PAUL AMONG THE BARBARIANS
Text: Acts 28:1-10
Introduction: "They all [276 souls] escaped to land."
Again Paul suffers shipwreak. He is now
a prisoner on his way to Rome because He
had appealed to Caesar.
Theme: Few have had such glimpses of heavenly
things as Paul, and suffered so much for
the cause of Christ.
I. Unexpected Kindness
A. "The barbarous people showed us no little
kindness:..."
1. not savages - just not Romans or Greek
speaking people
2. had the "milk" of human kindness in their
hearts
B. Lord has many ways of scattering crumbs of
comfort to those who fear His name.
C. Jn 21:9 - "As soon as they were come to land,
they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid
thereon, and bread."
D. Paul may have looked upon this particular fire
as if it, too, had been kindled by the hand of
Jesus the Christ.
II. Humble Service
A. "Paul gathered a bundle of sticks."
1. willing to serve others
2. To be greatest of all is to be servant
of all (Mk 9:35; 10:44).
B. Paul tended the fire of his own volition, i.e.,
pro-active eleemosynary propensities.
C. Heb 10:24 - "...consider one another to
provoke unto love and good works:"
III. Another Trial
A. "Then came a viper out of the heat, and fast-
ened on his [Paul’s] hand, and he shook off
the beast into the fire." - Acts 28: 3, 5
B. As Paul was trying to bring comfort to others,
he became suddenly and unexpectedly in the
grip of a poisonous viper.
1. Why? He does not know.
2. "What have I done to deserve this?
3. He believes that "All things work together
[emphasis "together"] for good to them
that love God..."
C. "Those who would sacrifice themselves for the
warming up of their shivering fellow-creatures
need not be surprised that the HEAT should
bring to life some snake that will seek to
fasten itself to the hand of mercy." -- Source
unknown.
D. It[the trial] provides a temptation to sin,
either in thought or act.
1. Shake the slimy thing off into the fire
from whence it came!
2. Possess your soul in patience, i.e., Luke
21:19.
IV. False Judgement
A. First a murderer; then, a god (see also,
Acts 14:8-19 - Paul and Barnabus).
B. There is not much between the frown and the
favor of those who do not know the truth
as it is found in Christ Jesus (Jn. 14:6)
C. Satan tries to spoil the good that men would
do.
V. Rewards
A. Islanders of Malta/Melita had helped those
shipwrecked.
B. Publius’ father healed of a fever.
C. Others healed of their diseases (Acts 28:9).
D. According to Matt. 10:42, if a cup of cold
water is given in Jesus’ name - God will
bless the giver.
Conclusion: Be about the work of the Lord. Do not
selfishly hold back. Satan may bite but
he can be shaken off. God [El-ROI] sees
and knows. Needs will be supplied.
