Witnessing by example

Witnessing by example

, After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 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. 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. 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.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 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.

After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 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. 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. 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.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 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.

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. 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. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

In this final chapter, Paul is presented in a series of encounters with pagans (vv. 1–10), with Christians (vv. 14–15), and with Jews (vv. 17–28). So what we really see here is Luke forming a summary conclusion his portrait of Paul and his ministry. Our focus today is in the first segment (vv. 1–10) its ‘not some much about his ministry on the mission field and yet again it is through his witnessing of Christ by example. Paul was being received in the pagan world, perhaps as a signal that such cooperation and kindness were still possible when this document was written. It should also serve as a sign that even now that still lays hope that we should harken the call of Christ to those still living a pagan lifestyle without Him. A life filled with greed, gratuitous, and the graffiti of sin written large upon their lives.

Graffiti from the 1800s discovered by workers renovating the Washington Monument has quite a different tone from that usually found today on the sides of buildings and subway cars. Here’s what it said about reaching to others with the good news of Christ Jesus. "Whoever is the human instrument under God in the conversion of one soul, erects a monument to his own memory more lofty and enduing than this," reads the inscription, which still now can be viewed by visitors to the monument.

The markings in the lobby of the monument were covered over when it was decorated at the turn of the century. They were found again when workers removed marble wainscoting as part of a yearlong $500,000 renovation, which was recently completed.

Let us pray…

The inhabitants of Malta are described as ‘barbarians’ (vv. 2, 4), with a superstitious approach to life (vv. 4–6), but here they show unusual kindness towards the strangers from the shipwreck. In fact they act more like benefactors that like barbarians, because of the hospitality they showed! In this context, they witness a sign of Paul’s special relationship with God, though they mistakenly identify him later as a god himself (vv. 3–6). A second scene in Malta begins with another reference to kindly treatment, expressed again by way of hospitality (v. 7). In this case it is the chief official or ‘first man’ of the island that cares for them all. Paul acts in kindness to this man by healing his father, which leads to a series of healings for the islanders more generally (vv. 8–9). The segment ends and it began lifting up the theme of hospitality with a reference to the many ‘honors’ shown to Paul and his friends and the fact that they provided for all their needs (v. 10). The language of hospitality pervades this entire story, and what we see is a reciprocity relationship set up between Publius and the islanders on one hand and Paul and his fellow travelers on the other. There is no reference to any conversions, and the focus of the story is on ‘cooperative hospitable relationships between Christians and non-Christians, to the benefit of all. The focus is on the power of witnessing by example. However, it is hard to imagine Paul failing to preach Christ in this place.

But really, he does by his Christian witness and godly examples.

Question: "What does the Bible say about hospitality?" Answer: Hospitality can be defined as “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “hospitality” literally means “love of strangers.” Hospitality is a virtue that is both commanded and commended throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God specifically commanded it: “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt” (, emphasis added). During His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town. Likewise, the early Christians also depended on and received hospitality from others. In fact, travelers in ancient times depended heavily on the hospitality of strangers as traveling could be dangerous and there were very few inns, and poor Christians could not afford to stay at them, anyway. This generous provision to strangers also included opening one’s home for church services. Hospitality was indeed a highly regarded virtue in ancient times, especially for Christian leaders. The writer of Hebrews reminds us not to forget to “entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (). Indeed, in the book of Genesis we read of Abraham’s humble and generous display of hospitality to three strangers. Wealthy and aged, Abraham could have called on one of his many servants to tend to the three unannounced visitors. Yet the hospitable and righteous Abraham generously gave them the best he had. And, as it turned out, he had entertained the Lord and two angels (). Christians are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (). As followers of Christ, we emulate His love and compassion when we show hospitality, not only to fellow Christians, but even more so to strangers and the less fortunate. In fact, we honor God when we are kind to the needy. As Jesus said, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed” (). Christ also taught us the second greatest commandment, to “love your neighbor as yourself”, and the Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that “neighbor” has nothing to do with geography, citizenship, or race. Wherever and whenever people need us, there we can be neighbors and, like Christ, show mercy. This is the essence of hospitality. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus discusses the hospitable behavior of those who will inherit the kingdom: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”. In these days we often don’t think much about entertaining strangers, but hospitality is still an important part of Christian ministry. By serving others we serve Christ and we promote the spread of God’s truth.

Witnessing by example through Hospitality

1 The expression ‘after we were brought safely through’ the voyagers found that they were safe just as God had promise through Paul, but where the world were, they. This they did not know where they were. God had kept His promise as He always does. He saved everyone on the ship, even in the violent storm, which mercilessly drove the ship under its power for over fourteen. Saved from the utter hopelessness of a grave situation when they thought all hope was lost. When are at the end of our rope, we need to just pause and tie a knot in that rope and hold on because hope is on the way. God is or refuge; He is a very present help in the time of trouble. God always keeps His promises,

, ‘Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

Listen to the sheer desperation in Paul’s voice in the midst of the trials of ministry. But he finds that out once again that God is faithful, faithful even when we are not faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. Look at how God’s faithful changes the Paul voice and confidence in his circumstance by witnessing to him by His faithful example.

, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

I want you to contrast these statements. Paul says in , Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. Paul is coming into a deeper understanding of who God is and what His power encompasses. Even now in the midst of our current storm let’s us not forget, that we do not rely on ourselves but we relay of God! Now in verse we see Paul greater confidence in the Lord because of the trials and tribulations which God has brought him through. ‘Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.’

Paul says in ‘…For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.’ But in , So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self, is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.’

The question becomes did that much change happen in Paul circumstances or did God change Paul as He delivered him time and time again and witnessed to his very soul by example? I believe that Paul circumstances were about the same, but God changed his ability to endure.

Is this what God is doing in each one of us during this time of our pastoral pause? For God the Father is the pastor of us all.

Is God giving us a time out, so that we might make time to paid attention to Him and His word? So that we might remember all the times He has delivered us as He draws us closer to Himself and shows us by example that He is God alone and can delivered us again?

Our text comes on to say suddenly they found some of the native inhabitants—and ‘recognized’ that the island was called Malta. Malta is only 18 miles long and 8 miles wide, and is situated about 58 miles south of Sicily and 180 miles northeast of Africa.

Luke, here called these people natives, but word here is really “barbarians”, this does mean that they were an uncivilized people. But in the ancient world all people who did not follow Greek customs or speak the Greek language were called barbarians. All non-Greeks and non- Romans were foreigners or a barbarian people. These island natives were, however, isolated on a somewhat insignificant and poor island.

(1) Could have easily… felt threatened by the shipwrecked victims and killed them. (2) They could have taken advantage of the situation and killed and stolen whatever valuables the survivors had such as rings and gold chains. Yet, because of God’s overruling power and protection, these native showed Paul and his friends with kindness beyond the ordinary they showed them hospitality. The word kindness here is the word ‘philanthropia’ this is where we get the word philanthropy. In the Greek it means a love for mankind, the kind of love that reaches out in special kindness, this is hospitality. Apparently from the text these natives helped the shipwrecked victims by extending many kindnesses to them. The point here is for us to see how God takes care of those who believe His promises and follow His instructions.

May this be why we are in the midst of the pastoral pause in this nation and really in the world? Is it that we have not taking God at His word? Is it that we have not followed His instructions? Is it that we have not listened to His voice? Or is it that we who are called to preach word and deliver His message have not done so? What if Paul had told the sailors instead, you don’t really have to stay on the ship to survive? I’ m sure God has yet another way.

God told Paul that he would save His messenger and everyone else, but the crew almost ruined it. They set out to save themselves, not accepting God’s Word. But there is no safety outside the center of God will and obedience to God’s Word. Only the strong warning of God and the destruction of the lifeboat saved the crew, because our lives are in His hands, God is our only lifeboat. It was only when they started to abide by God’s promise that things started to go well for them. When there was nothing on board to save the ship’s crew and passengers, when their only hope and trust was in Paul’s God, then God was able to take over and begin to bless all. They were saved, gloriously so, and welcomed abundantly by the natives on the island witnessing by example through hospitality.

Please don’t miss the lesson here that speaks to our own current challenge, don’t think for a moment that any of this will end prematurely until God gets the glory and get His point across. Which is we must return to Him. We must take Him at His Word. We must follow His instructions. We must listen to His voice. And those of us called to preach His Word, must preach His Word, not just what people what to hear, not just what makes people feel good, not just what people find acceptable. But we must preach God’s Word as it is written, in the full power of the prescription written, without any additions or deletions for us, preach the word in season and out of season. Preach the word even in a strange season, which we face now. We must learn to witness by example to overcoming our present harm. That is what Paul did; let’s look at his example.

Witnessing by example through overcoming harm.

Here we see that a snake bit God’s messenger and that God allowed him to overcome this harm and healed him. The question becomes why did God let his dear servant be snake bitten in the first place? Really, hadn’t Paul already suffered enough? Hadn’t he gone through… a terrifying storm for fourteen days? Hadn’t he struggled for his life in the darkness of the storm? Hadn’t he abandoned the ship on the High Sea with a group of mutinous sailors and soldiers? Hadn’t his life threatened by Romans soldiers who feared he might escape? Now he finds himself rushing about in the torrential rain, bitterly soaked and cold, gathering wood for the fire, which had just been built. He had not even been given a change to get warm himself before a snake leaped out of the fire and latched onto Paul’s hand. Would this situation not bring a believer to ask?

“Why? O God, why do I have to keep on suffering so much pain, and so many trials.” When it came to this snake bite Paul never saw it coming.

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming either. For one second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. Then the phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said "hello" when go "ssssopp!" Chippie got sucked in. She gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie -- still alive, but stunned. Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air.

Poor Chippie never knew what hit him, he never saw it coming.

A few days after the trauma, Chippie's owner spoke about his recovery. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn't sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares." It's hard not to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over . . . That's enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.

But this was not so in Paul’s heart, though had been stuck the slammer for over two years, shipwrecked, and now snake bitten on an unknown island; Paul just shook it off and kept serving God. Verses 4-5 said, ‘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.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.”

Look at God’s care during this example; God took care of Paul through this trial by healing him instantaneously. God used the trial to reach many for Christ. As the natives saw the delivering power of God, by seeing His care for Paul, they were more open and ready to listen to the gospel.

, And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Faith for my deliverance is not faith in myself, but faith in God. Yet, faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is God and that He is able. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.

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.”

They were quite convinced that he was a criminal. Theologically, or maybe just through their superstition and heathenism they thought that Paul was small “g” god. The mythical god of justice and vengeance had finally caught up with him. They knew that he was a prisoner, and thought he was guilty of some crime. Maybe even the crime of murder! For he was chained and was being sent to Rome for either trial or execution or both. They also believed that the snakebite was certain death for him, they reasoned he was a murderer and now he has been murder by the gods. Unfortunately, every generation holds to some superstition, especially those who are unbelievers. Unbelievers suffer from foolishness, wrongdoing, irresponsible behavior and sin. They will in the end be punished for their evil deeds. They wrongly believe that their gods are coming after them for their wrongdoing and they have no escape. Or they believe that can keep on sinning without any accountability. The have it wrong on both accounts. There is a true and living God whose wrath is coming after those who have rejected His Son, Christ Jesus, whom he sent as their escape, their only escape. They cannot keep sinning without accountability because the wages of sin is death. And at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. We might escape from the sea, we might escape from some sins and their subsequent detection, but we cannot escape from the true and living God. If Paul’s survival offered them some confusing evidence, death by snakebite would confirm that Justice was truly pursuing him. However, they were surprised to see that Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

There was of course some truth to their belief; a man does reap what he sows. However, he does not always bear severe suffering in this life. Many do, but some do not, not personally. The trials of this life are usually normal and natural trials, trials that just result from a corruptible and sinful world. The major judgment for sin is to take place after this life, when we enter eternity. But God is sovereign and can rebuke us and chastise us for the purpose of gaining our attention or guiding us back to a righteous path. During our current exile and pastoral pause are we seeking the face of God to ask Him what are the lessons that we should be learning?

Why has He brought all the idols, all the false gods, and all the material things that we depend so much upon to nothing?

Is it not the we might clearly see that He is all that we need, that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Is God not showing us that we can be like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in it season, and it leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers!

So pastor, is God criticizing our behavior or lack of worship toward Him and His truth? Maybe? But all criticism must be considered for what truth lies within.

Criticism is always difficult to accept, but if we receive it with humility and a desire to improve our character it can be very helpful. Only a fool does not profit when he is rebuked for his mistakes. Several years ago I read a helpful article on this subject. It stated that when we are criticized we ought to ask ourselves whether the criticism contains any truth. If it does, we should learn from it, even when it is not given with the right motivation and in the right spirit. The article then offered these four suggestions: (1) commit the matter instantly to God, asking Him to remove all resentment or counter-criticism on your part and teach you the needed lessons. (2) Remember that we are all great sinners and that the one who has criticized us does not begin to know the worst about us. (3) If you have made a mistake or committed a sin, humbly and frankly confess it to God and to anyone you may have injured. (4) Be willing to learn afresh that you are not infallible and that you needed God's grace and wisdom every moment of the day to keep on the straight path.

When we are criticized, let's accept what is true and act upon it, thereby becoming a stronger person. He who profits from rebuke is wise.

Witnessing by example through God’s healing

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.’ Luke’s account here is very revealing at this point—conveying the drama of the situation—as the islanders changed their minds about Paul; first seeing him as a goner to now seeing him as a god. They were attentively ‘waiting for’ for Paul ‘to begin’ to swell up or suddenly fall dead. Their experience dealing with snakebites and it consequence made them very skeptical about Paul’s prospects. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and ‘began to say’ he was a god. How quickly the natives switched their thoughts about Paul when they saw he was unharmed by the snakebite. They immediately thought he was a god-like man. We all have a problem sometime of understanding the miracles of God.

(a)The miracle of changed lives lives radically and completely changed by Him. (b) The miracle of healed bodies, bodies may whole by God’s healing hand. (c) Also, the miracle of overcoming our own circumstances through faith in God. Miracles confuse and confound people, they cannot understand them, and so they deny them and try to explain them away. This is why they said Paul must be a god! Remember when Paul and Barnabas were mistaken for gods in Lystra, they reacted quite negatively, but also took that opportunity to preach about the Creator God. Look at , 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!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 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. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “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. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.’

Now here again Paul uses his circumstances to preach and witnesses Christ by example through healing. Even in the previous chapter, Paul twice uses the situation to testify to the grace and power of the one true God (27:21–26, 33–36). It would be inconsistent with the picture painted there—let alone earlier in Acts—to assume that he said nothing to honor God in Malta. Given the length of stay, it is inconceivable that he did not preach Christ in some way! As this travel narrative moves to its climax, the development of friendly relationships with pagans should not be taken to exclude the possibility of evangelism.

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. And what an act of hospitality it was! Think about it, the burden of housing and feeding Julius, his soldiers and the prisoners all 276 of them. But even more amazing is the fact that God uses the trial of the storm and the miracle of the snakebite to open the door on the island for Paul to minister. Paul uses this time to witness about Christ and not to worry about his circumstances. We can learn a great lesson in this for the times we are going through. We must stop feeling threaten by our current exile and instead use this time to tell people about Christ. Staring with out families who are the closest to us, and telling others by phone, zoom, email, or Facebook. God has rearranged the entire schedule of the world and given them time to hear about His Son.

8–9 The experience of such hospitality provided Paul with the opportunity to demonstrate the grace of God towards this family of unbelievers. Luke is showing how the giving and receiving of acts of hospitality built bridges for the gospel with good-living pagans. Now the text takes us to a healing story that is reminiscent of the account of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum in . In both cases, the relative of the healer’s host is healed and this blessing is then extended to others. The father of Publius was ill in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. ‘With fevers’ could imply ‘attacks of intermittent fever’. and Dysentery suggests that it was ‘Malta fever’—known since the nineteenth century to be caused by a microbe in goat’s milk.

Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. Prayer with the laying on of hands for healing occurs only here in Acts. Prayer is especially mentioned here to show Paul’s reliance on God. The contrast with Jesus in the Gospel story is also instructive: ‘Jesus does not pray to a higher power for the cure but rather rebukes the fever on the basis of his own power’. When this had happened, the rest of those on the island who were ill came and were cured. The glorified Lord Jesus continues his work of healing through Paul, in far distant places.

10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. When Luke says that they honored them in many ways this refers to Paul and his Christian companions, because they were responsible for the healings. But really suggests a more general reference to the care shown by the islanders for the whole company of travellers. Of course, the healings were a particular stimulation for the generosity of the locals in this context. Paul’s healing activity brought blessing to many, including his travel companions, who were supplied by the islanders with everything they needed for the next stage of their journey. Look at God at work here, Paul, God’s messenger was destitute, but God took care of his necessities. Paul and all the others had lost practically everything in the shipwreck. Yet God is seen working behind the scenes to take care of the necessities of His servant and those of the surrounding people. God even brought a ship to them that was forced to spend the winter in Malta. The name of the ship was the Castor and Pollux, which were the names of the twin gods who were the protectors of navigation. But God had already proved that they needed no other God but Him to make it safety to Rome.