A Purposeful Maritime • Acts 27 • Main Sanc

Review & Overview

Good morning everyone, as you can see Pastor Clark is not in this morning.

He is in the Philippines visiting our 2 sister churches with Pastor Hinchey and Pastor Bem Bem there in Bacolod and Hymamyland

He will be speaking at Pastor Hinchey’s church. He’s gonna be Speaking at a Pastors Conference. 

He’s going to be Ordaining 2 pastors at Hymamylan for Bem Bem. 

so be sure keep him in your prayers that God would use him mightily over there and that God would bring him back safe and sound.  

And if you don’t know me my name is Anthony I am one of the pastors on staff here and I serve in the High School ministry.

I a humbled to be here today and looking forward to studying the bible with you all this morning.

If you have your bible turn with me to Acts 27

1. Previous Study’s Review

Chapter 27 falls under the tail end of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey.

Acts 19:21 The Holy Spirit gave Paul the desire to go to Rome and be a witness in Rome.

But before him going to Rome he wants to honor God by celebrating one of the mandatory feasts of the Jews. Probably pentecost.

So he goes to Jerusalem and when he got there the Jews attempted to kill Paul.

Paul then shared his testimony and the gospel which caused a riot and his incarceration.

So beginning in Chapter 22 Paul has been defending his faith in Jesus Christ in a court setting and so far he has defended his faith 5 times...

As he was defending his faith to Festus the Roman governor Paul said in Chp. 25:11 I appeal to Caesar so Festus said then to Caesar you shall go.

Remember Paul was a Roman citizen

So Paul & 275 others people were gathered together & they are ready to sail to Rome in Italy.

2. Current Study’s Overview

And that brings us to our portion of scripture for today. Look at Vs. 1...

The Title of Today’s Message is: A Purposeful Maritime

Well as you can see in our quick reading of today’s scripture this section contains a detailed account of Paul’s sea voyage to Rome.

This brings up the question: Why did Luke go into such lengthy detail about the voyage from Caesarea to Rome?

And from what I can see there are a couple of reasons:

First, to show God’s Sovereign protection and direction in Paul’s ministry - It was God’s will for the apostle to minster the Gospel in Rome.

Second, to show Paul’s leadership. Paul does come off as the one who is in control during this ocean travel & shipwreck.

If your taking notes today, there are 5 elements to Paul’s Sea Voyage to Rome...

1. The Population on the Voyage Vs. 1-3

2. The Locations of the Voyage Vs. 4-8

3. The Complication during the Voyage Vs. 9-20

4. The Conviction Regarding the Voyage Vs. 21-38

5. The Completion of the Voyage Vs. 39-44

1. The Population on the Voyage Vs. 1-3 (3)

1.1 The Prisoners & Julius Vs. 1

So they start off by setting sail from Caesarea about 30 miles north of Joppa in Israel.

We don’t know how many prisoners there were but in Vs. 37 we know there was a total of 276 people.

A mixture of prisoners, soldiers, and sailors.

Then we are introduced to a man named Julius who is a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.

Julius like other centurions is put in a good light in scripture, they are often used by the Lord as we’ll see in a moment.

And also notice the plural pronoun WE in Vs. 1. Clearly the author Luke is traveling with Paul to Italy. We haven’t heard from Luke since chp. 21

1.2 The Port & Aristarchus Vs. 2

Adramyttium is a port on the N.E. coast of Asia Minor in the Aegean sea near Troas.

Then we are introduced to Aristarchus who was on Paul’s 3rd missionary journey, and was seized by the mob in Ephesus back in chp. 19

He also returned to Jerusalem with Paul bringing the relief funds to the poor saints in Jerusalem.

1.3 Sidon & Julius’ Kindness Vs. 3

Sidon is about 70 miles north of Caesarea which is modern day Lebanon.

But did you notice how Julius treated Paul kindly, why would he do that? Why would Julius give Paul such liberty and freedom? (Pause)

We’re not told the exact reason why Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends.

Especially in light of Pauls charges against him. He was blamed for riots in the city of Jerusalem

The actual charge that was brought before Felix was that he was a plague and creator of dissension for the jews he was a ring leader of Christians.

You don’t give that kind of prisoner that kind of liberty and freedom.

In addition, the consequences for a roman soldier that lost a prisoner was often times death.

So why would a centurion allow this? I think it’s obvious, because he trusted Paul. (Paul)

Here we see Paul’s example of a great leader: A leader is trustworthy...

Because a leader you can’t trust is no leader at all...

He may be a man with power who can force people to do what he wants but he is no leader.

In the time of Paul’s imprisonment in Cesarea and in this 1 days journey.

Paul had caused the centurion to believe that he would never do anything that would harm Julius personally.

Julius was convinced that Paul would not take advantage of the liberty he gave to Paul for escape.

So the question is: How did Paul earn that respect? How does one earn trust?

“When people are convinced you will do everything in your power for there good and nothing for their harm.” That is when people will trust you.

A trustworthy leader is not consumed about self and their ambitions.

A trustworthy leader is someone who proves to everyone that the interest of others is what they care about the most.

In other words a true leader must have a heart of a servant.

If you can show people you have their best interest at heart, they’ll follow you. And Julius was convinced of that.

APPLICATION: And this is a good example for all of here today. Because in a very general sense, we’re all leaders. And the bible is clear...

Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

2. The Locations of the Voyage Vs. 4-8

ADD MORE INFO IN THIS SECTION ON WHAT IS HAPPENING

So here are 7 additional locations listed...

Cyprus: is an island about 60 miles off the Phoenician coastline from Syria - They went to the NE side of the island to get away from the westerly winds or the contrary winds.

Cilicia, Pamphylia & Lycia: All speak of the southern shore of Asia Minor or Turkey.

Then they take an Alexandrian Ship a ship that is from the city of Alexandria and they head to...

Cnidus: which is on the SW side of Asia Minor

Salmone: which is on the East side of Crete

Fair havens: which is on the south side of Crete - 600 miles from Caesarea

1. The Population on the Voyage 2. The Locations of the Voyage

3. The Complication during the Voyage Vs. 9-20 (4)

3.1 The Fast, Spirit Speaking, Initiative Vs. 9-12

So the word fast in Vs. 9 in the original language refers to a fast that would have occured on the Day of Atonement which is found back in Lev 16:29, which falls in late Sept or in October.

This would be near the end of the usual shipping season, when travel on the Mediterranean became too hazardous to attempt.

In addition, Fair Havens wasn’t the most ideal port for winter, especially because it wasn’t near any major city so it wasn’t really that attractive to sailors to stay.

So vs. 12 says that the majority advised to set sail from there so that they could reach phoenix.

There they wanted to stay for the winter, which was still on the island of Crete but a better port and much more protected.

But Paul advised them to not do it, he said don’t set sail, because if you do, it’ll result in disaster with the loss of the ship & lives.

APPLICATION: Here I believe that the H.S. was simply moving in the heart of Paul, this was not a direct revelation by God because no one lost their life.

But I believe it was the Holy Spirit speaking softly & simply to Paul not to set sail. It was heavenly wisdom.

It is so important for us to stop & listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to us in our lives, because typically the Lord doesn’t speak to us in a loud & dramatic way...

1 Kings 19:11 NKJV

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

1 Kings 19:12 NKJV

12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

3. The Complication during the Voyage Vs. 9-20 (4)

Moreover, here we see Paul exhibit another leadership quality: Write this in your notes, A Leader Takes The Initiative.

Notice at the end of Vs. 9 Paul advised them!? What!? Who was Paul to advise these professional sailors? He was a prisoner...

There was a captain, the right hand man to the captain, high ranking sailors, the centurion, other soldiers, all of them would have strong opinions to leave fair havens.

Everyone had good reason to get going but Paul against popular opinion said no.

Leaders rise in times of crisis by taking the initiative.

A leader never says oh we have a problem, someone should do something about it.

A leader says here’s the problem and here’s the solution.

He takes initiative even when it is against popular opinion.

Also, bring your attention to the motives of the majority. they were motivated by selfish desire not by wisdom.

No doubt the captain of the ship wanted to get his paycheck and deliver the grain to Italy.

He didn’t want to pay for the fee to dock his ship the whole winter.

I’m sure the soldiers wanted to go back home in Rome to see their family.

The soldiers would much rather be at a port like phoenix where it was closer to a city they can visit.

But Paul took the initiative and advised them against popular opinion not to set sail.

APPLICATION: And you know sometimes life brings us into similar scenarios.

The world pulls us in its direction, prodding us to follow the majority's voice, which seems so reasonable, so safe, and even enticing.

However, just as Paul learned, the majority isn't always right.

Being a follower of Christ means that there may be times when we stand alone, guided by the Holy Spirit's whisper instead of the world's loud clamor. 

When we walk with the Lord, we may find ourselves in opposition to popular opinion or conventional wisdom.

And it's challenging, and sometimes, it's disheartening to be the lone voice in the wilderness.

But remember, we're in good hands.

1 Corinthians 1:25 NKJV

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

3. The Complication during the Voyage Vs. 9-20 (4)

3.2 Typhoon & Type of Boat Vs. 13-15

So they run into a tempestuous head wind...

Tempestuous Greek= too-fo-nee-kos, only used here, and it’s where we get our english word typhoon.

So they literally run into typhoon

Now this particular ship was about 140 ft long, the beam was 36 ft and draft was about 33 ft.

This particular ship that they were on carried cargo of grain & 276 passengers.

So it was a good size ship but, it had only a single sail and a single mast. The sail was in the center of the ship and it was square so it wasn’t really great for going against the wind so they just let her drive they just let her go with the wind.

3.3 Rescue Boat & Undergirding Vs. 16-17

So the skiff is the rescue boat that they were tugging along and it was really hard for them to secure it and bring it on board.

Now the term "undergird" there in Vs. 17 refers to a nautical procedure often called "frapping" that was used in ancient times to help stabilize ships in distress, especially during storms. 

They would pass cables, ropes or chains under the frame of the ship to prevent the wooden planks from separating under the stress of heavy seas.

It was a kind of temporary repair to hold the ship together. and it typically was not an easy task, especially in the conditions described here.

3.4 No Hope Because Worldly Counsel Vs. 18-20

So there was a general consensus that this is it. We are all going to die, we are not going to make it out of this alive.

All because they didn’t listen to Paul and the Godly counsel he had, instead they listened to the sailors or the wordly counsel, they tried to save themselves and ended up losing all hope of being saved.

APPLICATION: It’s so important to listening to Godly counsel & not try to fix our own problems, but rely on what the Lord says in His Word & turning to Him for help in time of need and confusion and indecision.

APPLICATION: This is a good reminder for all of us, we should listen to Godly wisdom not worldly wisdom...

1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

James 3:14–17 NKJV

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

This is exactly what Paul did He relied on Godly wisdom which gave Him good judgment.

3. The Complication during the Voyage Vs. 9-20 (4)

Another Leadership Quality we get from Paul is: A Leader Relies on Godly Wisdom.

According to the world a leader is a risk taker, a stunt man.

And look, Leaders are called upon to make a certain calculated risk but a good leader never makes a decision that is a pure gamble.

wise leaders don’t bet w/ the lives of their people. They don’t place their people under potential hazards.

Paul’s advise was from God therefore it was good judgement the majority on the other hand was gambling w/ everyones life.

They casted their fate to the wind, and that is not wise leadership.

The way a person loses trust and credibility is when you lead people down a destitute road.

1. The Population on the Voyage 2. The Locations of the Voyage

3. The Complication during the Voyage

4. The Confirmation regarding the Voyage Vs. 21-38

4.1 I Told You So Vs. 21

Paul, the men haven’t eat for a some time and they have no hope. Bad timing an “I told you so speech”

But I think there is much more than just finger pointing by Paul.

Paul was not speaking to discourage them but to cheer them? His point was to encourage.

And to validate the fact that what Paul said was in fact true and it was from God! Look at Vs. 22

4.2 Paul Takes Charge Vs. 22

Paul is now taking charge, they didn’t listen to him, they left fair haven against his advice and now they have given up hope, so Paul takes charge and he tells them the reason why...

4.3 The Promise of God Vs. 23-26

There in the midst of the storm, the Lord ministered to Paul. The Lord encouraged Paul. The Lord assured Paul of his mission.

In the next chapter there is an interesting verse that just says, “And so we went toward Rome” they made it there.

But not without a lot of storms and a lot of difficulties.

When Paul was in Ephesus coming back from his 3rd missionary journey he said, “im going to pass Macedonia & Achaia. Then Im going to Jerusalem, I want to be there for the festival, BUT I must also see Rome.

It started out with the Holy Spirit stirring the heart of Paul to go to Rome.

When he got to Jerusalem the Jews attempted to kill Paul, there he shared his testimony and the gospel which caused a riot and his incarceration.

While he was sitting there in prison in the dark hours of the night, no doubt discouraged, filled with a sense of failure, the bible says that the Lord stood by him.

And Jesus said to Paul, “even as you have born witness of Me here in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness of Me in Rome.

So there is the first assurance and confirmation that Paul was going to get to Rome.

Two years later! When Paul is standing before Festus and he is getting the run around Paul said I appeal to Caesar.

Festus not knowing the things God was doing in the background answered, “you have appealed to caesar, to Caesar you shall go”.

Another confirmation that he was to go to Rome… (Pause)

And now when all hope is given up of surviving, again, the Lord assures and him and brings confirmation. Look at Vs. 24 again...

So Paul has the promise, the Word of God that he is going to get there.

APPLICATION: You know there are times when we have doubts and we wonder if it’s ever going to come to pass.

During these times it is empowering to have that assurance and confirmation from the Lord.

So when the storms come and we are prone to despair, when we are filled with anxiety, fear, and doubt, we can rest upon the promises of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20= For all the promises of God in Him are Yes and Amen...

So it’s important that we pay close attention to what Jesus says, because it save us a lot of panic.

ILLUSTRATION: Do you remember in...

Mark 4:35-40= When Jesus was going across the Sea of Galilee with the disciples and He falls asleep in the back part of the boat.

Then a fierce storm came up and the disciples were trying to bail the water out and the ship was getting lower and lower.

So they run to Jesus and wake Him up and said, “Master, Master, don’t you care if we perish?”

Jesus stood up & He rebuked His disciples for their lack of Faith. He said “oh you of little faith”. WHY?

Because at the beginning Jesus told His disciples, “Let us go over to Gennesaret”.

He didn’t say let us go under, He said let us go over. and if the Lord says, let us go over you cannot go under! Amen!?

APPLICATION: When you have that calling by the Lord, Him wanting you to do this or that.

It can sustain you in the darkest night, it can sustain you in the roughest storm.

Especially when we receive confirmation.

4.4 No Escaping & No Compromise Vs. 27-32

So apparently God told Paul they all needed to stay in the ship, Paul tells them that there will be consequences for leaving the ship because they would be disobedient to God.

And here Paul exhibits yet another Leadership Quality: A Leader Does Not Compromise...

When God has spoken, there can be no compromise.

Now, it is ok to compromise with things of preference:

in marriage it is good for unity

government to pass certain laws.

for business it’s good to solidify a deal

But a person who is not willing to compromise for anything is selfish it ruins relationships.

But when it comes to God’s word, His clear commands, it is never right to compromise.

APPLICATION: This principle is not just for pastors and leaders but for every Christian.

Today, we often find ourselves in situations like these sailors in a perilous journey.

The storms of life swirl around us and we are tempted to compromise on God's Word, to abandon the ship of faith and try to save ourselves.

But just as it was then, God's Word remains true today. When God gives an instruction, it holds the power to keep us, even in the midst of the storm.

Understand, the integrity of God's Word is not dependent on our circumstances. It is constant and unwavering. The psalmist writes...

Psalm 119:89 NKJV

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

God's Word is a sure foundation that we can rely on in the face of any storm.

Our responsibility, then, is to trust in the integrity of His Word and obey it without compromise.

And this requires faith and courage, especially when the world around us encourages compromise, or when our situation seems dire.

4. The Confirmation regarding the Voyage Vs. 21-38

4.5 Thanks to God & Focus on God Vs. 33-38

Here is Paul, the storm is raging, the waves are crashing, the wind is blowing, & in vs. 35 Paul is giving thanks to God.

Even in what we call category bad, Paul is giving thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

APPLICATION: When we do this we’re saying, we trust in God.

Here is another Leadership Quality: A Leader Focuses on God’s Reality not their adversity.

1. The Population on the Voyage 2. The Locations of the Voyage

3. The Complication during the Voyage 4 The Confirmation Regarding....

5. The Completion of the Voyage Vs. 39-44

So there was still a heavy storm but they saw a little creek where they could go into so they thought they would try to make it in there.

And in Vs. 42 instead of letting the prisoners swim to shore they decided to kill them.

This is understandable because if a soldier would let a prisoner escape the soldier would be killed. So the soldiers feared for their own lives.

But because the centurion wanting to save Paul, he commanded them to let them swim. And it said that they all made it safely to land.

It’s interesting there in Vs. 43 that the Centurion was wanting to save Paul.

Because really, it was because of Paul everyone on that ship was saved.

God wanted to use Paul at Rome so nothing was going to stop Paul from making it there.

And what is interesting about that is that everyone on that ship benefited from that.

You know, unbelievers are so fortunate to have believers around. So many people have been spared from judgement for the sake of the godly.

The ungodly benefits from God’s grace and protection to His people.

This is the case here, Paul was granted safety because God wanted him in Rome. And everyone in the ship benefited from that.

The same principle is seen throughout scripture:

We see that with Abraham and sodom and gomorah

Where Godly people in the midst of an ungodly community save the ungodly community from disaster.

Suppose 10 righteous men should be found there? God said I will not destroy it for the sake of the 10

Laban begged Jacob not to return to his own country. Gen 30:25-34

Genesis 30:27 NKJV

27 And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.”

Gen 39:5 The Lord blessed Pottifer’s house for Joseph’s sake.

Genesis 39:5 NKJV

5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

Gen 39:23 Because the Lord was with him. prison master was blessed because of Joseph.

Genesis 39:23 NKJV

23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

APPLICATION: And at the end of the day that is the heart of God and that is why we are here.

We are the salt and light of the world. Preserving and illuminating the darkness.

And ushering in God’s love, grace, and never ending mercy to the world.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

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