The voyage to Rome
Notes
Transcript
All planned out
All planned out
It had been his plan for long time (Act19:21)
He planned to go and impart a spiritual gift on the church there (Rom1:9-11) then
Having preached the word, he was coming to them on the way to Spain, after a stop in Jerusalem first (Rom15:23-29)
23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— 25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
He was not going as a set missionary, or a tourist but as a prisoner
Previously arrested in Jerusalem
Spoke up to a mob (Act21:37-22:29)
Stood before the Sanhedrin (Act22:30-23:10)
Shipped off to Caesarea for two years
Accounted to Felix (Act23:11-24:27)
Attested before Festus (Act25:1-12)
And preached to Agrippa (Act25:13-26:32)
He could have bought his way out of prison with Felix, but he appealed to Caesar and to Caesar he would go. (Act25:11-12, 26:30-32)
(Transition): Travel by sea, well Paul had done that and already been shipwrecked three times (2Cor11:25-26) so he knew it was hazardous, yet more perils at sea were coming his way as he it taken under guard leaving Caesarea.
From Caesarea to Myra
From Caesarea to Myra
Sets out under care of Julius of Augustan cohort, along with Aristarchus and Luke (Act27:1-2)
1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
How do we know Luke? Because it says “we.”
Luke the beloved physician (Col4:14) and Aristarchus who faced the mob in Ephesus with Paul (Act19:29) and traveled with Paul to Asia (Act20:4) and was a fellow prisoner (Phm24)
Aboard a ship of Adramyttim, from a coastal port of Mysia in Asia minor.
If you want to know were Mysia is, it is located between two towns you may have heard of, Troas and Pergamos.
Sailed along the coast of Phoenicia To Sidon, where Paul was allowed to receive care (Act27:3-6)
3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it.
In Myra they book passage on a sea fairing ship, verses a coastal boat they had been on.
(Transition) From sailing along the coast, mostly uneventful, this next leg of the journey will not be uneventful.
From Myra to Malta
From Myra to Malta
Slow to go to Crete (Act27:7-12)
7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
It was slow going with winds against them.
Paul had discernment and gave advise, yet like many, advise given was not advise taken.
Lured by appearance of good weather, things changed (Act27:13-26 summary)
Sailing along the coast of Crete with a soft wind, a strong wind came upon them (Act27:13-15).
Storm about them, what would be called a Euroclydon (aka hurricane or typhoon)
The ship had to be forced to let the wind carry it and not fight it.
They after much fighting, finally got some relieve and arrived at Claudia (Act27:16-17)
Another tempest comes upon them after shoring up the boat with cables, they started throwing things out to lighten the ship (Act27:17-26)
Paul addresses, encourages the people, and an angel brings word to Paul (Act27:21-25)
21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. 22 “Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 “For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.
Then comes the 4th shipwreck for Paul, now on island of Malta (Act27:27-44)
Two weeks in the Adriatic Sea they run aground; ship breaks apart and after much dismay, discouragement and even division on what to do with the prisoners they all end up safely on the island for three months (Ac28:1-10)
1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 10 They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.
From Malta to Rome
From Malta to Rome
On a new ship, they set sail and come to island and meet other believers (Act28:12-14)
12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.
We never know where we are going to run into brethren, or they into us, we need to be hospitable people.
Finally they get to Rome (Act28:15-16)
15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Ah, Paul was with much liberty able to stay by himself with a soldier to guard him.
Paul had wanted to get to Rome for sometime (Rom1:8-1); finally he got there.
Paul’s life to this point and what we will look at next week, exemplified what he wrote (2Tim4:18)
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
God will rescue you from every evil deed.
Your part put your faith, your trust, by your actions in Him
(Insert Invitation slide) Invitation, song, (Prayer), (Exit)