Title Acts-74
Contents
Storm and Paul 06.8.2 (Wednesday Prayer Meeting)
Acts 27:1-20
God prepared two men to help Paul on his way to Rome.
One is the centurion Julio. As a member of the Guard, he served as a liaison between the emperor and local ministers. He was kind to Paul and protected him.
Another person is Arisugo. He was a Thessalonian who was listed as a slave to Paul to accompany him.
They set out on a voyage to Rome. However, their voyage was not smooth.
The text shows the storms and hardships they faced.
1), verse 4 “And from there we departed, and sailed on the coast of Cyprus, avoiding the headwind.”
2). Verse 7: “The ship was slow, and after many days it managed to come across Nido, and the winds did not allow it any longer, so they sailed past Salmone and sailed in a windshield on the coast of Crete.”
3). Since the season of fasting had passed, and the sailing was in danger, which took many days, Paul encouraged them.”
The feast of fasting is the Jewish Day of Atonement. In that year the Day of Atonement fell in early October. Voyage after September was difficult and after November was impossible.
4). Verse 14: “Not long afterward a great storm raged out of the middle of the island called Euraculo.”
5). Verse 15: “The boat was pushed and couldn’t keep up with the wind, so they left it as they went and were driven away.
6). Verse 17: “They pulled it up, took the cord, wrapped it around the hull, and, fearing that it would stumble on the surdis, lowered the tool and just drove away.”
7). Verse 18: “We labored very hard in a storm, and the next day the sailors unpacked the load into the sea.”
8). Verse 19: “On the third day, they threw the vessels of the ship into their hands.”
9). Verse 20, “For many days the sun and the stars were not seen, and there was a great storm, and there was no hope of salvation” (verse 20).
Ⅰ. God makes us realize human weakness through a ship that has met a storm.
1. People who make good judgments do not have the right to make decisions, and those who have the right to make decisions do not have the wisdom to judge, so that people know their weaknesses.
“He said, “Men, I see that this voyage will cause great damage and great damage not only to the cargo and the ship, but also to our lives” (verse 10).
Paul sensed the danger of the voyage, but neither the centurion nor the captain who could decide it knew it. Therefore, they must complement each other.
2. It shows the weakness in life of pursuing big losses in order to avoid small losses.
“There are many more who want to leave there and go to Phoenix to spend the winter because it is inconvenient to spend the winter in that port (Mihang)--(Verse 12).”
Because of the inconvenience, they went out to find a lot of trouble and damage to avoid it.
3. It shows the weakness of human beings who do not know what is in front of them.
“The south wind blew gently, and knowing that they had accomplished their purpose, they took up the anchor and sailed along the seashore of Crete” (verse 14).
They started sailing again because of the gentle south wind, and they met a fierce wind called Euragulo.
4. It shows human weakness through the limitations of material.
“We labored very hard in a storm, and the next day the sailors unpacked their luggage into the sea” (verse 18).
It shows that they are people who sail because of the material, but throw it all away when it becomes an emergency.
Ⅱ. God makes us realize the unstable world through the ever-changing sea.
1. There is a boat so you can travel conveniently, but because of that, it shows that it is dangerous.
Civilizations that make humans convenient have two sides. Therefore, wisdom is needed to use it well.
2. It shows that there is a captain and the owner who moves the ship so that they can travel, but they cannot be responsible for safety.
3. It shows that a tail wind blew and the sailing sailed, but because of that, it met a stormy wind.
You need to know that the world can change at any time.
Ⅲ. God makes people realize the trap they fall into easily through those who met the storm.
1.People trust experts, but sometimes they get in trouble.
“The centurion believed the words of the captain and of the shipowner rather than the words of Paul” (verse 11).
But when people without expertise come forward, there are good reasons to listen.
When someone who is not speaking comes forward and speaks, listen carefully as there is a good reason.
The ship's captain is an expert, but he doesn't know everything and can do it
.
2.People trust the words of many more than the words of one or two, but it is not always right.
“There were many more who wanted to leave and spend the winter in Phoenix because it was uncomfortable to spend the winter in that port. Phoenix is the port of Crete, and one side faces southwest and the other faces northwest” (verse 12).
They were aware of the inconvenience of the port, but were unaware of the difficulties of getting to the port of Crete.
The story of the 12 spies in Israel was split 10-2, but the story of the two men was correct.
3. All people say their assertions are right, but not all are right.
The sad thing is that when things end, right and wrong appear.
Lessons learned and application
1. We must believe that we need God's grace to follow a wise decision.
Paul made good judgment, but he did not have the authority to get people to follow it.
There are many contradictions in this world. A lot of people suffer because good people have no power and evil people have power.
2. You should know that good things can change for bad and bad things can change for good in the world.
Therefore, one should not despise another person or work because it is good for them.
3. Knowing that human beings are imperfect beings, we must always keep our humility in mind.
That way we don't ignore human weaknesses.