Sunday December 31st Am service
Notes
Transcript
A. Rapport for the time
I love a good story don’t you? If you are like me you began life with your grandfather telling the most intersecting stories about how they grew up. It moved on to my Dad who would tell all kinds of crazy stories which you would find out
B. Reading of the text
Paul on the Island of Malta
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
C. Review of the text
Can you list in your head all the step that Paul has taken to get from the road to Damascus to the island of Malta? Blindness, betrayal, life threatened multiple time, 3 missionary journeys that have taken him to some places he never intended to go but the Spirit lead him. In living his life to the Glory of God, Paul found himself not living the life that he intended to live originally. His plan was to be a RELIGIOUS man who led others to be RELIGIOUS so that they could all be seen by others to be religious. He would have never thought in a million years that he would end up on the Island of Malta captive by the Romans and heading to Rome as an innocent man. Beloved that was never Paul’s intention in life.
D. Relevance of the text
But what a life he is living!! My greatest hope today is that you and I would understand the Lordship of Christ is our lives better today as we bring 2023 to a close. Your purpose, my purpose as Christ is our Lord is to live a life that is pleasing before him as we live to bring HIM Glory and not ourselves. Our task as a Christian is not to figure out everything but to walk with the one who dwells inside our very beeing.
I. Man’s view is Fickle
I. Man’s view is Fickle
A. Crisis
Just as a reminder of how we left Paul the last time in Acts 27. He was heading to Rome on a Ship and they had decided to continue on even though the time of travel had really come to the end. A bad Northeaster storm had taken control of the boat and the crew and all on board had given up hope. At the end of 27 we have...
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.
The soldiers had decided to kill the prisoners because if one of them escaped they themselves could lose their lives. Paul’s relationship with the centurion prevented this from happening and ultimately they all found themselves saved. Again, not an accident that God protected Paul because he had told Paul that he would make it to Rome.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
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.’
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
The Lord had come to Paul multiple time to encourage him along the way as God used him for his Glory.
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
They are now ashore and all of them are safe not one person loses their life just like Paul had told them. The people on the island are more than kind to a bunch of sailors, soldiers, and prisoners that have come to their home. Paul jumps into the middle of it all and begins to build a fire and a viper-poisonous snake jumps out and bites him. This is messed up from a human perspective. You survive a shipwreck only to die of a snake bite. This viper is fastened to his hand giving us an amazing picture as we enter vs. 4
B. Conclusion
B. Conclusion
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
Worldly wisdom tells us that this guy who has a viper hanging from his hand is just getting what he deserves now that he has come ashore because obviously he is a murderer. This is the idea that bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people. Makes me think of Job and his friends or ...
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
The works of God might be displayed in him!!! Blind from birth!
Why was this Viper hanging from the hand of Paul? That the works of God might be displayed in him. NOT because Paul was a murderer..even though he was exactly that before knowing Christ but in spite of that God is able to use him for HIS name not Paul’s.
C. Extremes
C. Extremes
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Paul—shakes the creature off his hand as if it is nothing at all. Can you imagine? I love vs. 6. The islanders are waiting for him to swell up or fall down dead. You can see them watching can’t you. You know we would be doing the same exact thing if we had been on that island that day. Wondering what was going to happen next. When they wait around a bit and nothing happens they go from calling him a murderer to a god.
Fickle—defined as changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection.
Humans are fickle and change like the wind. We watch events, interpret those events to the best of our ability and as more information comes at us those thoughts can change what we think from one end Murderer to the other…this guy is a god. This is not the first time that Paul is thought to be a god.
11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
Paul just like you and I are not little gods or even a big god. We are humans who have been empowered by the Spirit of God to be used for the Kingdom of our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Each one of us is on a path that God has for us to walk that we might bring him Glory. When we come to understand our worth to the kingdom is not in who I am but in the humility I have before my creator we can be used in mighty ways. FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
T.S. Although people are fickle our God is constant..praise the Lord.
II. God’s view is constant
II. God’s view is constant
A. Healing of a Father
A. Healing of a Father
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
Publius has been kind to Paul and his companions and now Paul goes to visit his father. He prays and places his hands on the father and heals the man. Interesting fact that this is the only time in Acts that prayer and healing are done one before the other.
But once this healing takes place the island begins to bring other people to Paul
B. Healing of more people
B. Healing of more people
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
As they get ready to leave the people take great care of the prisoner Paul getting anything the group needed because they has seen the care he has for them and are returning it to him.
But at this point we have to stop and think about what just happened.
Pastor…Are you saying that God aloud the beating of his servant Paul, the threat of death itself on multiple occasions, non-believers to take Paul captive and in chains to take to Rome and face near death on a boat to bring him to this island at just the correct time. All of this was so he could come and be bit by a snake on Malta and that people might come to know Christ as savior and Lord?
Your are not your own you have been purchased with a price
God will ultimately get the Glory. When we will learn he is the only on that is worthy. 2 years and 5 months in Acts and we still are struggling with this message?