On Malta
Acts: Christ Builds His Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
AG:
TS: When we left the Apostle Paul and the rest of the crew, they had made it to shore safely after being shipwrecked during a fierce storm. The island on which they were shipwrecked is called Malta (). They are shown great hospitality by the local populace (). Then, a snake comes out of the bundle of sticks, laid on the fire, and latches onto Paul's hand (). The people witnessing the incident, presumed that he must be a thief, murderer, or some great sinner, and therefore they thought what they saw was an act of Divine vengeance (); but after he shook it off his hand without ill-effects from its poison, they changed their minds, and supposed him to be a god (; ).
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
1. After the Storm
1. After the Storm
EX: They had survived the storm and reached shore.
They have drifted for two weeks with no means of knowing where they were; the storm was so violent they had to take precaution after precaution just to keep their ship afloat; after it struck on the sand bar and was beginning to break up, they had to swim the last several hundred yards to safety, but they made it and all 276 were still alive!
“Then they knew that the island was called Malta.”
They found out that the island was called Melita (modern Malta). .
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The island of Malta was originally a Phoenician colony; it is about 20 miles long, about 10-12 miles wide and about 60 miles in circumference. It is located about 60 miles from the coast of Sicily. The word Malta is actually of Canaanite origin and means “refuge,” and for many storm-battered ships it was a true refuge on more than one occasion. It was known for producing large quantities of honey, and is supposed to have been called Melita from the Greek word signifying honey. The island is an immense rock of white soft stone, with a covering of earth about one foot in depth, which has been brought from the island of Sicily. It produces cotton, excellent fruits, and fine honey; it had excellent harbors on the Eastern and Western shores.
Inhabitants welcomed them with hospitality Acts 28:2
They understood their situation, and were very civil and humane to them, and showed them extraordinary kindness. That is, they rushed down to the beach and immediately tried to make these shipwrecked people comfortable.
They understood their situation, and were very civil and humane to them, and showed them extraordinary kindness. That is, they rushed down to the beach and immediately tried to make these shipwrecked people comfortable.
"They kindled a fire”
They would have been both cold and wet; so that nothing was more needed and more pleasant to them than a large fire.
“And received us every one.”
They received us all, i.e., took us under their care. At first of course the hospitality would be shown by kind treatment on the beach, evidenced by their lighting a fire. Afterwards, they stayed for three months’ and during that time the sailors and prisoners (all 276 of them) would find quarters in the dwellings of the citizens. Paul, the centurion, and some others were received into the house of the chief magistrate.
AP: Show hospitality
Even the "barbarians" viewed as uncivilized and uneducated showed human kindness.
As believers, we should lead the way in being kind to others
We have rightfully been criticized as churches for being too internally focused
We often forget the needs of our members and neighbors.
We have an obligation to look out for others.
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
1 Tim 6:18
16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Heb 13:16
Heb 13:16
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thess 5:11
1 Thess 5:11
2. Bitten by a Snake
2. Bitten by a Snake
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
EX: Paul had survived the shipwreck and now was bitten by a snake!
EX: Paul had survived the shipwreck and now was bitten by a snake!
He just couldn't get a break
The Apostle picked up some sticks—probably driftwood that washed ashore, or brushwood and made them into a bundle that he would personally put on the fire.
The snake was almost certainly in the bundle of sticks. When the bundle was laid on the fire, the snake, probably lethargic due to the cold, became warmed by the heat and attacked Paul.
Seeing the snake attach to Paul's hand led the people of Malta to assume the gods had gotten their justice on his wickedness. When he survived, they changed their tune.
One good Bible commentator suggests that this was God’s way of turning all eyes on Paul right from the first moment on Malta.
They supposed that vengeance and justice would eventually catch up with the guilty; that, though he might escape one form of punishment, yet he would be exposed to another.
AP: Trouble often comes from unexpected sources
Live your life regardless of circumstances.
Paul was serving and doing meeting the needs of others when the snake bit.
We can never tell when fortunes may turn.
Sudden illness
Financial difficulties
Attacks from others.
Keep living the way God has declared and trust Him
We covered much of this last week, so I won't go back and re-preach it.
Trust God regardless of the circumstances.
Keep doing what He has revealed in His word and by the Holy Spirit
3. Miraculous Preservation
3. Miraculous Preservation
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul shook off the snake and suffered no harm.
Paul shook off the snake and suffered no harm.
Paul immediately shakes off the creature (a natural reaction) and goes about his business as the snake is devoured by the fire.
Mark 16:18
18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
The citizens of Malta witnessed the snake bite Paul, and expected that he would have swollen from the bite. The poison of the viper acts rapidly, and they expected that he would soon die. The word rendered “swollen” means “to burn; to be inflamed,” and then “to be swollen from inflammation.” This was what they expected to happen to the Apostle.
The citizens of Malta witnessed the snake bite Paul, and expected that he would have swollen from the bite. The poison of the viper acts rapidly, and they expected that he would soon die. The word rendered “swollen” means “to burn; to be inflamed,” and then “to be swollen from inflammation.” This was what they expected to happen to the Apostle.
“But after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him.”
The people had seen cases of snake-bite before, and they had no doubt about what was going to happen. But after a while, perhaps an hour or two, to observe whether any inflammation or swelling occurred, or death ensued, as they expected; “and saw no harm come to him”!
He was neither inflamed, nor swollen, nor dead; that it had no effect upon him, and no evil punishment was imposed on him from which they could conclude that he was guilty of any notorious crime.
While the natives are waiting for Paul to drop dead at any moment, nothing is happening. Not only was there no swelling or inflammation, but also nothing at all was happening.
The poison of the viper acts very quickly, in fact, the venom works so quickly that the antidotes they had could seldom be applied in time. Yet remember that Jesus had promised His apostles protection from such things (Mark 16:18).
“They changed their minds, and said that he was a god.”
Before this, they took him to be a murderer, and now they even ascribe deity to him, which was a common reaction by the Gentiles, when anything extraordinary was performed by men. Here they saw Paul bitten by a viper, but he went on about his business as if nothing had happened.
He had been taken for a god at Lystra—
the Lystrians took Paul for Mercury, and Barnabas for Jupiter when the apostle cured the cripple of Acts 14:11—but later on in the same place he was stoned by the Jews (Acts 14:11-19).
There can be no doubt that the inhabitants of Malta were idolaters; but it is not known which gods they worshiped.
However, one commentator has suggested that Hercules was one of the gods of the Phoenicians, and was worshiped in Malta under the nickname of “the dispeller of evil.”
They probably thought that Paul was Hercules because Hercules was famous for having destroyed, in his youth, two serpents that attacked him in his cradle. It was natural that they should attribute such protection to the presence of a divinity.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
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.
In that part of the island which is near the place where the shipwreck occurred. They discovered they were close by lands belonging to the leading man of the island. The word “possessions” is used here to refer to his property, lands, his place of residence.
Probably the Roman magistrate.
Publius was a common name with Romans; with them it was a given name, by which they were called.
This verse tells us that Publius owned an estate near where the shipwreck occurred.
Publius was an outstanding host for he made them feel welcome, and entertained them courteously for three days. This means that he treated them as guests for three days. This was until arrangements could be made for a more permanent dwelling-place. Since they must remain on the island through the stormy weather of winter before they could start out again, it would be necessary to provide them with their own housing.
The Lord turned the bonds of Paul to glory; he stayed for three months, and many were healed and converted to the Lord. The master was with his servant.
Paul was able to continue to spread the gospel and disciple believers!
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
Acts 28:8
Paul entered the room of this very sick man, no doubt with the consent, if not at the request of Publius.
Paul entered the room of this very sick man, no doubt with the consent, if not at the request of Publius.
Observe the two things Paul did and what God did in return.
When Paul had entered the room and found in what a bad condition the sick man was in, he prayed for him, that God would restore his health.
He did this to let them know that he himself was not a god; and that the cure that would now take place would be from God, and not from him, and therefore all the glory should be given to God.
Next he laid his hands on him, which was a sign or symbol, or rite that was used in extraordinary cases, and was in accord with the direction and promise of Christ:
18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:18
And this was followed by a cure; both diseases left him at once, and he was restored to health.
And this was followed by a cure; both diseases left him at once, and he was restored to health.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
Acts 28:9
One healing led to many. News of this miracle spread like wildfire among the island’s citizens. Luke was a physician; yet we do not find him taking a part in these cures. As a medical man, he might have been of use to the father of Publius; but he is not even consulted on this occasion.
One healing led to many. News of this miracle spread like wildfire among the island’s citizens. Luke was a physician; yet we do not find him taking a part in these cures. As a medical man, he might have been of use to the father of Publius; but he is not even consulted on this occasion.
Others (the rest) also came to be cured. During the three months of their stay all the others who were sick and heard of what had been done for the father of the chief magistrate (and it was sure to be rapidly spread about the island) came to be cured of whatsoever diseases they were afflicted with.
AP: Make use of opportunities to point people to God.
God's deliverance led to Paul being able to share the gospel.
Look for those divine appointments to share the gospel
There is no greater time than when God has demonstrated His awesome power.
Give Him the glory
Point people to Him as the Healer, Provider, Protector, etc.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Live for God in all circumstances.
Show hospitality when you can
Use every opportunity to point people to Him.