WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.140 Please, sorry, please return to your seats and we will continue to worship our God together 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:12.960 with the meeting and teaching of God's Word. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:22.539 We are in Acts chapter 27 going through to chapter 28 verse 16 this morning, so a slightly 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:24.140 long section. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.060 We are actually near the end of the book, so please turn with me there and we will pray 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:39.380 for the meeting and teaching of God's Word. 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:59.980 Heavenly Father, we come to your Word again with a posture of humble submission, with a 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:03.039 eagerness to hear your voice. 00:01:05.259 --> 00:01:10.359 We ask that you would address us where we are in our lives. 00:01:11.979 --> 00:01:25.920 Captivate us with the glorious vision of Christ so that that might undergird our lives through all 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:26.640 its ups and downs. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:34.280 Help us now in Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:35.400 Amen. 00:01:37.740 --> 00:01:40.060 Acts chapter 27 starting verse 1. 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:46.439 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:49.379 prisoners to a centurion of the Augustine cohort named Julius. 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:55.620 And embarking in a ship of Adramatium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast 00:01:55.620 --> 00:02:00.560 of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:07.260 The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:07.840 and be careful. 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:13.439 And putting out to sea, from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus because the winds were 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:14.259 against us. 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:22.099 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:23.300 to Myra and Lysia. 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:29.120 There the centurion found the ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:35.379 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Snidus. 00:02:36.180 --> 00:02:41.960 And as the wind did not allow us to go further, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmoni, 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:43.920 coasting along it with difficulty. 00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:48.900 We came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Myra. 00:02:50.480 --> 00:02:55.540 Since much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because even the fast was already 00:02:55.539 --> 00:03:02.759 over, Paul advised them, saying, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much 00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:07.219 loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:13.039 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:13.639 Paul said. 00:03:13.639 --> 00:03:19.199 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:24.239 put out to sea from there on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of 00:03:24.239 --> 00:03:28.059 Crete, facing both southwest and northwest and spend the winter there. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:35.219 Now, when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:38.259 anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore. 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:44.639 But soon, a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the landing. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:50.120 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:50.620 along. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:56.959 Running under the lee of a small island called Kauda, we managed with difficulty to secure 00:03:56.959 --> 00:03:57.899 the ship's boat. 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:01.859 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. 00:04:02.459 --> 00:04:07.359 Then, fearing that they would run aground on Styrdus, they lowered the gear, and thus they 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:08.120 weren't driven along. 00:04:09.440 --> 00:04:13.680 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:19.020 And on the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:26.699 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:29.860 of our being saved was at last abandoned. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:35.540 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:40.819 Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:41.639 injury and loss. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:47.980 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only 00:04:47.980 --> 00:04:48.540 of the ship. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:53.699 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:57.279 I worship, and he said, Do not be afraid, Paul. 00:04:57.599 --> 00:04:59.479 You must stand before Caesar. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:03.939 And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you. 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:10.039 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:12.620 But we must run aground on some island. 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:18.539 When the 14th night had come as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight, 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:20.760 the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:23.580 So they took a sounding and found 20 fathoms. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.319 A little further on, they took a sounding again and found 15 fathoms. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:31.720 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:33.000 prayed for day to come. 00:05:33.900 --> 00:05:38.439 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and had lowered the ship's boat into 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:44.100 the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:48.420 the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved. 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:52.620 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:58.860 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, Today is the 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:03.920 14th day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 00:06:04.640 --> 00:06:09.300 Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will give you strength, for not a hair is 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:11.140 to perish from the head of any of you. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.820 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence 00:06:15.820 --> 00:06:17.620 of all, he broke it and began to eat. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:20.740 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 00:06:21.540 --> 00:06:24.920 We were in all 276 persons in the ship. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:29.560 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:35.000 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.720 on which they planned, if possible, to run the ship ashore. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:43.920 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:45.360 ropes and tied the rudders. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:48.960 Then hoisting the four sails to the wind, they made for the beach. 00:06:49.760 --> 00:06:52.740 But striking a reef, they met the vessel on the ground. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:58.720 The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:03.920 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away in the sea. 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:09.080 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:14.720 He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:16.460 planks were on pieces of the ship. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:20.180 And so it was that all were brought safely to land. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:26.139 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 00:07:26.719 --> 00:07:31.759 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:33.979 because it had begun to rain and was cold. 00:07:34.859 --> 00:07:40.179 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because 00:07:40.179 --> 00:07:41.899 of the heat and fastened on his hand. 00:07:42.599 --> 00:07:46.319 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:48.620 No doubt this man is a murderer. 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:50.859 So he has escaped from the sea. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:53.079 Justice has not allowed him to live. 00:07:54.039 --> 00:07:57.819 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 00:07:58.539 --> 00:08:01.979 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. 00:08:02.599 --> 00:08:07.179 But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their 00:08:07.179 --> 00:08:08.939 minds and said that he was a god. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:14.699 Now, in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief men of the island, 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:18.920 named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:23.120 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dissonance. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:28.699 And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:34.659 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island, who had diseases, also 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.539 came and weren't here. 00:08:36.319 --> 00:08:40.539 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:41.039 we needed. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:46.620 After three months, we set sail on a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.600 with the twin gods as a figurehead. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:51.980 Putting aid at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:55.360 And from there, we made a circuit and arrived at Regium. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:09:00.120 And after one day, a southwest sprang up, and on the second day, we came to Puteoli. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:04.899 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:08.139 And so we came to Rome. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:14.220 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:15.500 three taverns to be missed. 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:19.240 On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:25.019 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:25.419 him. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:29.019 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:35.220 We've seen throughout this book, where this is the second to last sermon in this book, 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:39.960 and throughout the book, we have seen how the apostles have been bearing witness to Jesus 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:44.860 after they received the power of the Holy Spirit in chapter one, chapter two. 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:51.019 And here, in the first 12 chapters of the book, we follow Apostle Peter and his ministry. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.879 And for the rest of the chapters, we've been following Paul. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.980 And the narrative has been pretty rapid. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:59.060 It's been proceeding pretty quickly. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.340 A lot of events happening. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:05.519 A lot of longer periods of time condensed into short narratives. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:09.500 But now here, toward the end, everything kind of slows down. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:11.319 It becomes very dramatic. 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:13.259 We've got all kinds of nautical details. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:19.699 And it's building the tension and raising the question, is Paul actually going to get 00:10:19.699 --> 00:10:20.139 to Rome? 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:27.399 God had told him he's going to go to Rome to bear witness to Jesus in Acts 23, 11. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.399 But will that actually happen? 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:33.399 And so that's the question that Luke's answering here. 00:10:34.459 --> 00:10:41.059 And he teaches us that through this story, God preserves us to do what he has called us 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:41.600 to do. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:46.139 God always preserves us to do what he has called us to do. 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:50.059 And he preserves Paul through three mortal dangers. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.319 First, from the storms. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.740 Second, from the soldiers. 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:54.220 And third, from the snake. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.860 And we'll talk about those in turn. 00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:59.759 The first danger that Paul faces is the storm. 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:05.000 When, after Paul's appeal to Caesar is approved by Governor Festus, it says that they decide 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:07.620 to sail for Italy in verse 1 of chapter 27. 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:10.960 And he is entrusted to a centurion named Julius. 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:18.919 And here, it says, Luke starts to use the first person plural pronoun, we, again, indicating 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:21.740 that Luke has rejoined Paul on his journey. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.560 Luke is now his companion. 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:30.319 And it seems that Luke was granted permission to accompany Paul, which makes sense in light 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:35.239 of verse 3, that Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave in Sidon to go to his friends 00:11:35.239 --> 00:11:35.979 and be cared for. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:41.079 It was not uncommon for prisoners to be accompanied by their friends. 00:11:41.219 --> 00:11:46.819 Sometimes they would be granted permission for that because unlike in our country where 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:53.379 prisoners are taken care of by the government, by their own expenses, people back then, prisoners 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.680 have to be taken care of by their friends. 00:11:56.020 --> 00:11:58.160 Paul is also joined by some other prisoners. 00:11:58.420 --> 00:12:03.700 Since only Roman citizens on trial could appeal to the emperor and go to Rome for trial, 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:10.460 it's highly likely that the rest of the prisoners are convicted criminals on death row who are 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:15.600 being transported to Rome to be killed in the gladiatorial games, which were at its peak 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:17.020 popularity during this time. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:23.779 So verse 2 also mentions that Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, accompanied Paul and 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.480 Luke on the journey. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.720 Aristarchus, we know, was Paul's co-worker. 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:34.019 You know, he's mentioned in Philemon 24 and Colossians 4.10 as a fellow prisoner of Paul. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:37.919 So it's possible that he was also in prison with Paul here in this case. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:45.579 And as they start sailing from Caesarea to Rome, their journey is anything but smooth sailing. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.299 They can't catch a break. 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:53.639 Verse 4, they're putting out to sea from Sidon and they're going under the lee of Cyprus, 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:57.079 meaning they're sailing in the sheltered part away from the wind. 00:12:57.599 --> 00:12:59.459 But the winds were against them. 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:06.179 Verses 7 to 8, they sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty of snitus. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.939 The wind did not allow them to go any further. 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:13.279 They're making little progress over a long period of time. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:20.519 And Paul, being an experienced traveler with a lot of sailing mileage under his belt, 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:25.339 offers a suggestion to the centurion and the people in charge of the ship. 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:26.339 A warning, really. 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.839 He says in verses 9 to 10, 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:33.120 Since much time had passed and the voyage was not dangerous because even the fast was already over, 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.379 Paul advised them, saying, 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:38.340 Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:41.620 not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives. 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.580 Some context is helpful here. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:48.320 The fast that Paul is referring to is the fast connected to the Day of Atonement. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:54.580 And according to our dating, based on the succession of Felix Mephistus we saw in the previous chapters, 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:58.600 Paul would have been making this journey to Rome in 59 AD. 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:03.560 The Day of Atonement in 59 AD fell on October 5th. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:10.960 And that detail is significant because ancient Jews in this area regarded sailing as unsafe 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:15.300 from the Feast of Booths, which took place five days after the Day of Atonement, 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:18.300 and until through the spring. 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:23.120 So all of winter they considered sailing to be forbidden and unsafe during this time. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:28.500 Vegetius, a Roman writer who wrote about military warfare in 4th century AD, 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:32.759 noted that navigation on the Mediterranean was safe until September 14, 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:35.059 uncertain until November 11, 00:14:35.459 --> 00:14:38.620 and closed from November 11 until March 10. 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:41.860 So during the fall and the winter, 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:44.879 the Mediterranean Sea was a treacherous place to sail 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:48.840 because of the storms and the fog and the darkened skies. 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:53.419 You couldn't use the sun and the stars to navigate because you can't see any of it. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:56.240 It was a very dangerous time. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:58.500 Paul knows this, and so he warns them. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:02.919 And Luke doesn't tell us that Paul's prophesying here. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:05.080 He's not speaking with divine authority here. 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:07.279 He's just making a common sense judgment. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:09.199 Look around, what's happening? 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:12.720 You know, all that cargo that's valuable to you, that's for your profit, 00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:13.779 you're going to lose that. 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:17.699 In fact, not only the cargo, I think we might lose our very lives 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:20.059 if we venture out at this time. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:27.179 And unfortunately, in this instance, 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:30.579 Paul didn't have enough influence with the captain. 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:33.339 He says in verses 11 to 12, 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:36.840 but the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.320 than to what Paul said. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:42.200 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:44.560 the majority decided to put out to sea from there 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:48.040 on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of crux. 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:52.139 This was an unwise decision. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:56.740 And when they sailed out, they were struck immediately by a contestuous wind 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.860 called a Northeaster. 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.459 I almost preached this. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:03.620 I was scheduled to preach this sermon two weeks ago. 00:16:03.719 --> 00:16:04.620 That would be very timely. 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:07.459 We were struck by a Northeaster ourselves. 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:13.419 Can you imagine sailing in the sea during those kinds of conditions? 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:17.919 The ship, he says, was caught and could not face the wind. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:21.419 You're supposed to face the wind when there's strong wind, 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:24.159 when you're sailing, so that the ship is more stable, 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.379 not tossed to and fro. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:29.919 But they couldn't get the ship to do it because the wind was so strong. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:33.219 And so they just kind of gave up and gave way to the wind, 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:36.099 and they're just being tossed wherever the wind blows, 00:16:36.219 --> 00:16:37.599 wherever the waves go. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:41.519 And they take some emergency measures at this time. 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:44.159 They first secure the ship's lifeboat 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:48.440 because it was usually hanging out by the side of the ship. 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:51.139 But they realized that the lifeboat's going to be destroyed 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:53.800 if they leave it there, so they hoist it up on board. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.300 That's the first thing they do. 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:58.720 Second thing is that, but that was managed with difficulty. 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:02.820 Second thing they do is they support, they undergird the ship. 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:06.160 They put rope through the belly of the ship, 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:08.519 and in order to support it, reinforce it, 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:11.820 because as the waves continue to crash against it, 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:14.180 the planks can come loose, it can start to break, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:16.420 water can come in, so they reinforce the belly. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.559 And the third thing they do, he says, 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.559 verse 17, 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.720 Fearing that they would run aground on the surdus, 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:25.299 they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:28.960 Surdus was notorious in the ancient world 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.960 for being treacherous for sailors 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.420 because of the shallow waters and quicksands 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:35.299 that lurked all over the place there. 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:38.000 And so they were obsessed with that fear, 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.840 with fearing it, 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:41.019 and so they didn't want to run aground on the surdus, 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.360 so they lowered the gear. 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:44.420 If you're using the ESV, 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:46.200 there's a footnote after the word gear 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:48.460 telling you that it's referring to the sea anchor. 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:52.380 A sea anchor, also known as a drift anchor. 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.740 I had to do a lot of nautical research 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.700 because I didn't know any of this stuff before this week. 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:58.799 It's the drift anchor. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.460 It's not the conventional anchor 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:02.039 that you drop to the bottom of the sea, 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.840 to the sea bed, 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.920 to keep it from moving. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.460 Sea anchor is something that you just kind of let 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.880 float behind the ship 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:10.400 to create drag and slow down the ship 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.500 when the winds are really heavy 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.900 so that you don't go too fast 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:14.539 and run into blocks or whatnot. 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.480 And so that's what's going on here. 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:19.200 And it says in verses 18 to 19, 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.779 they take up yet another measure. 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.960 Since we were violently storm-tossed, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:25.059 they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.319 And on the third day, 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.839 they threw the ship's tackle overboard 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:29.659 with their own hands. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:35.339 The ship is so violently tossed by the waves, 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:37.399 they're starting to throw things overboard 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:39.500 to make the ship lighter and more stable. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:42.179 They get rid of the cargo, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.899 which they were hoping to profit from. 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:47.019 And then they also get rid of the tackle, 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.700 which is the rigging that you use 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:51.879 to load and unload the cargo. 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:53.379 I mean, you're getting rid of the cargo, 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:55.420 you don't need the tackle anymore. 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:57.340 So they're lighting the ship. 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.840 And then it says in verse 20, 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:01.360 when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days 00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:03.180 and no small tempest lay on us, 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:06.480 all hope of our being saved was at last. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:09.760 They had taken all the emergency measures. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:13.820 They haven't seen the sun nor the stars for days. 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:16.819 They have no idea where they are. 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:21.359 And so they have abandoned hope of survival altogether. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:25.179 Imagine yourself in your shoes for a moment. 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:28.899 All your clothes are damp. 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:30.439 You're cold. 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.399 You're shivering. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:34.259 You have literally no idea where you are. 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.119 It's dark. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:39.179 And the ship can be wrecked at any given moment. 00:19:39.439 --> 00:19:43.019 So you're living with constant stress and suspense. 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:44.119 What can happen? 00:19:44.219 --> 00:19:45.959 The next moment you might not be alive. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:49.519 Imagine living with that kind of mindset for days on end. 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.779 And imagine if you could sleep. 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.799 You can't sleep. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.379 You probably can't eat. 00:19:53.459 --> 00:19:55.179 You find out later they haven't been eating for days. 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.819 They're hungry. 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:58.239 In fact, if you're moved around like that, 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.119 you're probably also getting seasick. 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:01.339 So people are throwing up. 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:04.779 Imagine to see this is a terrible time. 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:07.759 Shivering, sick, sleep-deprived, stressed, scared to death. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.559 And they have no idea when it's going to end. 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:12.119 You can continue on for months for all they know. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:19.639 It's so bad that they have at last abandoned all hope of being saved. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:22.839 A few optimistic men maybe held up hope until the end. 00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:26.259 But now no one is hoping for survival. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:31.700 Maybe at this point even Paul started to have doubt creep into him. 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:35.539 I thought the Lord had commanded me to bear witness to him in Rome. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:39.039 But then why does it seem like nature, which God controls, 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.640 seems to be opposing my trip? 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:43.700 Maybe this is how I'm going to die after. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:49.079 But God speaks to Paul to reassure him in verses 21 and 26. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.339 Please follow up with me there. 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:53.039 Since they had been without food for a time, 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.559 Paul stood up among them and said, 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:57.700 Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Creed 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.200 any curving injury and loss. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:01.659 Yet now I urge you to take heart, 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:05.119 for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:10.039 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:12.940 to whom I belong and whom I worship. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.039 And he said, 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:16.139 Do not be afraid, Paul. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:18.639 You must stand before Caesar. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:22.519 And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:27.920 So take heart, man, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.200 But we must run aground on some island. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:34.019 The phrase, you must stand before Caesar, 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:37.559 is literally, it is necessary for you to stand before Caesar. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:43.440 It's the phrase that biblical writers in the New Testament often use to refer to God's ordained will. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:46.880 God has ordained that you will stand before Caesar, 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:50.059 and therefore it can't happen otherwise. 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:53.620 It's guaranteed to happen. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:22:00.480 And lest this pagan audience of Paul think that he's referring to Castor and Pollux, 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:05.640 Castor and Pollux were the twin gods that Romans regarded as the patron gods of sailors. 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:09.400 And later we find out in chapter 28, verse 11, 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:12.100 that a ship that they ride on, the Alexandrian ship, 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:16.280 had these twin gods as its figurehead on the ship. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:20.220 So you know that people worship this God and rely on this God. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.080 But Paul states it emphatically. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:27.340 No, it's not those gods that are guaranteeing our safe passage. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:32.179 He says, the God to whom I belong, and whom I worship, 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.339 the one God, 00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:39.240 He is the one who is guaranteeing our safe passage. 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:43.639 And he's so confident in the Lord, he says, 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:48.259 I have faith in God that will be exactly as I have been told. 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:56.679 The storms, the seas are some of the most unpredictable and uncontrollable things in the world. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.640 To this day. 00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:02.100 And yet, even those things cannot thwart God's plan for Paul. 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:08.259 Because God preserves us to do what He has called us to do. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:14.279 This truth is a source of great comfort for us when things are not going as you planned. 00:23:14.560 --> 00:23:18.060 Remember that it's always going as God has planned. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:23.580 When you feel out of control in your life, remember that God is still in control. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:31.059 Maybe the company you work for is going through turbulent times because your boss is not listening to you. 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:38.399 Maybe due to the storms and shifting seas of the culture, you are having a hard time finding a job. 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:47.420 Maybe because of a disorganized or unhelpful advisor, you don't know if you will ever graduate or finish your degree. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:54.920 Maybe you feel like you have had to give up on your dreams because of your spouse or children. 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:58.539 And you're wondering if you made a terrible mistake. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:05.300 Maybe you feel like nothing is going your way, your life is spiraling out of control. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:11.420 But no matter what's going on, remember that God's sovereign purposes for you will prevail. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:22.180 The centurion and the pilot who did not listen to Paul when they should have could not prevent God's will for Paul from happening. 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:30.300 The storms that put their life in jeopardy could not prevent Paul from doing what God called him to do. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:34.519 Likewise, no storm can thwart God's plan for you. 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:44.440 The 19th century Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone, who gave his wife to preach the gospel among Africans, once said this, quote, 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:49.259 I am immortal till my work is accomplished. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:54.279 Livingstone is expressing the same truth in a different way. 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:58.319 God preserves us to do what he has called us to do. 00:24:58.319 --> 00:25:08.139 On the 14th night of being tossed by the storm, the crew find themselves on the Adriatic Sea, which is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:12.000 separating Italy from modern-day Vulcan countries like Albania and Montenegro. 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:15.939 And perhaps the sailors notice some of the waves break to know the rocks. 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:18.200 They suspect that they're nearing wind. 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:23.000 And so he says in verse 28, they took a sounding and found 20 fathoms. 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:26.720 A little further on, they took a sounding again and found 15 fathoms. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:30.720 A fathom is a unit that the ancient people use for measuring the depths of the sea. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:33.160 And it's about the length of your arm span. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.700 Mine is not quite there, but it's about six feet. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.960 And they used that. 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:42.900 And so they could tell by measuring the sea depth that they're rapidly approaching land. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:50.799 And so lest they run aground on the rocks, they let down four anchors immediately to keep the ship from moving any further. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:54.720 And then they wait and pray for daylight to come to make this actual sea. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:58.900 But while they're waiting, another threat emerges. 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:03.860 Because some selfish sailors try to abandon ship and sneak away. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:10.460 They pretend like they're hoping to lay down anchors, and they lower the lifeboat as they do it, 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:15.299 planning to get away, leaving the rest stranded on the ship. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:18.799 And they clearly don't believe Paul's prophecy. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:22.460 And out of desperation, they're trying to save their skin at the expense of the lives of others. 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:25.960 And Paul quickly figures out what's happening. 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.879 This is a sharp guy. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:30.200 And he says to the centurion and the soldiers, in verse 31, 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:32.940 unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved. 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:37.200 This is because their lives are bound up with Paul's. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:42.519 God had earlier granted Paul all those who sailed with him. 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:45.500 So it seems like Paul understood that conditionally. 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:50.240 Their lives were being spared only because Paul was with them, 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:55.039 and God had this mission for Paul, and he can't perish until he bears witness to Jesus in Rome. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:27:00.940 And so if everyone doesn't stay on the ship, their survival will no longer be guaranteed. 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:07.539 After Paul says this, the soldiers panic, and they cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go, 00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:10.759 which, in retrospect, may not have been the smartest thing to do, 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:14.899 but they're trying to stop them from getting away and getting rid of the temptation altogether. 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:21.619 It says in verses 33 to 38, as Don was approaching, Paul reassures the crew again, 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:24.059 and encourages them to take some food and says, 00:27:24.239 --> 00:27:27.939 for it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you. 00:27:29.699 --> 00:27:35.399 They haven't been eating because they've been engaged in this life or death struggle with the waves and the wind. 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:40.419 And they say, and Paul says to them, for it will give you strength. 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:43.039 Literally, it will be for your deliverance. 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:47.500 Not a hair is to perish from your head is hyperbolic, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:51.240 but it does mean that their survival is guaranteed. 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:53.579 They will escape this ordeal, unescaved. 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:58.240 That in a language reminiscent of the Lord's Supper, 00:27:58.420 --> 00:28:00.319 it's not the Lord's Supper, but it's reminiscent of it, 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:03.359 it says in verse 35 that Paul sets an example for them all, 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:06.740 taking bread, giving thanks to God in the presence of all, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.980 and he broke it and began to eat it. 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:13.440 Perhaps Paul shared it with his fellow believers, Luke and Aristarchus, on board. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:15.620 It must have been an amazing scene. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:20.539 All the sailors just, just, their hair all over the place, 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:24.539 just scared to death, and they're shaking up, 00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.440 and then here's Paul. 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:28.580 Hey, let's break bread together. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:32.299 Trust in God, let's live. 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:39.039 And he says that in verse 37, 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:41.420 there were 276 persons on the ship. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.200 That's a lot of people. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:46.100 And Paul's bearing witness to Jesus, even in that context. 00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:48.840 That includes the pilot and the crew, 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.660 the owner of the ship and his servants, 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.380 the centurion and his prisoners. 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:56.660 And unfortunately, however, 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:59.700 Paul's still not catching a break here. 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:03.460 Their hope of sailing ashore on the beach is dashed 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:05.460 when in verse 41 they strike a reef. 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:09.880 The bow, which is the front of the ship as you're going, 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.880 gets stuck and becomes immovable, 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:14.260 and the stern, the back of the ship, 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:16.780 is being repeatedly battered by the waves 00:29:16.780 --> 00:29:19.720 so that bit by bit the ship is falling apart. 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:21.940 And it says in verse 42, 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:25.220 now the soldier's plan was to kill the prisoners, 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.380 which includes Paul, 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.400 lest any should swim away in his skin. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:32.279 So here's another threat, another mortal threat. 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.880 Despite having made it this far, 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:37.579 Paul is about to be killed by the soldiers, 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:40.920 and this is understandable because under Roman law, 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:42.500 the soldiers here were, 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:44.980 soldiers were guarding prisoners 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:46.820 most likely under capital punishment, 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.700 capital sentences. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.519 And under Roman law, 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:52.580 if a guard let a prisoner escape, 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.700 he was punished with the same punishment 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:56.500 that the prisoner was supposed to get. 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:59.360 So these soldiers don't want to die 00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:00.900 because if there's no ship, 00:30:01.300 --> 00:30:03.200 everybody's going to have to dash for the land 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.120 and swim along, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.880 and then there's no way they're going to be able 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.880 to keep track of everybody 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:09.080 and keep them in place. 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:15.039 So again, this reveals the sinful selfishness 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:17.019 of the human heart over and over again. 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:17.940 Right from the beginning, 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:19.960 there are people who are thinking 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.240 only of their own interests. 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:23.000 The pilot and the owner of the ship 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:25.360 insisting on setting sail despite the risk 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:27.300 for the sake of their own profit. 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:29.680 The sailors were trying to sneak away 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.580 on the lifeboat, 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:32.220 who was trying to save only themselves. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:34.759 And here the soldier is trying to save their skin, 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:37.340 even after they have dramatically survived the storm. 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:40.840 The only person who is thinking of 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:42.959 other people's interests in this story 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.779 is Paul. 00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:46.819 And the centurion, Julius, 00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:49.480 whom God has disposed to be favorable toward Paul. 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:53.059 Paul is a model for us as Christians 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:56.179 of how we should behave in this dog-eat-dog world. 00:30:56.180 --> 00:31:01.160 When others are only concerned with saving themselves, 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:02.640 advancing their own careers, 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:06.140 we should be concerned with saving others, 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.940 helping others, 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:09.820 encouraging others. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:12.500 When others are despairing of hope, 00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:15.360 we should demonstrate steadfast faith in God 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.580 and have abiding hope. 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:20.539 We can live selflessly in a selfish world. 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:23.159 We can live graciously in a cruel world 00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:25.639 because of our trust ultimately in God. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:30.720 None of the selfish, sinful people in the world 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:34.220 can thwart God's will for our lives 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:36.639 because God preserves us to do 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:38.379 what he has called us to do. 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:42.879 And while the soldiers are applying to kill the prisoners, 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.899 the centurion, 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.899 who likes Paul, 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:48.820 I mean, who wouldn't at this point, 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:50.580 he's the only one that's sensible and helpful 00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:51.480 in this scenario 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:54.940 and intervenes to save Paul. 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:58.280 And he orders people to, 00:31:58.380 --> 00:32:00.080 who knows how to swing to jump aboard, 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.080 swing to shore, 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:02.180 and then the rest of them 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.960 use pieces of the ship and the planks 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:06.360 as flotation devices to reach the shore. 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:08.259 And this is in verse 44. 00:32:08.800 --> 00:32:11.700 So it was that all were brought safely to land, 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:13.360 just as God had promised 00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:14.880 and Paul had prophesied. 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:16.840 God's promises and fulfilled, 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.980 his real freedoms. 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.840 And after they had swam ashore, 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:23.120 they learned that the island was called Malta. 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:26.900 This island is still called Malta to this day. 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:29.340 There is a bay on that island 00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:31.580 that's happily called St. Paul's Bay. 00:32:32.320 --> 00:32:33.840 And Luke recounts in verse 2, 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:37.460 the dated people showed us unusual kindness, 00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:39.900 for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:41.920 because it had begun to rain and was cold. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:45.259 The word translated native here 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.960 is the Greek word for foreigner, 00:32:47.340 --> 00:32:48.580 which is barbarous. 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:51.220 It's where we get the English word barbarian. 00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:54.259 And the word is automatopeic. 00:32:54.320 --> 00:32:55.940 It sounds like what it means. 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:58.380 In a similar way that people nowadays, 00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:58.840 you know, 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:01.560 dismissively characterize foreign language 00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:04.019 or irrelevant speech as kind of blah, blah, blah. 00:33:04.820 --> 00:33:05.800 Greeks, not foreigners, 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.580 sounded like bar, bar, bar. 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.599 So they call them barbarians. 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:13.439 And it's not necessarily a derogatory term. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.399 It's the only term that used to refer to foreigners. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:17.679 They could be used in a derogatory way. 00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:20.119 I don't think Luke is using it in a derogatory way here. 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.339 And I'm, 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.919 it's, 00:33:24.179 --> 00:33:26.139 so there are foreigners that speak a foreign language. 00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:29.680 And I'm getting into a little bit of speculation here 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:32.580 because Luke doesn't tell us explicitly 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:33.680 that this is the case, 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:36.220 but it's possible that this is the reason 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:38.880 why we don't see Paul proclaiming the gospel 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.820 here in Malta. 00:33:41.320 --> 00:33:42.580 Everywhere in Acts, 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:44.240 the miraculous healings are accompanied 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:46.580 by the proclamation of the name of Jesus. 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:49.920 And this would have been a very appropriate place 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:51.480 to note that Paul preached the gospel 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.680 even to the barbarians 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:55.900 because Paul explicitly says in Romans 1, 14 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.920 that that's his calling 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:58.200 to preach the gospel 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.380 not only to the Greeks 00:33:59.380 --> 00:34:00.640 but also to the barbarians. 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.980 But Luke doesn't include any such details. 00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.460 In fact, 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.360 later in verses 7 to 10, 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.480 Luke tells us that Paul healed 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.340 a whole bunch of people 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.400 of diseases in Malta. 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:12.059 And usually after that, 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:14.000 there's proclamation of the gospel. 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.320 And, but here, 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.220 there's no preaching, 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.579 no mention of preaching of the gospel. 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.039 It's possible, 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.860 I can't be sure, 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:22.320 but it's possible that Paul 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.920 just didn't speak their language. 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:26.380 Which would highlight the importance 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:28.019 of learning the native language 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:29.160 for every Christian missionary. 00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:32.039 It's also possible 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:34.160 that Paul did preach the gospel 00:34:34.160 --> 00:34:36.539 and we're supposed to assume that. 00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.920 Luke didn't record it 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.519 because he's trying to emphasize 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.460 something else here. 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:42.240 Namely how God was sovereignly 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:43.280 bringing Paul to Rome 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:45.120 and how his companions 00:34:45.120 --> 00:34:47.180 and himself were honored 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:47.860 by the natives 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:49.820 and provided for by the natives 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.900 because of the healing. 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.880 So, now at this point, 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.820 sorry, it's been going fast. 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.160 I'm going fast this morning, 00:34:58.300 --> 00:35:00.700 but we might sigh, 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.140 breathe a sigh of relief. 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:02.960 Okay, finally, 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.039 they're on land. 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.400 All the drama is over, 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:07.079 but not so fast. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.079 It says in verse 3, 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.480 when Paul had gathered 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.320 a bundle of sticks 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.460 and put them on the fire, 00:35:13.120 --> 00:35:14.880 a viper came out 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:16.300 because of the heat 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.560 and fastened on his hand. 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.340 Here, again, 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.420 Paul's just trying 00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.620 to be helpful to his neighbors. 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:23.560 He gathers bundles of sticks 00:35:23.560 --> 00:35:24.580 and puts it on the fire 00:35:24.580 --> 00:35:26.440 and then there happened 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.100 to be a snake 00:35:27.100 --> 00:35:28.440 among the bundles of fire 00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:28.960 and then, of course, 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.780 he doesn't want to get burned 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:30.160 in the fire, 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:31.000 so he jumps out 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.100 and then it fastens up 00:35:32.100 --> 00:35:33.180 onto Paul's hand 00:35:33.180 --> 00:35:34.660 and bites him. 00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:37.160 And some of you 00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:37.940 in that situation 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:38.539 would say, 00:35:39.240 --> 00:35:40.260 well, that's my luck. 00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:43.220 I survived the storm 00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:44.060 and the shipwreck 00:35:44.060 --> 00:35:45.220 only to be bit 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:46.280 by a poisonous snake. 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.520 He says in verses 4 to 6, 00:35:49.700 --> 00:35:50.580 when the native people 00:35:50.580 --> 00:35:51.380 saw the creature 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.500 hanging from his hand, 00:35:52.620 --> 00:35:53.580 they said to one another, 00:35:54.240 --> 00:35:55.600 no doubt this man 00:35:55.600 --> 00:35:56.320 is a murderer. 00:35:57.080 --> 00:35:58.080 Though he has escaped 00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:58.680 from the sea, 00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.360 justice has not allowed 00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:00.920 him to live. 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.720 Paul, however, 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.580 shook off the creature 00:36:03.580 --> 00:36:04.080 into the fire 00:36:04.080 --> 00:36:04.900 and suffered no harm. 00:36:05.580 --> 00:36:06.220 They were waiting 00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:07.040 for him to swell up 00:36:07.040 --> 00:36:08.200 or suddenly fall down dead, 00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:08.940 but when they had waited 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.599 a long time 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.500 and saw no misfortune 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.019 come to him, 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:11.880 they changed their minds 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:13.200 and said that he wasn't God. 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.200 Apparently, 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:16.019 the native people 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.659 who lived there, 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:17.460 and they would be 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.559 the people who know best, 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.920 think that the viper 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:21.119 that bit Paul 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:22.940 was a venomous snake. 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.920 And they expect him 00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.760 to swell up 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:26.700 or just suddenly 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.720 fall and die. 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.480 Even to this day, 00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:31.700 around 95% of people 00:36:31.700 --> 00:36:32.200 who are bitten 00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:33.159 by a black mamba 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:33.720 dies 00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:35.360 due to the lack 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.840 of timely 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:36.860 anti-venom treatment. 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:38.840 A snake bite can kill 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:40.300 as quickly as 10 minutes, 00:36:40.600 --> 00:36:41.400 but usually it takes 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:43.260 around 30 to 60 minutes 00:36:43.260 --> 00:36:43.640 to kill. 00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:45.180 And so, 00:36:46.220 --> 00:36:47.500 they wait for him 00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.000 to die, 00:36:48.120 --> 00:36:49.240 and then he doesn't die, 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:50.200 and then they realize, 00:36:50.300 --> 00:36:51.200 okay, what is going on? 00:36:51.280 --> 00:36:52.400 Our interpretation 00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:53.559 situation was wrong, 00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:55.200 so he must be a god. 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.579 Ancient people 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.400 in this part of the world 00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.260 believe in the Greek 00:36:59.260 --> 00:37:00.500 goddess justice. 00:37:00.640 --> 00:37:01.340 That's why the word 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:02.820 justice is capitalized. 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:04.019 They thought that 00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:06.039 she pursued guilty people 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:07.980 and punished them, 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:11.420 but Paul suffers no harm 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.199 and simply shakes 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:12.980 his neck off. 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.579 Paul was not God, 00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:15.699 but he was protected 00:37:15.699 --> 00:37:16.300 by God. 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:19.579 In your day-to-day life, 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.820 do you really live 00:37:20.820 --> 00:37:22.400 as though your almighty God, 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.920 your loving heavenly Father, 00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:26.119 is watching over you? 00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:29.639 It's not the twin gods 00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:31.880 that I mentioned earlier, 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.900 Castor and Pollux, 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:33.960 that govern and guide 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.480 your life. 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:36.559 It's not DK, 00:37:36.779 --> 00:37:37.719 the goddess of justice, 00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:38.759 that governs 00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.699 and guides your life. 00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:41.059 It's not fate 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:42.239 or karma 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:43.500 that governs 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.619 and guides your life. 00:37:44.719 --> 00:37:45.359 Whatever it is 00:37:45.359 --> 00:37:46.380 that you might think of 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.500 as governing your life, 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:48.619 as guiding your life, 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:50.819 it's not those things. 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:52.259 It's the Lord God 00:37:52.259 --> 00:37:53.179 who governs 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:54.819 and guides your life. 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:58.660 And for Luke's audience, 00:37:58.820 --> 00:37:59.539 this episode 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.300 would immediately 00:38:00.300 --> 00:38:01.120 bring to mind 00:38:01.120 --> 00:38:02.680 Jesus' words earlier 00:38:02.680 --> 00:38:04.480 from Luke 10, 19-20. 00:38:04.580 --> 00:38:04.800 Remember, 00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:05.740 the Acts is a sequel 00:38:05.740 --> 00:38:06.640 to the Gospel of Luke. 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:09.220 Jesus says to the 72 disciples 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:10.120 he sends out 00:38:10.120 --> 00:38:11.300 to proclaim the kingdom of God, 00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:12.320 Behold, 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.360 I have given you 00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:14.960 authority to tread 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.920 on serpents 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.860 and scorpions 00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:18.559 and over all the power 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.100 of the enemy 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:21.100 and nothing shall hurt you. 00:38:21.640 --> 00:38:21.980 Nevertheless, 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:24.120 do not rejoice in this, 00:38:24.119 --> 00:38:24.960 that the spirits 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:26.039 are subject to you, 00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:27.239 but rejoice 00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:28.079 that your names 00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:29.159 are written in heaven. 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:32.199 This doesn't mean 00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:33.500 that we should go out 00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:34.799 looking for serpents 00:38:34.799 --> 00:38:35.559 and scorpions 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.259 to step on. 00:38:37.759 --> 00:38:39.059 Paul doesn't do that. 00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:42.000 Serpents and scorpions, 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.920 as the immediate context 00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:44.420 of Luke 10 teaches us, 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:45.880 symbolize the power 00:38:45.880 --> 00:38:46.739 of the enemy, 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.079 namely Satan, 00:38:48.259 --> 00:38:49.119 the ancient serpent. 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:52.380 we should not, 00:38:52.839 --> 00:38:53.739 and Jesus tells us 00:38:53.739 --> 00:38:54.420 that we should not 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:55.299 be fascinated 00:38:55.299 --> 00:38:57.319 primarily by our power 00:38:57.319 --> 00:38:58.739 over the evil spirits. 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.539 Jesus says, 00:39:00.779 --> 00:39:01.679 do not rejoice 00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:02.279 in the fact 00:39:02.279 --> 00:39:03.500 that you have authority 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.659 to tread scorpions 00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:06.420 and serpents 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:08.359 and over the power 00:39:08.359 --> 00:39:08.719 of the enemy. 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:10.179 Don't rejoice 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:10.719 in that, Jesus. 00:39:11.679 --> 00:39:12.759 Rejoice instead 00:39:12.759 --> 00:39:13.900 that your names 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.940 are written in heaven. 00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:18.039 That is the greater privilege. 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.700 Don't be impressed 00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:21.599 with yourself. 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:24.200 Don't be impressed 00:39:24.200 --> 00:39:25.599 by what you can do, 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.840 but be impressed 00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:29.019 by what Christ has done. 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:31.900 Don't be enthralled 00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:33.920 by power and authority. 00:39:34.659 --> 00:39:36.159 No, be enthralled instead 00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:39.039 by grace and mercy of God. 00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:41.480 Because the former 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.460 leads to pride, 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:43.619 but the latter 00:39:43.619 --> 00:39:45.259 leads to humility. 00:39:48.199 --> 00:39:49.000 Remember also 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:50.059 that God doesn't promise 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:50.539 that Christians 00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:51.759 will never suffer harm 00:39:51.759 --> 00:39:52.719 or never die. 00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.380 Recall that earlier 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:56.079 in the book of Acts. 00:39:56.159 --> 00:39:56.800 We've already seen 00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.659 Stephen and James 00:39:57.659 --> 00:39:58.860 killed for their faith. 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:01.599 But because God 00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:02.719 had promised Paul 00:40:02.719 --> 00:40:03.639 that he will bear witness 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.800 to Jesus in Rome, 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:06.920 no harm can come to him 00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:08.179 until that specific promise 00:40:08.179 --> 00:40:08.800 is fulfilled. 00:40:09.719 --> 00:40:10.500 He is immortal 00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:12.219 until his work is done. 00:40:13.619 --> 00:40:14.759 God preserves us 00:40:14.759 --> 00:40:15.820 to do what he has 00:40:15.820 --> 00:40:17.099 called us to do. 00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:20.440 And the talk of serpents 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.300 and justice 00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:22.619 have further profound 00:40:22.619 --> 00:40:23.719 application for us. 00:40:24.300 --> 00:40:25.239 Remember what Paul 00:40:25.239 --> 00:40:27.179 admitted to in Acts 22, 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:28.179 19 to 20, 00:40:28.400 --> 00:40:29.619 namely that he imprisoned 00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:30.779 Christians 00:40:30.779 --> 00:40:34.239 and he was guilty 00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:35.380 of the blood 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:36.500 of Stephen the martyr 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.559 because he was standing 00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.300 there approving 00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:39.760 his lynching. 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.760 So in other words, 00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:45.920 the natives of Malta 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.539 are right. 00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:49.620 Paul is a murderer. 00:40:51.820 --> 00:40:53.600 He persecuted the church. 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.400 He killed. 00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:55.380 He's responsible 00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:55.860 for the death 00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:56.720 of many Christians. 00:40:57.140 --> 00:40:59.100 Paul did deserve to die. 00:41:00.240 --> 00:41:00.920 And yet, 00:41:01.060 --> 00:41:02.100 here he is beyond 00:41:02.100 --> 00:41:03.800 the reach of condemnation 00:41:03.800 --> 00:41:04.400 and death. 00:41:04.400 --> 00:41:05.039 Why? 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:08.039 Because justice 00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:09.400 has been satisfied 00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:10.220 by our Lord 00:41:10.220 --> 00:41:10.720 and Savior, 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:11.140 Jesus. 00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:15.519 How have we been 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:17.519 liberated from the power 00:41:17.519 --> 00:41:17.960 of the enemy, 00:41:18.060 --> 00:41:18.620 from the power 00:41:18.620 --> 00:41:19.200 of the serpent? 00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:21.180 We were all guilty 00:41:21.180 --> 00:41:22.260 sinners deserving 00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:22.840 of death 00:41:22.840 --> 00:41:24.000 and eternal damnation. 00:41:24.640 --> 00:41:25.620 And for that reason, 00:41:25.720 --> 00:41:26.940 we have every reason 00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:28.260 to expect evil 00:41:28.260 --> 00:41:29.580 to befall us in life. 00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:31.039 of course, 00:41:31.199 --> 00:41:32.299 bad things will happen 00:41:32.299 --> 00:41:32.860 to us 00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:34.500 because I don't deserve 00:41:34.500 --> 00:41:34.980 any better. 00:41:35.759 --> 00:41:36.759 That's what I deserve. 00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:39.099 But if we think 00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:39.699 that way, 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:41.599 we're forgetting 00:41:41.599 --> 00:41:42.539 that Jesus 00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:44.179 paid for our sins 00:41:44.179 --> 00:41:44.779 on the cross. 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:48.239 Colossians 2, 00:41:48.319 --> 00:41:49.039 13-15 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:49.460 tells us, 00:41:49.460 --> 00:41:50.500 God forgave us 00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:51.579 all our trespasses 00:41:51.579 --> 00:41:53.079 by canceling the debt, 00:41:53.199 --> 00:41:53.960 the record of debt 00:41:53.960 --> 00:41:54.840 that stood against us 00:41:54.840 --> 00:41:55.820 with this legal demand. 00:41:56.280 --> 00:41:57.240 This he set aside 00:41:57.240 --> 00:41:58.199 by nailing it 00:41:58.199 --> 00:41:58.840 to the cross. 00:41:59.199 --> 00:42:00.519 He disarmed the rulers 00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:01.280 and authorities 00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:01.960 and put them 00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:02.639 to open shame 00:42:02.639 --> 00:42:04.099 by triumphing over them 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:04.980 in Christ. 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.400 On the cross, 00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:07.420 Jesus freed us 00:42:07.420 --> 00:42:07.980 from slavery 00:42:07.980 --> 00:42:08.860 to sin and Satan. 00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:10.340 On the cross, 00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:11.780 God's sin for all, 00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:13.240 God's eternal love 00:42:13.240 --> 00:42:13.720 toward us 00:42:13.720 --> 00:42:14.440 is displayed. 00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:15.880 On the cross, 00:42:15.940 --> 00:42:16.720 our salvation 00:42:16.720 --> 00:42:17.619 is secured. 00:42:19.460 --> 00:42:20.900 Let me ask you, 00:42:20.920 --> 00:42:21.880 are you one of those people 00:42:21.880 --> 00:42:23.340 who always lives 00:42:23.340 --> 00:42:25.619 waiting for the other shoe 00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.179 to drop? 00:42:29.360 --> 00:42:30.780 You're always expecting 00:42:30.780 --> 00:42:31.780 something to go wrong. 00:42:32.940 --> 00:42:34.559 You're living life 00:42:34.559 --> 00:42:35.300 in suspense, 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:36.220 expecting something 00:42:36.220 --> 00:42:38.519 to end poorly. 00:42:39.720 --> 00:42:40.240 If so, 00:42:40.340 --> 00:42:41.320 have you considered 00:42:41.320 --> 00:42:42.159 the cross? 00:42:44.519 --> 00:42:45.699 Are you remembering 00:42:45.699 --> 00:42:46.659 that Jesus already 00:42:46.659 --> 00:42:47.579 paid for your sins? 00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:51.320 when we who are evil 00:42:51.320 --> 00:42:52.300 know how to give 00:42:52.300 --> 00:42:53.039 good gifts 00:42:53.039 --> 00:42:53.780 to our children, 00:42:53.880 --> 00:42:54.579 we don't give them 00:42:54.579 --> 00:42:55.940 snakes and scorpions 00:42:55.940 --> 00:42:57.000 when they ask for bread 00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:57.579 and egg. 00:42:59.079 --> 00:43:00.079 Will not our 00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:01.240 heavenly Father 00:43:01.240 --> 00:43:02.559 who loves us 00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:03.220 perfectly, 00:43:04.840 --> 00:43:05.740 will he give us 00:43:05.740 --> 00:43:07.139 anything but what is good? 00:43:07.139 --> 00:43:08.139 God's love for us 00:43:08.139 --> 00:43:09.139 for us. 00:43:09.139 --> 00:43:13.679 That's why Romans 828 00:43:13.679 --> 00:43:14.199 is true. 00:43:14.299 --> 00:43:14.819 We know 00:43:14.819 --> 00:43:15.980 that for those 00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:16.779 who love God, 00:43:17.099 --> 00:43:18.559 all things work 00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:20.420 together for good. 00:43:21.699 --> 00:43:22.379 For those who are 00:43:22.379 --> 00:43:23.559 called according 00:43:23.559 --> 00:43:25.000 to his purpose, 00:43:25.400 --> 00:43:26.239 because God's 00:43:26.239 --> 00:43:27.400 sovereign purpose 00:43:27.400 --> 00:43:28.179 is for us, 00:43:28.279 --> 00:43:29.319 will stand. 00:43:30.759 --> 00:43:32.239 God's sovereign grace 00:43:32.239 --> 00:43:33.139 for us will prevail. 00:43:33.139 --> 00:43:33.699 prevail. 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.440 So let's live 00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:36.139 with confidence 00:43:36.139 --> 00:43:37.199 and faith 00:43:37.199 --> 00:43:38.179 in Jesus. 00:43:38.940 --> 00:43:39.379 Let's pray. 00:43:41.900 --> 00:43:42.420 Lord, 00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:43.259 there are many things 00:43:43.259 --> 00:43:43.839 in this life 00:43:43.839 --> 00:43:44.699 we can't control. 00:43:46.339 --> 00:43:47.299 Many things 00:43:47.299 --> 00:43:48.519 that happen 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:49.440 that are not pleasant, 00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:52.279 that we might 00:43:52.279 --> 00:43:52.900 call bad. 00:43:56.279 --> 00:43:57.239 But ultimately, 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.079 for us, 00:43:58.179 --> 00:43:58.619 your people 00:43:58.619 --> 00:43:59.179 who love you, 00:43:59.759 --> 00:44:00.440 you promise 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.359 to work all things 00:44:01.359 --> 00:44:02.699 out for good, 00:44:03.139 --> 00:44:04.639 for your glory, 00:44:05.159 --> 00:44:06.500 for our good 00:44:06.500 --> 00:44:07.279 to make us 00:44:07.279 --> 00:44:08.400 more like Jesus, 00:44:09.019 --> 00:44:10.679 to save us. 00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:14.159 So Lord, 00:44:14.219 --> 00:44:14.940 help us to live 00:44:14.940 --> 00:44:16.099 with unwavering 00:44:16.099 --> 00:44:17.039 faith in that reality. 00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:20.400 In Jesus' name 00:44:20.400 --> 00:44:20.759 we pray. 00:44:21.219 --> 00:44:21.440 Amen. 00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:21.500 Amen. 00:44:21.940 --> 00:44:22.139 Amen. 00:44:22.139 --> 00:44:22.199 Amen. 00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:22.259 Amen. 00:44:22.259 --> 00:44:22.319 Amen. 00:44:22.319 --> 00:44:22.379 Amen.