Acts Of The Apostles 38 Of 39

What makes these cruises so special, is that for those days on the cruise people get to live the pampered life.

When they get back from the cruise, it takes them several days for reality to set back in, and they start to live in the real world again.

In our text, we see the apostle Paul is on a cruise, but as he traveled on the ship that he was on, he was not pampered as some of us have been pampered on these cruises we have taken.

Let’s look at-

I. THE VOYAGE

When Paul sailed to Italy, he was not traveling as a passenger, he was being delivered there as a prisoner.

Look at verses 1-2. We read, “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.”

The only time that Paul came close to getting any type of pampering is found in verse 3. We read, “And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.”

Julius is believed to have been a Roman soldier.

Illus: Dr. J. Vernon McGee said, “I am of the opinion that here is a Roman Soldier official (Julius) whom Paul reached with the Gospel. His treatment of Paul is gracious...”

It is so nice in this life when people are kind to us. It certainly makes our voyage through life more pleasant.

But as Paul continued on this voyage, things were not that difficult yet.

Look at Verses 4-8. We read, “And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.”

As they were headed for the Island of Crete, the only problem they encountered was that the wind was not blowing, which caused them some problems in sailing.

Everything up to this point was very pleasant. But this was the calm before the storm. Look at-

II. THE WARNING

Look at verses 9-13. We read, “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

Because there was a lack of wind, verse 9 says they spent “Much time” at almost a standstill.

This delay led to a very serious problem. The delay cause them to approach the time of the year when sailing was dangerous.

They were hoping to reach Rome before this dangerous time came.

This meant that it was late in the season, and that winter was fast approaching.

But Paul, though he was a prisoner, without all the sophisticated equipment we have today, warned them not to go.

Look at verse 10, we read, “And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.”

He was nice about it, but he wanted to go on record stating what he believed.

But the centurion supported what the captain of the ship said, IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT FOR THEM TO SAIL!

And it certainly appeared to be that the captain of the ship was correct.

Look at verse 13. We read, “And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.”

Crete was the largest island, and was known for it’s beautiful harbors.