Sermon, 3/2/03 am

Jim Huskey, Walking Through Acts # 34

The last time we finished our study walking through the books of Acts,

the ship on which Paul was being transported to Rome as a prisoner had

wrecked. Because they finally heeded the advice of Paul, and none

were allowed to leave the ship befoe that time, all would escape safely,

none would lose their lives. When the ship was broken into pieces, the

centurion made those who could swim get into the water and swim to land,

and the rest floated to land on boards and broken pieces of the ship.

They all made it safe to land. So we pick up in chapter 28. There are

some interesting lessons that can come out of this, as it takes us from

the shipwreck to Rome.

"And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called

Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness; for they

kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain,

and because of the cold." Acts 28:1,2. Now let me just stop here and make

a comment. The term "barbarous" doesn't mean they were cannibalistic

or anything of that nature. They were not Jews; they were therefore,

according to Jewish reasoning, heathens or barbarians. They may well

have been rather crude in their lifestyle. One of the reasons for that

thinking is because of some of the superstitions they held. But they

knew these people were in need, and they took care of them. Now as the

old Chinese proverb went, 'You can learn even from one who is considered

an enemy.' A lot of people who are supposed to be christians could

learn from these "barbarians", because they received the visitors and

they took care of them.

Now I said they may have been rather crude in their lifestyle because of

their superstition, and that's borne out by what then happened. "And

when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire,

there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand." Vs. 3.

Now before we go further, let's notice something else. Paul was one of

the ones shipwrecked and therefore considered by these barbarians to be

in need. I suppose, therefore, he could have set and waited for them

to do everything for him, BUT HE DIDN'T. The people on the island

kindled them a fire, Paul got busy and gathered sticks for the fire.

That's been the way Paul has conducted himself at every point. It is no

doubt for reasons like that, that though he was travelling as a

prisoner, lest than the most desirable circumstances certainly, yet he

would be shown a number of favors, because of those things.

"And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they

said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he

hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live." Vs 4.

Maybe we need to rethink that description of the barbarian people. I

said because of some of the superstitions THEY HAD!!!!! I know a lot

of people living right now in our age and time who have the same kind

of superstitions. They're reasoning went like this. 'This man must

have been a murderer else the wreck wouldn't have happened.' Well you

see, they didn't have all the facts in hand. They didn't understand

that if Paul's advice had been followed in the first place, the wreck

would never have occurred. But they followed the advice of the owner

of the ship and the captain of the ship and the centurion, rather than

Paul. As a result of that, the ship was lost and everything on it,

except for the people. Another thing they failed to take into account

was that the shipwreck occurred they didn't use common sense. They

struck out on a journey when travel was not safe. No sooner had they

launched out than they began to feel the affects of trying to travel

when the weather was not commodious for travel. See a lot of times,

when things happen to people, they immediately say, 'well, this

happened because this person has done something bad or wicked.' No,

it may be just because they did something STUPID. But that doesn't take

away the consequences of the action. It may not have been anything

wicked or evil; it may have just been because they just did something

STUPID, and are now suffering the result of it. But you see, everybody

seems to have the idea, now as then, when something bad happens it's

always because of wickedness and God's getting even with them. No,

God doesn't work that way.

Well, these people figure Paul is dead now. The sea didn't get him,

but the snake did. So justice has been served. The only problem is,

Paul doesn't die; he doesn't even get sick; his hand doesn't even swell

up. They keep standing there watching, waiting for him to fall over

dead, but he doesn't. "Howbeit they looked when he should have

swollen, or falled down dead suddenly; but after they had looked a

great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and

said that he was a god." Vs. 6. There again, they did not have the

knowledge at hand to make such a decision. Remember, a little bit ago

he was a murderer - now he's a god. Well, they were the not last nor

the first to reason like that. You see, they didn't happen to have in

hand the fact that the Lord in the great commission, according to

Mark, said they'll take up deadly serpents, these signs shall follow

them that believe. They didn't know anything about that, therefore

they didn't understand that, no, Paul wasn't a murderer, nor was he a

god. He simple had been endued because of the fact that he was an

apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, with powers they did not have. Now

that opened the door.

"In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island,

whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days

courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick

of a fever and of a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in, and prayed,

and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done,

others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed;

who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they

laded us with such things as were necessary." Vs. 7-10. Paul, along

with the others on board that ship, suffered shipwreck; the island-

dwellers' opinion of Paul changed drastrically while he was on the

island. He turned from murderer to a god. He healed their sick. Now

I want you to notice something however, about these barbarous people.

They helped BEFORE their sick were healed; and they helped them

AFTER their sick were healed. It wasn't one of those things - we're

doing this because you've done this for us; we'll trade out. NO!!! It

didn't work that way. They helped them when they were shipwrecked,

didn't know they had anything to offer them. So it would be but

normal that now, having received blessings at the hand of Paul in the

form of their sick being healed, they would continue that beneficence,

which they did.

"And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had

wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing

at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched

a compass, and came to Rhegium; and after one day the south wind blew,

and we came the next day to Puteoli; where we found brethren, and were

desired to tarry with them seven days; and so we went toward Rome.

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us

as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns; whom when Paul saw, he

thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion

delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was

suffered (allowed) to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him."

Vs. 11-16. I'm convinced that the centurion had a great deal to do

with that. The other prisoners he delivered to the captain of the

guard, but he allowed Paul to dwell by himself, a soldier accompanying

him, but he was allowed to dwell by himself. In fact verse 30 of this

chapter tell us "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired

house, and received all that came in unto him." Acts 28:30. Now we

know that the Philippian brethren and others were, during this period

of time, sending aid to Paul, which would enable him to keep a hired

house. Just remember, he was PERMITTED that freedom. Now Paul is in

Rome as a prisoner because of the Jews, so what does Paul do?

"And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief

of the Jews together; and when they were come together, he said unto

them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the

people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoer from

Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined

me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto

Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. For this cause

therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you;

because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And

they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concern-

ing thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any

harm of thee." Vs. 17-21. Now isn't that interesting???? You would

think they would have already had envoys making Rome aware that this

"DANGEROUS PRISONER" was headed their way, but you see, now they're

having to deal with the Roman law. They hadn't had too good luck with

that. Oh, they'd been pacified by those petty governors and that's

what they were. However, now they would have to deal with Caesar, and

they knew Caesar, if he wasn't pleased with them, would just as soon

put them to death as he would Paul. So they (accusers) were not there,

they hadn't come there. So the Jews said no one had told them about

Paul. There was, however, one thing they did want to know.

"But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning

this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they

had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to

whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them

concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,

from morning till evening." Vs. 22,23. So they were questioning him

about this doctrine of which they had heard, this "sect". Paul

preached. He persuaded them, he testified to them. Concerning what?

The kingdom and the King!!!!! "And some believed the things which were

spoken, and some believed not." Vs. 24. Now isn't that what Jesus

said at the very outset? The kingdom of heaven is as a man which went

forth to sow. He sowed; some seed fell by the wayside, some fell

among thorns, some fell on rocky ground, but some fell into good

ground and brought forth fruit. It was the same way when Paul stood

on Mars Hill, some believed - some believed not, some said they'd

hear him again on the matter. Some believed, some believed not!!!!

"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that

Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the

prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say,

hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall

see, and not perceive; for the heart of this people is waxed gross,

and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed;

lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and

understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should

heal them. Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God

is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he

had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning

among themselves." Vs. 25-29. Now I want you to notice one thing

that occurred in Rome that didn't occurred elsewhere. Those Jews that

didn't believe Paul didn't get out and try to stir up a riot in Rome.

Now if Paul had been such a vile character, don't you suppose the Jews

would have "raised cane" in Rome as well???? They knew better than

to do it. So they kept their reasoning among themselves. They didn't

get out of hand like they did in some other places, because they were

in Rome; and whether the Jews like it or not, they paid tribute to

Rome and they knew all Caesar had to do was say 'I'm tired of them,

we don't need them anymore, get rid of 'em.' You know, it's an

amazing thing sometimes how people CAN control themselves. Yet, at

other times they'll say 'I just can't control myself.' Oh yes you

can. You get the circumstances right and I guarantee you'll control

yourself. THEY DID!!!!

Now we're about the 'drive down a peg' for the last time. "And Paul

dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that

came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those

things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no

man forbidding him." Vs. 30,31. Paul, you're a prisoner! Well,

that didn't stop him from preaching. He'd been a prisoner in Philippi,

but that didn't stop him from converting his jailor. Eventually, we

will read where there were saints (christians) in Caesar household.

I wonder how they got there?????? I believe we just read the answer!!!

"...preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which

concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence....."

Paul has made it to Rome!!!!! Just as he always does, God had kept

his promise. Paul was told 'you will go to Rome'. I'm sure there

were times during the course of that journey when at least a little

doubt must have crossed his mind. Then you remember, he told the

rest of those on board the ship, 'the Lord stood by me, whose I am

and whom I serve; he said there would be a lot of loss of the ship,

but if you stay with the ship no one will perish.' So Paul has made

it to Rome, the gospel has been spread during all this period of time

and we've learned as we walk through the book of Acts what men were

required to do in order that they might be saved.

When we drive down the peg today, we'll pull it up one more time and

like Paul, revisit and try to sum up what we've learned as a whole

from the book of Acts.