Acts 27
COMMENTARY:
: 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself. (1958 “refresh” [epimeleia] means care of an especially cautious and attentive manner, attention, to provide whatever is needed, attention, or care.)
DEVOTION: Paul was under arrest. He was on a prison ship headed for Rome. He had a friend who traveled on the ship with him named Aristarchus. He was probably the only one who had a friend with him during this voyage.
The trip had started toward Rome, Italy. They stopped in a place called Sidon and his guard let him go ashore to visit with other friends. So we find that the LORD had given Paul favor in the eyes of Julius who was in command of the troops that were guarding him.
These friends encouraged Paul and provided whatever he needed at the time and probably for the rest of the voyage. They were good friends who cared about what was happening to Paul.
God sends friends into our life to provide encouragement when needed. Sometimes it is even necessary for them to provide for our physical needs. Friends are important in the life of everyone.
Today we have fewer friends usually in the past because our world has become so impersonal. We would rather text than speak. We have answering machines to see if were really want to talk with someone. Many people will listen to the message and then decide to pick up or not. Some say they will call back but never do.
Those who are genuine friends are always available when there is a need. They will talk when you need someone to talk to. They will be honest with you if you need correction. They will genuinely love you.
We have such a friend in heaven. HIS name is Jesus Christ. HE wants to hear from us. HE wants us to be honest with HIM concerning what we are struggling with even though HE already knows what we are struggling with. HE wants us to depend on HIM for the answers we need in life. HE sometimes sends just the right person into our life to help us with a special need we might have.
I appreciate those who come alongside me when I am going through difficult times. Hope you do the same.
CHALLENGE: Especially when Jesus helps you there needs to be a “Thank YOU” time. This is true of human friends as well.
: 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them (3867 “admonished” [paraineo] means exhort, advice strongly, warn, urge, or recommend.)
DEVOTION: This word is used in verse 22 as well in this chapter. In that verse the word is translated “exhort.” Here we find that Paul is trying to advise strongly that the crew and soldiers listen to him. He wants to save all those who are onboard the ship.
The LORD sent an angel to inform him that all those who were on the ship will be safe if they stay on the ship. Paul was to go to Rome to witness before Caesar regarding Jesus Christ. That was going to happen. God was going to make sure it was going to happen. HE encouraged Paul to realize that it was going to happen no matter what the current circumstances looked like to him.
We are at times thinking that we are on a sinking ship and there is no way that we are going to live through the experience. That is not true. The LORD knows each experience HE puts in your life and it is for your personal growth.
Paul was still learning about the workings of the LORD in his life. HE trusted God completely regarding the shipwreck. What would our reactions be in the same circumstance?
Has the LORD ever spoken to you regarding a certain circumstance you were going through to give you the assurance that HE is right there by your side. The Bible informs us that HE will never leave HIS children. HE is with us through every circumstance HE allows in our life.
Sometimes we need chastening and HE is right there by your side while you are going through HIS chastening. HE loves us. HE protects us. We need to understand this fact about our relationship with HIM. This is what will give us the same confidence that Paul had during this shipwreck.
Also realize that HE might send someone to walk with you during that circumstance to help guide you. HE knows who we trust in the human realm. HE will even use a friend to help you through your present circumstance.
CHALLENGE: If you are presently going through a difficult time period in your life and you are a believer. Trust the LORD to be walking with you and protecting you. Remember HE loves you as one of HIS children.
: 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope what we should be saved was then taken away. (5494 “tempest” [cheimon] means storm, bad weather, winter, foul weather, a violent weather condition with winds and precipitation and often thunder and lightning, or heavy rains.)
DEVOTION: We sing a song “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame … on Christ alone I stand. All other ground is sinking sand ….” Hope is very important in the life of a human being. If all hope is lost many people feel there is nothing to live for.
This is happening all around us today. There are many who think their life is hopeless. The people on the ship with Paul had this feeling. Remember we are not base our life on feeling.
The Word of God states that those who have faith in Jesus Christ always have hope. HE gives them hope. Paul had hope. He also had a vision from an angel that told him that all the lives of those who were on the ship would be spared. He gave hope to the rest of the people on the ship.
We need to give the hope of Jesus Christ to others. They need to see hope in our life and want it. Share your hope with others.
CHALLENGE: Putting your confidence in the belief that Jesus Christ always gives you hope in any circumstance.
: 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. (2114 “good cheer” [euthumos] means be encouraged, happy, cheerful, merry, to put in good spirits, gladden or to be joyful.)
DEVOTION: These two words are repeated three times in this chapter. Think about the circumstances surrounding these three statements to be joyful. First Paul was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Then he had to wait over two years for a hearing with the governor. He had to appeal to Caesar because the governor wanted to please the Jews and send him back to Jerusalem. Now he was on a ship in the sea that was facing a terrible storm.
An angel of God appeared to him and told him that he was going to make it to Rome. Paul conveyed this message to the centurion. Paul wanted the people to which he was witnessing to understand that he was in good spirits, even in his chains. Only true believers can be full of joy when involved in the storms of life. Paul was standing in front of 276 men and giving his witness of the provision and protection of the LORD. The men probably thought he was crazy. He wanted them to know that he truly believed in that entire message that God sent to him.
Are we confident in all of our circumstances that God is with us? Are we expecting an angel to talk with us? Do we expect the Holy Spirit to talk with us through the Word of God or other people when we are facing life’s trials? Do we hold on to the promises of the word of God? Are we of a joyful spirit in trying circumstances? James tells us to “count it all joy” when we fall into trials.
CHALLENGE: During the next trial in your life – smile. Tell those around you that the LORD is in control. Paul knew this. We should know it too. HE promises the peace that passes all understanding!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Fastverse 9
Long abstinenceverse 21
Involuntary fastingverse 33
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Paul prayed for foodverse 35
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 23-25, 35
Thanks to Godverse 35
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angelverse 23
Angel of Godverses 23-24
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Italyverses 1, 6
Prisonersverse 1
Julius – a centurionverses 1, 3, 11, 41
Augustus bandverse 1
Adramyttiumverse 2
Asiaverse 2
Aristarchus – a Macedonianverse 2
Sidonverse 3
Cyprusverse 4
Sea of Ciliciaverse 5
Pamphyliaverse 5
Myra – city of Lyciaverse 5
Alexandriaverse 6
Cnidusverse 7
Creteverses 7, 12, 13, 21
Salmoneverse 7
Fair Havensverse 8
City of Laseaverse 8
Pheniceverse 12
Euroclydon – tempestuous windverses 14-20
Claudaverse 16
Caesarverse 24
Adriaverse 27
Soldiersverses 32, 42
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Prisonersverse 1
Killverse 42
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Libertyverse 3
Admonishverse 9
Good cheerverses 22, 25, 36
Jesus whose I amverse 23
Serveverse 23
Fear notverse 24
Believeverse 25
Gave thanksverse 35
Good cheerverse 36
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paulverses 1, 3, 9, 11, 21-26, 31, 33-36, 43
Friendsverse 3
Refresh each otherverse 3
Last Things (Future Events)
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