Acts 27:1-42; Acts 28:1-10, Bro. Daniel Abalos, GCF Durham
Introduction:
This is about Paul's journey from Caesarea to Rome. He was sent to prison in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel, being accused by the Jewish religious leaders of a crime he did not commit. Being a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar in Rome to defend himself of the charges being laid. Eventually, he boarded the ship together with other prisoners to Rome. However, the ship got caught in the middle of the storm towards their destination, turns out they shipwrecked but landed safely in a small island called Malta. After staying in the island for a while, Paul eventually arrived in Rome as promised by God.
1. Reason - (Acts 27:20-22)
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.
2. Revelation - (Acts 27:23-26)
23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
3. Response - (Acts 27:4-6)
4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
4. Release/Revival - (Acts 28:7-10)
7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.