How To Survive A Shipwreck

Reading: chapter 27 verses 1-22:

Ill:

• Many Christians use car stickers to witness (bad drivers – God gets the blame!)

• Many non-Christians also use car stickers displaying messages.

• Some advertise a club or society e.g. scouts, caravan club.

• Some tell you where they have been, e.g. Poultons park, Alton Towers.

Some are humorous:

• There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.

• 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

• Dyslexics of the World: 'Untie!'

• Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home

• Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?

• I love cats...they taste just like chicken

• The best one I have read is:

• If you can read this, I’ve lost my caravan!

Some reveal a persons hobbies or desires:

• I would rather be skiing, sky-diving etc

• I would rather be sailing.

• Acts chapter 27 starts off with everybody wanting to be sailing;

• But it finishes with everybody sinking!

(A). The Start (verses 1-8):

• This first section of this chapter reads like a page out of a ship's log.

• It gives us the list of important passengers who were onboard this voyage;

(1). The travellers (vs 1-2).

(a). Luke (verse 1).

• “When it was decided that we would sail for Italy”,

• Notice the little word ‘we’ in verse 1 (also verse 4 & 6).

• This informs us that Luke has rejoined Paul once again.

• He has been absent from the narrative since chapter 21 verse 18, but now he’s back.

Luke was a Gentile:

• The only Gentile to write any of the New Testament books of the Bible,

• Luke’s Gospel & Acts.

• He was a skilful doctor, a devoted friend and a careful historian,

• All wrapped up in one!

• Now he was back with Paul, on hand to sail for Italy and to get to Rome.

• And Luke remains with Paul to the very end of his life (2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 11).

Luke is a glowing example of the professional man:

• Who uses his skills in the service of the Lord,

• And gives himself to go wherever God sends.

(b). Aristarchus (verse 2).

“Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us”.

(a).

• Aristarchus first appears in the book of Acts

• In chapter 19 verse 29.

• He was willingly to risk his life when a riot broke out in Ephesus.

• And like Paul he was captured by the mob.

(b).

• His devotion to Paul is seen when he became voluntary prisoner.

• Quote: Colossians chapter 4 verse 10 he is called a “Fellow prisoner”.

Ill:

• In order to travel with Paul to Rome:

• Both Luke & Aristarchus would pose as Paul's slaves.

• This meant that they became volunteer prisoners;

• And they were allowed to accompany him.

• So that he could be a help and comfort to the apostle.

• He was a voluntary prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

(c).

• According to tradition,

• Aristarchus, like Paul, suffered martyrdom under Nero.

• Words of Jesus;

• “Greater love have no-man than this………”

Aristarchus is the type of friend everybody needs:

• He sticks with Paul through thick and thin;

• Ill: A riot, an uncomfortable voyage, a terrifying storm, even a prison cell and death!

• Aristarchus did not look for the easy option.

• He did not run when the going got tough, he suffered with Paul and laboured with Paul.

(3). Julius (verse 1)

• Paul, Luke, Aristarchus and some other prisoners who were also bound for Rome,

• Were placed in the custody of a centurion named Julius.

• Julius belonged to the Imperial Regiment;

• A special unit that acted as liaison officers between the Empower and the provinces.

• To hold that position would suggest that Julius;

• Was a man of long experience and with an excellent military record.

• Like other centurions mentioned in the New Testament he was a man of integrity.

• All through this voyage Julius, the Roman centurion

• Will treat Paul with kindness and consideration which was more than mere courtesy.

• e.g. verse 3

(2). The trip (verse 2):

• The ship set sail from its home port Adramyttium (Ad-ra-mid-i-um):

• Adramyttium (Ad-ra-mid-I-um) was located near Troas (modern-day Turkey).

• Going from there to Pheonix,

• They would have little trouble finding a larger ship sailing to Italy.

• The plan was to reach the imperial city by the end of October,

• So they put out to sea, and the next day made it to Sidon, seventy miles to the north.