The Amazing Prisoner
(Acts 27:1-28:31)
[Note: When I preached this sermon, after reading Ben Witherington's commentary on Acts, I filled in a number of details, particularly why ships were sailing at a somewhat dangerous time of year. Adding these details, I only got through the first point in my 30 minute slot. I will do part two this week. I recommend reading a commentary, preferably Witherington's (if you have it) for the details; people loved my tie-in with Emperor Claudious' effort to coax mariners to make journeys during risky seasons so Rome would not experience another famine that nearly got him dethroned; Nero continued this policy.]
1. An old farmer wrote to his son in prison: “This year I wont be able to plant potatoes because I can’t dig the field. I know if you were here you would help me.”
The son wrote back:”Dad don’t even think of digging the field because that’s where I buried the money I stole.”
Police read the letter and the very next day the whole field was dug by police looking for the money, but nothing was found.
The next day the son wrote again: “Now plant your potatoes dad; it’s the best I can do from here.”
[https://upjoke.com].
Sometimes people in prison can accomplish some amazing things.
2. Joseph’s brothers had betrayed him and sold him as a slave in Egypt. He ended up in prison, but rose to be the warden’s right hand man. His character and competence were so strong, he rose wherever he was and ended up being the prime minister of Egypt.
3. Paul was not really in prison, just in custody. But, wherever he went, he impressed those who heard him. He was an amazing prisoner. Spiritually, psychologically, and socially mature people make an impact for the Kingdom of God, whether living a privileged life or in society’s lower strata.
Main Idea: When God gets a hold on us and we are serious about growing in the Lord, we have the potential to make a good impression for the Kingdom of God. We can bloom where we are planted.
I. Paul So IMPRESSED the Authorities that They Trusted His Advice Above Protocol (chapters 27-28).
A. Paul begins a TREACHEROUS trip to Rome (27:1-20)
1. Luke, Paul and Aristarchus travel with him.
2. The Roman Centurion Julius was in charge, a decent fellow.
3. They take some short connecting boat trips, boats that had a regular route.
4. They find a large cargo ship bound for Rome (276 passengers).
5. They make choices, hoping to find a better harbor to winter over.
Paul says, ““Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” (vs. 10).
6. They don’t listen to Paul, and why should they?
7. The Mediterranean Sea becomes tempestuous and dark for weeks, and things look bleak.
8. They toss cargo, strengthen the boat, and give up hope.
B. Paul, relaying God’s wisdom, begin to SHINE (27:21-44).
1. Julius was always impressed with Paul, and granted him freedom.
2. Paul shared God’s message with them: no life need be lost, just the ship.
3. The ship was 500 miles off course in the Adriatic Sea.
4. Some of the mean were going to leave in a life boat – Paul forbade it and they obeyed.
5. He got them to eat and reassured them that God had made a promise.
6. Paul blessed the Name of God before they ate their bread: he had an audience & credibility.
7. They spotted land, but the ship hit some shoals and broke up.
8. Julius would normally have had all the prisoners killed, but chose not too because he trusted Paul.
9. Some swam, others floated on planks, but all survived.
C. Paul gains CREDIBILITY with the Maltese and the Roman Jews (28:1-31)
1. All 276 safely landed on the island of Malta, south of Sicily.
2. Paul is bitten by a viper, this was interpreted to be divine justice. When he lived, they thought he was immortal, a god.
3. Paul healed the ruler’s father, and then the people brought all the sick to Paul.
4. After winter (3 months), they traveled on another boat that was wintering over at Malta.
5. As they got to Italy, Paul was allowed to fellowship with believers for days at a time in various locations on the way to Rome. Julius was especially kind to Paul.
6. When in Rome, Paul called for the Jewish elders who were eager to hear about this new belief.
7. Many Jews believed. Then he also witnessed to gentiles.
8. During his two years in Rome, he wrote the prison epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
9. We know from other Scriptures/sources, Paul was declared not guilty and was freed for several years. Then he was taken prisoner again, condemned, and executed. 2 Timothy was his last epistle.
II. We Can LEARN Some Important Principles from This.
A. Not EVERYONE was impressed with Paul, so neither will they be with us!
1. Festus thought Paul was an insane genius.
2. If a different centurion was in charge of this excursion, things would have been different.
3. It can be discouraging to see lost family member, lost friends, lost co-workers pass into eternity without Christ – or to see our children abandon the faith. We are tempted to think, “If only I had the faith of Paul.” But most people rejected Paul’s message.
4. Jesus said the road that leads to life is narrow, and few find it. We have, I think, doubted that.
B. People of INTEGRITY are drawn to others who have integrity.
• Paul and Julius were so different, but both had integrity and character.
• If you have integrity, it is easier to respect those who differ from you but have integrity.
• Integrity is about honesty, but it is also about fairness...listening...respecting…
“The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure which cost an immense amount of money and labor. When it was finished, it appeared impregnable. But the enemy breached it. Not by breaking it down or going around it. They did it by bribing the gatekeepers.”—Harry Emerson Fosdick [https://ministry127.com]
C. In a true CRISIS, people consider the spiritual, even if they once mocked it.
D. When your life is on the line, you think DIFFERENTLY.
We see in this entire episode and example of believers relating to unbelievers. We see mutual respect, cooperation for the common good, and sharing the faith discreetly.
E. We want to TRUST God and His Word, but want to SHUN superstition.
• The islanders embraced common superstitions about the god and justice.
• They tended to elevate Paul to the status of a god. Paul would have none of it.
F. When you have blessed others, they generally will make extra efforts to bless YOU.
Lost people are people, as are saved people. We don’t leave the human race, our families, or our society when we come to faith. We should seek to bless others.
Galatians 6:10, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
G. The Kingdom of God may have SYMPATHIZERS who are not part of that Kingdom.
H. When our position in life changes, we have the OPPORTUNITY to reach a different segment.
