Finding Favor

Introduction

Defining “Favor”

Osteen’s stories of flying first class and hitting all green lights.

Common misteachings about wealth and health - prosperity gospel.

What does it look like to have God’s blessings on your life?

Favor In Nature

The are there on the shore and it was cold (November) and started to rain. Miserable.

But, suddenly, the inhabitants of the island come out and show unusual kindness to them!

Quick note on these people - KJV “barbarous” or “islanders” or “locals” or “native.”

Barbarians what the Greeks called any non-Greeks because they made fun of how their language sounded.

The Phoenicians had settled this island and named it “Malta” meaning “A place of refuge.”

Not barbarians in how we would think of them, but quite civil in their treatment of these visitors.

As Paul throws on some sticks, one of the sticks is actually a viper and bites his hand.

This action caused an assumption concerning Paul! That even though he had escaped the waves, the goddess of justice, Dike, had caught up to him.

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Dike

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Epitaph by Statyllius Flaccus for such a sailor who escaped the waves only to be killed by a snakebite:

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts 3. Ashore at Malta (28:1–10)

O, he escaped the storm and the raging of the murderous sea. But as he lay stranded in the libyan sand, not far from the beach and heavy with sleep, at last, naked and destitute, weary as he was from the terrible shipwreck, the viper struck him dead. Why did he struggle against the waves? He did not escape the lot which was destined for him on land (Palatine Anthology 7.290).

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But, Paul was fine! They didn’t know what to think of Paul at this point…went from being a murderer to a god.

Similar to earlier where in Lystra he went from being a god to attempting to stone him! (Acts 14)

But, the reality is that he was neither. But, he was protected by Jesus, the true God.

The people, after observing him, realized that there was something divine about him.

This is where we should be. When people observe us, they should recognize that there is a divine presence.

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The Holy Spirit indwells Christians.

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Empowering. Guiding. Producing fruit.

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Can people see the presence of the divine in you?

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The way you handle challenges at work?

The way you handle the pressures of parenting?

The way you love your spouse and your family?

The way you present yourself on social media?

Or do your actions leave them confused or making assumptions about your life and your faith?

Live your life with a clear direction of glorifying Jesus.

Favor In Ministry

The Phoenicians weren’t the only ones inhabiting the island. Retired Roman soldiers. Publius.

Paul experienced favor from this, the “chief man” of the island. Installed by the Roman government.

And what did he do with that acceptance? Sit back and relax? It had been a really traumatic month.

Yet, he looked around and saw a need and he sought to meet that need.

His father was ill. What we know today Malta Fever or Brucellosis.

A micro-organism that is commonly transmitted through unpasteurized goat milk.

Usually affects someone for four months with these symptoms, but can last for 2 to 3 years.

The organism was finally discovered in 1887 which led to a vaccine first documented in 1906.

At this time, there was no cure, no treatment, and certainly no vaccine. Just months of pain.

And here comes Paul - who didn’t need to do anything! But, he did. He showed compassion.

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Show compassion to the hurting.

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What a powerful thing that we can do, as Paul did, following the example of Jesus.

The marginalized and rejected (women, children, “sinners,” and tax collectors.

People who were grieving, the sick, the financially destitute, and the emotionally destitute.

These are the people that Jesus used His resources to bless.

When we think about that there are people around us who are hurting, what can you do?

Maybe it is just to provide a meal or an attentive ear or a shoulder to cry on.

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God has blessed you.

Bless others.

Favor As We Go

After three months of waiting out the winter months on Malta, they depart to finish their journey.

Map from Malta to Rome.

Luke includes this interesting little fact here in v. 11.

Acts 28:11 ESV

After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.

“The heavenly twins” - some translations add a little extra information by giving you the names “Castor and Pollux.”

If you’ve ever heard of a “Gemini” that’s where it comes from. The twins who in Greek mythology were upgraded to divine by Zeus and became the god of navigation and the patron saints of seafarers.

Which is a bit of irony, as Paul’s God is the one true God who protected Paul through the storm.

Luke describes the blessing that they received as they traveled to the province of Rome heading to the capital city.

“Fetched a compass” = they made a circle. A compass used for maritime travel wasn’t invented until the 12th Century.

As soon as they reached the land, other Christians found out and they came to greet Paul and travel with him.

What a joy that must have been for Paul! He’s been with Luke and Aristarchus for several months now, and before that he was in his cell for two years. But now he is able to again encourage the believers!

Enjoy the freedom to worship and fellowship with believers.

Even once he arrived in Rome, he had a place to stay where he could receive other believers as well.

As Paul traveled, he looked for opportunities to share the Good News and to build up believers.

As he went, he was trusting in the leadership of the Lord!

Remember, Paul was not guaranteed what was going to happen to him in Rome.

But he went joyfully and confidently because he trust the Lord.

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Trust in Jesus gives us confidence to face the uncertainty.

Conclusion

God blesses us for His own glory!

So that we can be fruitful in advancing the Kingdom of God.

This is the essence of what it really means to receive God’s favor.

Favor is being made fruitful for God’s glory.

And in the middle of life’s storm, finding Malta.

A place of refuge.

Salvation is our place of refuge.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Savior, today is the day.

((Raise of hands and offer to pray for them))

He wants to save you and send you out in confidence with a purpose.