terrified by the prospects of war. The radical message of Christianity is that God would go to such lengths to reveal himself to us, to give us a sign of his presence.

Josh Havens shares his personal story and how Immanuel requires us to be honest about who we really are.