Acts of the Apostles - part 35: Courage in the Face of Danger

Questions for Further Study:

Have you experienced concern over the recent direction changes of our government? 

Have you faced trouble with friends and/or family because of your opinions? 

Have you witnessed unloving behavior from your friends? Have you been unloving?

Do you have relationships, that can be mended, that you need to seek reconciliation in?

Paul walked into situations he knew would be painful. Have you done that? Explain. 

Romans 8:28 is famous, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Can you describe a time God worked for good despite or because of your pain?

How do you understand James 1:2-4 “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.”

Courage in the Face of Danger

Acts 27 — 28:10

Introduction - An Anxious Time

It’s an unsettling time

Wars, Uncertain Economy, Shifting Global Alliances

Many support President Trump, his administration, his agenda

Some are “wait and see”

Many are concerned about the future of the country

If you are pleased, hear me

Many are worried, be kind to them

Let’s agree change is hard and Much is changing

Show Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 13:5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 13:6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 13:7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

If you are worried, hear me

God is on the throne, immutable, omnipotent, good

His plan’s are often obscure to His people

1990’s Gaither Song “Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name.” 

Philippians 2:9-11  As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 

In our story Paul was scared, but he continued anyway

PRAY

Quick Review

Paul in Jerusalem

Accused by mob - defends himself

Accused by Sanhedrin - defends himself

Assassination attempted - failed

Paul in Caesarea 

Accused by Sanhedrin before Felix - defends himself

Accused by Sanhedrin before Festus — defends himself

Appeals his case to Caesar 

Testifies before Festus and King Agrippa 

Off to Rome

27:1-3  When it was decided we would sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 27:2 We went on board a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to various ports along the coast of the province of Asia and put out to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 27:3 The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him to go to his friends so they could provide him with what he needed.

They sail from Caesarea up coast to Sidon, around Cyprus

They sail to Crete landing in Fair Havens

They are traveling “after the fast” Yom Kippur in October

It’s the wrong time of year to sail, Pau warns them…

27:9-11  Paul advised them, 27:10 “Men, I can see the voyage is going to end in disaster and great loss not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 27:11 But the centurion was more convinced by the captain and the ship’s owner than by what Paul said.

Imagine being Luke.

What! Paul said we’re sailing toward disaster! AHHHH!

Paul is a prophet! AHHHH

Julius, the captain, the owner are aiming for Phoenix

Phoenix is a good port for winter

They set out with a helpful breeze

Then a winter storm comes in

They are blown away from the island

They are battered by the storm for two weeks

They try to survive

Lash ropes around the ship

Throw anchors to slow them - avoiding crashing on island

Throw cargo overboard

Throw most of ships tack overboard

They lose all hope of survival

Paul encourages them to eat

Paul shares a word from the LORD

27:22-24 ...keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship will be lost. 27:23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve came to me 27:24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar, and God has graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing with you.’

Paul advises them to run aground on an island

The finally crew eats

They aim the ship toward the shore of an island

The run aground some distance from shore

27:42-44  Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them would escape by swimming away. 27:43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul’s life, prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land, 27:44 and the rest were to follow, some on planks and some on pieces of the ship. And in this way all were brought safely to land.

Locals are kind, build fire, welcome sailors

28:3  When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

Locals assume Paul is villain

He doesn’t die, therefore he is a god

Island Chief welcome’s Paul and friends

Paul heals chief’s dad AND everyone else

Islanders honor Paul 

Eventually they sail away, Islanders supply their needs

Paul is consistently Courageous in the face of Danger

He met the LORD, began teaching Jesus is Messiah

Jew’s hated him

First Missionary Journey

Jews incite mob Pisidian Antioch “threw them out of their region”

Jews and Gentiles try and stone him in Iconium

Same Jews follow him to Lystra, stone him, leave him for dead

The next day on to Derbe

Then BACK to Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch appointing elders

Third Journey

Warned many times of suffering in Jerusalem

He goes anyway

In his own words…

2 Corinthians 11:24-27  Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. 11:25 Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea. 11:26 I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers, 11:27 in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing.

Conclusion: Courage Faces Danger

Why strive for courage and face danger?

God has numbered the hairs on your head

He knows the blessings He has for you

God knows which will be your final moment on earth

God’s will is unalterable

Job 42:2-6

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; 42:3 you asked, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’ But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. 42:4 You said, ‘Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ 42:5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you. 42:6 Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes! 

Pray

Benediction

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 3:6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.