A Crash Course
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[SLIDE 1] Introduction
If you have your Bible, then please turn to Acts 27:1-44
Allow me to begin by offering you a disclaimer: I’m not a sailor man, nor am I a son of a sailor man. The only boat experience that I have is taking the BC ferries and eating a lot of delicious meal on a cruise to Alaska.
The reason why I say that is because we’ll be dealing with a sea voyage.
We’ll be following Paul’s journey to Rome. He’s going on ships, one of which experienced a shipwreck at the end of this chapter.
Hence, you came to a crash course on Acts 27.
Luke covers one of the most detailed description of Paul’s voyage from Caesarea to Rome. Luke fills us in with technical details about sailing.
For example, sailing highly depended upon the direction of the wind, running the ship aground, and mentioning the parts of the ship.
During the ancient world, there were many familiar and popular stories and literature about the sea voyages, which included accounts of shipwrecks.
Furthermore, the maritime historians (or historians who were particularly interested in seas, ships, and sailors) have studied Acts 27 to understand how people in the ancient world travelled by sea.
Moreover, it is important to keep in mind of the cultural background of Acts 27.
Having prisoners or bad men on a ship would be considered “bad luck” or “bad omen.”
And Luke would have this cultural background in mind when writing this passage.
Illustration
Biblical Theology
This idea points us back to a famous story in the Old Testament, which is the book of Jonah.
Jonah was running away from God, and he hop onto a ship, and then there’s a storm and great wind.
And the sailors believed that among their number was a guilty individual who, in their mind, was attracting a divine anger of their pagan god on the ship.
(And Jonah was the one to be blamed.)
Context
And Luke includes the story of the shipwreck precisely near the end of Acts for a reason.
You have to remember the previous context that led up to this chapter.
Paul has been standing on trial after trial. He’s accused of being a guilty man by the Jews.
However, the governors and kings do not believe that he’s guilty; rather, he’s an innocent man who does not deserve death. And we know that Paul was innocent.
But, there’s no final verdict given on Paul’s innocency by the Roman officials because they also wanted to please the Jews.
That final verdict will be given by Caesar as Paul appealed to Caesar. That’s why he’s going to Rome.
The pagans might initially assume, when reading the account of Acts 27 and the shipwreck, that Paul was a guilty or a bad person.
This assumption could stem from the idea that their false gods were angry at him, and their belief that a wicked person would die by drowning during a storm.
However, Luke skillfully challenges this concept to show that Paul was not an evil man, but rather an innocent man, even though he experienced a shipwreck.
Furthermore, Paul is not merely portrayed as innocent; Luke elevates him from this lowly perception and presents him as the hero and leader of this compelling narrative.
As I expound this chapter, let me give you a SINGLE POINT sermon to keep in mind throughout the rest of the message.
And I think the author, Luke, intends to communicate to us this point by including this chapter in the book of Acts.
[SLIDE 2] BIG IDEA: No matter what hinders God’s people, the gospel will advance unhindered.
Exposition
[SLIDE 3]
1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
As Paul was travelling to Rome on a ship, he wasn’t alone.
Notice the first-person plural, “we,” in verse 1.
This indicates that the author, Luke, was with the Apostle Paul.
Furthermore, he has another companion with him: Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
He was mentioned back in Acts 19 during the riot in Ephesus
Normally, prisoners do not allow companions and friends to be with them.
Paul wasn’t the only prisoner on the ship. There were some other prisoners with him.
They were delivered by King Agrippa and Festus to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.
He was responsible for transferring Paul from Caesarea to Rome.
[SLIDE 4] Paul and others would then embark a ship of Adramyttium.
It’s a ship that came from a port city named Adramyttium, which is located on the Northwest coast of Asia minor (modern day turkey).
And then, they sailed to Sidon (the coast of Phoenicia). Usually, ships stop to unload cargo or pick up cargo.
[SLIDE 5] Interestingly enough, Julius was rather kind to the Apostle Paul as he permitted Paul to visit his friends in Sidon.
Usually, prisoners were not permitted to visit friends lest they run loose.
However, Julius probably knew - through Festus - that the Apostle Paul was not a guilty criminal and that Paul was a Roman citizen.
So, he gives Paul a light and special treatment as a “prisoner.” Paul was not a security risk.
Quite possibly, Julius trusted Paul not to run away.
Therefore, Julius permitted him to visit his friends who loved him and whom he loved.
[SLIDE 6] And I believe Paul had zero intention of escaping because he always longed to go to Rome.
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
He also wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome of his desire to visit them.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
So, God providentially provided a way for Paul to go to Rome, except this one travel plan was free and sponsored by Rome.
[SLIDE 7] After stopping by Sidon, the voyage continues in verses 4-6 as they sail to this location called Myra, except they faced an initial struggle on the sea, but it’s not a big one.
4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.
In verse 4, Luke says that “we sailed under the lee of Cyprus...why?...because the winds were against us.”
What does it mean to “sail under the lee?”
This phrase is mentioned three times? (Acts 27:16)
It’s a technical term (and I don’t know how this all works unless you are an experienced sailor).
In reference to sea travelling, “sailing under the lee of an island” means sailing along an island such that the island shields the ship from the wind.
In this case, since Cyprus was a big island, it protected them from the blowing of the west and northwest wind.
[SLIDE 8] So, the ship kept sailing. It crossed over the peninsula on the northeast of Cyprus. They then sailed across the open sea along the coast, beneath modern day Turkey (the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia).
They arrive in Myra in Lycia, and eventually get off the ship because this ship that they were in wasn’t travelling to Italy.
It’s possible after a bit of a struggle, they could have gone by land for a bit.
[SLIDE 9] However, Julius, the centurion, discovered another ship which came from Alexandria, located in Northern Egypt.
This Alexandrian ship usually docks in Myra.
It is known as a grain ship where it stores a cargo full of wheat and grain (hence, Paul instructed them to throw out wheat later on during the shipwreck).
The ship may have been transferring bread and grain to Rome.
[SLIDE 10] This ship is the one way ticket to Italy. They were supposed to go west and cross the southern peninsula of Greece and Italy, and eventually get to their destination.
At least that’s case ASSUMING things go well.
[SLIDE 11] However, what they’re going to experience might be likened to experiencing an intense turbulance to the point that they have to reroute.
7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
They faced another challenge as the wind prevented them from sailing west directly.
[SLIDE 12] They tried to avoid the wind by sailing south under the lee of Crete and coasting along the eastern and southern part of the island, thus protecting themselves from the strong wind.
Despite the difficulties, they came to a place called Fair Havens, located south of Crete.
They’ll stay there for some time. However, we’ll learn later that Fair Havens is anything but being fair in the weather condition they’ll be in.
When you’re reading this chapter, you should notice who’s doing most of the talking, as least in recording by Luke. [SLIDE 13] It is actually the Apostle Paul.
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
This voyage was now dangerous and unsafe. Why is that? It is because the Fast was already over.
What is this Fast that Luke is talking about? Why does Luke feel the need to include this information for the readers to care and know?
The Fast is talking about the Day of Atonement.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the Day of Atonement, it’s one of the festivals that the Israelites observed in the Old Testament.
You can learn more about it in Leviticus 16.
This is important to know because it tells us about the Date / Season of when the Fast was over
The Day of Atonement usually occurs in September or early October.
During that season, you can technically still sail, but it was relatively not safe to go on voyage.
September and October was just before the winter month.
During the winter season, ships were not allowed to sail in November until March because it was so dangerous.
Paul warns and advises them not to sail because of the dangers and risks that lie ahead.
In his wisdom and just overall using common sense, Paul “perceives” that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.
If they experienced some difficulties before getting to Fair Havens, how much worse would it be later?
[SLIDE 14] But, no one on board listened to Paul’s advise.
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
What you should also know is that ships were used as businesses to transport cargos.
Many shipowners in the ancient world often took risks during voyages in order to receive financial incentives from multiple annual runs for transporting grain.
This practice was not uncommon; in business, profit was the primary concern.
It can be compared to modern investments like putting your money in the stock market or cryptocurrency.
However, the key difference is that when you're at sea, you're not only risking your finances but potentially your life and the loss of the ship.
That’s probably what the pilot and the owner of the Alexendrian ship had in mind.
Perhaps, without knowing their true intention, Julius, the centurion, listened to them more instead of Paul.
So, they decided to take some risk and sail to Phoenix, which was not too far from Fair Havens, but sadly, they should have heeded Paul’s advise. [SLIDE 15-16]
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
So, this is the beginning of the dramatic story of the sea voyage as they experience strong wind and storms ahead.
Luke tells us in verse 13 that the sailing was according to plan since the south wind blew gently at the ship, directing the ship to the north and coasted along Crete. [SLIDE 17]
To the pilot and owners of the ship, it would be a missed opportunity not to take advantage of that wind. So, they hurried along.
However, things did not go according to their plan, much like how we try to plan thing in our lives, right?
[SLIDE 18] Their plan was thwarted unexectedly in verses 14-15
There was a tempestuous wind known as the Northeaster.
In some of your translations, this northeaster wind is also known as the Eurakylōn (eurakulon).
This temperuous wind in the Greek is where we get the English word, “typhoon.”
This strong wind stuck down from the island, blowing the ship to the south direction, thus losing control and letting the wind drive the ship wherever it went.
[SLIDE 19]
16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
The ship was then driven along and coasted along Cauda (a small island), and they were able to get it under control again with immense difficulty, avoided running the ship aground at Syrtis.
Of course, the ship contained a lot of water.
In desperation, they had to throw the cargo and tackle (heavy equipment and gear) overboard to lighten the load of the ship, and hope that the ship will sit higher than the water.
[SLIDE 20]
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
[SLIDE 21] Now, they’re floating in the middle of nowhere (v.20).
This is where all hope is lost for the sailors.
Not that I have experienced, but I can imagine this is like being inside the bermuda triangle.
They cannot see the sun or stars. They did not have radars or network services back then to communicate with the operators outside of the ship.
The weather condition was horrific for them (the tempest continues and things are quite bad). They don’t even know where they are at this point.
It’s like the storm keeps on attacking the ship.
[SLIDE 22] Even if you’ve never been in a storm at sea, you most likely have been and will be in many storms in life. In some of them, you may despair of life itself, even as everyone on board here did.
Just as the sailors felt a sense of helpelessness and hopelessness, perhaps there may be some things you’re dealing with that has sapped all hope in this life.
However, brothers and sisters, we need to be reminded of this truth that no matter what hinders us as God’s people, the gospel will advance unhindered.
When things are out of our control, they are never out of God’s control, no matter how humanly impossible the situation may be.
Plus, we are never outside of the will and care of God when we are caught in the storms of life.
That’s because God is absolutely and meticulously sovereign over our lives, and that He will fulfill His sovereign will and purpose in our lives in bringing Himself much glory.
And that nothing in this world can hinder God’s will for our lives.
The question is, brothers and sisters, do you trust that God is sovereign and good?
Returning to the narrative, when all hope seems to have been lost for these sailors, Paul intervenes and was allowed to speak. He is God’s mouth-piece. He is God’s messenger that speaks hope and encouragement in this dire situation.
[SLIDE 23]
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
Paul is aware that those on board haven’t eaten for a long time.
Why is that? It’s because the ship’s tossing and turning prevented them from eating because they’re desperate to survive. This is rather serious.
They’re at the point of either being too seasick or too dejected to bother eating.
Have you ever experience an extreme anxiety in your life that prevented you from having any appetite at all because of the perceived threat that’s going to take your life?
Paul speaks to them and tells them that they should have listened (or obeyed) to his comments back in ACTS 27:10.
They shouldn’t have left Fair Haven.
However, his comments only went as far as the ship incurring this injury and loss. So far, no lives have been lost yet.
Now, Paul is probably not saying this to chide them (as they’re already discouraged), but he says this to both establish his credibility as an Apostle and encourage those in the boat not to lose hope.
What is this hope? They will not lose their lives, except for the ship.
But how does Paul know about this hope? Why is he confident about that they won’t lose their lives? Well, he explains the revelation that he received from an angel of God. [SLIDE 24]
23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
The angel reassured Paul (and also those on the boat) with a command, “Do not be afraid.”
Just like those on the ship, Paul may have been afraid in the midst of the storm toss.
The angel also promised Paul that he must stand before Caesar.
Remember, Paul appealed to Caesar in Acts 25:11.
Paul’s appeal to Caesar was part of God’s plan for him to go to Rome.
If this is ultimately a promise from God, then He will fulfill it despite the storms of life because the gospel must be preached in Rome.
Additionally, this promise of deliverance underscores an important theme/message that Luke is trying to point out in this cultural context.
The angel speaking to Paul would have been shocking and significant for those pagan sailors.
In their minds, it would be hard for them to believe that a divine being would speak to an alleged “prisoner” and promise deliverance for him. But, that’s the irony isn’t it?
Darrell Bock: “Such a deliverance suggests that divine justice will show Paul to be an innocent man, not guilty of anything, and not deserving of being a prisoner.”
Plus, Paul’s deliverance and safety would also be the deliverance of those on the same ship, not because the pagan sailors, the foot passengers, the Roman soldiers, and others did anything good to deserve deliverance.
They receive physical deliverance as well because of God’s grace: “God has granted (or it can be translated as: given you graciously, show you unmerited favour, forgive) you all those who sail with you.”
[SLIDE 25] Because God will save everyone on the ship, Paul encourages them with these words:
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
To “take heart.” To find comfort. To have courage.
Why? Because Paul has faith in God that His promise will happen exactly as the angel told him.
However, the ship must incurr lost and injury. It must experience a shipwreck.
So (or and ) they must run this ship aground, which means to stop the ship from sailing or moving.
In technical term, it describes what happens when a ship accidentally hits the ground under the water, like a sandbar or rocks, instead of floating freely on the surface of the water.
It's a bit like a car getting stuck on a big bump or a rock in the road.
That’s certainly what happens (vv.39-44).
Now, the tide has turned (no pun-intended).
Paul, who was ignored earlier in the chapter, will now earn the people’s ears.
[SLIDE 26]
27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
Right now, it’s the 14th night of the journey after they departed from Fair Havens.
[SLIDE 27] The ship is drifting across the Adriatic Sea.
These sailors then thought that they were near land. Quite possibly they might have heard noises.
[SLIDE 28] So, they used a technical method called the fathom to measure the water depths.
A fathom is about the distance from one of your outstretched fingertips on your left hand to the same fingertip on your right hand when your arms are spread out wide.
One fathom would then be about 6 feet.
And decreasing from 120 feet to 90 feet would indicate that they were nearing land.
So, since it was still dark, they do not want to run on the rocks, they release four anchors from the stern (or rear of the ship) in hope that the anchors would slow down the ship and pray that the day light would come out soon.
The anchors in the ancient world aren’t like the ones we have which was very heavy.
In the meantime, there’s a bit of a drama again on the ship when it comes to the sailors seeking to leave the ship. [SLIDE 29]
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
Why did Paul say to the centurion and soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved?”
Well, we don’t know how many sailors were seeking their escape by a lifeboat.
But, let’s just say that all of them escapes. If that happens, no one - the passengers - would be operating the ship.
So, they cut away the lifeboat.
Now, the Apostle Paul is in control of the situation. The fact that the soldiers and centurions listened to Paul shows that he has gained their trust.
Paul was no stranger to the sea. He travelled by ship a lot during his missionary journey.
He was also no stranger to the challenges of the sea voyages. He even experienced shipwreck before…3 times precisely.
[SLIDE 30]
25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;
All this to say is that Paul was acquainted with suffering on the sea for the sake of proclaiming the good news to the lost.
No matter what physical and spiritual hindrances Paul faced, he will not bow and surrender. He will continue to the preach the gospel unhindered, and that God’s plan for the world will be fulfilled.
So, if you think your life is hard, and if you think your first world problem is your cross to bear, then what do we make of Paul’s suffering?
[SLIDE 31] Now, we come to the 2nd last scene of this sea voyage where the folks on the ship have a meal together.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
Paul recognizes that those on board need to eat, as they haven’t been eating during the storm.
Paul has compassion.
He’s an encourager.
He reassures them to eat and not worry because they’re not going to die.
They’re not going to suffer physical harm.
[SLIDE 32] So, in verses 35-38, they all ate a meal together (276 of them) with the help of Paul’s encouragement.
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
There’s enough food for everyone as this was a ship that was supposed to transport food to Italy.
Afterwards, they lightened the load of the ship by tossing out the wheat so that the ship can be lightened.
[SLIDE 33-35] Now, the moment of truth that you’ve all been waiting for...
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
Now that the day has come, they are able to see the land, without recognizing it.
Regardless, they’re going to run the ship ashore in this island called Malta.
For some reason, the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners lest they escape.
What’s the reason for such a plan?
The soldiers would be liable for allowing them to escape.
This would have included the Apostle Paul.
But, this is to create a contrast from the soldier’s plan and the centurion’s plan.
Paul had a back up. A body guard if you will.
He had Julius, the centurion, who wished to save Paul and eventually stop the soldiers from carrying out their plan. What a relationship that Julius had with Paul.
Eventually, they all got to the island (of Malta) safely.
No one has died according to God’s promise.
Now, the gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to be carried forward to the end of the world as Jesus promised back in Acts 1:8.
There is no doubt in the days and winter months to follow on the island of Malta, Paul was able to give those on the ship the gospel more fully and clearly than he could do on board during the storm.
One man who trusts God in a storm of sea (and even the storms of life) can have a major impact on others who see the reality of God in his life.
APPLICATION
CONCLUSION
As I am about to wrap up this message, allow me to share with you a real life story that happened a little over a century ago that communicates the big idea: [SLIDE 36] No matter what hinders God’s people, the gospel will advance unhindered.
There was a Scottish Baptist Pastor named John Harper.
And it was on April 10th, 1912 when John Harper boarded onto a ship, bound for the United States.
His wife passed away a number of years ago, so he went on this trans-atlantic journey with his sister and his six years old daughter.
The purpose for this voyage was that John Harper was called to be the new pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, which was where the late D.L. Moody pastored.
However, on April 14th, 1912 - 4 days into their voyage - 20 minutes before the clock struck midnight and become April 15th, the ship that John Harper was on collided with an iceberg.
[SLIDE 37] Most of you may be aware of this tragic event of the RMS Titanic. You can imagine the sheer panic that the passengers and the crew were experiencing on the ship.
For John Harper, he acted immediately. He got his sister and his daughter safely on a lifeboat, but he didn’t follow them.
He took no regard for his life. He ran through the ship yelling, "Women, children, and unsaved into the lifeboats!"
Furthermore, with boldness and courage, he preached the gospel in the final hour of his life.
Survivors report that he was witnessing to anyone who would listen.
He continued preaching even after he had jumped into the water and was clinging to a piece of wreckage.
He was given a lifejacket to wear, but he gave it to another man who would not repent and believe in the gospel.
And Harper said to this man, “Here, you need the lifejacket more than I do.”
After the titanic sunk deep into the ocean, Harper was swimming in the wreckages, finding anyone he sees to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Harper's final moments were recounted four years later at a meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, by a man who said:
I am a survivor of the Titanic. When I was drifting alone on a spar that awful night, the tide brought Mr. Harper of Glasgow, also on a piece of wreck, near me. "Man," he said, "are you saved?" "No," I said, "I am not." He replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
The waves bore him away, but, strange to say, brought him back a little later, and he said, "Are you saved now?" "No," I said, "I cannot honestly say that I am." He said again, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," and shortly after he went down; and there, alone in the night, and with two miles of water under me, I believed. I am John Harper's last convert.
He was also one of only six people picked out the water by the lifeboats. The other 1,522, including Harper, were left to die.
[SLIDE 38] While a tragic event, the lesson can be learned is that no matter what hinders God’s people, not even the titanic and iceberg and the cold water, the gospel will advance unhindered. God’s will be done in saving lost souls for His glory.
So, brothers and sisters, is it your desire to continue to advance the gospel no matter what hindrance you face in your everyday life?
Lord’s Supper
READ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-27
Brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper of the body and blood of Christ, we are grateful to remember that our Lord instituted this ordinance:
To always remember how much He sacrificed for us and how much He loves us.
To strengthen our connection with Him and each other as members of the body of Christ.
To show that He has given us His special and unmerited favor
To renew our joy and commitment to obey Him teachings and deepen our relationship with Him.
To be reminded that He is with us whenever we gather in His name.
To proclaim that He will come back in the future.
The Lord’s Supper is a sign of the New Covenant that He inaugurated in His death.
This special time at the Lord's Table is for people who believe in and trust the death and resurrection of Christ.
If you're not a believer yet, please refrain from participating until you have faith in Christ.
Once you believe, you can joyfully join others in partaking.
We encourage believers to examine their hearts before participating, making sure they are ready.
BENEVOLENT FUND
As today is the 1st Sunday of the month, whenever we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, I want to encourage you to consider making a donation to the benevolent fund, in addition to your offerings.
OBC has an established benevolent fund which the elders and pastors disperse to those who find themselves in need.
But this fund has decreased to being almost empty, so we as a church family would want to replenish that fund.
If you’re able and cheerfully generous, you can give by marking your envelope accordingly or leave a brief message with your e-transfer, indicating “Benevolent Fund.”
BENEDICTION
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.