-
Paul's Last Journey
Contributed by Robert Kerr on Feb 11, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: About knowing and doing God’s will
PAUL’S LAST JOURNEY Acts 27:10-25
Intro: I have been teaching through the book of Acts for several weeks, and on February 18th, in a little over one month, I will get to this text. There are 4 things Paul knew about this voyage that I would like to share with you tonight.
I/ Paul knew the way would be Dangerous(read: vs 10)
a. This tells us something about the foresight of God being passed on to his children. In Gen 18:17, "And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do"
Sometimes God warns me, sometimes He warns my wife.
b. The clearness of sight depends on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 2:9-10a But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: It means we have to be a Christian, and one purpose of the Holy Spirit is to guide us.
c. Such discernment also depends on the closeness of our walk with the Lord, and our obedience to His will.
Gen 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
II/ Paul knew of God’s Protection (read: vs 22)
a. Faith is only manifest in the mist of a storm!
b. Example: Jesus asleep in the boat(Mark 4:37-41)
c. That is when the world can see the value of our faith!
d. Be prepared because there are many things coming into each of our lives, which will require that kind of faith.
III/ Paul knew of God’s Presence and His Purpose(read: vs 23)
a. But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake" (Acts 9:15-16).
b. We have a similar commission in Matthew 28:19,20
IV/ Paul knew how to help others (read vs 25 & 31)
a. We cannot help others if we are blind (Not in Christ).
b. We cannot help others if we are too busy helping ourselves.
c. We cannot help others if we are not sure of our relationship to God (look back at vs23)
CONCLUSION: In some sense, We are all on our Last Journey, let us
(1)Know it is dangerous
(2)Know that we are under God’s protection,
(3)Know God has a plan