For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. ACTS 28:30-31 (NLT)

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Paul lived for two years in his rented house. He welcomed everyone who came to visit. He urgently presented all matters of the kingdom of God. He explained everything about Jesus Christ. 
His door was always open.
The Message

What would you do if all your dreams came true? 

Paul looked forward to Rome for so long. He dreamed many dreams. He planned many plans. He arrived precisely where he was destined, albeit along a different path than he most likely expected. 

His traveling days were over. He settled in to a house with a room big enough to entertain groups of friends and inquirers. He lived hospitably, just as he had written to the Roman Christians (Rom. 12:13). He confidently taught about the King Above All Kings right there in the front yard of the emperor. “And no one tried to stop him.” Paul may have lived under house arrest, but the gospel was unchained. 

“His door was always open.” The offer to know and experience God’s gift of salvation was always available. As he wrote to the Roman Christians (10:9, 10), “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”

His door was always open. The offer of eternal life was continually extended. 

Here end Luke’s writings. There are many who believed he intended to write a third volume to add to the Gospel of Luke and Acts. There are those who likewise believe God’s intention was that Acts end just as it does. The purpose of the ending is the next steps forward of God’s eternal plans are for us to fulfill. Just as our Father in heaven had a wonderful plan for Peter and Paul, Barnabas and John Mark, Philip and his four daughters, Aquila and Priscilla, he likewise has a wonderful plan for us. 

In this season of pandemic when church members hesitatingly regather in worship centers on Sunday, if they do, it appears the gospel is hindered. Instead, it is as unchained as the doors to our homes. May our houses be like Paul’s and Denny’s, always open. Take an hour or so and read the whole book of Acts in one sitting. Compare how many public places of worship there are with how many home settings there are. The good news of Jesus spreads best person to person, not pulpit to person. 

When the next volume of the church in action is completed, what will your part of the story say?

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I will live as an open door for the good news.

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Our Father, it is risky to go anywhere right now. May our homes become tools in your hands for gospel contagion. Use us to confidently declare your good news. Amen.