Sermon: The Aftermath - Dealing With Loss

Sermon: The Aftermath - Dealing With Loss

Acts 28:1-10 “Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result, we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.”

Introduction: After experiencing a 14-day violent storm, losing the cargo and the ship, escaping only with their lives, what is your next step? Right now, in this nation, I know many are wondering what my next step is. Many are preparing for another storm, while still wrestling with the aftermath of the previous storm. Those were the conditions faced by Apostle Paul and 275 traveling companions. The first thing we learn is that God can make strangers to be friends, friends in distress. Distress has a way of breaking down barriers and lines of separation. Those who would be normally despised or overlooked are often more friendly than the ones we call civilized. The people called barbarians in our text showed extreme kindness to total strangers. When Paul was bitten by a viper, the people thought that Paul was a murderer, and the viper was sent by Divine justice to settle the score. They knew that God governs the world, so that things do not happen by chance. The smallest events of life are under Divine direction. They assumed that evil always pursues sinners; that good works is always rewarded by God. Since murder was a dreadful crime, which should not go unpunished, Paul must have been guilty. But they thought all wicked people were punished in this life. Many make the same mistake in judgment as the people of Malta. Jesus had to address this same issue with his disciples who ask, who did sin that cause this man to be born blind? Why does a storm hit one house and leave another? Why does one person face a storm of sickness and overcome, yet others die of the same illness? Our God is sovereign and controls all things. Though some are made examples in this world, to prove that there is a God and a Providence, yet many are left unpunished, to prove that there is a judgment to come. They also thought all who were remarkably afflicted in this life were wicked people. Divine revelation sets this matter in a true light. Good men often are greatly afflicted in this life, for the trial and increase of their faith and patience.

When they saw Paul shake off the viper into the fire with no harm, they changed their minds. Like Paul, believers can shake off the trials of fire and overcome difficulty by the grace of God. God used the trials of Paul to open the door of ministry on the strange island. God opened a door for these people to receive the gospel message. The Lord knows how to raise up friends for his people in every place he leads them and can make them a blessing to those in affliction.

Acts 28 gives us some insight on dealing with the aftermath of a storm. The experts suggest that you should surround yourself with people you trust, talk through what you are feeling, stay involved with others, and don't expect too much from yourself or others under such difficult circumstances. You will find that you and your support network have what it takes to make it through these challenging times.

In Malta, shipwrecked, wet, cold, and confused, God empowers Paul to perform healing miracles which endear him to these strangers. Paul started serving others while he had problems of his own. He had been imprisoned for two years and was being sent to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. Paul began gathering wood for a fire, then he was bitten by a viper, I know he must have thought, “I don’t deserve all this!” “Why is all this happening to me?” Instead of complaining, he found a way to serve others.