The Never-ending Journey – Acts 28
Good morning Church! It’s really great and wonderful privilege to be here in this morning to share this amazing End of the Journey, which is actually a beginning. We as a church started with this book of Acts in the beginning of this year and today we are in the last chapter. I’m sure that during all these times we have got lot many learnings, inspirations, takeaways and revelations. Even today I believe that God will speak to each of us through this chapter too.
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I had the privilege to speak on Acts ch13 where Paul’s journey began and now today I’m here again to talk about the completion of those journeys Paul had. For a quick recap, last week we had discussed on Acts Ch27, Paul and his companions are caught up in a terrible storm. Everyone on the ship supposed that they were going to die. Everyone, that is, but Paul. The Lord sent an angel to comfort Paul and to tell him that the ship would be lost, but that all the lives of those on the ship would be spared, Acts 27:22-25. He comforted all those in the ship with these words and encouraged them to have food. And we saw that the ship was lost in the storm, but all those 276 People on board made it safely to the shore either by swimming or holding to the wooden pieces of ship. Now let’s look at the verses from Acts 28 1-10.
1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honoured us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
So, we see here that after all those struggles they landed on this place called Malta. Where is this Malta. The island-state of Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily about 60 miles away. The Natives called Barbarians were neither Greek or Roman. The Island is relatively unimportant or not so familiar as it is not in the usual route for the traders to travel by. The word Barbarians does not mean they were an uncivilized people, they just did not follow Greek customs or speak Greek. So, all non-Greek speaking were foreigners which made them as barbarian people. It is very common in those days to have a shipwreck, but what’s not usual is for the people to come and help those affected. As because every time there is a ship wreck people try to see what do I get out from there. Like let’s say today if one big electronics store is crashed or collapsed, we would say that let’s go in and get something what we needed. It’s the common attitude towards calamity. But here it’s totally different. Even Luke says that they showed unusual kindness, which means way more than usual.
Just try to visualize the situation, 2 weeks of struggle in storm, no light, no sun, and now ship wrecked, lost all the belongings, fully drenched, heavy rain and cold. Rain is ok, Cold is ok, but definitely not both together. Now they are trying to keep themselves warm. Once again Paul is helpful and involved in the necessary practical tasks of day-to-day living; not functioning as some privileged elite that demands service from others. What if we were in the situation and as Paul- who promised everyone that none of us will lose our lives, everyone will be saved. Of course, it has come true and now all alive in the shore. What would be our behaviour? Do we demand service or do we serve? Even as he still serves, he is facing lot of issues here again. Out of fire, the Viper came out an got stuck in his hand.
Shake off the Viper
- Viper of Unbelief
Many a times, we keep asking God, why me? Again? I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m helping people even in midst of all my trails but still I’m facing lot of issues.
Paul could have doubted God, will I be saved? What will happen to me? How I will reach Rome, if I die here because of this viper? But rather his action was he shook off the viper, remembering God’s promises. What is it that I’m holding on which is an unbelief / discouragement.
- Viper of Criticism
There was this criticism thrown on Paul – This man is a murderer, in a way it was true some years back. But now he is not. Many times, people might throw lot of critics and accuse us falsely for which we have not done any wrong. Don’t worry you are not the first person to go through this. Even Jesus had gone through continual critics. He was called as blasphemer; acting with the Prince of demon; Remember how he responded to all those? He remained silent. Similarly, even here Paul remains silent, he didn’t react or respond to all those critics. He just shook off the Viper. Let us also shook off all those critics which were thrown on us. We can’t hold on to it and sulk into it. We need to get out of it so that we can move forward.
- Viper of Low Expectations
Those people were thinking that he will now swell up or suddenly die. But he remained alive. Many of those are there waiting to see u and me to stumble and fall because we are following Christ. They are just waiting for us to backslide. But we can’t be afraid on looking at those people. We need to shake off all those comments which are false and not valid. By being faithful to our God, we need to prove them that they are wrong. Christ has given us the life. With the help of Holy spirit, we can win every day.
Those who passed on the comments on him as murderer are those who are now coming to Paul to get healed. He never has this attitude of rejecting but accepted them in love and they got cured. Shake off those vipers of Low expectations.
11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Am I clear of
God’s Promise – Paul was very clear that he will reach Rome, because God has promised him. Sometimes in our life God would have promised us something. But because of the storm that we had went through we think that now as I’m in Malta where I’m doing the ministry of God, we come to conclusion that this is where God is intended me to be and do what I’m doing. During the Journey I should not forget for what God has called me for. There may be many things come in between in our lives but we can’t settle down there saying that I’m doing God’s will. No, once u heard God, be clear and stand strict to it. We see here that once the Winter is over they have resumed their journey towards Rome.
God’s Purpose – The interesting part here is Paul was a Roman citizen but has never visited Rome so far. He always only had a vision to visit. But we see here that in way there are lot of brothers and sisters came to meet them. The way the Gospel has spread even though there are no records of missionaries visited these places. The purpose of God is to share the gospel to every corners of the world. What is my part in it? How am I playing my role to fulfil the purpose that God has called me for? Long back God has promised Paul saying that you will reach Rome. Paul also had this vision to be there. After crossing through all those rough tides and struggles, finally they have arrived the destination Rome. Verse 15 says, people from Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns came to meet Paul and his companions. It seems that these people have travelled 40+ miles to meet Paul and it really encouraged him. Even at times, just a visit to someone’s house, or even just a call to check how they are doing or even a text on checking how they are, matters a lot. We never know what the other person is going through, what kind of storms they are in, what kinds of strange things they are facing, what criticism they are going through, how low they are. But we as a child of God, being a family it’s always good and important to encourage each other. Even though such a strong person Paul the apostle is, still he too needed an encouragement.
God’s Vision – We see that Paul had got again a special favour, he was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him 24*7. It was Rome custom that every 4 hours there will be a shift and a soldier change. Think about it, Man like Paul- who is always ready to seek and grab an opportunity to share the gospel the good news, is now having a new face every 4 hours. I think that Paul would ask the soldiers what do u think, u have anything to say then the other says no do u have any and yes, he started sharing the gospel. We see this evidence that Paul himself writes in his letter to Philippians.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. – Ph1:12,13
Now as he was in house arrest he is not allowed to do the ministry the same way how he uses to do all these days, by going from Synagogue to synagogue. But what did he do? Am I carrying the vision all the time or am I sliding away from it? Whenever it’s talked about calling, vision, serving most of us think that it’s not for me. It’s for the Pastor, ministry leaders or someone else who is in some responsible role at church, definitely not me. But when there is something spoke on Promise, blessings, gifts – we try to claim them for me; Amen Yes Lord, Thank you Lord. After the service, meets the preacher and tells that the word was exactly for me today. But such convictions are not there when there is something like this is being spoken. I’m not trying to offend or blame anyone here, rather I want us to be ready and open for God’s work. Because Luke 10:7 says the Worker deserve his wages. How can I be only on receiving end all the time, when I don’t give anything from my side to God?
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
We see here, that he calls out the Jewish leaders to his home where he stays. He always had a plan B. He never restricted himself by saying ok my situation is not right, I’m not in position to do this, I can’t share the gospel when I’m house arrested; chained to a soldier. No, his heart was always there to connect with the people and tell them the good news. So, he called up for the leaders as he wanted to make himself stand clear and right with his brothers, why he has appealed to Caesar. He has no idea what does the people in Rome think about him, or what news or information they received from Jerusalem. So, he has explained to them what exactly happened. This way of direct communication he made with them had really made them to ask Paul to share this Gospel. They say that they have not received any letter or report concerning you, but all we heard was people taking against your views.
At times, being transparent and open will let the doors open automatically for the gospel to be shared. We don’t have to do anything extra, just be open and transparent. God will open the hearts of people to hear the Gospel. Our role is to be available not giving excuses, blaming the situation or saying I’m tired, I’m chained I can’t. Don’t let your mind get preoccupied with thoughts saying they have a wrong thought about me, they don’t listen to my words, they can’t understand my problem, they don’t know what I’m going through, they can’t accept my view. Rather than doing all these let’s start saying God I’m available, use me. He will let the doors open for the gospel to be shared.
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
We see that they were able to plan for a certain day to meet Paul and listen to the gospel. They also called a greater number of people so everyone gets opportunity to hear what he speaks. As he shares, there are few convinced and accepted what he said and also there are others who would not believe. Our job is not converting anyone, it’s to share the good news. God will work in their life in right time and they will turn back to him. Sometimes they may not be able to understand what is it that we are taking about. That’s what even Paul says here to them referring to what Isaiah has prophesied:
25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to [e]our fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” ’
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 [f]And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Church! Let’s keep doing our part, God will work on the hearts of those who hear the gospel. Let’s share it, love them truly, care for them and accept them as who they are. God’s kingdom will keep growing no matter whether we respond or not. If we don’t then God choose someone else for his work, but we are the losers. So, lets try to grab all the opportunities to work for the kingdom of God; we never know when what will be taken from us. So, let us not hold on to things that are pulling us back; not allowing us to move forward. Let us shook off the things that are holding us back
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Joseph shook off the treatment of his brothers; David shook off the taunts of Goliath; Job shook off the advice of his friends; Woman at the well shook off her past.; Woman with the issue of blood shook off the doctor’s reports; Lazarus shook off the grave clothes.
When the Plans are not clear and confusing Shake it off – When they got stuck into the storm they have no idea in which direction and where they are, but God was in control. God Knows the way; He Makes a way. John 8:32 says, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Let’s stick ourselves to God trusting in him fully. Because he has given his own son for us what not he can give us? The End of the beginning. The record of Luke has ended here, but still the book of Acts is continuing till today and we are in some 2000+ chapters. This journey is never ending but am I able to do justification to my role? Will I too be able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Paul Anand is working at Accenture and worshiping in Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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