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.
From what Paul said, it appeared that he did not know what he was talking about.
But he was right, look at-
III. THE STORM
Look at verses 14-20, we read, “But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”
Notice, the Bible says it was not long before what Paul said would happen, did happen!
The storm came down from Europe, it was a “tempestuous wind”, and it was driving the ship wherever it wanted to take it.
Look at verse 15. We read, “And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.”
This storm, Euroclydon, was in the driver’s seat and everyone on the ship did not like the way it was driving.
One reason that the ship did not sink that night, was that Paul was in the will of God, and God wanted him to go to Rome.
Remember, when Paul was at Ephesus he said, in Acts 19:21, “After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
WAS PAUL IN THE WILL OF GOD WANTING TO GO TO ROME?
He most certainly was. Look at Acts 23:11, “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”
The Lord assured Paul he would go to Rome, and notice, God sent a “Tempestuous wind” to drive the ship.
IV. THE EXHORTATION
Now Paul could have gotten to Rome the easy way, but since these men were stubborn, God used a storm to drive the ship.
And it looked like they were about to lose their lives because they ignored what the MAN OF GOD had said.
But Paul reminded them of ignoring his warning.
Look at verses 21-32. We read, “But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.”
The men were preparing to flee from the ship, and in verse 31, “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.”
Notice, they already had made one fatal mistake of not listening to the man of God, but they were not going to make that mistake again.
Look at-
V. THE RESCUE
Look at verses 33-44. We read, “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”
Notice, the Bible says in verse 44, “…And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”
Conclusion:
God certainly kept His promise to Paul, ALL landed safe.
God always keeps all of His promises.
There are times it may look like His Word is not going to take place, BUT IF GOD SAYS IT, THAT SETTLES IT!
This wonderful voyage that Paul took, reveals that to us.
I. THE VOYAGE
II. THE WARNING
III. THE STORM
IV. THE EXHORTATION
V. THE RESCUE
