Acts 28:17-31 Preaching Jesus unhindered. Amos 1 & 2 The Judgment of God

Paul's main purpose on reaching Rome was to talk of Jesus - the hope of Israel.  He was concerned also not to discredit the name of Jesus in any way.  

Paul's message to the Jews at Rome was the Kingdom of God and Jesus, from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.  He explains to them that they are unbelieving because the Spirit had said this would happen.  He expected the Gentiles to listen.  Sadly, we expect no-one to listen, despite God telling us that some will believe.

Luke spells out: 2 years, own rented house, welcoming all, boldly and without hindrance, preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus.  

Key verses in Acts:

1:8 - Witnesses to an expanding area

6:7 - The word spread, disciples growing

9:31- The church strengthened, encouraged and growing, living in the fear of the Lord

12:24 - The word of God continued to increase & spread

16:5 - Churches were strengthened in the faith & growing daily

19:20 - The word of the Lord spread widely & grew in power

28:31 - Boldly & without hindrance, the kingdom of God was preached & Jesus taught

20:18-35  Paul's humility is evident, his perseverance is clear

21:13  Paul's sensitivity and willingness

21:14 His determination

23:1  His good conscience

24:16  His good conscience again

26:19-23  His desire to be obedient to God

26:29  His single-mindedness in longing for people to come to Jesus

27:22-25  His faith in God and fearlessness in that

Amos 1 & 2

The sins of the nations (1:3-2:3)  

Damascus - threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth

Gaza - took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom

Tyre - sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood

Edom - pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion

Ammon - ripped pregnant women of Gilead open so as to extend his borders

Moab - he burned the bones of Edom's king

Judah - they rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, they have been led astray by false gods

Israel - sell the righteous for silver & the needy for a pair of sandals, profaning God's holy name

God hates things that go against His character - He is holy, fair, loving and just - we must also be.

Judah & Israel have failed to live up to God's Law.  2:4-16 shows what was expected of them:

Obedience to the law of God & keeping His decrees

Keeping true to Him.

Looking after the righteous & needy, not oppressing the oppressed.

Honouring His holy name.

Helping others to be faithful to God and do His will (prophesying).

We similarly fail to take God at His word & think we can make up our own rules.  He calls us to completely follow Him in all areas of our lives.