Three Blessings of God

Native Blessing

Bless instead of capitalize

When Paul and everyone on the ship arrived at the shore safely we see that the Natives treated them with kindness. Acts 28:2

Acts 28:2 NASB95

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.

This was not typical. Most of the time when a ship was wrecked the natives often capitalized on the wreckage. They would normally kill the shipwrecked people and plunder the goods on the ship. Here we find the natives doing quite the opposite.

Instead of capitalizing on the wreckage the decided to be a blessing to the people in the wreckage. It was rainy and cold. The natives felt compassion for the sailors and built a fire and took them in and provided for their needs.

I believe their is a tremendous lesson here. We live in a cut throat world that always looks out for self. Some people will utilize the misfortune of others for their own personal gain. Let me give you some examples: Financially- People open predatory lending facilities in areas where people are struggling financially and are desperate. The lottery is advertised and sells more tickets in low income areas because they give people false hope of winning. Or when a loved one dies and the family fights over the estate to get what they want with no consideration of others

Relational- A husband and his wife may be having marital troubles and shares with another woman that listens and gives him attention. This can lead to an affair. She has taken advantage of a bad situation. Or when someone fails morally they may use that as blackmail against someone to get what they want.

The list can go on and on.

Instead of capitalizing on a bad situation, we should be a blessing to the person in the bad situation. Our goal should be to come along side them and help them overcome the bad situation that they are in. Doing so will be good in the eyes of the Lord and fulfilling the second greatest commandment.

Matthew 7:12 NASB95

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Shake off the setbacks

It seemed as if everything was turning around for Paul and then he had a little setback. He was helping keep the fire and as he grabbed what he thought was a stick, found it to be a poisonous snake. The snake bit Paul, but Paul just shook it off. Acts 28:5

Acts 28:5 NASB95

However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

Paul knew that the Lord had promised him that he would get to Rome. He didn’t have to worry about dying from a snakebite. His confidence was in the promise of God, not the circumstance that he was in.

There is another great lesson here. When things are going well in our lives there always seems to be a setback. We need to focus on the Lord and His calling and not so much on the situation. We can have confidence that the Lord will fulfill His calling, so we can shake off the setback.

Don’t quit or get discouraged. Simply trust in what God has called you to, put your faith in His word, and move on to the next step in His plan.

Don’t listen to the naysayers

Paul did this as he simply shook off the snake. The people waited for Paul to die. He did not die. Instead nothing happened to Paul and they believed that he was a god.

The people thought that the snake was God’s way of punishing Paul for his perceived crime. They were wrong!

They thought because he was a prisoner that he had done something wrong and that he was now being punished for his crime. They based their opinion on false presumptions. This is what naysayers do.

Don’t listen to those who have opinions about you without knowing you!

Publius Blessing

After the episode of the snake Paul was introduced to Publius. He was the governor of the island. He also blessed Paul by taking care of him for three days. Acts 28:7

Acts 28:7 NASB95

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.

Bless even in difficult times

Publius was dealing with a bad situation himself. His dad was very ill, but he still went out of his way to care for Paul.

This would turn out to be a blessing for Publius. Paul went and prayed for Publius father and he became well. Acts 28:8

Acts 28:8 NASB95

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.

When we find ourselves in bad situations we often tend to neglect helping others. We develop a victim mentality. Publius did not do this. Instead he saw a need for Paul and met his need. The lesson for us is in our times of struggle, the very way out may be to bless someone else.

Blessing reciprocated

The healing of Publius dad opened the door for Paul to heal and share the gospel on the island of Malta. John Macarthur explains: Although Luke does not mention it, Paul undoubtedly preached the gospel to the Maltese, since the purpose of miracles was to authenticate Paul as God’s messenger. Given Julius’s lenient treatment of him, and their three-month stay (v. 11), Paul would have had many opportunities to preach. According to tradition, the church on Malta dates from this time, with Publius as its first pastor.

Verse 10 also implies that a church was founded at this time on Malta. Luke records that the islanders honored Paul and the others with many marks of respect; and when they were setting sail, supplied them with all they needed. That outpouring of love suggests that at least some of the Maltese were receptive to the preaching of the gospel.

John F. MacArthur Jr., Acts, vol. 2, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), 363–364.

Blessing at Rome

When Paul left Malta and got swept to Puteoli. There they were taken care of by some fellow Christians for seven days. Then they went to Rome.

Encouragement at Rome

Paul had finally arrived at the place that he longed to be. He wanted to be in the church that he had never been, yet wrote one of the best letters to. Rom. 15:22-25

Romans 15:22–25 (NASB95)

For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 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 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— but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.

Paul now had the opportunity to strengthen the church at Rome. When he arrived people came from great distances to meet and help Paul. The two places mention were 33 and 43 miles away. Acts 28:15

Acts 28:15 NASB95

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.

These people encouraged Paul. You can imagine the long road that it took for Paul to get there and now he arrives and finds faithful Christians come and encourage him. He knew that all his hard work and difficult journey paid off. He was now in the most influential city in the world going before the most influential leader in the world to share the gospel.

Freedom at Rome

When Paul arrived at Rome he was afforded tremendous freedom to preach and to teach the gospel in Rome. Acts 28:16

Acts 28:16 NASB95

When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Next week we will discover what Paul was able to do in Rome.

Conclusion

Today we have seen three blessings God gave Paul as a result of Paul’s obedience to the Lord no matter the cost.

Friend I want to encourage you to be a blessing in the calling of God on your life and receive the blessing that God gives you for your obedience.

Your first step of obedience may be to trust Jesus as your Savior. Share Gospel!

You may have become discouraged and even considered giving up on your call. Perhaps today you will be encouraged to stick with it. God has a tremendous blessing in store for you!