Five Great Truths for the Christian Life

Sunday, May 17, 2026
Pastor Jojo Ma

Weekly Bulletin | Song Lyrics | Nicene Creed

Acts 28:11-31

11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

I.          Providence: How God Guides the Church [11-14]
II.        Fellowship: How God Encourages the Church [15-16]
III.       Christ: How God Centers the Church [20]
IV.       Evangelism: How God Grows the Church [23-24]
V.        Faithfulness: How God Preserves the Church [30-31]

I.         Providence: How God Guides the Church [11-14]
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

John Piper defines the Providence of God as “purposeful sovereignty”.

God not only “sees” things, He is “seeing to it” that His will gets done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Acts 2:23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 4:27-28 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

It is because of God’s soveignty and providence that Christians don’t believe in luck and don’t believe in chance and don’t believe in coincidences.

In Christ, God is always for you, He is never against you. His plans for you are for the good always, no matter what comes at you in life. God is working His good purposes while you trust Him and get going.

J. Vernon McGee: “This is God’s universe, and He does things His way. You may think you have a better way, but you don’t have a universe.”

II.        Fellowship: How God Encourages the Church [15-16]
15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

Acts 2:42-46 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.

15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

The New Testament picture of the Christian life is believers in a geographical area committed to one another in local churches, partnering for the glory of Christ and the encouragement of one another --- submitting, serving, celebrating.

III.      Christ: How God Centers the Church [20]
20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.

We must never assume Christ or the gospel because doing that in time leads to denial and rejection. We must actively keep centering and re-centering on him.

IV.       Evangelism: How God Grows the Church [23-24]
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

God grows or expands the church through Christians evangelizing. Can you think of another way?

Rom 10:14-15 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

23…From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

V.        Faithfulness: How God Preserves the Church [30-31]
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Will you spend your life doing things that will not only make a difference in this age but the ages to come? In other words, will you be faithful?