Don’t Give Out, Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In!

DON’T GIVE OUT, DON’T GIVE UP, DON’T GIVE IN!

Acts 28:1-10

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. A man went to visit a psychiatrist one day. When the Dr. came in, he asked, "What can I do for you today? What seems to be the problem?"

2. "I have a problem. Every single time I go to the grocery store, when I pass the dog food section, something in me tells me that I need to open a can of Alpo dog food and eat it. I have this tremendous craving to eat dog food!"

3. The Dr. said, "Well, this is a little different from anything I've ever dealt with before. How long have you been dealing with this problem?"

4. The man said, "Ever since I was a puppy!"

5. This man is very confused about who he really is. If you were a dog by identity, then Alpo is what he would be looking for.

6. Just as that gentleman was confused, many Christians are confused about their identity in Christ. We need to know who we are and the power that is our in Christ! [Tony Evans, p. 46.]

B. SCRIPTURE

1Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 5But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

C. THESIS

1. The Apostle Paul and 275 others were sailing across the Mediterranean Sea, when they encountered a horrendous storm for 2 weeks.

2. At last the ship was driven onto the island Malta, and battered to pieces by the storm. The centurion in charge ordered everyone to abandon ship.

3. The crew and passengers jumped overboard and used wreckage to float to shore. They all arrived safely as God had promised!

4. They had just survived one of the most traumatic events of their lives: two weeks in a hurricane-like storm.

a. They were exhausted.

b. They were emotionally drained.

c. They were wet and cold.

d. They were in a confusing place and the rain and storm were still howling. [Are there times you feel this?]

3. BUT THEY TOOK TIME TO BUILD A FIRE. When you are exhausted/drained/cold -- -- -- IT’S TIME TO BUILD A FIRE! This fire represents Paul stirring up the Holy Spirit wherever he went.

4. REVIVAL FIRES ARE NOT AUTOMATIC – THEY MUST BE FED!

a. Paul didn’t wait for the weather to improve.

b. He didn’t wait for someone else to pray.

c. He said, “It’s going to start with me!”

d. God is ready to release spiritual power all the time.

5. THE FIRES OF REVIVAL ARE FED WITH THE DRY THINGS OF YOUR LIVES: Wood, leaves, etc. – dead religion, cold hearts, dry eyes, old faith, lifeless prayers…They all belong in the fire and once there, they kindle the fire faster!

6. THE FIRE BROUGHT OUT THE SERPENT! The devil won’t bother a church as long as it is dead and lifeless. But…as soon as it begins to position itself for revival, the serpent will raise his ugly head to prevent it.

7. Title: “Don’t Give Out, Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In!”

I. PAUL’S SEASON OF THE PERFECT STORM

A. PAUL’S DIFFICULTIES

1. This passage is at the tail end of a long season of storm in the life of St. Paul. We’re all aware of his many persecutions, physical afflictions, imprisonments, shipwrecks, etc.

2. He had just finished serving three years in prison without trial and was on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar (a very scary proposition).