Voyage-The Journey Continues (2)

Introduction:

“The Christian experience, from start to finish, is a journey of faith.”—Watchman Nee

Throughout this study we have seen Paul experience various delays.

We have seen him connect with friends who ministered to him and his need.

We have seen him face an epic storm.

We have seen those with him on the boat be impacted by his relationship with God and the words he imparted.

We have felt the emotions of fear, panic, until God spoke words of comfort and direction through Paul.

Acts 27:23–26 NLT

23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

We see that through this voyage, God’s plan and purpose remained fixed--

What was God’s plan and purpose for Paul?

God Used Paul

to influence those on the boat

To prepare the hearts of every person involved.

God loved each individual so much He pursued them and used Paul to do so.

The Ship

Battered and beaten until it was no longer safe for anyone to travel.

Although all cargo was lost, all 276 passengers were saved as Paul prophesied. (Be careful of voices.) **False prophets**

Repositioned

God navigated through the devastation of the storm. Storms and shipwrecks will always reposition us.

Sometimes being in a new position is welcoming; but sometimes the repositioning is disappointing and painful.

**We may have to adjust and adapt and learn new things.**

Acts 28:1–14 NLT

1 Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. 3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. 7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip. 11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

What is one of the most helpful things you’ve learned from the study of Paul’s journey to Rome?

Name some godly character traits that you would like for God to help you develop in your life.

How does it help us remain faithful on our journey through life to know that Christ stands beside us each step of the way?