Eternal Father Strong To Save
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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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
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. 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.
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.” 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.
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.
Paul was a Jew by faith but a Roman by birth. He had been a persecutor of the Christians right up to the moment he himself became a believer in Jesus Christ. After coming to Jerusalem, Paul appeared in several places and was telling of his fiath and trying to win others to it.
In Paul is before a Jewish mob that wants to both hear him and kill him after hearing him. The Roman authorities wanted to know what he had done that was so bad they wanted to kill him, and they took him for flogging to find out. when a Roman tribune took him in and was about to allow that to happen, they discovered that Paul was not only a Jew, he was a Roman Citizen- by birth.
Being a Roman citizen by birth afforded Paul certain amenities that would not be offered to other people. Voting, trial, appeal, freedom from taxes (local), local laws immunity, the right to marry, etc., He had a right to a Roman trial before anything could happen to him.
After appearing before the Jewish Sanhedrin, Paul is sent to the Governor Felix. For two years, Felix kept him in prison. He had two motives. First, his wife was a Jew and it was a popular thing to do. Secondly, he met with Paul often in hopes of gettting some money from him.
After two years, Paul appears to Caesar. As a Roman citizen, he had that right. Paul appears before King Agrippa, and is sent to Rome to Caesar. He is placed in the custordy of a Roman Cohort named Julius, and he sails for Rome to appear before Caesar.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
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. 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.
They Lost Control of the Ship
They Lost Control of the Ship
Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
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. 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.
Acts 27.13-17
they lowered the gear. They were travelling with anchors in the water acting as a drag to attempt to slow down the ship. They were out of control, and the anchors were meant to slow down the chaos.
They were driven along. It didn’t help much. Waves were probably crashing in and over the sides of the boat.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
Cargo- anything that was absolutely unnecessary went overboard. Any item that was not necessary to the trip, it was gone.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
Tackle- anything necessary to safely sailing the sea. The ships tools. They threw them overboard.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
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.
neither sun nor stars appeared for many days,
neither sun nor stars appeared for many days,
They lost their ability to navigate. While the storm was raging, it actually kept them from identifying their positions.
no small tempest lay upon us for many days. They were caught in a storm that would not let go of them.
all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
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. 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. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
Faith is not something to hope for, it’s a person to believe in.
Faith is not something to hope for, it’s a person to believe in.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
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. 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.
Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
These men were in shallow waters now. They had the possibility of making it to land. There may have been shoals or reefs to navigate, they might get blown on the rocks. There was no way to know. So they took the smaller boat, and attempting to shield their motives, they lowered it in order to escape the ship.
This little boat represented their opportunity to not only escape the ship, but to escape the storm.
Paul had spoken with God’s angel. Paul had been told specifically that those who remained on the boat “with” him would live. You see, if no one else on that boat was aligned with God’s purposes- Paul was. Remember, the angel said, “YOu must stand before Caesar.” And therefore you and all those on the boat with you will survive this.
Paul says, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. They cut their life raft off and send it away. Their last hope is jettisoned into the sea.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
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.” 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.
they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
other prisoners, pilot of the ship, soldiers going to Rome, Captain going to Rome, A centurion, Soldiers guarding prisoners.
276 in all.
English Standard Version Chapter 27
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.
So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea,
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The Storms that Destroy Our Highest Hopes Can Also Build Our Deepest Faith
The Storms that Destroy Our Highest Hopes Can Also Build Our Deepest Faith
The only hope these soldiers had was in the ship they were sailing- and it failed them.
They lost their control.
They lost their tackle.
They lost their cargo.
They lost their food.
They lost hope.
Everything that made their hope for a safe passage possible was taken away. Sometimes life is like that. Sometimes, the storm gets so difficult that we feel life is out of control. Our skills to navigate begin to fail us. We lose our stuff. We lose our sustenance. We lose hope.
But there’s always someone who is seeing beyond the circumstance. Who sees from a deeper perspective and a different perspective.
Paul.
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. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
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. 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.
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.” 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.
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.
for I have faith in God
for I have faith in God
Faith is not something to hope for, it’s a person to believe in.
Faith is not something to hope for, it’s a person to believe in.
Acts 26.12-
Remember why Paul is on this ship in the first place. It is his witness for Christ. His relationship with Christ. His faith.
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”
they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Paul Reintroduced Hope through His Faith
Paul Reintroduced Hope through His Faith
In verse 33, Paul is speaking to the men and he says for 14 days you have been in suspense.
What is suspense? suspense-expectation of the worst. the expectation of not being saved, of not making it out alive. (verse 33)
Suspense is hope without optimism. Somethings going to happen to us, we just don’t know what. It’s going to be we drown, or we bounce upon the rocks, or we land on a strange island and people will kill us, or we will starve to death. The worst is coming, we just don’t know what that’s going to be.
And so the men are told to eat. They’ve been in this shape for 14 days, take some food. They do, and then they do something totally against human nature...
they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. Their last item of control, their last bit of sustenance, their last hope and necessity- over the side of the boat it goes.
I see mustard seed faith in that. I think Pauls’ faith is affecting these men. I think they are finding faith in the worst storm of their lives.
Another place where you see this is in
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (vs.31)
This is states as the men were trying to escape by acting like they were putting anchors over the front of the bow. They were pretending to be doing a good thing, and they are actually trying to escape.
And Paul says, unless you stay in the ship, you can’t be saved.
So they cut the smaller boat off of the ship. And they watch it float away.
I see mustard faith in that. I see faith being planted, by the witness of one Paul who had faith and was willing to express it.
The Storms that Destroy Our Highest Hopes Can Also Build Our Deepest Faith
The Storms that Destroy Our Highest Hopes Can Also Build Our Deepest Faith
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
Luke
It is over. All hope was lost. The storm of hatred and violence had ended their hopes. Everyone started for home.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
Luke 24.21
Had hoped- past tense, perfect. It means all hope is gone. It’s a permanent arrangement. It’s over.
Luke 23.21.
21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”
And in a moment with Jesus… in a moment with his presence and the breaking of bread, they see a seed of faith. They see Jesus in their storm.