This Sunday we will continue in our study of Acts by looking at Acts 25:1-22. It’s about “God’s Protection, Promises, and Providence.” 

As you read over these verses, where do you see these 3 things in the text? 

• In verses 1-5, we see God protecting Paul from assassination. His plan was for Paul to end up in Rome, the capital of the Empire, with the gospel. What does this say to us about God’s plans for and protection of his people? 

• In verses 6-12, we see God standing by the promise that he made to Paul in Acts 23:11. How do the words of Festus in 25:12 actually fulfill what God had promised in Acts 23:11? 

• In verses 13-22, how do we see God bringing his providential plan to pass that the gospel would be shared “before governors and kings” (Matthew 10:18)? 

I have really enjoyed this series in Acts! Over the next few weeks, as we delve into the final chapters, we are going to see how God brings it all together. 

Obviously we need to be praying for our country in these difficult days. This is an opportunity for God’s people to really shine, as “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). 

By the way that we speak and act, we can be healers and agents of God’s love. As believers, let’s go out of our way to shine forth the Savior’s love, particularly to those who look different from us. As I shared on Sunday, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents a vision of people being brought together by the gospel. Let’s model that in our own lives. 

Our Thailand team is back, and we’ll look forward to hearing from them on Sunday night. It’s going to be a great Lord’s Day! See you then. 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations, 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.