Acts 27-28

Acts 27 – Ship Wrecked

Last time we saw Paul before King Agrippa who found that Paul had done nothing wrong and would have freed him if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.  So Paul would now have to go to Rome.  Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius and they sailed for Rome.  Paul’s troubles never seem to stop.  While at sea a hurricane came about and they were in fear for their lives.  Here Luke gave details about the storm.  It showed that through this fearsome storm God is still sovereign.  God had promised that Paul would testify in Rome (Acts 23:22; 27:24).  Not even the powerful forces of nature would stop God’s plan.

Paul wasn’t like the other prisoners.  They were probably condemned criminals, but Paul had not been tried yet so he was given more freedom that the others.  While sailing, fierce winds began and Paul warned them is would become dangerous, but the centurion and the owner of the ship didn’t listen and they sailed on.  Then the hurricane happened which made everyone in a state of panic, but Paul was calm and showed practical leadership in the midst of the crisis.  He was a man of great faith and believed in God during this desperate situation. 

The men had gone a long time without food so Paul took charge.  He told them they should have taken his advice and then he urged them to eat.  He told them an angel of God whom he served spoke to him telling him he should not be afraid.  He had confidence in God and told the men, “So keep up your courage; men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” – Acts 27:25.  Paul was instrumental in saving all 276 people on board the ship.  Paul was not ashamed to say he believed and had faith in God.  His unshakable confidence in God made him a leader even though he was a prisoner. 

Have you ever been embarrassed or ashamed to say you believe in God?

What is keeping you from telling others of your faith?

They spent two weeks in the terror of the great storm which was out of their control.  When things seem out of control, they are never out of God’s control.  God caused the boat to drift from the island of Cauda to Malta.  The sailors didn’t know where they were and had no control over their situation, but God knew exactly where they were.  When we are in scary situations, we need to trust in God’s care.

Paul never lost hope or his purpose.  He maintained his passion to spread the gospel and advance God’s kingdom by focusing on the promises of God.  He never lost his focus.

Where is your focus?

Is your focus on your plans or His?

Are you allowing Him to disrupt your plans or are you trying to squeeze Him into yours?

Principle:  God is sovereign over the storms of life.

What kind of faith do you have in the storms of life?

How committed are you?

How much do you trust God?

Have you given up on God?

Is life too much for you to bear?

Acts 28 – Promise Fulfilled

Paul began his trip as a prisoner, but became a leader and an encourager.  They became shipwrecked and had to swim to the island of Malta.  Again God provided.  He provided hospitality through the islanders on Malta.  They showed extraordinary kindness to the sailors. 

Paul made himself useful by gathering firewood for a fire.  There was a snake within the firewood that took hold of Paul’s hand.  The islanders thought Paul was a murderer and must have deserved punishment.  Paul shook his hand and the snake fell into the fire.  When he didn’t die from the snake bite they thought he was a god.  Paul had faced three life-threatening situations – the hurricane at sea, the shipwreck and now the snake, but God continued to protect him through it all.

While on the island Paul healed the father of Publius who was the chief official of the island.  Word spread across the island and many sick people came to Paul and were healed.  The islanders gave them lodging, gifts and supplies.  They stayed on the island for three months through the winter.  Luke never mentioned that Paul preached to the people on Malta, but knowing Paul I am sure he did.  Paul never missed an opportunity to tell others about Jesus.

After winter past Paul and the others continued their sail to Rome.  Some believers there had received Paul’s letter to the Romans a few years before and heard he was coming.  They traveled a long way to greet and honor him.  When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged.

Are you an encourager?

When and how have you encouraged someone?

Is there someone you need to encourage today?

In Rome Paul wasn’t treated like a normal prisoner.  He was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.  Now God’s promise was fulfilled – Paul would take the gospel to Rome.  The first thing he did was to call together the leaders of the Jews.  He explained about his arrest and that he was not guilty of any crime.  He explained that in Jerusalem they were ready and willing to release him.  He wanted them to know he was a prisoner because of his belief in Jesus.  But the Roman Jews hadn’t heard anything about Paul and had not received any letters about him.  I think the Jerusalem Jews knew their case against him was hopeless so they made no effort to send anything to the Jews in Rome confirming their case against him.

The Jews in Rome were interested in Paul’s views about Christianity so they set an appointment to meet with him.  Many came to his home and he spoke from morning to evening.  He taught about the kingdom of God.  He wanted them to understand the truth about Jesus Christ.  He quoted Isaiah 6:9-10.  Some didn’t believe, but some believed and trusted Jesus.  This is true today.  Many hear and believe, while others reject Jesus and don’t turn to God to be healed of their sin.  Paul never stopped sharing the gospel and neither should we.

If you are not a believer, what is keeping you from accepting Jesus?

Paul spent more than two years at Caesarea waiting for his case to be resolved and another two years waiting for his case to be heard before Caesar.  These two years weren’t wasted.  God never wastes our time, though we may waste it.  Paul was chained and under house arrest for two years preaching without hindrance.  Paul never gave up and continued to be a witness for God.  Chains couldn’t stop him.  Nothing can stop God.  He was committed to God and always obeyed Him.  Paul’s hands were chained, but the gospel is never chained!  The gospel continued to spread and it spread even more because Paul suffered. 

 

While in prison in Rome, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  These are known as “the prison epistles”.  We are never told the final outcome of Paul’s trial.  It is believed he was eventually allowed to leave Rome.

 

God protected Paul through all his troubles by bringing the plot against him to light, by not allowing the crowd to kill him, by keeping him in prison where he was safe, saving him when shipwrecked, and allowing him to preach in chains without hindrance.  Paul demonstrated Christ-like traits during all his trials.  He was calm and trusted God during the storm.  He never stopped obeying God and witnessing for Jesus through messages before the people, the governors and kings.  He showed great courage and perseverance.  The only way he was able to do that was through faith and trust in God and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God will protect you as He did Paul.  So put your faith and trust in Him.  Sometimes it may not seem He is there during your crisis, but He is.  He keeps His promises.  God will use trouble, waiting and the unexpected to show who He is. 

Do you realize that Paul’s effort and direction is why you and I know who Jesus is? 

The book of Acts comes to a sudden end, but this is not the end.  The good news about Jesus had spread in Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and now to the ends of the earth.   Rome was the most important place in the empire and the most powerful at that time.  It’s no accident that Acts ends with Paul in the most important city in the world.  This was God’s plan.

Many books have been written about the history of the church telling the story of the good news about Jesus.  God has written the story on the hearts and minds of many people through the ages.  The Bible has been translated into many, many languages.  Many people have believed, but the story isn’t over.  There are still many people who need to hear, repent, and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  You and I are writing the next story of Acts.  Our lives are to be about one thing – glorifying God.  He is the main emphasis of our story.

Principle:  We have an unstoppable God.

Join me here next week for our study of the book of James.   We have only a couple of weeks to go in this study of the Acts of the Apostles. --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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He Is Risen!

This week is a special week in history called Holy Week and tomorrow is Easter.  This week changed the world. 

Our Savior, Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem knowing He would die for us.  What a sacrifice that was.  He went willing obeying God’s will because He loves us so much.  He died on the cross on what we call Good Friday.  God said the penalty for sin is death.  This paid our debt to God giving all who believe in Him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8.  Then three days later He came back to life.  We call this the resurrection.  That was the first Easter.  Scriptures on His death, crucifixion, burial and resurrection are found in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.

The world looks at Easter with egg hunts, brunches, baskets for the children.  We buy Easter flowers and Easter dresses.  More people attend church on Easter than any other Sunday.  This Easter is a little different because of the Coronavirus, but that doesn’t stop Easter.  Instead of celebrating at your church, celebrate and worship on your TV or online.  Invite others to listen too.  There are many options to choose from.  If they are not a Christian or a church goer, this is the Sunday they will probably say yes to your invitation.  Maybe they are just waiting for someone care and invite them.

Do we really stop and think how wonderful this day really is?  Without the resurrection we would just have another man-made dead religion.  Think on the meaning of this special day and attempt to stay in His presence.  Satan will do everything he can to distract you from its real meaning.  Don’t let the world trap you with meaningless things.

Jesus was despised and rejected.  We turned our backs on Him.  He was hated and we didn’t care.  Yet He still loves us and carried our weaknesses and sin.  Don’t crucify Him again.  Satan’s strategy has always been to distort the truth and separate us from God.  Don’t fall for it!  God’s redemption is simple.  He loves us and died for us.  All we have to do is repent, believe and trust Him; follow His example and be baptized; worship Him; honor Him and the devil will lose all his power over you.  There is no better time than now.  We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, especially now with so much sickness and death.

After He paid for the sin of the world, God’s righteous judgment was satisfied.  He arose victorious.  Death had no hold on Him.  Now, He offers everyone eternal life and perfect peace with God when you are willing to repent and believe in Him.  Have you done that yet?

We need Easter more than ever now.  God who calmed storms and silenced evil on that first Easter will calm the storms of this life.  How did Jesus endure the agony of the cross?  He endured by waiting and trusting.  He fixed His eyes on God and looked for the joy to come.  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross….” – Hebrews 12:2  So in this uncertain time focus on Jesus.  When we focus on Him our troubles get smaller.  “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18

If you are a Christian, death has no hold on you.  Jesus is coming again to take you to be with Him in glory forever.  On Easter morning shout Hallelujah!  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.” – Revelation 3: 20-21

Jesus changed the world.  Let Him change your life!

Happy Easter!  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Acts 24 – 26

Acts 24 – Paul Before Felix

In chapter 23 the Jews plotted to kill Paul.  The commander sent Paul to Governor Felix who ordered that he be kept under guard at Herod’s palace until his case could be heard.  Five days later Paul was brought before him.  Paul was charged with making trouble, stirring up riots and desecration of the temple.  Felix didn’t question Paul.  He let Paul speak about himself.  This was Paul’s third time to defend himself.  He presented Jesus as the Messiah.  He spoke of faith in Jesus, talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. 

As most politicians Felix wanted to please everyone.  He knew about the Way and about Christian beliefs because he had a Jewish wife.  Felix knew Paul was right and not guilty, but he didn’t want to offend the Jews.  He made no decision and kept Paul in prison for two years hoping Paul would try to bribe him.  While Paul was imprisoned, Felix visited him many times which allowed him to speak the gospel to Felix for those two years.  This shows that God uses wicked leaders to fulfill His purposes.

This world is made up of sinners who love darkness rather than light.  A life of integrity exposes the evil deeds of sinners so they will often slander someone who has integrity just like they slandered Paul.  Even King David was often slandered and of course we know that Jesus was constantly slandered.  The more godly you are the more you will be slandered.  So we should expect it.

How can you respond with gentleness and reverence to those who slander you or treat you unjustly?

Principles:  A life of integrity doesn’t shield us from being falsely accused.

Acts 25 – Paul Before Festus

Festus succeeded Felix, but kept Paul in prison.  The Jews wanted Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem so they could ambush and kill him along the way.  Festus said he wanted to see Paul for himself.  Then Paul was put before Festus for yet another trial.  He calmly defended himself again.  He didn’t grow frustrated or impatient.  He said he had done nothing wrong and had obeyed the laws of the Jews, the temple and Caesar.  He said if he had done anything wrong, he deserved death and would not refuse to die.  If he had not, then no one had the right to hand him over to the Jews.   

Festus consulted King Agrippa as to what to do with Paul.  Festus told the king that he had found nothing Paul had done wrong.  The king was interested and wanted to hear what Paul had to say. 

Principle:  God will protect His servants from evil and use them according to His sovereign purpose.

Acts 26 – Paul Before Agrippa

Paul was brought before King Agrippa and allowed again to plead his case again.  He was probably happy for the opportunity to speak before Agrippa because it allowed him to preach the gospel to kings and rulers.  This was a fulfillment of what God promised at Paul’s conversion.  “Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” – Acts 9:15. 

In that day it was a custom for a person waved his hand to show honor and to praise the ruler.  As Paul began to speak, he waved his hand and gave praises to the king before he told his story.  Then Paul told his story again.  This time he emphasized different parts of the story.  He didn’t say he became blind or mention Ananias.  Instead he emphasized what Jesus said to him.  He said was he was a faithful Jew and believed he must persecute the followers of Jesus and that he had been compelled to do it.  Then he told how Jesus revealed Himself to him while on the road to Damasus.  Paul gave a full account of his experience.  He saw a great light.  Jesus called him by name and asked him why he was persecuting Him.  This changed Paul’s life and he understood that Jesus was alive.  Paul said he now preaches they all should repent and turn to God. 

Paul’s message before the king was that his aim was to give the gospel to the Gentiles.  He wanted to “… open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” – Acts 26:16-18. 

The Gentiles weren’t blind in a physical way, but in a spiritual way.  Satan was ruling over them making them in spiritual darkness.  Paul wanted them to turn away from spiritual darkness to light.  Satan rules over everyone who doesn’t accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Jesus called Satan the prince of this world in John 12:31; 14:30.  When you become a Christian, Satan doesn’t rule over you any longer.  God forgives your sins and the Holy Spirit comes to live in you.  You come into God’s light.  

Paul said after his conversion, he began to preach that people should repent and stop sinning.  They should ask God for help and start obeying Him.  Then he told them to prove they had repented by their deeds.  The Gentiles are important to God and belong to His family, too.  This is the reason the Jews seized him and tried to kill him.

As Paul was speaking, Festus interrupted and said “You are out of your mind …. your great learning is driving you insane” (Acts 26:25).  It is reasonable that Paul looked crazy.  Here a prisoner seemed to be happy; he insisted that God could raise the dead; he experienced a heavenly vision that changed his life; he was more concerned about proclaiming Jesus than his personal freedom; he had hope and believed in redemption for all people, even Gentiles.

Paul replied that he was not insane, but true and reasonable.  He knew the gospel was true.  He based this truth on historical events – his conversion, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  He knew that God may sometimes act as if He is above reason, but our ways are not His ways. 

Paul asked the king if he believed the prophets, knowing that he knew of them.  It’s just as people today who know of Jesus and who He is, but it makes no difference to them in the way they live.  The king asked Paul if he thought he could persuade him to be a Christian in such a short time.  I think the king was close to becoming a believer, but close doesn’t count.  He threw away his opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.  Paul said he would pray that he and others would listen to him.  The king decided Paul did not do anything that deserved death or imprisonment.  The king said Paul would have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.  Now he would have to go to Rome and stand before the Roman Emperor Nero for yet another trial.

Agrippa was the king, rich and famous, successful and had everything anyone could ever want.  He was probably embarrassed in front of all these people and worried about what they might think if he took Paul seriously.  Peer pressure is a powerful force to draw people away from God and keep them in this world.  People laugh at dirty jokes, go to drinking parties, cut corners at work, fudge on taxes and tell little white lies.  Agrippa knew about the Old Testament prophets, but he needed to repent of his sins and trust in Jesus as Savior.  Paul offered him saving faith which includes repentance.  It was his choice and he chose not to believe.

Have you committed yourself to Jesus when the choice was given to you?

If you were almost persuaded, what is keeping you from surrendering?

Principle:  To truly know Jesus as Savior should make a difference in the way you live.

If you are a believer, when was the last time you told someone your story of salvation?

Have you ever written out your testimony?  Here are three parts to remember when giving your testimony:

1.       Tell what you were like prior to salvation.  This identifies with those listening.

2.      Tell you were saved with emphasis on who Jesus is and what He did to save you.  This gives the opportunity to explain the gospel.

3.      Tell about the changes that have happened in your life since your salvation.  If you have a chance, make a personal invitation to your listeners.

Interesting note:  King Agrippa’s great-grandfather had tried to kill Jesus as a baby; his grandfather had John the Baptist beheaded; his father had martyred the first apostle, James.

Join me here next week for our next study of the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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