Sermon Tone Analysis

Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

We have reached the conclusion of Luke great Two-Part story of Person and Work of the World’s Messiah Saviour.

Part ONe ended so unexpectedly - a man on a cross but then rising again, and then instead of rising to reign on earth.

He says, I’m restoring the Kingdom on earth right now - ascends in heaven.

And part II is how Jesus reigning with all authroity from heaven, is bringing his kingdom which in not of this world - to every nook and crany - with all its spritual blessings - and salt and light for this world.

Now after turned world upside down, growing like crazy, Pau is on his way to address the central power of this age - and you would think again this going to end with a real bang!

But it is really kind of surprising that there is no new teaching, there is no important event that is going to shake the world.

The rest of the NT is going to be letters written about how to live by grace and how to live the Christian life.

And the final book comfort until time of the very end comes.

So what’s the point of these closing chapters of Luke.

You'd be mistaken to think that this master story-teller Luke just ran out of time and didn’t really finish with the final trial.

The way the book ends is really the point of the book.

Like the book of Jonah, which also has one of the world’s best shipwreck stories, this book of Acts like Jonah has an open-ended conclusion.

Do you remember how Jonah ends - Jonah under that broom tree - waiting angrily after reluctantly extending message of repentance and mercy - and God spares the city - says - should I have mercy on broom tree - and you don’t have mercy on this city, on your enemies, those estranged and enemies of God.

Well the book of Acts, ends open question - Paul’s gone from Jersuaelm, Judea, and now the ends of the earth - the heart of world’s Empire - like the ending of Star Wars Luke into the heart of the DathStar control centre of the empire - and the question is will we the srvants of Jesus Christ, will we continue to bring this gospel to our neighbours, to this hurting storm tossed world?

WIll we have mercy in our hearts?

What will it take for us to do so.

I could preach a very compelling sermon about you and I enduring the storms of life - but context of those storms and the peace we must find in them is you and I - standing with other Christains to bring the gospel to those who so desperately need it.

The German commentator, converted while hearing Luther preach the gospel s of grace is so right when he says - the ship in which Paul sits is Christendom, the sea is the turblent world, the swells and storm winds all the affliction, Paul is the preacher of the gospel and those in the ship are the audience.

Think of it iin our lives - if we each have one friend coworker only that we are going through life with - in storms with them - they are the ones who need to see the gospel the promise of the Word of God - how you face down even death itself in Christ - Luke closes his open-ended story saying to be a Christain is to be engaged in this entreprise utnil Christ comes again - as we do with faithk confidence obedience, we too will see - reme3mber the theme of the book - how the last vers will end - WOr dof God, Gospel of Jesu growing - So come with me into this perfect storm - learn not onoy to approach the storms of our lives, but how to get through the in order to testify!

Key Truth: In life’s storms trust God’s providence, strengthened and strengthening others

In Life's Storms God's servant must trust God's providence with calmness and fierce confidence, strengthened by fellow Christians and strengthening all those around them!

It is this last bit that stands out first and through out the whoel chapter:

In the storms of life:

A. Get strength from fellow Christians and then strengthen all those around you.

A. Do you see it in the only happy part of this chapter.

After two years of frustration and waiting - whole life and whole ministry on pause - bet wonder if seeing Jesus was a delusion.

Ever feel like that.

But then most competent and gracious centurion assigned finally to take you to Rome!

They set sail on a small intercoastal shipping boat - carried along with favourable winds up to Sidon where taking on more supplies.

Note that the Lord does not let Paul go through this alone - 16 “we’s” meaning that Luke has gone with as is also seen but detailed nautical descriptions.

But he centres out one of the travelling companions that - had spent 3 years away from his home Thessolonica Said that many noble men wealthy could leave for that long went with Paul to deliver the relief fund.

But v.2 Aristarchus centered out because as a follower of Christ, also signed up to a servant of Paul to accompany on the journey - Would you do that for a missionary - do we have that kind of partnership .

Bet Paul needed that encouragement.

But they arrive at Sidon, and we see what we’ll also in Chapter 28 as he sets foot on the Italian peninsula - like 6 months later - In God’s providence with the respect Paul had given to Roman authority appointment by God - did’t lie, didn't connive , they respect him too a Roman citizen most surmise even if a guard sent with Paul, no longer bond until in Rome again.

But he is permitted to go visit friends, real Christian brothers and sisters - so many years ago stopped by a on trip to Jerusalem council with Barnabas - and he is welcomed into their homes and he eats with them and spends the night.

And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.

Let me ask you a simple question.

do you know what the hospitality of paper plates is? Participating in or Practicing Christian hospitality - type of fellowship (won’t use plastics in Ont any more good stewardship) but it is to share life for a short time - Can you imagine what that felt like to Paul after meals in a prison cell, after never being asked to walk beside a Christian, … Do you know there are some in fact all, called to ministry of some sort here, all have some affliction they are are bearing do you know what hospitably would mean to them - power and confidence to keep on going - Like our Banner - Carry one anthers’ burdens - friend like that is better than a blood brothers - - One way small but I think important to do this Coffee Socials.

Other is simple walk coffee time,.

A note of encouragement, One elder spread manure … became expert searching and asking questions of young adults.

We’ve got some young ones heading off - imagine if it were like anniversary we just celebrated of D-Day - these young adults sen tout to war - invite them in - as they go, along the way -

Ever experience that?

Can I share with you what my Dad received a week before left for Canada as a 19 year old young adult.

This man from the big city of Harlem stayed when no food, heard a decade after war ended that young kid, now leaving for new country - said turn to WORD gave him a copy - brings tears to his sons eyes.

.. when I heeded that same advice in my days of university - when world pressed in -

And that’s why I want to ask you in this open ended conclusion - are you living an Acts life - will you devote yourself to this fellowship.

I want to show how cool it is that Paul received this encouragement - and let himself be cared for - By the way the number one problem of churches and pastors - is that church’s have problems and think the pastor needs to change, and the pastors’ have problems and say the church needs to change, Why Pastor’s live either above or outside the real ministry o f the gospel.

But are you doing that - Look how Paul - humbling himself to be cared for by others, reacts in the storms of life later!

That was no prophetic supernatural world.

Paul had over 3000 miles of frequent flier point s- experienced at sea, and everyone knew these waters were dangerous after Sept, and especial after Nov - Jan - impassable.

But he cares not only to reach Rome himself, but not testing God - he with commonsense - tells them for your cargo, for your lives - don’t do this.

The key word is ADVISED?

Do you care enough to advise others?

Not bossy or snotty but really care enough to address areas of concern or danger in peoples lives, start with family members - tough family meeting.

That was no propehtic supernatural wordl.

Paul had over 3000 miles of frequent flier point s- experienced at sea, and everyone knew these waters were dangerous after Sept, and esepciall after Nov - Jan - impassable.

But he cares not only to reach Rome himself, but not testing God - he with comomsense - tells them for your cargo, for your lives - don’t do this.

The key word is ADVISED?

Do you care enough to advise others?

Not bosy or snotty but really care enough to address areas of concern or danger in peoples lives, start with family members - tough family meeting.

But look when we see this word again.

Now they are really really stuck - Luke said not only they, but all hope of OUR being saved was at last abandoned.

But look when we see this word again.

Now they are really really stuck - Paul said not only they but all hope of OUR being saved was at last abandonned.

I bet you know some poepole at or almost at that point.

Paul does a little of the I told you so, not som mch to rub it in their face, but to show credibility of his advice and care, as a grounds to trust him now.

But listen to his words - Luke says “for along time he stood among them” like he is recording it in slow motion, impoerfect tense kept on urging them:

I bet you know some people at or almost at that point.

Paul does a little of the I told you so, not so much to rub it in their face, but to show credibility of his advice and care, as a grounds to trust him now.

But listen to his words - Luke says “for along time he stood among them” like he is recording it in slow motion, imperfect tense kept on urging them:

Yet now I urge you ....

Again he is urging them and 2x the way is not doom and gloom, but in the midst of the storm, with them in it - BE CHEERFUL.

Calmness and collect Don’t be afraid.

They had spent themselves in despair Paul waits until frantic activity of despair done, and then with confidence speaks.

Must learn how to do that with others!

But then on the last day after 14 days of just drifting, exact estimate of how long to reach Malta, As he tells them to finally take a real meal - he says urge but this time it is the Word that Jesus used of Himself and the Holy Spirit - Para Kaleo - to call out beside someone, like coach running beside, like a guide don’t turn that way, like a true comforter , like an advocate, kid pushed, coach took video said look got into the finals!

Now Paul look what he says and why:

How could we ever be those kind of comforters, and bring that kind of hope and strength, even such words of promise into each others lives and storms?

That’s the Second thing we must be able to do in the storms of life:

B. Trust God’s Providences With Calmness

At Lasea, Asia Minor - they switched to a great big freighter with grain from Egypt, 140’x36’x33’.

Caesar’s had said you risk it all to get grain to Rome in those months you’ll be handsomely rewarded.

Well, the centurion commission this one.

At Lasea, Asia Minor - they switched to a great big freighter with grain from Egypt.

Caesar’s had said you risk it all to get grain to Rome in those months you’ll be handsomely rewarded.

Well, the centruion commmisionthis one.

Already behind schedule because they had to above Cyprus, because of contrary winds.

Now they will make up time.

But they still can’t go WEest to Italy , and because these boats two oars for ruddres, bcan’t sial into wind, they head south of Crete now, around Salmone.

When they reached Fair Havens, irnonic name because the sailors and the soliders are all for pushingo nt o better port for winter, Paul wanred them , but shipo owner and centurion and pula - 2:1 Paulloses and off they go.

Already behind schedule because they had to above Cyprus, because of contrary winds.

Now they will make up time.

But they still can’t go West to Italy , and because these boats two oars for rudders, can't sail into wind, they head south of Crete now, around Salmone.

When they reached Fair Havens, ironic name because the sailors and the soldiers are all for pushing onto better port for winter, Phoenix.

Paul warned them , but ship owner and centurion and Paul - 2:1 Paul loses and off they go.

Now notice that Paul wasn’t making decision testing God presuming that because know has to get to Rome, acan irsk his life or this whole ships, count on a miracle.

Notice when the winds actully pick up and are favourable he doesn’t say - Oh yes, now God is telling me and us go.

Not how Paul makes deicisions.

He fully trusts he will get to Rome God’s word is sure, but doesn’t mean easy passage.. luke hints in v.13 that they mistake events for.