Today we come to the end of the book of Acts. Back at the beginning, the resurrected Jesus looked into the eyes of His disciples and commissioned them:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

I can feel what had to be felt: Jesus lived. He died on the cross, then rose again and is with us. He really is the Messiah. Now Jesus departs. Well–it is downhill from here. This is the beginning of the end. It was good while it lasted…

We even see a window into this thought process in the conversation of the religious leaders as they were considering what to do with the Apostles:

Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:36-39)

Well, my faith says from that measure, Jesus really was from God! What does that mean?

The text of Acts builds some important foundation as to what “from God” means. It doesn’t mean that it is easy or that everyone will love it or that it will always be fun. It doesn’t mean there won’t be resistance or suffering. It doesn’t mean that it is a straight path or that everyone gets it.

In Acts, we get a window into the fun and exciting moments but also into the challenges and hardships. And in the highs and lows, this theme in Acts rings out:

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. (Acts 12:24)

So, as we work to be informed by the text, we can build deeper perspective. My faith says that the people in Acts were people–not deity but real; not perfect; and putting intentionality and effort into it, not just being God’s puppets. My faith says that these people in Acts were empowered by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised, and they were living out the commissioning. So we are not meant to just be an imitation, but to process and live it in our own context, culture,and  local, empowered by the Holy Spirit and living out the Great Commission.

Today we come to the end of the text. The last section of Acts (21-28) is Paul’s arrest and then journey to Rome.

When Paul after his third missionary journey went back to Jerusalem, he knew everything was about to change. The Jews detained him and brought him before the Roman leaders, demanding that Paul would be punished and killed for his actions. The Roman authorities saw no reason to punish and for sure no reason to have him put to death. Paul, as a Roman citizen, asked to be brought before Caesar to be judged.

So in chapter 27 and into 28, we see the crazy journey to get to Rome. It was not an easy way out. As we talked about last week, it was a moment of truly bringing God’s provision and human efforts together. And now as the chapter ends, Paul has made it to Rome.

Here we are, ready for an amazing ending to this epic story. Think about what makes a great cinematic ending to a story or movie. What makes a happy ending or brings the story to resolution? What sets up a sequel well? Think about the emotion, the soundtrack, and all of the feelings it generates.

There are four basic types of movie endings. One, the protagonist gets what they want and need (sweet), for example, Back to the Future. Two, the protagonist does not get what they want and need (bitter), as in The Godfather. Three, the protagonist only gets what they need (semi-sweet), as in Rain Man. Four, the protagonist only gets what they want (bittersweet), for example, The Social Network.

Of your favorite movies, is there a similar or different ending type? What does this tell you?

Life is full of expectations. These might come from experience, from our hopes and dreams, from our families and other people, from movies or social media, or from our faith and belief.

What is the impact of having the expectation that all of life’s endings are sweet?

Let’s do a brief recap of Acts. This is a story of people being commissioned to connect and disciple people–to tell about the grace that is for all through relationship with Him and to do intentional life with these people so they too can be commissioned. They do it. It is epic. It is successful. It is anticlimactic. It has repeated failing. There are incredible highs and lows.

As the story continues, it narrows in its focus, zooming in on Paul. A guy experiences radical transformation. He moves from being the antagonist to being the protagonist. He persists through unimaginable circumstances. He lives the empowered commission in its highs and lows. And now he, Paul, has been arrested and is being shipped off–literally–to see the emperor.

What would be the sweet ending of Acts? Bitter? Semi-sweet? Bittersweet?

So much happened in just the journey to Rome: They almost killed Paul so he wouldn’t escape in a shipwreck. Paul faced death in that shipwreck. He was bitten by a poisonous snake and miraculously lived.

Now what? Something huge I am sure! Paul has made it to the center of universe–Rome. How is it going to end?

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

[Wait. So this is going to end with Paul doing what he has been doing? But then what?]

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:17-25, 30-31)

Two years of it.

What does it say to us that this letter ends with Paul continuing to do what he has been doing?

We are going to end with a conversation that really sums up Acts. Think all the way back to the commissioning that Jesus gave:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

We might ask, what is the ideal living out of the Great Commission? We might expect something epic, but then we read the book, and it leads us to this real question:

What does the real living out of the Great Commission look like in your world? In your local?

Take It Deeper Questions:

• Read Acts 28.
• When you were a child, whose visit would you be so excited about that time seemed to creep extra slowly in anticipation?
• If the Great Commission was a calling to be a rockstar, what would living it out look like?
• What does it look like to live out the Great Commision in your world?
• What does it take for you to see, appreciate and take action in living out the Great Commision in the world that is under your feet?
• How are you encouraged, challenged, focused, and/or confused by the book of Acts?

Bible Reading Plan:

• Joshua 24
• Judges 1
• Judges 2
• Acts 8
• Acts 9

Acts 10