1 This is the last message Dr. Atkinson reviewed in his daily devotion before he told the family..."my assignment is complete." TEXT: Acts 27:9-32; 28:1 NEARING THE SHORE By Dr. Walter Atkinson Our journey has been likened to sailing life's sea. The church has been called the "Old Ship of Zion" therefore, this narrative has implications for us today as we near the end of this period just before the rapture. Three elements of note: Deceptive Winds, Divine Words and Delightful Welcome. I. DECEPTIVE WINDS When the south wind blew softly...vs 13 A. The journey began because of Christian commitment in the will of God. 1. Paul had appealed the mishandling of his case to Caesar (Acts 25:11; 26:32). 2. Julius the Centurion chose as the second vessel of the voyage a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy. A ship already off its course (has the right objective, but the course makes it arrival questionable. 3. After contrary winds...sailing slowly many days with difficulty... the wind not permitting us to proceed...came to a place called, The Fair Havens...vs 4,7 B. Deceived by south wind blowing softly. 1. Believers (Paul, Luke, Aristarchus) were not deceived. Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only to the cargo and ship but also our own lives...vs 10 too late in the season to take chances...because the fast was past, they considered the season between the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Pentecost (early October through the middle of March) very dangerous. Probably they had left Caesarea in time, possible August (Acts 25:4,5,13) Paul had experience: shipwrecked...a night and day I have been in the deep (2 Cor. 11:25) Sound judgment states: "We are safely here, through troublesome waters and winds, be appreciative and stay safe. It is not worth it."
2 2. Unbelievers ignored believers Nevertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul...vs11 The pilot or helmsman of the ship had experience with winds and sailing...human ingenuity advised. Comfort, convenience factor was priority: Because the haven was not commodious to winter in...vs 12. It was better than winter on the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The majority ruled. God is not democratic (majority vote), but theocratic (His will rules). The more part advised to depart, if by any means they might attain to Phenice and there to winter...vs 12 A deceptive wind matched their mood. And then the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete...vs 13. Are you sailing by Crete in relative safety: so far so good. Samson: sailed by Crete with Delilah (Judges 16:4-25)...He had gotten by with lying to her about the secret of his strength 3 times. Then he told her the truth and when the south wind blew softly he went to sleep with his head on her lap. Then the hurricane of Euroclydon hit his hairless head of weakness. It blew his eyes out and blew him into a prison house to be a sport of mockery for the Philistines. He knew better. Our opponents are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light...therefore, it is not great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Don't be deceived by the soft wind of deception that got our grandmother Eve in the garden. Reference also 2 Tim. 3:1-7
3 But of the times and season, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that day should overtake you as a thief (1 Thess. 5:1-4). II. DIVINE WORDS You should have hearkened unto me...be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's life...but the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar; and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee...(acts 27) A. Eurolyudon, the northeast hurricane of destruction follows the soft south winds of deception. Captured: The ship was caught and could not bear up unto the wind...vs 15. The tentacles of the storm reached out, seized that ship and enfolded them into itself. Out of control: We let her drive...vs 15. No direction, no resistance, helpless, hopeless, no radio, no lights, no coast guard, no boats...you can go too far where only God can help. They got a little reprieve passing an island Clauda. They secured the small boat. They used helps, undergirding the ship...vs 17. They took measures to secure what was left of it. We need to use helps today. God has set some in the church first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (1 Cor. 12:28). Are we using the helps we have? Fearing the quicksand, struck sail and so were driven...vs 17. God allows us to have interludes along the way...therefore we must renew, refresh, revive, re-enforce and recharge. The lull leads to quicksands of destruction. They lightened the ship...vs 18. That can be positive or negative. Discard the contrary things and hold the good.
4 And the third day we cast out with our on hands, the tackling of the ship...vs 19. Furniture, equipment, etc...no enemy came on board and did this. They did it. We are in the third day in the church... What is happening to the tackling of the ship? We have become our own worst enemy. The devil isn't causing the problems at many churches and in society...the people are doing his work. Every vessel must have tackling. Every organization must have policy. Every group must have guidelines. Every family must have ground rules. B. The effects of the storm. loss of zeal (fight is gone) loss of will (appetite is gone) loss of hope (efforts to live end) acceptance of defeat and death (concern now is over the easiest way to die...end it all) God told Saul:...obedience is better than sacrifice...rebellion is as witchcraft... stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Kings 15:22). C. The effects of a man who hears from God And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve. Saying, fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar, and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain island...vs 20-26. Do you believe God? Have you heard from God in the middle of your storm? Are you living like you believe God?
5 III. DELIGHTFUL WELCOME And they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita Malta)...28:1 A. Positive reaction to words of encouragement. Looking for the landing: But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country...vs 27. It was midnight...as late as it gets. Yet their hopelessness was gone with the words of one man in touch with God. Languishing in defeat and waiting for death was transformed into looking for deliverance and life. The storm was still on and darkness ruled. Circumstances had not changed...they had! They sensed that they were drawing near to some country...vs 27. The nostrils of sailors become burned by the salt water, but when they get near a shore they can smell the freshness. Their ears are baked by the sun and salt and in this case the storm was raging, waves roaring, wind rushing, thunder clapping and the lightening dancing...but they heard a different sound...waves lapping the shore. Do you smell anything different? Do you hear anything different? Established their location; checked the facts with their senses... sounded and found it twenty fathoms (120 feet...a fathom is 6 feet). When they had gone a little further sounded again and found it fifteen fathoms (90 feet)...at the rate of speed they were traveling in another little while it would be 10 fathoms (60') and then 5 fathoms (30'). Could only check it 2 more times before landing. Close...aren't we? B. Changed attitudes Fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks...cast four anchors out of the stern...vs 29. Not out of the bow which is usual...cast them out of the back of the boat to keep the front headed to shore and preventing it from turning sideways and wrecking...staying on a straight course. The bow would put them closer to shore. Name the anchors: The Spirit, The Word, Faith, Obedience And wished for the day...from waiting to die in the night, now, wishing for the landing.
6 Shipmen were about to flee...vs 30...under the pretense of arranging anchors out of the bow. Why do people leave the church / family in the middle of a storm. The storms rage but the promise remains. Paul said, except you abide in the ship, you cannot be saved... vs 31. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off...vs 32. Time for us to cot the ropes of the small boats...burn some bridges...recommit ourselves...refocus our vision...renew our vows...revive our efforts. Paul besought them to eat...this is the fourteenth day that you have tarried and fasted, taking nothing...vs 33. It is rough when unbelievers fast. Paul gave thanks to God in the presence of them all...vs 35. They respected him now and listened. We were all in the ship 276 souls. Then they were all of good cheer. C. Made last minute preparations to land Lightened the ship and cast the wheat into the sea...vs 38. Planning to eat on the new shore. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea. Got rid of the hold-backs and hangups...no turning back / double mindedness. Loosed the rudder bands...flexible direction...follow the course to land. Hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward the shore...vs 40. Catch all the landing breezes you can and make for the shore. They escaped all safe to land. D. The name of the place They knew that the island was called Malta (Melita)...28:1...means refuge (they needed one) We know the name: Third Heaven, Zion, Paradise, New Jerusalem
7 E. What is it like? It is a place of: Refuge: from and to Malta...vs 1 Kindness: no little kindness...vs 2 Royal reception: Publius, chief man of the island received us, lodged us courteously...vs 7 No hurt: snake bite harmless...vs 5 No death: felt no harm...vs 5 Healing: healed him, others who had diseases were healed...vs 8,9 Honors: many honors...vs 10 Needs met: loaded us with such things as were necessary...vs 10 RECAP: Revelation 21