WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.600 There are some places you go to that you never forget. 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:06.179 They stick in your memory forever. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:09.679 And for me, one of these is Malta. 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:14.019 Bridget and I went on a cruise to celebrate special birthdays. 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:16.620 And one of the places I went to was Malta. 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:17.640 And I remember going in. 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:19.019 It was a bright, sunny day. 00:00:19.559 --> 00:00:20.940 The sea was very calm. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:26.240 And as you came towards Malta, you saw this stunning city on the hill above you, 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:27.560 a big, fortified city. 00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:30.500 You don't really get a proper impression with it from a photo. 00:00:30.939 --> 00:00:33.159 It was absolutely magnificent. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:37.219 One place I think I will never forget. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:42.500 I think Luke also would never forget when he came to Malta. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:46.759 But his circumstances were very different from ours. 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:48.859 Luke swam ashore. 00:00:49.019 --> 00:00:53.659 Perhaps he was clinging to some driftwood as the ship they were on had broken up. 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:59.979 after 14 days in a storm, a wild storm at sea. 00:01:00.919 --> 00:01:06.759 Not knowing where they were, not knowing where they were going and fearing for their lives. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:12.439 And I'm sure as Luke came to Malta, he was very thankful that God had preserved his life 00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:14.479 and everyone else on board. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:21.900 Thankful too, as we saw in the reading for the great hospitality offered to them by the Maltese people. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:29.080 And I think we can be thankful to Luke or thankful for Luke for the account that he gives us 00:01:29.080 --> 00:01:32.420 or in the passage that he's read to us. 00:01:32.820 --> 00:01:34.160 It is really tense. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:37.100 It is in many ways quite exciting. 00:01:37.880 --> 00:01:41.860 And it draws us in as a great adventure. 00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:44.640 And of course, Luke was recording it firsthand. 00:01:44.800 --> 00:01:48.460 It's clear from the way Luke writes his book, the Book of Acts, 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:50.000 whether he is there or not there. 00:01:50.059 --> 00:01:51.780 He talks about we or they. 00:01:51.899 --> 00:01:53.659 This is definitely one of the we passages. 00:01:54.219 --> 00:02:00.559 Luke had come through the storm and he gives us a very vivid account of it. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:04.219 And there were two things that particularly struck me 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:08.519 as I was thinking of this chapter over the last week. 00:02:08.520 --> 00:02:17.000 The first thing is that God, in his mercy, provides for us, 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:21.980 but he doesn't always provide in the ways that we expect. 00:02:23.200 --> 00:02:29.260 And the second thing is that we have opportunities as believers, as Christians, 00:02:29.700 --> 00:02:34.700 and knowing the Lord Jesus, we have opportunities to influence others, 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:39.079 even if we're not in positions of formal authority. 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:43.780 And I hope we'll see both of these as we go through this morning. 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:47.399 But I want to begin by just walking through the passage. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:49.560 I have read it beautifully, but there's a lot in it. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:55.519 So let's just go through again and just make sure we understand what is going on. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:58.079 So if you've been following in previous weeks, 00:02:58.299 --> 00:03:00.339 you'll know that Paul had come to Jerusalem. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:03.459 He was hoping to end up in Rome, but he'd come to Jerusalem. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:05.719 When he was in Jerusalem, he was arrested. 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:08.980 He was in prison in Caesarea for two years, 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:11.540 no doubt chafing at the bit to get away. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:15.560 And then he is sent away to Rome because he appeals to Caesar. 00:03:15.920 --> 00:03:19.020 He is sent away to Rome as a prisoner. 00:03:19.640 --> 00:03:21.500 And that's where we pick it up this morning. 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:25.800 Paul, along with Luke, and with another man called Aristarchus, 00:03:25.860 --> 00:03:28.140 who was one of those who had accompanied Paul to Jerusalem, 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:33.699 they joined the boat that is going ultimately towards Rome. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:35.939 I always like a good map. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:41.399 So let's put a map up and we'll walk through it just to get a feel for the journeys of Paul. 00:03:41.739 --> 00:03:45.259 And his companions start off at the bottom right in Caesarea, 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:49.759 and they're heading up to the top left, which is Rome. 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:54.319 So first of all, they're on probably a relatively small ship 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:57.620 that takes them around the coast, around the top of Cyprus, 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:01.259 and they come to this place called Myra. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:05.679 Relatively uneventful part of the journey, I think, 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:09.939 although they're the first signs of bad weather, of stormy weather, 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:12.919 as they make that bit of the journey. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:16.420 But that is the relatively straightforward bit. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:19.720 Now, the boat they were on was probably quite a small boat. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:21.560 It wasn't one that would either be going to Rome 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.160 or would be suitable for going to Rome. 00:04:23.640 --> 00:04:28.720 So they then pick up a much bigger boat at the port there. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:31.920 And that's where their problems begin. 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:35.240 So the idea would have been they would have gone west, 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:37.920 so gone left in the map there. 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:41.680 But actually what happens is they get into really stormy weather, 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:45.840 and they have to head south, and they end up in Crete. 00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:49.060 Now, a big part of the problem with that 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:52.860 is that they were running against a very tight deadline. 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:55.060 If you're sailing in the Mediterranean, 00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:57.660 there are parts of the year when it's safe to sail, 00:04:58.020 --> 00:05:02.080 and there are parts of the year when it's not safe to sail. 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:05.580 And Paul and his companions landed in Crete 00:05:05.580 --> 00:05:09.460 just about the time when it was becoming unsafe to sail. 00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:11.680 He refers, you may have noticed in the passage, 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:14.000 to it being after the Day of Atonement. 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:16.240 It was probably early October. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:18.780 And it was getting to the point where it was going to be 00:05:18.780 --> 00:05:21.280 very stormy weather on the seas, 00:05:21.580 --> 00:05:25.360 and you probably didn't want to be making that hop from Crete 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:29.200 over towards Italy, probably Sicily initially. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:32.020 And so there was a decision to make. 00:05:32.580 --> 00:05:35.300 They were in a place in Crete that wasn't a very good harbour, 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:37.259 it wasn't in many ways a very safe harbour, 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:43.219 and the question was how much further could they get before the weather set in. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.500 And Paul says, don't try it. 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.740 Just stay here. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.459 If you go from here, the ship's going to get destroyed. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:53.079 There will probably be loss of life. 00:05:53.139 --> 00:05:55.399 And at that point, Paul is outnumbered. 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:56.519 Paul, remember, is a prisoner. 00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:57.379 We'll come back to that. 00:05:57.420 --> 00:06:01.240 He's a prisoner, so really has no status at all on the boat. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:03.759 So Paul says, don't go. 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:07.620 But the captain and the centurion who's looking after Paul and the prisoners, 00:06:08.099 --> 00:06:10.659 they decide they're going to go along the coast of Crete, 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:13.240 probably a distance of about 40 miles, 00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:15.639 and find somewhere that's a bit more suitable, 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:18.399 and then stay there for the winter. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:22.480 That place is called Phoenix, if you can see there on the map of Crete. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.620 So it wasn't a very big distance they were planning to go. 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:28.800 They were going to go about 40 miles. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:32.780 They ended up traveling about 600 miles. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:36.379 600 miles in a boat that was totally out of control. 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:38.240 They didn't know where they were. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:41.560 There was nothing they could do to help themselves. 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:45.639 They were just drifting along at sea. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:50.560 And they did a number of things to try and help the situation. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:53.939 They came behind a small island that's talked about in the passage. 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:56.199 They took the lifeboat onto the ship. 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:59.120 The lifeboat would probably have been dangling behind the ship, 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:00.420 being towed along by the ship. 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:03.079 So they took it on so that it was a bit more secure. 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:07.079 They tied ropes around the ship to prevent it from falling to pieces. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:10.480 Eventually, they started throwing things out of the ship 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:13.939 and lowering the anchors to prevent them drifting towards Africa. 00:07:14.899 --> 00:07:17.319 So you just see the bottom of the map is the north coast of Africa, 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:21.279 where there were some really dangerous sandbanks and rocks 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:23.319 where they might have got destroyed. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:27.139 But basically, they don't know where they are 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:29.680 and they don't know what's going to happen. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.819 They're in a huge storm at sea. 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:33.879 It's dark all the time. 00:07:34.219 --> 00:07:35.100 The wind is blowing. 00:07:35.219 --> 00:07:36.500 The rain is falling down. 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:39.420 And it's a desperate situation. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:42.220 And they're all just about giving up hope 00:07:42.220 --> 00:07:43.779 when Paul intervenes and says, 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.720 an angel of the Lord has come to me 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:48.579 and he's revealed we're all going to be saved. 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.159 We'll wash up on some island. 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:55.060 And that island, of course, turns out to be Malta, 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:57.180 down towards the bottom left, 00:07:57.520 --> 00:08:03.040 the southwest on the map that's on the screen. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:05.080 So they end up in Malta, 00:08:05.320 --> 00:08:07.080 but not in a straightforward way. 00:08:07.640 --> 00:08:09.000 They approach it at night. 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:11.500 They recognize that they're coming to land 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:12.779 and the sailors think, 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.240 great, this is our chance. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:16.459 We'll get the life vote and we'll go away. 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:17.480 We'll save ourselves 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:21.319 and just leave the rest to whatever happens to them. 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:23.259 Paul thwarts that plan 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:25.959 and they all end up together coming towards Malta, 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:28.019 but they get stuck on a sandbank 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:29.540 and the last little bit, 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:31.379 they have to swim. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:36.399 Really terrifying experience for everybody. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.919 And yet an experience where we can see 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:41.779 that God is ultimately in control. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:46.299 276 people left the port on that ship. 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:48.299 Despite everything that happened, 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:51.840 276 people arrived in Malta, 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:53.860 all of them safe. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.139 We then in Malta have the story 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:59.039 of a number of things that happened to Paul. 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:01.139 As he was helping to get wood, 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:02.439 a snake came out of the wood 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:03.799 and extremely bit him, 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:05.840 but didn't do him any harm. 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:08.680 He was able to heal Publius' servant, 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:11.660 the chief man on the island 00:09:11.660 --> 00:09:15.019 and do many other miracles as well. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:17.000 And then the final bit, 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:18.320 they wait three months in Malta 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.460 and the last bit is pretty straightforward. 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:22.340 They head first for Sicily, 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:24.340 then for the bottom of Italy 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.840 and work their way up. 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.100 Last bit on foot 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.920 and they're accompanied by some 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:31.879 of the Roman Christians for the last part. 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:34.879 So that briefly is what happened. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:37.879 That is how Paul got from Caesarea, 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.159 from the land where he came from, 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:42.519 right up to Rome at the end. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:44.299 Not as expected. 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:46.139 But as I said, 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:48.240 there are two things that really struck me 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.939 as I was reading this passage. 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:51.860 And we're going to start 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:56.419 by thinking about Paul's unexpected influence. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:09:58.799 Now just think about the situation here. 00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:00.579 You've got Paul. 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:02.279 He's a prisoner. 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:03.599 He's in chains. 00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:05.359 Whether he was in chains all the time in the ship, 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:05.979 we don't know. 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:07.719 He might well have been chained to a soldier, 00:10:08.079 --> 00:10:09.399 more or less continuously. 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:11.039 Paul is a prisoner. 00:10:11.579 --> 00:10:14.379 No status at all on this ship. 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:16.559 Yes, he was probably recognized 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:19.719 as a celebrity prisoner, if you like, 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:21.079 not just a normal murderer, 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:22.659 robber or something like that. 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:27.019 Nevertheless, he has no formal status on the ship. 00:10:27.959 --> 00:10:29.219 And yet again and again, 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:30.259 as you read through, 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:33.279 it seems to be Paul who's actually in control here. 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:36.759 He's the one who's able to identify what's happening, 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.719 to think through the situations 00:10:38.719 --> 00:10:40.059 and give wise advice, 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:42.100 who has God on his side 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:44.339 and receives messages from God, 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:46.219 and who ultimately is the one 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:47.299 who can give the assurance 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:49.559 that they'll be brought safely to land 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:52.959 and to do the things that bring it about. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:55.199 This man who is a prisoner, 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:59.079 who is in that sense the lowest of the low on the ship, 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.339 is ultimately the person 00:11:01.339 --> 00:11:03.939 who is able to save everyone there 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:05.719 with God's help 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:08.179 and to bring them to land. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.399 And we might say, 00:11:09.439 --> 00:11:10.419 well, why is that? 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:13.719 And how does that impact on us? 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:16.120 And I think what came to me 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.799 over the last few days 00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:20.779 is the opportunities that we too have 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:23.080 to be influences for good, 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:25.419 to be representatives of God, 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:27.120 even when we're positions 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.279 where we don't have a given authority, 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:33.080 where we're not in a position of power. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.639 Even if at work, 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:37.860 we're in a relatively junior position, 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:40.120 even if in our neighbourhood, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:43.240 we're not particularly influential or well-known, 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.680 even in the church, 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:46.500 if we're not in the leadership. 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:48.399 There are opportunities 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:51.120 to be good representatives of God 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:54.279 and to be influences on others. 00:11:54.359 --> 00:11:56.899 So let's just talk about a few things here. 00:11:58.479 --> 00:12:00.819 The first thing I think we notice about Paul 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:03.899 is he has a very attractive character. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:07.459 Did you notice by the time they got to Sidon, 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.500 which wasn't very far away from Caesarea, 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:13.379 he had so impressed the centurion 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:16.019 that the centurion was happy for this prisoner 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:18.639 to go and to meet the people, 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.919 the Christians in Sidon. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.919 As you go in the boat, 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.059 you can see respect building for Paul 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.600 as time goes on. 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:27.440 The people liked him, 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.500 people took to him. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.379 And then when they came to Malta, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.179 what's happened? 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:33.759 Paul was helping them to gather the wood. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:35.039 He wasn't saying, 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:36.860 well, I'm above this or I'm a prisoner, 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:38.159 I shouldn't have to do that. 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:41.099 Paul was pulling his weight, 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:43.459 helping the people on the island, 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:46.879 and then later helping them when they were ill. 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.279 So at the end, 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.639 they were really honoring him 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:52.599 and they really were attracted to him. 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:56.800 Paul had a very attractive character. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.779 And that should be the case of us too, 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.220 if we're Christians, 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:03.240 that we should be demonstrating 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.399 the fruit of the Spirit 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:06.360 that Paul talks about in Galatians. 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.940 And we should be people 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.659 who others can look up to 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:10.779 and can think, 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:13.000 yes, there's someone I can respect, 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.259 someone who shows virtuous character, 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:18.060 someone who is friendly and helpful. 00:13:18.660 --> 00:13:21.399 We should be attractive to others. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.399 Now, there will be times 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:23.799 when we can live like that. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.399 And just because we're Christians, 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.980 people will be opposed to us 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:30.019 and will try to do us down. 00:13:30.579 --> 00:13:32.939 But we have a duty to live as we can 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:34.319 for the Lord Jesus. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:36.720 There's a lovely verse in 1 Peter 3, 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:39.799 which talks about the unfading beauty 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:42.720 of a gentle and quiet spirit. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:43.220 I like that. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.559 The unfading beauty 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:47.879 of a gentle and quiet spirit. 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:48.860 And that's what we, 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.659 if we're Christians, 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.799 should seek to have 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:53.059 as we seek to emulate 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:54.759 and to learn from 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:57.240 the character of the Lord Jesus. 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:59.679 So Paul had an attractive character. 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:03.379 Second thing Paul clearly had 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:05.299 was personal authority. 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.339 When Paul spoke, 00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:09.059 people listened. 00:14:10.099 --> 00:14:10.759 Now, in this case, 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:12.399 it's helped that the first time he spoke, 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.159 he was right. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.539 He warned them of danger. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.079 And there was danger. 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.920 And so they weren't so quick 00:14:17.920 --> 00:14:19.879 to dismiss him other times. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.900 But Paul had authority. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.200 Paul was able to say with authority, 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:25.080 you will be saved. 00:14:25.160 --> 00:14:27.620 No one will die on this boat. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.560 Paul was able to say, 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:31.080 we all need to eat food now. 00:14:31.280 --> 00:14:32.800 We haven't been eating for the last week 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:34.200 because it's been so dreadful. 00:14:34.280 --> 00:14:36.160 We've been so tense and perhaps seasick. 00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:37.900 Now is the time we need to eat 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:39.420 because as we come to land, 00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:40.860 we'll need strength. 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.960 Paul is able to see 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.539 and to say that the sailors 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.399 are about to abandon ship 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.000 and leave everyone behind. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.500 And the centurion listens to him 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:52.680 and acts on it. 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.680 Paul is a man who, 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.500 as you go through, 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.240 you can see that he has 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.279 personal authority. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.080 And that's something that is good 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:04.080 for us to have as well. 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:06.759 That people know that we're those 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.460 who are worth listening to. 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.580 When we say things, 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:12.500 we don't say them to be unhelpful 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.300 or to be spiteful 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:16.080 or to do people down. 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:18.840 We say things that are designed to help 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.000 and to encourage 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.759 and to move things forward. 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.820 And if we're like that, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:26.820 people will listen to us. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:29.120 We may not be the most talkative. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.600 We may not be the most loud. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.600 But if when we speak, 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.540 people can see, 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.639 yes, that is something 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.800 that is worth hearing, 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:38.599 then when we have something 00:15:38.599 --> 00:15:40.039 really important to say, 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.899 we will do it with authority 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:44.759 and people will listen to us 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:47.079 as they did to Paul. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:48.959 Peter writes, 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.279 same chapter referred to before, 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:50.919 chapter 3, 00:15:50.979 --> 00:15:52.359 always be prepared 00:15:52.359 --> 00:15:53.240 to give an answer 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.399 to everyone 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.899 who asks you to give 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.120 the reason for the hope 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.939 that you have, 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.500 but do this 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.939 with gentleness 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:02.639 and respect. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:04.720 I think that's a large part 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.899 of the secret 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.879 of gaining authority 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.939 to show gentleness 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:09.340 and respect, 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.439 but to speak in a way 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:13.039 which people believe 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:14.740 and they understand 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.659 that you have the right 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:18.419 to say it. 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.519 One of my appraisals 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:21.840 and work, 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.399 one of the quite surprising things 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.899 my boss said to me one time 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.699 was he said, 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.960 you're the conscience 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.240 of the department. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.080 I had no idea 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:31.139 that he thought like that. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:33.439 Now it wasn't that I'd been 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.340 going around saying, 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.039 I'm a Christian, 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:35.779 you can't do this, 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.639 you can't do that 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.740 and we must act 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.879 in this way. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.919 But I think what he felt 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.879 was I was someone 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:43.919 who had the interests 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.120 of customers at heart 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.159 and sometimes would say, 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:46.699 okay, 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.460 that may seem commercially good 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.419 but it's not good 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.179 for our customers, 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.460 it's probably not 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:53.199 the right thing to do. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.399 And so he felt 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.399 that I had something 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.919 worthwhile to contribute 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.220 that when I spoke 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.299 in these circumstances 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.980 I had authority 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.680 and whether he was right 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.580 or not I don't know 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:04.700 but that was his impression. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.519 And I think all of us, 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.940 wherever we are, 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.880 if we are careful 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.860 in what we say 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:12.799 and if we try to be helpful 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.980 and positive 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.940 then we will gain authority. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:18.960 One of the things 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.660 worth noting 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:21.000 on Paul's authority, 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.640 Paul's authority 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.900 was used particularly 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.200 to express a message 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.240 of hope. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.779 This reassurance 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.319 that everyone would be saved 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.399 if they acted 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:31.179 in the way 00:17:31.179 --> 00:17:32.819 that he suggested 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:34.059 they should. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.759 His was a message, 00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:36.099 yes, 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.259 God is with us, 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.819 God can help us, 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:40.419 you can have hope 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:41.859 for the future. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.119 And perhaps for us, 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:45.779 one of the great opportunities 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.599 to speak with authority 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:49.379 is when people are going 00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:51.139 through difficult situations, 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.879 when they're struggling 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.399 with life 00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:54.299 and when they're looking ahead 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:54.720 and saying, 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.539 I don't know 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.379 what's going to happen, 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:58.520 we really don't have any hope. 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.540 That was the situation 00:17:59.540 --> 00:18:01.640 on this boat here. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.840 Well, we have a great message 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.400 of hope 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.720 through the Lord Jesus. 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.680 That Jesus came 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.480 into this world, 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.160 that he lived, 00:18:09.260 --> 00:18:09.800 that he died 00:18:09.800 --> 00:18:10.620 for our sins 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:11.900 and that through him 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.400 we can have eternal life. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.920 But more than that, 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.180 through him in this life 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.660 we can know his peace 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:19.240 and his presence 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.640 and his guidance. 00:18:20.780 --> 00:18:21.500 And even in the most 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.500 difficult times 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:24.060 we can have hope 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:25.840 through the Lord Jesus. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.599 And that's a message 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.000 we can give with authority. 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:28.559 We can give it 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.339 with the authority 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.740 of the Bible. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.299 That there is hope 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.859 for those who may appear 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.699 hopeless. 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.059 And however bad 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.179 someone's situation, 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.439 the Lord Jesus 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:39.919 is able to help 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:41.500 and to strengthen them. 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.139 Third thing I suggest 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:46.119 that Paul gives here 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:48.000 is practical wisdom. 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.699 Now there is some 00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:50.559 miraculous stuff 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.659 and we'll come on to that. 00:18:51.939 --> 00:18:52.939 But actually a lot 00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:53.859 of what Paul says 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:55.059 is just common sense 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.679 and experience. 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.919 Why did Paul think 00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.679 it wasn't safe 00:18:59.679 --> 00:19:00.240 to sail 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:02.559 between the harbours 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.559 in Crete? 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.639 There's no indication here 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.399 that it was because 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.879 he'd had some divine intervention 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.779 or seen a vision 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.119 at that stage. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:12.039 But Paul was a very 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.299 seasoned seaman. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.000 He tells us 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.819 in 1 Corinthians 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:17.379 that he'd been shipwrecked 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.039 three times 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.859 before this 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.740 and had spent 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.659 a day and a night 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:22.460 adrift at sea. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.700 He knew what 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.380 the Mediterranean 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:24.900 was like. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.079 He knew the dangers 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:26.799 that were 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.460 present there 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.980 probably even more 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.660 than the sailors 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.480 on that boat. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.000 And he used that 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.980 as practical wisdom 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.440 to say, 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.000 really, 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.700 you shouldn't 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:37.960 be doing that. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.220 He had the practical 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.480 nous and understanding 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.200 to recognise 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.920 that when the sailors 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.740 were about to leave 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.700 and were saying, 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.400 oh, we're just getting 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.059 lifeboats, 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.220 that actually 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.220 what they were doing 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.779 was planning 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.059 to run away 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.059 and to leave 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.339 the others behind. 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.899 He had the common sense 00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.339 to think, 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.839 well, if people 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.740 are going to have to swim 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:58.099 potentially towards the shore, 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:58.940 they need to have 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.779 a bit of strength, 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.740 so they need to eat. 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.259 He demonstrated 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:05.579 practical wisdom 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:07.500 in the situation. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.500 And we need to as well. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.460 Christian life 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.839 is not all about 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:14.399 God giving us 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.279 great guidance 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.019 and help 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.639 and showing us 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:18.079 clearly 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.399 the way ahead. 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.359 God has given us 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:21.879 the powers 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:22.720 of observation. 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.639 And as we go 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.259 through life 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.220 and as we learn 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.960 often from bitter experience 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.039 what works well, 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.220 what doesn't work well, 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:32.079 what should and shouldn't 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.920 be done, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.660 then God gives us 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.599 the common sense 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.579 and the wisdom 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.799 to put that 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.000 into practice. 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:41.039 To learn from experience 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.319 and to make 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.099 sound 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.220 judgements. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.940 And he expects us 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.879 to do that. 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.440 I was reminded 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:47.980 of the parable 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.779 of the talents 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.200 and to some extent 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.700 I think that's 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.599 what that is about. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.980 People who've been given, 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.940 the servants who've been given, 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.460 some of them 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.019 have a lot of money, 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.480 some of them 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.480 not very much money, 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.619 but the question is 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.319 what good, 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.759 what use do you make 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.799 of the things 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:03.240 you've been given? 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.139 And we can apply that 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.980 to spiritual gifts 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.259 and that's perfectly relevant. 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.019 I think it also applies 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.379 to what God has given us 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.220 in our intellect, 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:12.259 in our practical skills, 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.420 in our people skills, 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:16.160 that we should use these 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.259 and day to day 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.920 we should show 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.560 the kind of practical wisdom 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:21.519 that Paul did. 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.660 Fourthly though, 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.200 there is 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.840 spiritual power. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.580 So the first three 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.320 are really things 00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:30.240 about our character 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.160 and what we do 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.480 and what we say. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.800 But we need to know 00:21:34.800 --> 00:21:36.320 that without God's power 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.279 and God's strength 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.880 with us, 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:39.759 then we are powerless. 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.040 And throughout this passage 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.539 again, 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:44.539 you see Paul's reliance 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:46.180 on God. 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:48.279 The angel appears to him. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:48.960 That is the thing 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.659 that gives Paul 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:50.500 the real assurance 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.619 that no one 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.659 will be lost. 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.680 Now Paul already knew 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.680 he was going to make it 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.000 to Rome. 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.700 God had already told him that 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.779 but this assurance 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.779 that no one would be lost, 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.799 that came by 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.879 divine intervention 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:02.559 by the angel. 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.339 When they get him 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.240 to the island of Malta, 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.579 when Paul is saved 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.359 from the snake, 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.299 when he's able 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.240 to heal others, 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.420 that is again 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.480 divine intervention 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:14.279 that is spiritual power. 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.559 Now we may not see angels. 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.420 We may not be able 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:20.039 to survive being poisoned 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.460 or to heal others 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.539 miraculously. 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.599 But we too need 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.380 God's power 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.680 in our lives 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.620 as we seek 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.900 to serve him. 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:31.079 Because without God's power, 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.660 then nothing that we try 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.299 to do 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:35.059 will be effective. 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.000 The greatest miracle 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.519 of all 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.519 is when someone 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.299 comes to know 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.519 and trust the Lord Jesus 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.660 and passes 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.420 from death 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.440 to life. 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:44.700 And we know 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.839 that we can't do that. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.519 We have a part 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.639 to play as Christians 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.980 in talking to others 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.059 about the Lord Jesus, 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.519 in helping them 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.359 to understand 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.799 the glorious message 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.920 of salvation. 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.440 But ultimately, 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.220 unless we've got 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.220 spiritual power, 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.539 unless we're relying 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.259 on God, 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:02.339 then it will be useless. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.920 Paul displayed 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.859 spiritual power. 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:08.819 And then finally, 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.479 the last thing 00:23:09.479 --> 00:23:09.979 that struck me 00:23:09.979 --> 00:23:11.659 in this context here 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.939 was that Paul 00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:15.500 had an appropriate witness 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:17.039 on board that ship. 00:23:17.459 --> 00:23:18.000 Now I'm sure 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.019 that Paul talked to them 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:20.019 about the Lord Jesus, 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:22.139 about the death of Jesus, 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.059 about why Paul 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.899 was in chains, 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.199 and the importance 00:23:25.199 --> 00:23:25.819 to him 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:27.000 of telling others 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.439 the gospel message. 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.240 But that's not recorded 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.740 in this passage. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.919 But there are a few things 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.720 that are recorded 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.279 that are really just Paul 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.140 talking about 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.100 his experience 00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:39.000 or doing things 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.039 that should come naturally 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:42.300 to us as Christians. 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.940 So he says, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.759 when he says that 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.800 the ship is all 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.740 going to be saved, 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:47.920 he makes it clear 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.800 that that's because 00:23:48.800 --> 00:23:49.580 he's had a vision 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.259 of an angel 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.580 and he's been told 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:53.960 that direct from God. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.300 When he gives food 00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:58.480 to those on the ship, 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.340 what does he do? 00:23:59.400 --> 00:23:59.980 What do Christians 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.680 naturally do 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.480 when we have food? 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.519 He gives thanks 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:04.119 to God for it. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.240 And I'm sure 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.539 in quite an unobtrusive way 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.960 and yet a very powerful way, 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:09.339 Paul would give thanks 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.799 to God 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.379 that he was going 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.160 to save them 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.639 and that he had provided 00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:14.799 for those on the ship. 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.619 When Publius 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:18.740 needs the miracle 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.680 of healing, 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.960 then Paul prays 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.879 and prays, I think, 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.920 quite publicly 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:27.599 for that healing. 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.299 Doing things 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.119 which as Christians 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.119 should come naturally 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.699 to us, 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.319 not pushing forward 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:35.599 and in what some 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.039 would consider 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:37.259 an objectionable way, 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.879 always hammering 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.799 the message 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.419 of the gospel. 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.899 We need to tell people 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.500 the gospel 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.939 but we also need 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:44.519 to witness 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.839 just in a quiet way 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.079 of our experience 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.739 of God, 00:24:48.199 --> 00:24:48.859 of the fact 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.739 that we do like 00:24:49.739 --> 00:24:50.599 to thank God 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.559 for what he's given 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:51.959 to us, 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.939 particularly in practicing 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:55.179 grace around mealtimes 00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:56.259 and in praying 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.479 for each other 00:24:57.479 --> 00:24:58.779 and praying particularly 00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:00.859 for those who are ill. 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.259 We need to have, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.259 like Paul, 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.879 an appropriate witness. 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.259 And if we have 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.299 all these things, 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:10.259 if we have 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.359 an attractive character, 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.700 personal authority, 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.779 practical wisdom, 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.119 spiritual power, 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:17.420 an appropriate witness, 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.480 then we can have 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.180 an influence 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.420 that is far beyond 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:23.680 any formal power 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.839 or control 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:26.059 that we have. 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:28.299 people will respect us 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.779 and people will be drawn 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.779 to the Lord Jesus 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.159 through us. 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.099 As I said, 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.960 sometimes they will 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.220 turn against the Lord, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.759 sometimes they will 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.599 turn against us 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:38.079 and that is part 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.559 of living 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.079 in a sinful world. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.480 But we need to show 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.700 this kind of character 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:44.319 and have this kind 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.220 of influence 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.679 if we are to be 00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:47.679 good witnesses 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:49.240 for the Lord Jesus 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:51.099 and to be a real help 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.059 to others, 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.940 particularly in coming 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:54.019 to know him. 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:56.319 So that's Paul's 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:58.339 unexpected influence. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.579 Now fairly briefly, 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.920 let me talk about 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:04.500 God's unexpected providence 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.139 which I think is the 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:06.119 other key theme 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:08.319 in this passage. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.839 The last third 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.879 of the book of Acts 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.339 roughly 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.720 is a description 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.039 of Paul's journey 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.900 to Rome. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.660 It kind of mirrors 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.220 the gospel 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.139 where the last third 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:19.900 of Luke's gospel 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:21.619 is the Lord's journey 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.700 to Jerusalem 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.319 and the cross 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.000 and resurrection. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.539 The last third 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.940 broadly of Acts 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:28.080 is Paul's journey 00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:28.480 to Rome, 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.180 starting out 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.880 with the collection 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.580 that he made 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:32.360 in the Gentile churches, 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.519 then the journey 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.120 to Jerusalem 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:35.559 and then from there 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.500 to Rome. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.660 Now Paul undoubtedly 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.720 thought or very likely 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.840 thought that he would 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.420 collect the money 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.420 from the Gentiles 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.660 to help the Christians 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.299 in Judea 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.660 who were going 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.160 through a time 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.860 of difficulty, 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:47.200 a time of famine. 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:48.819 He'd go to Jerusalem, 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.240 he'd spend some time 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.360 with the Christians there 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.379 and then he would 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:53.279 go on to Rome 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.319 and effectively 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.479 retrace his steps, 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.599 head for Rome 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.679 and then ultimately 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:58.399 from Rome 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.199 head to Spain 00:26:59.199 --> 00:27:00.599 which is the next place 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.319 that he planned 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.659 to evangelize. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.859 And Paul maybe 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.819 had it fairly clear 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.419 in his head, 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.659 God is providing 00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.319 a way for me 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.219 to help the Christians 00:27:08.219 --> 00:27:08.859 in Jerusalem 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.000 and then to go 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.519 and encourage 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.679 the Christians in Rome 00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:12.679 and then to go 00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:13.459 and reach those 00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:14.479 who don't yet know 00:27:14.479 --> 00:27:15.019 the gospel 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.279 in Spain. 00:27:16.979 --> 00:27:18.159 But it turned out 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:19.899 very differently. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:22.019 Paul ended up 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:23.880 two years in prison, 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.080 two years which 00:27:25.080 --> 00:27:26.519 he must have been 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.380 really thinking 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.060 am I ever going 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:28.560 to get to Rome? 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.480 What's happening here? 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:31.160 Why am I like this? 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:33.019 He's taken on a ship 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.640 in chains, 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.480 he's taken to Rome 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.160 as a prisoner, 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.720 not as a free man 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.180 and then he gets 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:39.180 caught up in this 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:40.100 terrible storm 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:41.519 where it looks as if 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.360 everyone is going 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.880 to die. 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.380 Now God had confirmed 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.220 to Paul way back 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.200 in chapter 23, 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.820 I think that's about 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.359 two weeks ago 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.159 we looked at that, 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.179 that he would go 00:27:51.179 --> 00:27:51.819 to Rome, 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.119 but he's languished 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.720 in prison, 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.259 he's in chains 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:57.799 and he's in a shipwreck. 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.899 And God's unexpected 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:01.279 providence means 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.220 that he may not 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.139 always protect us 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.339 from the storm. 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.220 In the gospel 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.980 we have the story, 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.799 more than one story 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.579 of the Lord Jesus 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:11.359 calming storms, 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.700 of the disciples 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.619 being saved 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.799 from the storm 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.740 and being able 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.319 to sail to shore. 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.460 And sometimes God 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.039 does that. 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.220 Sometimes we come 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.139 across a situation 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:21.919 in life which is 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.599 very difficult 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:24.460 and we pray about it 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:26.279 and God very quickly 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.500 intervenes 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.619 and things 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.879 return to normal. 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.720 We can see 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.700 him working 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.720 in it. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.659 But often 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.220 and perhaps 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.159 more often 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.720 we go through 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.480 the storm 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.639 and are not 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.200 protected 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.619 from being 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.679 in it. 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.559 Whether it is 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.819 because we live 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.700 in a fallen world 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.599 and we will 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:48.460 inevitably face 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.039 opposition 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.339 as Christians 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:50.940 to the gospel 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.740 as Paul did 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.179 and a lot of 00:28:52.179 --> 00:28:52.619 what's happened 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.379 to Paul here 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.299 is a result 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.059 of the Jews 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.399 turning against him 00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:57.539 and wanting 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.539 to get rid of him. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.679 We will see 00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:00.419 opposition 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:01.480 if we stand 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.319 for the Lord Jesus 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.899 and some people 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:03.720 will not accept 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.379 the message. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.679 Or it may be 00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:06.379 again a result 00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:07.119 of being in a fallen 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.619 world 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.740 that not through 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.940 any man-made thing 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.639 but things 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.740 turn against us. 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:13.059 Paul being caught 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.960 up in the storm 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.480 perhaps many people 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.480 being caught up 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.960 in illness 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.700 or in difficult 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:19.000 family circumstances 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.500 and we face 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.319 storms 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:23.160 in our lives 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.900 and God allows 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:25.680 us to go 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.620 through them. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.380 Sometimes he protects 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.120 us from them 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:31.079 often he doesn't 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:32.380 and he lets us 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:33.099 go through them 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.759 so that we will 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.859 grow in our character 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:36.140 as Christians 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:37.319 so that we will 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.359 become more 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.980 dependent 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.279 on him 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:42.299 and it tests 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.500 and ultimately 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.779 strengthens 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:46.019 our faith. 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.139 I think over 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.720 the last two 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.240 or three years 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.839 it's been very 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.619 evident in this 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.019 church 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.940 that a lot 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.680 of generally 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.420 older people 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.019 who have been 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.879 pillars of the 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:55.579 church for many 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.099 years 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:57.399 have gone through 00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:58.399 extremely 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.440 difficult 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.500 circumstances. 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:00.839 I won't 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.319 convince them 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.119 but many of us 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:02.799 will know 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.680 what they are. 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.119 They've gone 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:04.680 through times 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.759 of real illness 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:07.240 and of sadness 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:09.299 and of difficulty. 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.299 And I look 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.980 at these people 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.720 who are not 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.160 just brothers 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.619 and sisters 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.059 in Christ 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.420 I would say 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:14.720 they're more 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.180 like uncles 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.639 and aunts 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:16.200 in Christ 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.920 who have 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.599 influenced me 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:17.819 who have 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.619 cared for me 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.119 who have 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.920 encouraged me 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.879 and you think 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.500 well why is 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.079 it happening? 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.599 Why are these 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.539 people suffering 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.799 so much? 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.319 And the answer 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.460 is quite simply 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.899 that all of us 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.819 are subject 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.720 to the storms 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.899 of life 00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:34.319 and perhaps 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.899 those who 00:30:34.899 --> 00:30:35.879 suffer the most 00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.779 and who come 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.399 through it 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.780 that is happening 00:30:38.780 --> 00:30:39.540 so that the 00:30:39.540 --> 00:30:40.600 strength of their 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.160 faith 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:42.980 the goal 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.800 of their 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.259 commitment 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.940 to the Lord 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.300 Jesus 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.540 is made 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.240 plain 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.300 to everyone 00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:49.280 and yes 00:30:49.280 --> 00:30:49.900 it keeps them 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.700 depending on 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.420 the Lord Jesus 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.740 it helps them 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.240 to grow 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.320 further in their 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:54.800 character 00:30:54.800 --> 00:30:55.900 helps them 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.540 to look forward 00:30:56.540 --> 00:30:57.620 even more 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.440 to when they 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.220 will go home 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.320 to be in heaven 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:01.380 with the Lord 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:01.759 Jesus 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.740 but all of us 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.680 will face the 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.440 storms at one 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.759 point or another 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.039 in our lives 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.019 and God 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:10.180 will not always 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.319 protect us 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.059 from getting 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:14.119 into the storm 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.480 and of course 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.220 he didn't protect 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.879 his own son 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.579 from the storm 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:17.900 either 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:19.039 that the Lord 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.720 Jesus suffered 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.440 much more 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.119 than we ever 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.460 will 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.359 when he went 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:22.879 to the cross 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:23.599 at Calvary 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.740 and took the 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.160 punishment 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.740 for our sins 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:28.160 but if God 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.140 won't protect us 00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.960 always from 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.559 the storm 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:32.259 he will always 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.180 protect us 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.500 through the storm 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.799 if we're trusting 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.920 in him 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:38.079 he will bring 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.680 us out 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.380 on the other 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:39.920 side 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.900 better off 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:41.759 better Christians 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.339 and able to 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.920 look back 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:44.240 and to thank him 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.519 for his grace 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.740 and his providence 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:49.240 Paul wouldn't 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.640 have chosen 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.019 I'm sure 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.720 to go to Rome 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:52.039 the way he did 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:53.579 and yet the way 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.420 he went to Rome 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.680 gave him opportunities 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:57.079 there were opportunities 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:57.640 on the ship 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.240 for witness 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.059 and to demonstrate 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:00.019 the great power 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:01.160 and wisdom 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.360 of God 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:03.340 there was the 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:04.380 opportunity in Malta 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.220 that three months 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.560 there 00:32:05.560 --> 00:32:06.700 such a contrast 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.700 when he was in prison 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:09.840 back in Caesarea 00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:11.060 three months in Malta 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:11.680 where people were 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.460 coming to him 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.279 and he was able 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:13.920 to heal 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.779 and he was able 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.500 to witness 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.920 to the saving power 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:18.340 of the Lord Jesus 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.960 and then as he comes 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.660 towards Rome 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.279 when the Christians 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.700 come out 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.580 perhaps having heard 00:32:22.580 --> 00:32:23.779 of the difficulty 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.000 of his journey 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.140 Paul is encouraged 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.400 and strengthened 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:29.300 by God's people 00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:30.019 being there 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.200 and being there 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.420 to help him 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:34.680 Paul knew 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.200 he was going 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.799 to reach Rome 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.619 as we said earlier 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:38.099 because he trusted 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:38.960 God's promise 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:40.480 and he knew 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.139 he could rely 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:42.539 on God's presence 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.900 in the worst 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:45.119 of times 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:46.920 and for us too 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:47.759 that's the case 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.440 if we are going 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:49.819 through difficult 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.480 if you are going 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.160 through a difficult 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:52.839 time at the moment 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:54.759 be assured 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.440 that God 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.460 will be with you 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.900 and if you trust him 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.900 he will bring you 00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.879 through it 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:01.620 be assured 00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.720 that his promises 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:04.340 are always secure 00:33:04.340 --> 00:33:05.440 and if we read 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:05.860 the Bible 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.480 we come across 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.400 a promise of God 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.260 there we can lay 00:33:08.260 --> 00:33:08.960 hold on it 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.060 and we can take 00:33:10.060 --> 00:33:10.560 comfort 00:33:10.560 --> 00:33:11.980 and strength 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.040 from it 00:33:13.040 --> 00:33:14.740 yes we'll go 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.520 through the storm 00:33:15.520 --> 00:33:17.640 but God will be 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.220 with us 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:19.440 in the storm 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:21.060 and God will 00:33:21.060 --> 00:33:22.080 protect us 00:33:22.080 --> 00:33:22.900 through 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:24.220 the storm 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:26.820 perhaps the 00:33:26.820 --> 00:33:27.820 second most 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.839 famous storm 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:30.019 in Christian 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.500 history 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.399 took place 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:32.039 not between 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.000 Crete and Malta 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:34.019 but off the 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:35.379 coast of Ireland 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.779 John Newton 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.939 having been a slave 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:38.799 himself in Africa 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.740 was now a slave 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.119 trader 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:41.599 and off the Galway 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.079 coast 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.000 his ship 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:44.240 went into 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.379 a dreadful 00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:46.279 storm 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.519 and the sailors 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.159 on the ship 00:33:48.159 --> 00:33:49.119 feared for their 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:49.939 lives 00:33:49.939 --> 00:33:51.159 and they spent 00:33:51.159 --> 00:33:51.939 a whole night 00:33:51.939 --> 00:33:52.960 trying to keep 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.480 the ship 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.399 from sinking 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.880 not sure exactly 00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:56.259 what they were 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:56.480 doing 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.180 probably bailing 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:57.740 water out 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.140 and making 00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:59.200 everything secure 00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:00.880 and desperate 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.920 for their 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:02.460 lives 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:04.660 and in his 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.320 desperation 00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:06.060 John Newton 00:34:06.060 --> 00:34:06.700 who wasn't a 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.380 Christian at that 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:07.880 stage 00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:09.119 called on God 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:10.639 for mercy 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.900 and God did 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.400 bring him 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.700 through the storm 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:14.519 and everyone else 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.500 on the boat 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.360 with him 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.840 now at that point 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.440 John Newton 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.119 didn't immediately 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.900 become a Christian 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.500 everything was 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:20.840 straightforward 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.160 from then on 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.299 but that was 00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:24.219 the first step 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.199 in John Newton 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:25.799 beginning to 00:34:25.799 --> 00:34:26.519 understand 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.239 the grace 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:27.879 of God 00:34:27.879 --> 00:34:29.000 and ultimately 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.819 coming to know 00:34:29.819 --> 00:34:30.119 God 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:30.759 and becoming 00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:31.519 a vicar 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:33.199 down in 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:33.619 Olney 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:35.199 and John Newton 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:35.619 of course 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.460 was a very 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.579 famous hymn writer 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.379 we sang a 00:34:38.379 --> 00:34:38.819 version of one 00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:39.259 of his hymns 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:39.559 right at the 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:39.899 beginning 00:34:39.899 --> 00:34:41.839 Amazing Grace 00:34:41.839 --> 00:34:43.259 I want to end 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:43.699 with a couple 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.119 of verses 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.719 from another 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:45.460 of John Newton's 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:45.719 hymn 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:47.039 that is perhaps 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.119 not so well 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:48.460 known 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.079 but I think 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.980 directly relates 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.940 to his experience 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.360 of the storm 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:53.440 and perhaps 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.280 can help us 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:55.280 as we go 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:56.220 through storms 00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:57.380 in life 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.599 here's what 00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.079 John Newton 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.619 says 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:01.179 be gone 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.920 unbelief 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.460 my saviour 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.079 is near 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:06.079 and for my 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.559 relief 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.320 will surely 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:07.940 appear 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:09.900 by prayer 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.780 let me wrestle 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:12.179 and he will 00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.780 perform 00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:14.300 with Christ 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.960 in the vessel 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.639 I smile 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:16.440 at the storm 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:18.260 since all 00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:18.920 that I meet 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.400 shall work 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.099 for my good 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:20.819 the bitterest 00:35:20.819 --> 00:35:21.219 sweet 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:22.380 the medicine 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:22.880 food 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:24.699 though painful 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.460 at present 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:26.779 will cease 00:35:26.779 --> 00:35:27.739 before long 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:29.480 and then 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.659 oh how pleasant 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:32.619 the conqueror's 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.659 song 00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:35.219 I think the smiling 00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:36.059 there is symbolic 00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:37.000 rather than literal 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:38.000 but you get the meaning 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:39.639 if we have the Lord 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.719 Jesus with us 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:42.079 we can come through 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:43.279 the storms of life 00:35:43.279 --> 00:35:44.779 and we can emerge 00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:45.380 at the end 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:45.940 stronger 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.619 we can be conquerors 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.559 we can go 00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.079 knowing 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:50.079 that God 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.179 has preserved us 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.880 and God 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.500 has a place 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.099 for us 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:54.079 in heaven 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:55.659 let's pray together 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:58.019 Father we thank you 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.519 for your word to us 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.019 this morning 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.659 we thank you 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:01.039 for this passage 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.779 that is 00:36:01.779 --> 00:36:02.739 in many ways 00:36:02.739 --> 00:36:03.259 so tense 00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:03.839 and exciting 00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.420 but also 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.199 which brings out 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.019 so much 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:07.039 your goodness 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:08.639 your providence 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:10.099 and the responsibilities 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.739 too 00:36:10.739 --> 00:36:11.960 that we have 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:13.519 to influence others 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.119 and to be 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.219 forces for good 00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:15.839 and witnesses 00:36:15.839 --> 00:36:16.900 for the Lord Jesus 00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:18.319 in our world 00:36:18.319 --> 00:36:19.759 help us as we 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:21.379 go into the coming weeks 00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:22.799 that we may 00:36:22.799 --> 00:36:24.279 face the storms of life 00:36:24.279 --> 00:36:24.960 with confidence 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:26.639 that you are in control 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:28.539 and that we may 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.900 demonstrate the character 00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:31.039 and power 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:31.920 of the Lord Jesus 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.659 that we may be 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.500 forces for good 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:35.679 and may be witnesses 00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:37.179 to the saving power 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:37.679 of Jesus 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:39.379 to those around us 00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:41.639 we take time again 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.579 to remember 00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.339 as we did earlier 00:36:43.339 --> 00:36:44.139 those who are going 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:44.799 through the most 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.879 difficult of times 00:36:45.879 --> 00:36:46.559 at the moment 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.579 for those who are 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.079 in hospital 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:48.819 for those who are 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.319 in suffering 00:36:49.319 --> 00:36:50.399 at home 00:36:50.399 --> 00:36:50.960 for those 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.779 whose future 00:36:51.779 --> 00:36:52.500 might appear 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.419 uncertain 00:36:53.419 --> 00:36:54.779 and we pray 00:36:54.779 --> 00:36:55.379 as they go 00:36:55.379 --> 00:36:56.159 through the storm 00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:57.440 that they may know 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:58.159 your presence 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:58.719 with them 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.980 and may be able 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.960 to lay hold 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:02.419 on your promises 00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:05.119 and on the fact 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:05.699 that you 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:07.019 are in control 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:08.059 of everything 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.759 we thank you 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.199 for your presence 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:09.800 this morning 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:10.860 we commit ourselves 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.519 to you now 00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.440 in the name 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.300 of the Lord Jesus 00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:14.699 Amen