The Aftermath
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Introduction:
Introduction:
I want to welcome you again this morning.
First, to those joining us online, we are so thankful for our online technology that allows you to be a part of our church family today.
I also want to welcome those who may be joining us for the first time today. I hope your time with us today is encouraging and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you.
I would also say if you are new to our church today, it would be helpful for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
What that means, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Our goal, to better understand not only what God’s Word says, but what it means in our lives today.
Over the past couple of years we’ve been doing that through the NT book of Acts.
With that said, if you haven’t been with us I would encourage you to go online to http://www.mcf.life or to our Facebook page where you can watch previous messages leading up to today.
Today however we are going to finish out Acts 27 and move into chapter 28, the final chapter of the book of Acts. Some of you didn’t think that would happen in your lifetime, did you?
That being said, you may recall we’ve spent the last several weeks following the Apostle Paul on his Spirit led mission and journey towards Rome. A journey that has come with many challenges.
Challenges that span from a city wide riot in Jerusalem, to Paul’s arrest, to an assassination attempt on his life, and two trials before two different Roman Governors. All of which has now landed Paul on a sea voyage towards Rome where he will stand before Caesar himself.
And as we’ve learned, the sea voyage hasn’t been the greatest experience either as the ship has faced difficult storms, one of them being a devastating storm that nearly took Paul and the crew out.
Luke puts it like this:
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
Luke says the storm was so bad that all hope was lost.
Thankfully though, because Paul’s hope and faith was in Jesus, the crew made it through the storm and land was spotted. Which is where we left off last week as hope was regained. Luke records it like this:
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.
And what we learned from Paul’s storm experience, is that when we are facing the storms of life, whether they be the storms to be expected or the storms we didn’t ask for, we can find hope in knowing that in the middle of the storm Jesus is with us. And if Jesus is with us, then so are His promises. Promises that will see us through the storm.
All that to say, Paul’s journey has been one for the record books.
The question then is, “What’s next? Is Paul finally safe? And are the threats and challenges finally over?”
Well, it kind of depends on what your definition of safe is. Which is what I want to focus in on today. Because as we come back to Acts 27 today, while the storm is over and the crew is safe, that doesn’t mean the challenges are over.
So, to set up where we are going today, I want to begin by asking you a question. A question I then want you to answer with a statement I’m going to give you.
So, to get us started, here’s the question:
Question - When do you feel safe? (2x)
Now, here’s the statement I want you to use to answer that question:
Statement - I feel safe when...
You should have a place to write that in on your sermon notes.
So, what did you write?
Examples of what people might have written:
I feel safe when I’m driving and I have my seatbelt on.
I feel safe when I pull in the garage and the door shuts behind me.
I feel safe when the Chiefs aren’t playing the Broncos.
I feel safe when I wear a mask and people stay 6’ away from me.
I feel safe when there is “x” amount of $ in my bank account.
I feel safe when all my bills are paid.
I feel safe when my spouse acts like I think they should.
I feel safe when my kids are safe.
I feel safe when I know I’m the one in control of a situation.
I feel safe when somebody besides Trump or Biden is President.
And the list goes on. And the truth is, we all have differing answers of what safe would look like.
So, why do we have differing answers?
We have differing answers because when it comes to safety, feeling safe is a relative feeling.
In other words, we all have different levels or ideas of what being safe represents.
Or another way to put it would be, we feel safe when our circumstances meet our personal level of safety expectations.
So, for example, that’s why somebody might say, “I feel financially safe when I have $10,000 in my checking account”. But for somebody else, their level of financial security might equate to $2000 in their checking account.
Which again is why feeling safe is relative. Relative because it’s based on circumstances that fit a persons level of comfort.
However, if we were too narrow it down to one answer, I think it would be “safe” to assume that for most people, and as a general rule, we feel safe when…There are no perceived threats in my life, and my circumstances are exactly how I want it or hoped they would be.”
Can we all agree on that?
The reason I ask you to consider this question and statement, is because as we come back to Acts 27, Paul and his companions are now safe.
But the truth is, for most of us, the circumstances Paul is about to face in the next few verses probably wouldn’t meet the standards of our answer to, “I feel safe when...”
And the reason that’s important, is because when it comes to following Jesus, what Jesus considers safe and what we consider safe are probably not always going to line up.
In other words, as a Christ follower, there are going to be circumstances or situations that God leads you into that don’t always feel safe.
Which means if we want to accomplish God’s plan and purpose in our lives, we have to be ok with God’s level of safety.
So, that being the case, I have three goals today:
First, we’re going to walk through the passage and find out what arriving on shore looked like for Paul.
Second, as we look at Paul’s arrival on shore, we are going to discover what God’s version of safety looks like.
Finally, as we look at God’s version of safety, we are going to identify three safety principles that we need to be willing to accept if we want to accomplish God’s plan and purpose for our life.
So, with that as our basis, let’s jump back into our passage and find out what landing on shore looked like for Paul. Picking up in verse 39 Luke writes:
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
There’s a lot happening in this passage, so lets just focus on the basics.
Notice first that Luke says after spotting land and a bay with a beach, the crew decided to run the ship ashore, just as Paul had encouraged them to do a few verses back.
This then lead to them preparing the boat for this dangerous maneuver as they got rid of the anchors and pointed the ship towards the beach.
You might ask, “Why was it dangerous?”
It was dangerous because like all uncharted bays, this bay had some low lying reefs that couldn’t be seen on the surface.
As a result, the ship ended up striking one of these underwater reefs which resulted in the ship coming apart and the ships occupants abandoning ship.
That then created another dilemma as the Roman soldiers decided the best thing to do at this point would be to kill the prisoners so they wouldn’t escape in the chaos.
Some might ask, why such a drastic measure.
Simply put. If the prisoners escaped the soldiers would be held responsible for the escape and face execution for their dereliction of duty.
Thankfully though, Luke says before anybody can be killed, Julius, the head soldier, steps in and stops the plan.
Why does he stop them? Luke says it’s because he likes Paul. Which demonstrates the favor and respect that Paul has achieved because of his faith in God.
Which should be a reminder to us, that when we stand strong in our faith, God’s favor will be on our life.
And so with the ship breaking up, and everybody swimming towards shore, Luke writes:
“…all were brought safely to land...”
And what I want you to notice here is the word safely.
Because with this word comes the idea that there is now no threat and that they are safe.
And just to make sure we know that’s what it means, Luke emphasizes it again. Because moving into chapter 28, look at what he tells us in verse 1:
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
Again, Luke emphasizes that they were brought safely through, and that they are now safe.
Safely shipwrecked on an unknown island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea.
Which leads us to our first safety principle, and I would state it like this:
1. What’s safe to God isn’t always based on convenient circumstances.
The reason I say that, is because if we look at what Luke says is a safe set of circumstances for Paul, for most us, we wouldn’t see it as safe.
I mean think about it. Yes, they are safe from the storm. But their deliverance from the storm has resulted in the ship being destroyed, Roman soldiers nearly killing everybody on board, and now they are shipwrecked on an island they don’t recognize.
Let me ask you something, “How safe does that sound too you? How convenient does that sound too you?”
How many of you have seen the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks?
Kind of a crazy movie, right? If you haven’t seen it, Tom Hanks plays a character that after a plane crash over the ocean finds himself stranded on an uncharted island. A set of circumstances that leaves him scared, hopeless, and talking to a volleyball called Wilson.
I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing about that movie scenario that makes me feel safe.
And for me, the same would be true if I were in Paul’s circumstances. Because getting shipwrecked on an uncharted island in the middle of the ocean with soldiers who are more than willing to kill me isn’t my version of safety.
And yet, Luke says they are in a place now where they are safe.
What that tells us then, is that God’s version of safe and our version of safe aren’t the same.
Because in my version of safe, I’m not on that boat to begin with. And I’m definitely not shipwrecked on an uncharted island.
But in Paul’s case, God considers it a safe place for Paul to be.
So, a great question would be, “What is it that makes Paul’s circumstance safe?”
I would state it like this:
Safety Statement - Paul is safe because he’s exactly where God wants him to be. (2x)
Because when you are where God wants you to be, you are in a place of safety.
I love how the Psalmist describes the kind of safety that God provides. He writes:
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
The Psalmist says in our trouble, God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
That’s the safety that God provides us.
This ties in with last week as we talked about the fact that when we are in the middle of a storm we can trust that God is with us. That He is present in the storm.
But not only is He present in the storm, He’s present in the aftermath. Present and actively working to provide you with safety.
And we see the reality of this for Paul, because Luke says after arriving safely on the Island, they learn the Island is called Malta.
So, a great question would be, “How did they learn the name of the island?” Luke tells us. He writes:
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.
Luke says while it’s an uncharted island, there are natives on the island. And thankfully they are the friendly type. Because Luke says they showed “unusual” kindness to Paul and his companions by providing food, warmth, and shelter.
Which once again underscores the safety of God.
Because while being shipwrecked on an uncharted island isn’t an ideal circumstance, God has provided Paul and those with him with everything they need to be safe. They have food, warmth, and shelter.
No, they aren’t in an ideal situation. But they are safe.
So, at this point, a great question would be, “How does this apply to us?”
Here’s how this applies to us.
The fact is, on your journey of faith, there are going to be times that God places you into circumstances that aren’t ideal.
Circumstances you wouldn’t have chosen for yourself.
Circumstances that cramp your style.
Circumstances that make you feel uneasy.
Circumstances that create anxiety.
Circumstances where you might not always feel safe.
So, what kind of circumstances are we talking about?
Well, they vary:
For some it could be a financial circumstance. Maybe your bank account balance isn’t at a level that makes you feel safe.
For others it could be a work circumstance as layoffs threaten your job. And as a result, you’re job doesn’t feel as safe as it used to.
Maybe it’s a relational circumstance that has left you feeling less secure in your marriage or in a friendship.
The fact is, there are a number of circumstances that God may lead us into where are safety expectations aren’t met.
I know for Denise and I, that’s happened every time we’ve transitioned to a new place of ministry. For us it’s always resulted in God putting us in a place that felt less than secure.
But that’s when we have to remember, if we are where God wants us to be, then we are safe.
And safe doesn’t mean your circumstances are everything you hoped they would be. Safe means you have everything you need to survive where God has you.
Again, that’s been true for us. Because even when the circumstances weren’t ideal, God has always provided exactly what we needed, which means we were safe.
I think for many American Christians this is a difficult principle to accept. Largely because our version of safe typically comes with no adversity, no turmoil, and no inconvenience.
But if you’re going to accomplish God’s plan and purpose in your life, then you need to be prepared to go into circumstances that are less than ideal. Circumstances that will require God’s definition of safety, not yours.
And his definition is simply His presence and His provision. Because if that’s all we have, it doesn’t matter what the circumstance is, because we are safe.
This leads to a second principle we need to be willing to embrace:
2. What’s safe to God may feel dangerous to us.
We see this as Luke continues. He writes:
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.
Luke says as the natives prepared a fire for the crew, Paul helped by gathering a bundle of sticks together for the fire.
But what he didn’t realize is that within the sticks was a dormant viper, because remember, it was winter.
And it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but apparently as Paul put the sticks on the fire, the viper was awakened by the heat and quickly bit Paul on his hand.
But it didn’t just bite him, Luke says it fastened itself to his hand. Not good, right? Because at that point, the venom would have been quickly distributed into his body.
Now, at this point you might be thinking, “Wow Pastor, that’s crazy. It just makes me wonder, after all Paul has been through, why in the world would God allow this to happen to Paul? I mean a viper? Really pastor?”
Well, I have a theory, but before I give you my thoughts, let’s find out what the natives thought about it. Because if we read on, Luke says they have an opinion on why this has happened:
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.”
Luke says after witnessing this unexpected event, the natives come to the conclusion that the viper has bitten Paul because he’s apparently a murderer.
The question then is, “Why would they come to that conclusion?” For two reasons:
Reason #1 - Paul is a prisoner.
It goes without saying that it probably didn’t take the natives long to realize that Paul was a prisoner of the Roman government. Which means, he’s apparently done something wrong.
It’s the same conclusion we often come to when we see somebody in an orange jump suit, or somebody being escorted by a police officer, or somebody sitting in a prison cell. We automatically make the assumption that they must have done something wrong.
Same thing here.
Reason #2 - Divine Vengeance.
What we have to understand is that in ancient Greek times, people believed that ones fate was directly tied to their deeds, decisions, and behavior.
Which means, if a person had good fortune or luck, he was a person favored by the gods. Probably a person of good character.
However, if they were a person who experienced unfortunate circumstances, then they must be a person that is not favored by the gods. A person of bad character.
Based on that, they come to the conclusion that Paul must not favored by the gods. How do they come to that conclusion? They base it on two indicators:
Indicator #1 - The Shipwreck
We know in Greek culture shipwrecks were sometimes associated with a person or persons not being in favor with the gods.
So, the fact this ship had perished could be an indicator that the crew or someone on the ship was facing judgment.
Indicator #2 - The Viper Bite
As they watch this viper attach itself to Paul’s hand, this is now the indicator of who the gods are trying to take out. And it’s Paul. Because why else would this freak circumstance take place.
Which is why the natives make this statement:
“…Justice has not allowed him to live”.
And when they say “Justice” they aren’t talking about the idea of justice. What they’re referring to is the Greek goddess “Themis” who was the goddess of justice.
And so their assumption is, since the sea failed to take Paul out, Justice has now intervened and caused a viper to bite Paul. Because that’s what happens to people of bad character. Eventually Justice catches up with them.
All that to say, Paul must be a murderer for “Justice” to go out of her way to take Paul out.
But is that really what is going on? Is a goddess named “Justice” actually responsible for this viper bite? And is Paul going to die now? Let’s find out:
Acts 28:5–6 (ESV)
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...
Amazingly the viper bite doesn’t appear to have any adverse affect on Paul as he shakes the snake off into the fire and seems to go along as if nothing happened.
And apparently this was shocking to the natives, because Luke says they were sitting around and waiting for Paul to swell up and die.
But that doesn’t happen, which causes the natives to change their opinion about Paul, because Luke writes:
Acts 28:5–6 (ESV)
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.
Luke says after waiting and watching, they realize Paul isn’t going to die, so they change their opinion. Now instead of being a murderer, he must be a god.
In other words, they now assume that Paul has some kind of divine nature that has prevented the viper from harming him.
So, is that the answer? Is Paul spared because he’s some kind of god.
Well, I think we all know better than that.
So, what exactly is going on?
I think the best way to explain it is to bring some application to our lives. In other words, to ask the question, “How does this apply to us?”
The fact is, when you are following Jesus, not only will you find yourself in circumstances that are less than ideal, but in those circumstances you may experience dangerous situations you’d typically try to avoid.
I mean think about it. If Paul knew there was a viper in the stick pile, do you really think he would have picked up those stick? No, he wouldn’t. That would be foolish.
Which is why contrary to rumors, we don’t practice snake handling at MCF.
But here’s the deal, when we follow Jesus sometimes there are going to be hidden vipers along our path that strike and latch onto us as we work to accomplish God’s plan and purpose.
You might ask, “What kind of vipers?”
Well, they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Here are a few of the most common:
Relational Vipers - These vipers represents people we thought cared about us. Friends and family members who are opposed to our faith. People who instead of supporting your faith in Jesus are working against it. People who instead of encouraging you are working to tear you down.
And as a result you find yourself feeling alone and ostracized because of your faith. You’re an out cast abandoned by people you thought cared about you.
I see this happen to new believers all the time as their new zeal for Jesus causes unsaved family and friends to strike out.
I’ve even seen it affect marriages as a husband or wife puts their faith in Jesus and their spouse strikes out by leaving them.
I had that happen to a friend of mine I met in Bible College. He put his faith in Jesus, came home and told his wife about it, and she left him.
That’s a viper strike. That’s an unforeseen danger we’d typically avoid.
There’s also what I would call:
Reputational Vipers- These are strikes against your reputation as you follow Jesus. Rumors that people spread about you. Lies that people tell in order to defame your reputation. You know, Taco Bell kind of rumors. Rumors meant to discredit and destroy your faith.
Health Vipers - These could be physical injuries that you actually sustain as you follow Jesus. Sicknesses you face. Even mental and emotional challenges that may come. It also represents the persecution a Christian may face for following Jesus.
Christians all over the world face this everyday. In fact, we are seeing it happen first hand in Afghanistan.
There might also be:
Financial vipers - These would be strikes that come against you financially as you follow Jesus. Maybe your car breaks down and you don’t have the money to fix it. Or maybe you lose your job and now you can’t pay your rent.
And the list goes on of vipers that strike out at us as we follow Jesus.
The question then is, “Why are these strikes happening and why would God allow them? Pastor, didn’t you say I’d be safe with Jesus?”
Well, it goes back to what we talked about a few weeks ago when it comes to storms. And what we said is that sometimes the storm isn’t about you. Sometimes it’s about someone else.
It’s the same here. Because if you remember, Paul isn’t worried about whether he’s going to get to Rome or not. Why? Because God has promised him he would.
So in that moment he’s bit by that viper, Paul probably didn’t like it, because who would, but he knows he’s not going to die in that moment. Why? Because God promised him he’d get to Rome.
So, Paul knows he’s safe. Paul knows the viper bite isn’t going to kill him or stop him from getting to Rome because God is protecting him.
So, why the viper bite? The viper bite was for those standing around watching. It was for them to see the power of God at work in Paul’s life.
And the same is true for us. Because here’s how it works.
When a Christ follower faces unforeseen mishaps, the people watching us automatically make assumptions.
Some assume that maybe you’ve done something wrong. Or that maybe God is punishing you.
Others might say, “See, that’s what happens when you follow the cult out by Taco Bell.”
Some might even assume that you’ve been faking your walk with Jesus, and now the truth is coming out.
And if I’m being honest, those same people are the ones sitting around waiting and hoping that your faith goes sideways so they can say, “See, I told you so. That’s what happens when you abandon your religious heritage. That’s what happens when you go to a church like that. That’s what happens when you get all hyped up emotionally about Jesus.”
Have you ever noticed that? Like something bad happens to a Christian, and people are almost excited about it as they sit around waiting for you to crumble.
But what if it’s not about the viper bite. What if it’s about what God's going to do through the viper bite.
In other words, that through the unfortunate mishap or situation a Christian faces, that God is at work.
That through the mishap or unfortunate circumstance people will now witness the power of God in that persons life, as that person doesn’t let the bite get them down.
As they shake off the viper and continue to forge forward in faith despite the financial, relational, and reputational losses they’ve sustained.
To the point that those waiting, and maybe even hoping for their demise say, “Well that’s intersting. Maybe there is something to their faith. Maybe God is at work in their life. Because I thought for sure that would take them down. I thought for sure that would bring them to ruin. But there they are, smiling and still moving forward despite the circumstances.”
What I’m suggesting is that sometimes the viper bites have nothing to do with our lack of faith, but everything to do with the strength of our faith as God allows something harmful in our life to demonstrate to others how safe we are in Him.
That our God is a God who overcomes the viper bite.
That our God is a powerful God who is for us. And if He is for us, then who can be against us.
And what a testimony to our faith that is as we shake off the viper and keep moving forward in the safety net of God’s presence, power, and provision in our life.
That’s what Paul does here. He doesn’t let the viper get him all riled up and derail is faith.
Instead he shakes it off and he keeps moving forward. Which then leads to a third principle we need to be willing to embrace.
Because as we find ourselves trusting God in dangerous circumstances, this is when:
What’s safe to God will allow you to minister to people you would have never ministered to before.
We see this as Paul’s viper bite now leads to an opportunity. Because look at what Luke says happened next:
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.
Luke says because Paul overcomes the Viper, the people begin to recognize there is something special about Paul, and as a result, an opportunity arises for Paul to demonstrate the power of God and presence of Jesus in his life.
An opportunity that involved the healing of the Island Chiefs father. Kind of a big deal, right?
Which then led to word spreading as others on the island came to Paul and were healed as well.
And while it doesn’t say it, we can assume that through these healings people came to faith in Jesus.
And that’s what we have to understand about our less than desirable circumstances. That through those circumstances, not only are we safe in God’s hands, but that through the dangers we face, God is going to use it for His glory and to lead others to Jesus.
And the fact is, had you not been in what you would consider an unsafe situation, had you not faced the danger, God would have never been able to work through you.
But because you were there, God not only kept you safe, but he worked miracles through you.
This happens all the time with missionaries who put their lives on the line in order to lead people to Jesus in less than desirable and dangerous circumstances.
But I don’t think you have to be a missionary for God to use you like this. I think it can happen for anybody that follows Jesus.
For example, if your faith in Jesus has resulted in some of your friends and family members abandoning you, the fact is, there will be a day when they will need hope in their life. And it will be in that moment that you will have an opportunity to step in and demonstrate the love, hope, peace, and power of God.
When it comes to your reputation, sure, being a Christian has worked against you. So shake it off, and keep moving forward, because I can tell you with certainty that a day is coming where God will use you in such a way that will change people’s opinion about you.
This is what Peter is talking about in 1 Peter 3 where he writes:
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Peter says not worry about what people are saying or what they think, but instead respectfully stand firm in your faith, knowing that those who slander you will one day be put to shame.
How will they be put to shame? They will be put to shame as over time your life demonstrates the presence, power, and provision of God.
All that to say, when it comes to our less than ideal and sometimes dangerous circumstances, we can be confident that God is at work, and not only will He keep us safe, but He will use our circumstance to lead people to Jesus.
And the fact is church, if we want to accomplish God’s plan and purpose for our life, then we have to be willing to accept these principles.
That being the case, as we close, I’d like to offer you three challenge questions to consider:
Challenge Questions:
Are you willing to trust God’s version of safety?
In other words, are you willing to follow Jesus into circumstances you wouldn’t typically choose?
Are you willing to accept there may be dangers that come with that decision.
Are you willing to believe that despite the circumstance or danger, that Jesus will see you through safely. And that through your faith in Him, He will use you to bring others to Him.
What’s keeping you from trusting God’s version of safety?
In other words, what is keeping you from following Jesus at a deeper level?
Is it a fear of what others might think or say?
Is it a fear of losing relationships?
Is it a fear of facing challenges you wouldn’t want to face?
Can I challenge you to consider that your desire to stay “safe” is what is keeping you from not only growing in your faith, but experiencing God’s plan and purpose for your life.
A life that yes, comes with risk, but a life that has more benefits and rewards than you can possibly imagine.
What is keeping you from trusting God’s version of safety.
Do you have the hope of eternal security?
And when I say “eternal security”, I’m not talking about once saved always saved. What I’m asking is, “Do you have the assurance of salvation that comes through faith inJesus?”
In other words, have you put your faith in Jesus and made Him Lord of your life. Because it’s in that relationship that we find true safety. Where we can say:
I feel safe when…Jesus is my Lord and savior.
Because if Jesus is Lord of your life, then you really have nothing to worry about, not only in this life, but the life to come.
I love how the Apostle Paul puts it concerning God’s love for us:
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul says if you have Jesus, you have everything you need. And that in Him, nothing can come against you and separate you from what Jesus offers us.
And what He offers us is the promise of eternal safety. The promise that if we put our hope in Him, then we have nothing to fear.
My prayer this morning is that you have the eternal hope.
Let’s Pray
we join the Apostle once again on his Spirit led journey towards the capital city of Rome.
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
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.
I’m safe when I’m where God wants me doing what He’s called me to do.