The Overcoming God

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 44

“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.  11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.”

- Acts 28:1-11

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined…. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end….”

- Isaiah 9:2-6-7a 

The Impact of One Believer On Board

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 43

Acts 27:6-44

“There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.  7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.  8Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.  9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, "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."  11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.  12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.  13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.  14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.  15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.  16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat.  17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.  18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.  19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.  20When 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.  21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.  22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'  25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.  26 But we must run aground on some island."  27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.  28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.  A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.  29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.  30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."  32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.  33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.  34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. It will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you."  35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.  36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.  37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)  38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.  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.”

“Paul advised them, 10 saying, "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."  11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.”

- Acts 27:9b-11

My Rational Belief in the Resurrection

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 42

Acts 26:1-32

“So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:  2 "I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.  4 "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.  5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.  6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!  8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?  9 "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.  11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.  12 "In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.  13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.  14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'  15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,  17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles - to whom I am sending you  18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'  19 "Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.  21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.  22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:  23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."  24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind."  25 But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.  26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.  27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."  28 And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"  29 And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am - except for these chains."  30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.  31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment."  32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

Acts 26:6-8

“And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!  8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” 

Encouraging [Good] News

Philippians 1:12-14

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

Defending the Gospel Before Worldly Powers

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 41

Acts 24:1-27  

“And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.  2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.  4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.  5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.  6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 7   8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him."  9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.  10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.  11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.  13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.  14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.  16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.  17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.  18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia - 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.  20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'"  22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."  23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.  24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.  25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you."  26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.  27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”

God’s Providence & Protection

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 40

Acts 22:24 - 23:24

“The tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.  25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?"  26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen."  27 So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes."  28 The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I am a citizen by birth."  29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. 30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.  23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day."  2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.  3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?"  4 Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?"  5 And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"  6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."  7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.  8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.  9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"  10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.  11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."  12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.  13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.  14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.  15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."  16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.  17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."  18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you."  19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"  20 And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.  21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent."  22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."  23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.  24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor."”

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 

- Romans 8:28

The Most Hated, Life-Changing Gospel

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 39

Acts 21:27 - 22:22

“When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."  29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.  30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.  31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.  32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.  33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.  34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.  35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!"  37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?  38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"  39 Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people."  40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:  22:1 "Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you."  2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:  3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel1 according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.  4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.  6 "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.  7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'  8 And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'  9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand1 the voice of the one who was speaking to me.  10 And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'  11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.  12 "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.  14 And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.  16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'  17 "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'  19 And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.  20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.'  21 And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"  22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live."

Courage to Run the Race

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 38

Acts 21:1-27

“And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.  2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.  3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.  4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.  5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed  6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.  7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothersand stayed with them for one day.  8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.  9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.  10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"  12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.  13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."  14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."  15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.  16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.  17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.  18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.  19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.  22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.  23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.  25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled,and from sexual immorality."  26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.  27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him.”