to Caesar!
- Cornerstone Church
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
This week finishes the Book of Acts, which records the birth of the church in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The story has followed the growth of the church in Jerusalem and then its scattering. Saul became Paul, and was sent on mission by the Lord Jesus to the Gentile world. This will land him eventually in Rome as he appealed to Caesar. The Book of Acts concludes with Paul in Rome for two years proclaiming the Gospel. Church Tradition states that Paul was beheaded sometime around 67AD by the emperor Nero during a wave of persecution. If the Book of Acts were about Paul, then this would be a let down. Let’s face it, Paul never made it to Spain like he planned. However, this is a record of the Lord Jesus’ church, and Jesus is alive reigning on His throne expanding His church in victory to the ends of the Earth. That is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Week 43
Bible Reading Plan
Daily Prayer Plan
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Acts, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
R.E.A.D. - Repeated words. Examine & mark. Ask what I learn about God? Do.
STUDY IT.
Read Job 37:6-13. What does this say about God’s control over every detail to include the weather? Read Proverbs 21:1. What does this say about God’s control over the kings on the earth?
Read Acts 23:16-17, Acts 27:24, 39-44. How does this show God’s hand over Paul’s situation?
Read Acts 23:11. What does Jesus reveal to Paul? How has Jesus already begun to fulfill His Acts 1:8 promise in the lifetime of Paul?
Read Acts 27:22-26, 30-32, 44. What was the difference between Paul’s belief and the sailors’?
Read Acts 28:30-31. How is this a culmination of the Gospel’s advance through the Book of Acts?
SHARE IT.
Read Acts 26:19. Paul’s defense before a king was obedience to a supernatural command. Do you see your relationship with Christ to the same degree?
Read Acts 26:20. What does Paul mean by “acts worthy of repentance” after having repented and believed? What are those worthy acts in your life?
Read Acts 27:24. Is there anyone who you are wishing God might “graciously give you” to come to faith and repentance in Christ? Pray to that end.
Read Acts 28:15. Is there anyone who is bolstering your courage this week? Who are you encouraging in their calling this week?
Read Acts 28:30-31. Pray for opportunities to see the Gospel Advance in your own life and sphere of influence.
FINAL THOUGHT
It was at least four and a half years of imprisonment, trials, waiting, and dangerous travel for Paul to go from Jerusalem to Rome, and that is what is recorded in Acts alone. Taken at face value, this seems like a waste or setback. However, Paul’s imprisonment, death threats, 14-day storm, shipwreck, and snake bite all led to Gospel presentations to people he otherwise would not have been with. Think of Publius’ father, who was healed in Malta. Without the imprisonment, delays, storm, and shipwreck, he would have never been miraculously healed, and Christ would not have been honored among them in that way. When your life seems haphazard and headed in the wrong direction, remember Christ. Through Jesus’ death came salvation. Perhaps your seeming misfortune is the opportunity you never knew you wanted, and the ministry to someone else that never knew they needed it. When challenges strike, remember the Lord Jesus’ words to you, as you are going, make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20), and He took the one thing that could ever truly crush you, God’s wrath. (Romans 8:31-39)
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