To the Ends of the Earth, Part 39
6 Pictures of God’s Provision (Part 1)
Acts 27:1-26
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- Last week: Will (TY) encouraged us with a challenge around complete faith
-- “Almost Faith” is not enough when it comes to a life in Christ; it is a denial
-- We must either be committed to Him, or we refuse the grace that He brings
- Sad to say, today we are in the final stretch; down to the last 4 messages of Acts
-- Acts 27; we will break this message up unto two parts – 6 “portraits” to discuss
-- My hope is: it’ll give us time to consider and to see God’s faithfulness to us
- Read Acts 27:1-26 / Pray
Point 1 – A picture of the journey to Rome
- Want us to realize that this will be the final journey for Paul; his last hurrah
-- Going to appeal to Ceasar had problems of its own for citizens during this time
- Even with an acquaintance formed between Paul and his jailor (Julius)
-- Going to Rome like this (with an escort) could only mean 1 of 2 things ahead:
1. People appealed to Ceasar as a last-ditch effort to prolong their life, or,
2. They had been condemned to serve as entertainment in the gladiator games
- RE. These games were the “mortal combat” of the day
-- They were held to feed the bloodthirst desire of a violent society
-- APP: It was a true indication of the times they lived in (sinful, self-fulfilling)
- In these games, men were paired off to fight for the pleasure of a stadium
-- After the fight, the final outcome was determined by the crowd
-- If the losing gladiator fought well, the crowd might spare his life
-- Otherwise, the gladiator would be killed – again, for the crowd’s pleasure
- Knowing this was ahead, Paul and these others still choose to go to Rome
-- RE: Paul of course, is proceeding under the promise that Jesus had given him
-- Acts 23:11, “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
- They traveled on a ship from Caesarea along the coastline (IMAGE)
-- We also know that Luke and Aristarchus accompanied him on this journey
-- Note the language in (v2) … “with us” is used; indicates Paul was not alone
- Notes:
• Luke had not been with Paul since his arrest in Acts 21, but is back now
• Aristarchus is a disciple in the early Thessalonian church
- APP: When we face great trials, not being alone is a key to remember
- LESSON: Is someone in your life going through something? Check on them!
- We also see that since Paul had developed a bit of a friendship with Julius (v3)
-- He was even allowed to go & visit believers, who were able to comfort him
- Original language states Julius gave Paul favor:
-- Greek: epitrepó; to allow or permit
-- Greek: epimeleia; to receive care or attention
- TR: Honestly, this would not be a great trip – but at least Paul had assistance
-- Perhaps Julius knew what was ahead (pity), either way, Paul was on his way
Point 2 – A picture of greed and Godly counsel
- To be frank, this would be the worst time for sailing the Mediterranean
-- The timeframe we know: it is late fall, just before the winter months begin
-- Storms / rough seas make this the worst time to take a voyage on the open sea
Show the IMAGE of the journey
- During this voyage, the winds would be against them; strong and forceful
-- They are headed North with a severe wind blowing directly at them
-- Even using the mainland to break the force of the wind was not much help
-- As you can see, they went to the inner passage to try to find some relief
-- Until finally, they landed in Myra where they boarded a larger ship (v6)
- These ships usually carried grain and supplies routinely to Italy
-- Leaving Myra, they would encounter the same horrible weather as before
-- However, note the image – they would be without land to slow the winds
- We are even told (v9) that sailing during this time was dangerous
-- They were past the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur (mid-Oct)
-- So, Paul tries a one last ditch attempt to insert some wisdom: (re-read v10)
- But alas, Paul’s counsel was rejected … but do you see why?
-- The captain of the ship wants to press forward (hint: because he’s being paid!)
-- This is not a free trip for anyone – not to mention the supplies he is carrying
-- The fact that Julius has chartered this ship means one thing: money is involved!
- FACT: These ships often carried passengers as well as supplies
-- SEE: Captain has the chance to make a little extra cash / gain favor from Rome
- Paul was rejected because the harbor they had landed in was unsuitable (v12)
-- It was not a comfortable place to stay the winter, but not just for its construction
-- Why? It lacked many conveniences and pleasures for the crew to enjoy
-- Fact is, Fair Havens’ harbor was a bit of a hole in the ground in the Med.
-- It’s enough to resupply at … but not enough to spend several months tied up
- Know this: People will risk life & limb for their own comforts & pleasures
-- Getting more out of the world often drives us to seek our own gratification
-- They are not willing to listen to reason; rather, are driven by their own appetite
- NOTE: Jesus taught clearly on this and warned us of acting out of greed
-- Luke 12:15, “Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (implication: how much you can get)
- APP: Paul is trying to give them some realistic (read: useful) wisdom
-- Consider: This would be something known to the captain of this ship!
-- However, their choice is to press on thinking, “We can handle this …”
- TR: Weighted by greed as their motivator, we see …
Point 3 – A picture of a deceptive calm and great courage
- Fooled by a calm day in the weather, they head out for the open seas again
-- All of a sudden, nature seems to have blessed them, and so they set sail (v13)
-- Consider the fake days of “summer” we get right now … it’s not staying around
-- How do I know? It doesn’t take long for the weather to change! (one verse: v14)
- A violent storm comes at them, called a Euroclydon (aka Nor’easter)
-- This would quite physically impede all travel – at least safe travel – by water
-- The word use indicates a hurricane force storm … think: nearly impassable!
- When the bible tells us in v15 that they “gave up” … understand this meaning:
-- Greek: epididómi; to give up or to give over … they literally lost all control!
-- They did everything they could just to survive, preparing lifeboat, tossing cargo
-- All while trying to avoid rocks, sandbars, and other dangers in the open waters
-- Mentally: It would only be natural for a depression to set in amongst the crew
-- Defeat and a no-win situation has a natural way of ruining our optimism …
- But … note what rises up here during the time when all seems lost! FAITH!
-- God’s man, Paul, steps forward with a commanding courage to speak
1. He proclaims the failure of the worldly decision to press forward (v21)
2. He proclaims God’s promise to him and the crew (v22)
3. He proclaimed his faith in God’s promise to him (v23)
4. He even proclaimed the necessity of being tried, but God is still in it (v24)
- Now, honestly, what could this possibly mean for Seasons Church in 2024?
BIG IDEA
- FACT: The testimony of faith in God is enduring to the end, through the trials!
-- Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-13, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
- Paul’s declaration to these men was what he knew of God’s faithfulness!
• Even in the midst of this pending trial in Rome – God would be faithful
• Even in this disastrous storm, with shipwreck ahead – God is (still) good
• Even in light of a no-win situation – God still wins if you belong to Him!
- Paul knew that God’s promise to deliver and protect him is all he ever needed
-- For us: God’s promise to save you from your own trials also stands just as firm
-- Phil 1:6 says … (He who began a …) – this is a promise of God’s capability!
-- The challenge is will we cling to Him or hold to our own knowledge/desires?
- We’ll pick this up next week … Pray
