Let's now turn to God's holy and infallible word. Scripture reading for this hour is from the book of Acts, the last chapter, chapter 28. Let's read together the verses 16 through 31. Acts 28, verse 16. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him. And it came to pass that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together, and when they were come together he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar, not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. For this cause, therefore, have I called for you, to see you. and to speak with you, because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain." And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest for us concerning this act. We know that everywhere it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed. After that Paul had spoken one word, well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our father, saying, Go unto this people and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand. And seeing ye shall see, and not perceive. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles and that they will hear it." And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding Him. The Word of God as it comes to us in this afternoon, our text, two last verses from chapter 28, Acts 28, 30 and 31. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him. After a long journey, Paul the Apostle, beloved congregation, finally arrived in that main huge city of the world at that time, Rome. And I am sure that he must have felt himself very little. What is man? What is man compared to a mighty emperor on a throne in Rome? What is man, even man when he is an apostle or a servant of God, when he is a child of God, what is man? God's children are no heroes. No. God's child is not a hero. He has one. That is true. That is Christ, the hero, the mighty King of Kings. And that's what Paul experienced when he approached that city. He felt discouraged. He didn't know what to expect. Would they cast him in prison with all the other prisoners? He didn't know. What do we know? We know what happened. We do not know what is going to happen. But God's mighty and faithful eye rested upon his servant. As God's eye is resting upon all His children, young and old, nobody is so happy as a child of the Lord. Whatever the circumstances may be, are you? Do you belong to God's people? For then you will also notice that God is looking after His children. You will discover that they have a hero, a mighty protector. When Paul arrived in Rome, he met some brethren, we read, some brothers of a congregation. There was also a congregation. There were a few children of the Lord in that city. How is that possible? He saw in it the hand of the Lord. Paul arrived in Rome where the Lord had been there before. He had a congregation, people who feared Him, and He met some brethren, and He took courage, we read. He was really encouraged by these things. Do you see it? Here we have it, a proof of God's faithfulness. He knows that we are no heroes, that we have no strength in ourselves, that we are weak people, that we cannot believe in our own strength. But God is the one who works and the same who grants and strengthens faith. And Paul came not in prison, no. He got an own house. He had to pay rent for it, of course. Nothing is free in the world. In God's kingdom, all is free. You know that. everything is free. You don't have to pay for goods like God's grace or everlasting life, forgiveness of sins, the countenance of God shining upon you in His mercy. You don't have to pay for it. You can get it free without money, without price. In the world you have to pay, of course, you say. And he had own house, he had to pay for it, but an own house. And that was one thing. The Lord works so miraculously, so wonderfully. He is a God who is a surprising God. And so Paul came into his own hired house, but yeah, you are right, he was a prisoner. He couldn't go in and out, that is true. He had to stay inside. And there was even a soldier with him, day and night. Roman soldiers. He had his friends, that's true. Luke was there too. You remember? Luke was there too. And another friend, God gives always friends. But also that Gentile, a Roman soldier, always present. And Paul had to pray to read God's Word when he was preaching. that soldier was always there, not always the same soldier, no, but many soldiers as we know, during two years, always other soldiers, but listen how God works. We never discourage whatever the circumstances may be. God knew where Paul dwelt. He knew his house, the street where he lived in, the number of his house, He knows where his children are, where they go through, where they stand in need of. He knows everything. So they were living there with three in one house, Paul, the soldier, and the Lord, together. Is God also living in your house, under your roof? Do you also invite him, young and old, in your house, and you go to work, wherever you are, you have to go to the hospital, you have to go to the doctor, do you invite him, Lord, go with me, he will go with you. And Paul, the Apostle, dwelt two whole years in his own hired house. Life is not easy, no, Life has also many questions and riddles, also for God's children. Why? Two whole years. What's the sense of it? Does it make sense for an apostle who has so many work outside in the wide world, in all the streets of Rome, and he would like to go to Spain and so on, and now he is sitting in this house with a soldier right beside him. There are many questions, also in the lives of God's children. You have maybe also your questions. Why, O Lord? You are allowed to ask that. Sometimes we say, why? With a fist, you know. Why? Why have I to go through these things? What did I do? That's what you also hear in church. People will be tried and go through difficulties. I do not understand it. What did I wrong? Yeah, that happens. What did I wrong? What did I do wrong? But you are allowed to say, why? Why, O Lord? I do not understand thee. There is a way against flesh and blood. Lord, help me. I do not understand thy ways. I am just a weak man. Help me. You are allowed to do that. And God answers prayer. And Paul dwelt two whole years. Why? The Lord knows. Also, why it took such a long time, two whole years? The Lord knows everything, and He goes His wise ways of providence and wisdom, and He doesn't give an account of His deeds, but He doesn't need to, right? No. When faith is in our hearts, we sometimes may say, Lord, what Thou art doing is good. That's what gives rest inside. When we don't struggle anymore, we may have rest for a moment. Although we do not understand it. Two whole years. But then we read that he received all that came in unto him. Look at it. He had some privileges. He was allowed to receive people and to talk with them. where he was also in that house, an apostle, who could not keep his mouth, but he was always busy to preach that one aim. And the Lord gave him an opportunity. There were people who came unto him. First we have read that You know, people were invited by him, the Jews. And he was preaching also to the Jews. And he was preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. And, as a matter of course, was his word rejected. Yeah, for that's man, right? He doesn't wait for a message like that. It was rejected by the Jews, invited by Paul. They were very religious, but nevertheless they rejected this word. For speaking about the Kingdom of God means you are not a king. You have nothing. You are nothing in yourselves. You need another one. There is another king. You should rely on him. He has everything that you do not have. Preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, that means that you are preaching about a person who is a stumbling block. For preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, that means you have to surrender, you have to give up your own life. You can't trust in your own righteousness anymore. You have to leave your ways of sin and you have to follow Him. And that's why we read that many did not believe, no? That's why we see that people by nature do not change, that they stay the same to the very end of their lives, unless. For, that's not the only thing that we can say, it was also faith. Some people believed, some Jews even. It's always a miracle when man believes. Also when a freely formed man or woman will believe. Right? But especially when a Jew will come to believe. And Paul has also seen that. God's Word will never return unto him void. It will do all that is pleasing him. God's Word is always bearing fruit. And that's why his servants should never be discouraged. Never. For they are speaking God's Word. right. They do not come with their own words, but with a message based upon the Word of God. When they come with their own words, it will not bear fruit. I told this morning in the Consistory that I was in church visitation at a congregation somewhere in Holland, and there were some people who do not believe in the Godhead of Christ. That is terrible, of course. That is even a sin, when you do not believe in the Godhead of Christ, so clearly revealed unto us in the Scriptures. And they like yet to go to the Lord's Chapel. You don't understand it, but that's what they want, to go to the Lord's Chapel, not believing in Christ, and yet You see it as a form of fellowship and friendship together and so on. But then there was one minister who gave this advice to the local minister. You should not mention the name of Christ too much. Don't do that. Do you not see that mentioning his name all the time is a stumbling block for these people? Don't do that. Isn't that foolishness, congregation? How do you think about that advice, young adult? Young peoples in our midst, what do you think about that? What that minister said, don't mention his name so much. Well, listen then to Paul, who would have said, don't mention that name too much, I've decided nothing to know than to preach Christ and Him crucified. And that will cause irritation. He is a stumbling block. It will cause unbelief. He will be rejected. That is true. But the rejection of the Gospel shows us how man is in his fallen state. but the gospel itself is good and perfect for sinners and it will cause opposition, yes, but also faith. What did it work out in your heart, young and old? What did it work out in your heart? Do you fall for that stumbling stone or that you fall before Him and learn to adore Him and to expect all things from Him. But, as I said, he received all that came in unto him. The Lord gave him some work. The Lord has always something to do. Never say, I am old and retired and what can I do? How can I function in this time, in this society? Ask the Lord. He has always work to do for you. And you know what's so important, which is actually the most important work? That is on your knees. That's hard work, yeah, but it is also blessed work, on your knees. There is so much to pray for. for your neighbors. Do you pray for your neighbors? For those who do not know Christ, praying for the poor world, praying for Muslims, there are many people in this world living and there is nobody praying for them. That we may pray, that is one thing. not to mention more, but God has always work to do and here we see it again. Paul received all that came in unto him. The Lord gave him a congregation and he could preach. He had an audience. God looked after an audience. They came. They came drawn by. Here we see it again. the hand of Christ. As we heard this morning, I will draw all men unto me. And that's why also one day a runaway came in, a slave from, his name is Onesimus, a slave of Philemon. You know that letter to Philemon, a runaway. He left his Christian master And it was very dangerous. It was a danger of life even. But through God's providence, he met in that great city, Paul the Apostle. How is it possible that they come together? Paul in his own house, nobody knew him. And that runaway slave, they met one another. That is God's providence. Only when you are blind, and I fear that many people, church people, are blind, do not see these things, the things of God's providence, that His hand, they do not even see His hand, that He is working, that He is alive, that He is a living God, and that He does not forsake the works of His hands. He received all these men. He is a slave and Paul has been a means in God's hand. And he writes, my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Paul has been a means in the way of preaching the Gospel to change that heart of that man. And so the Lord works also today. And the office bearers and the Sunday school teachers and those who are teaching our children in their classrooms and the ministers and the evangelists and missionaries should never be discouraged. God gives work and He will bless that work in a wondrous way. What was Paul doing all the time? He dwelt two whole years in his own house and received all that came unto him, preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching those things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ. That was his all the time when he started preaching, he preached the kingdom of God. That means there is another kingdom. What you see with your physical eyes, there is a huge city with many idols and beautiful buildings and a mighty emperor on the throne, but the kingdoms of the earth, they come and they go. They come and they go, they are just for a time. Where is the throne of Nebuchadnezzar? Where is the throne of Nero, that emperor of Rome? They are gone. They are all gone. But he was preaching the kingdom of God, it is an everlasting kingdom. God who is working on earth and establishing a kingdom first of all in the hearts of sinners, opening their hearts for their real need, so that they see that they stand outside of the Kingdom of God. That they realize that they have sinned against the Lord and deserve it to stay outside forever and ever. But when the Lord blesses His Word through the Holy Spirit, we do not want to stay outside anymore. We see man knocking at the door, Lord open unto me, will thou have mercy unto me. We see that publican in the temple praying, God, be merciful to me, that it also may enter in, that is the work of the Holy Spirit, that you see in the one side, I reserve it to be outside forever, but yet, Lord, open unto me, that is faith. And the kingdom of God preached unto sinners, it shows us that God is rich in mercy. It is a kingdom of God. God is rich in mercy and in grace and He will make other ones rich as well. And that kingdom is established because of Christ who shed His precious blood, who left that heavenly kingdom above and went to this fallen, dark world and entered into the utmost darkness on the cross of Calvary from twelve to three, when he cried out, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? Because we, and no sinner deserves it to enter into the kingdom of God. That's why he suffered outside of the camp as an outcast, being cast out also by God Himself, made a curse. And that's the way, why? That's the way, the basis on which is an entrance for sinners to enter into that Kingdom of God. He was teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. And you can never preach Christ without mentioning the context. And you preach Christ without mentioning the context. of our fallen state, what shall people do with Christ? They do not need Christ. They even hate Christ. Isn't that something? That is terrible when we hear people saying, when they are angry or sore or upset or whatever, that they say, Jesus Christ, not long ago, A friend of mine heard in a streetcar in The Hague a Muslim, when he was going to leave the streetcar and the driver closed the doors already, he was very upset and he said, Muslim, Jesus Christ! Well, there was a lady, old lady, and she arose and went to him and said, Do you believe in Mohammed and Allah? Yes, he said. Well, she'll blame Allah then, she said, and not my God. And this mouth fell open, that's true. Why do people say Jesus Christ? That's terrible, terrible. Very sin, but it is because there is no room for Christ. And did you also discover this? There is neither room in our hearts There is no room in our hearts either. And when Paul the Apostle and God's servants preach Christ, they have also to say this. They have also to say this. But they have also to magnify Christ as that good doing and merciful Savior willing to receive the worst of sinners. and that He came to die not for pious and praying and believing and good and God-seeking people, but that He died for sinners. And that will give hope. And then will sinners come and pray for His mercy and see that they have nothing, nothing in themselves, and that all that they have is testifying against them. And in that context, to preach Christ and Him crucified, and then they will come. And the poor sinner and the rich Christ, they belong together. And they come together through the drawing work of Christ. But they come willingly. That is the power of His Spirit. He renews their hearts and they come unto Christ. Like they came to Paul, drawn by God. All that the Father gives me shall come unto me." That has been the preaching and that should be the preaching also today, to the last day, the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is also the One who renews heart and life and brings us back to God, our Maker. Hope, the Apostle has also written in his room, written, that's what he also could do, he had a pen and a soldier could not say what are you doing, no he had the liberty to write and he has written a beautiful letter to the congregation of Philippi, you know the congregation where Lydia used to live and the prison keeper, that congregation. And listen what he writes to that congregation. And it gives us an impression of the circumstances where Paul was in at that time. He writes, Philippians 1, verses 12 and 13, But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me, all those questions, all those riddles, the time that they have to spend in Rome, two years in that house, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. So, he continues, that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palaces and in all other places. And he writes about a palace and that means the praetorium, the place where the Roman soldiers used to be, the guard of the emperor. So those soldiers were talking about Paul and his message. Those soldiers God working so, so surprisingly right. Those soldiers, we never expected that. God blessed His Word in the hearts of the Roman soldiers. And in all other places, on more places in Rome, they were talking about that man in his house, that man that was preaching of a kingdom and of a person whose name was Jesus Christ. They were talking about that. And they were blessed through that preaching. Do you see how God works? You look to the one side, you say the Jews are coming and you expect from them faith, right? And then they come from the other side, Roman soldiers. Yeah, they were witness of Paul's preaching, they listened. but that's not enough, but that is a gate for God's Holy Spirit to enter us, to enter our hearts, where God's Word will be preached. Paul didn't say, well, this is just a Roman soldier, why should I preach to him? He didn't say, well, leave me alone, please, for I have to pray. He just saw that this man had also a never-dying soul. And God pleased God to bless that word also in all other places, but also in what he says in the palace, the praetorium of the Roman soldiers. That's how God works. Paul's words have been effective throughout the whole praetorium guard. Isn't that wonderful? He refers in this letter to the emperors bodyguard, Roman soldiers, and this is the way in which the Lord works. There is a reason for Paul's stay for a long time in Rome, and God blessed it for Roman soldiers who are now also singing before the throne of God. And people, impressed maybe by their emperor on his beautiful throne in Rome, have seen that there was another kingdom, the kingdom of God. They have seen that with eyes of faith. And they turned unto Paul to hear more about it. And Paul has preached the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence with all confidence. He knew it is the Word of God and the Lord will richly bless it. And there is also another blessing which you can mention in our sermon. Read again Philippians 1 verses 12 and 13. There he writes about Philippians 1 verse 14, about another blessing. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Many in the Roman congregation received, you know, new courage and boldness to the work of spreading the gospel. And what do we see here? That Satan always tries to discourage us. Look at the circumstances. You are a prisoner. What are you doing here in Rome, in that wicked city? What are you doing? You should retire as a minister, go back and take rest. But that's what Satan aims at. But didn't I say this morning that he lost it already? He lost it. For this situation where Paul was in, it has been used by God to encourage other ones in the congregation. They saw, they heard Paul preaching and that word was blessed unto them and they received new courage and new hope to also speak about the kingdom of God and about that only name given under heaven for which we must be saved so that there was more boldness than ever before to speak the word without fear. And that shows us that the Lord Jesus Christ is given all power In heaven, yeah, that's what we believe right in heaven, but also on earth. Do you believe that too? In the most difficult circumstances, in spite of everything, congregation was small. It was the threat of persecution. But nevertheless, God blessed His Word. Congregation. and those who work in the kingdom of God. Let all those who love the Lord and His kingdom, all God's children, never overestimate the outward circumstances, the things that we see with our physical eyes. They are real. I know. It is true You are a weak one. You are a sinful person. You have a heart that is by nature depraved and black with sin. There are realities, your inability to convince your children, your children. You remember the day that you were at the baptism font with them and they were baptized in the name of a triune God. And maybe they said to you when they were very small, Daddy, I love the Lord Jesus. Yes, I do. And now they serve the world. They serve the world. They do not come under the preaching of God's Word anymore. Or they believe in a lie. So many liars on pulpits and so on. Don't think that all these things which are impossible with us are also impossible for God. No, with God. And we see the power of Satan. We see how everything developed in our time. The temptations of Satan in our day and our weak and sinful hearts and the hearts of our children. When we see the gross secularization and the division among Christians and so on, let us learn from this portion from God's Word to stay faithfully on the place God placed you. As an office bearer, as a servant of the Lord on the pulpit, as a Sunday School teacher and so on, to faithfully stick to your work. Go on. And when you can't talk with your children anymore, talk the more with God about your children. And He who created us and our ears is not deaf himself. He is willing to hear. and to perform miracles. And He is so mighty to change the hearts of Roman soldiers. Will you not be able and willing to perform miracles in your life, in your family, and so on? Look upon God and Christ. We are speaking about a kingdom. We have a King. Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He left death and grave behind him because he overcame sin, the cause of all evil. And this King, he still lives. O, turn unto him and beseech for his presence. You are not allowed to challenge him, no, but you are allowed to lay before Him all your needs and prayers and supplications, and that we may have confidence in Him, Lord grant that our hearts may trust in Thee." Letters and preaching and our pastoral work, evangelization and and speaking with your children and so on, and you work in the classroom, concentrate also on the heart of the Gospel. We can discuss many matters with our children, of course. We can even emphasize secondary things and say, that's it. You do this and do that, that is, that's then okay. Then is your life okay. No, concentrate on the heart of the Gospel. Speak about the Kingdom of God and speak about the Lord Jesus Christ. And when He will change your heart, all other things will fall in place also. But concentrate on the heart of the Gospel and tell all the time, you should be born again. And you can be born again. Turn unto the Lord before it is too late. You know the heart of the Gospel. Speak about that, and that's what God will bless. That's what God will bless. The simple message of His Word. No other things, but just the Gospel. That will be blessed. See the Apostles. They were just, take our text again, speaking about the main things, the Kingdom of God, and the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. and God has blessed it. And let us also learn from this word to have confidence in God. Do not rely on your own attempts and and you try to convince your children, now rely on Him who is willing to use your words. He has to open the eyes of your children. He has to open our own eyes and He is also willing to do so. And that reliance, that confidence should be in our hearts, that He is the One who is willing to do so. He will not neglect prayer. The work of the Sunday School, among our young friends also tonight at school, and so on, the preaching from Sunday to Sunday. Whatever your task is in the Kingdom of God, rely on Him. We have our responsibilities, but it depends on Him. And He is the One who has blessed Paul and He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And learn also again from this portion that God continues to do His work. He never forsakes the works of His own hands. Christ lives and shows that in renewing sinners, in protecting His church, No man forbidding him, we read in our text. There was no stumbling stone, no hindrance. God made all things well. He works irresistible work. Jesus lives. Nero, the emperor, died. Rome fell. The kingdom of God will never fall. and the world passes away for sure, but Jesus lives. Also this congregation, also this young and old, let the enemies and those who do not follow Christ, who know the Gospel but reject the Gospel, let all the enemies fear, for that Christ lives is true, but it also means that He will our future judge. And when His anger will be poured out upon you, you are lost forever. And there is, in spite of the fact that there is an eternal Kingdom of God, no entrance anymore for you, no door anymore no door to knock on, no opportunity to beg for grace, no corner to confess your sins and to experience the love and the favor of God. He reigns and He will defeat all His enemies. And then, God's Word, did it bear fruit in our own hearts? Did it renew your lives or do you say, well I am a hopeless case, I am a hopeless case. Well, I would say this, Christ is the one who does not know hopeless cases. Maybe you know one, you say I know one hopeless case, I am. Christ does not know hopeless cases. He has all power. in heaven and on earth. The enemy may be very active, and the three-headed enemy in the lives of God's children. They may be very active and busy, but God lives, and He goes on. He will never forsake the works of His own hands. The power of the enemy is, in order to instruct you in your own weakness, that you need a King, a Hero, a Protector, a Refuge, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Keep courage, pilgrims, on your way. Keep courage. Look upon Him. He lives, and He said, I live and you shall live also. Amen.