Paul’s Mediterranean Cruise

Acts 27

Bristol Road Baptist Church, Weston-Super-Mare Bible Study 10 Feb. 1999

This account is remarkable for its detail. It is the most outstanding description of a shipwreck of its time. Its abiding value lies in its presentation of Paul’s courage and faith in the face of great adversity and beautifully illustrates Newton’s words :

"With Christ in the vessel we smile at the storm"

What was it that enabled Paul to stand on that heaving deck and be so assured of God’s help?

 PAUL KNEW WHERE HE WAS GOING vv 23 & 25

Behind the lashing of every wave and every storm there was his overwhelming conviction that he will go to Rome : 19 21 23 11 25 12 and 27 24 - but there was a deeper conviction that had to do not with destination but hope. This is no fatalism - Paul wants to go there to finish his work.

23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

 He knew where he was going because he went with Christ

 He knew where he was going because he belonged to God

 He knew where he was going because God had shown him the way.

 Do you know where you are going?

The situation was so desperate that Luke could write "we finally gave up all hope of being saved" v20.

YET Paul literally stands out in his words to the crew and the passengers:

  PAUL WARNED THEM v9

"I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."

 Christians have a reputation for issuing warnings. It is not really ill-deserved - we are charged with such a duty.

 Paul had insight into the way things were going - an informed intelligent insight, and a deeper spiritual insight

 The Christian too has an insight into deep issues and is charged with a warning ministry

 Paul’s warning and insight were disregarded - so is the believer’s often.

PAUL ENCOURAGED THEM vv 21~ and 33~

Paul becomes prominent for this very reason : not that he is a prisoner - but that he is able to encourage. He "stood up before them"

His message was :

 Of great hope in the face of danger 21,22 "long time without food" "keep up your courage"

 Of complete personal salvation 22 34 "not one of you will be lost" "not a single hair"

 Of God’s grace 24 "God has graciously given..."

 Of great faith v25 "I have faith in God.."

 A message that stood up to the reality of loss v22 v26 "the ship... aground"

 A message that addresses detail v31 "Unless these men stay with the ship ..."

 A message intensely practical 33,34 "eat...you need it to survive.."

 

  PAUL SET AN EXAMPLE v35

35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

At one particular part of the voyage Paul’s actions reflected those of his Lord, but even before then he had set an example :

 Prepared to stand up before them 21

 Willing to speak of his own encouragement by God 23

 Able to apply his appeal to Caesar with its promise v24

 Quick to point out the implications of the cowardice of the sailors 31

It is easy to forget the pitching deck and darkness when we read verse 35. Following a fortnight of fasting and a desperately long night (vv 27 - 32) and "just before dawn" Paul urged them to eat.

In his typically Hebrew gesture of taking bread and giving thanks it is hard not to see a reflection of the Lord’s Supper -

"He took some bread and gave thanks before them all ..."

It was essentially a PRACTICAL EXAMPLE rather than a symbolic one. "You have been in constant suspense and have gone without food" It was an essential lesson "you need it to survive"

Its immediate effect was encouragement and obedience. "Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves."

This not especially sacramental act has its echo in the Communion Service. It is also difficult in Luke’s words in the next verses not to see another echo of the miraculous feeding of the multitude. Cf. Acts 27 37 and Mark 8 9.

There are many practical lessons for us in this cruise chapter!