DEDUCTIVE LESSON TWENTY-FIVE

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1 DEDUCTIVE LESSON TWENTY-FIVE ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME Emperor Caesar Augustus erected a bronze monument called the Golden Milestone (Millarium Aureum) at the Temple of Saturn in the central Forum of Ancient Rome in 20 BC (its base is still visible today). All roads were considered to begin from this monument, and distances in the Roman Empire were measured relative to that point. From this monument the saying arose, All roads lead to Rome. Certainly, for Paul this statement held true. Even more authoritative were the words of Jesus given to Paul in Acts 23:11, Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome. As men of this era believed all roads lead to Rome, the Jews, according to William Barclay, believed that history was a road which led to God. 1 One major takeaway from our studies in the Book of Acts is God orchestrating, through His sovereignty and providence, the affairs of men for His glory and our good. C.S. Lewis said for the believers, No doubt all history must be held by Christians to be a story with a divine plot. 2 The sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God s rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things, but all things according to the counsel of His own will (see Ephesians 1:11). The way God applies His sovereign control is called providence. Providence is the means by which God directs all things both animate and inanimate, seen and unseen, good and evil toward His worthy purpose, which means His will must finally prevail. Jerry Bridges defines providence as, His constant care for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people. 3 Natural man (humanists) finds no doctrine of theology more irritating than that of God s sovereignty and providence (God, not man, is in control). Conversely, these doctrines provide immeasurable comfort and security to believers. On this subject, John MacArthur shares, I believe it is vital that all Christians have an essential awareness of God s providence if they want to be fully prepared to cope with life s adversity. 4 While it is easy for us to ascribe the victories and triumphs of our life to God, we are often reluctant to remember that He is just as in control in our trials and challenges. It would have been easy for Paul to second-guess God based on the summary of trials in 2 Corinthians 11:24 26, Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. Paul, looking back on the landscape of his life, would later write to the Romans that he rejoiced in his tribulations because it produced endurance, character, and hope. Paul realized that all the events of his life, both good and bad, only occurred after being filtered through the will of God. 1

2 One of the greatest blessings of the study of the Book of Acts is to see from a bird s eye view the benefits that emerged from all of the trials and tribulations of the early saints. In real time when these early believers were going through them they saw no apparent purpose and had to merely trust in God s sovereignty and providence. I just received an reminder that my two golden retrievers needed a refresher in their rattlesnake avoidance training. A couple of years ago, realizing that my dogs want to play with anything that moves, I came to the conclusion it would be just a matter of time before they were bitten by a rattlesnake on one of our trail runs. Rattlesnake avoidance training involves the dog confronting a live (but muzzled) rattlesnake and receiving a mild electrical stimulation (according to the website), and thus equating rattlesnakes with discomfort. When we arrived at the dog training facility, our dogs were outfitted with the largest industrial shock collar I ve ever seen and a horse rope. When they got close to the rattlesnake, they got 150,000 volts of mild stimulation. Some pet owners cried when they saw their dogs shocked. Was the pain worth the payoff? Our dogs emerged snake proofed and have since used that training to avoid three large rattlesnakes they would have otherwise investigated. In my own life, I know that God has used a similar technique to sin-proof me, both refining my character and deepening my relationship with Jesus. 1 Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series Hebrews. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, Page Lewis, C.S. The Quotable Lewis. Illinois: Tyndale House Publisher, Page Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. Colorado Springs: NavPress, Page Memory Verse Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NKJV Prayer Start by praying over the passage and asking the Holy Spirit to give you fresh insights and wisdom in understanding it. Then read through the entire passage two or three times. Day 1 The Voyage to Rome Begins Acts 27:1 8 The first leg of this journey was likely made on a smaller sailboat restricted to coastal waters. The second vessel was a much larger grain merchant ship capable of sailing the open Mediterranean Sea. A typical grain transport vessel would be 140 feet long by 36 feet wide with a draft of 33 feet or more and a single large square mainsail. If the vessel were part of the Imperial Fleet, the ultimate authority on the voyage would have rested with the centurion, but if it was a privately owned vessel under contract to deliver grain from Egypt to Rome, the authority would have been the ship s captain or owner. 1. Notice the first person plural pronoun in verse 1. 2

3 a. Who has just rejoined the adventure? b. When was the last part of the narrative (see Acts 21:18)? 2. Traveling companions were not normally allowed for prisoners so some have speculated that Aristarchus may have presented himself as Paul s slave. Early church history tells us this saint was later martyred under Nero. What do we learn of him from the following passages: a. Acts 19:29 b. Acts 20:4 c. Colossians 4:10 d. Based on Proverbs 17:17, how does Aristarchus qualify as a true friend? 3. Centurions weren t known for expressing kindness to their prisoners. What do you think prompted him to befriend Paul at their first port of call (verse 3)? Memory Verse Fill in the blanks. Now no chastening to be joyful the present, but ; nevertheless, afterward it the peaceable fruit righteousness to those have been trained it. Hebrews 12:11 NKJV 3

4 Day 2 Paul s Warning Ignored Acts 27:9 12 Sailing on the Mediterranean Sea was safe between March and mid-september and hazardous from mid-september until mid-november and ceased altogether during the winter months. The fast referred to was the Day of Atonement that occurred between mid-september and mid- October. 1. Paul was an experienced traveler with over 3,600 miles of sea journeys on his mission trips. What nautical experience did he relate in 2 Corinthians 11:25 that he did not want to repeat? 2. This passage summarizes a discussion on how the travelers should proceed based upon the worsening conditions at sea. a. What was Paul s advice? b. What was the advice of the owner and captain? c. What course of action did they take? 3. It has been said that God s promise does not negate human responsibility for our course of actions. Paul was going to do all he could to make sure he arrived safely in Rome. What promise had Paul received in Acts 23:11? 4. Paul and his shipmates are about to enter into the perfect storm. We can learn much about how to weather the storms of life from a similar episode that occurred on the Sea of Galilee as recorded in Mark 4: a. What was Jesus promise to His disciples (see Mark 4:35b)? 4

5 b. What was the fear and focus of the disciples as the story unfolds? c. Many commentators note that Jesus command (literally be silent, be muzzled ) in the Greek indicates that He was addressing the demonic force behind the storm. Matthew, in writing on the same incident, records the disciple s response (see Matthew 8:27). How does this give further evidence of God s sovereignty? d. Fear and faith are mutually exclusive and cannot peacefully coexist. According to Jesus in Mark 4:40 41, what was the root problem for the disciples? Memory Verse Fill in the blanks. Now chastening to joyful the, but ; nevertheless, it the fruit righteousness those have trained it. Hebrews 12:11 NKJV Day 3 The Perfect Storm Acts 27:13 37 The storm called Euroclydon (Greek for Northeaster) obliterated the sun and stars for nearly two weeks, meaning that the sailors had no idea of where they were in the Mediterranean Sea. They only knew that the winds were pushing them towards Tunisia into an area regarded as the Bermuda Triangle of the Mediterranean. 1. What actions did the crew take to save the ship? 2. Describe how the events unfolded over the fourteen days they were lost at sea. 3. It has been said that man can live 40 days without food, 10 days without water, and 5 minutes without air, but not a single second without hope. 5

6 a. What is the prevailing attitude of those onboard the ship (verse 20)? b. What do you feel was the purpose of Paul s I told you so in verse 21? c. What message of hope and encouragement did Paul offer to his shipmates? 4. Although God was under no obligation to save the other passengers, it appears that He did for Paul s sake. John MacArthur cites Genesis 39:5, 23 and 1 Corinthians 7:14 as similar examples of collateral blessings. What do you learn from these passages? 5. Verses and verse 31 seem to give conflicting outcomes. How can you reconcile these two passages? Memory Verse Fill in the blanks. Now to the, but ;, the righteousness have it. Hebrews 12:11 NKJV Day 4 Shipwrecked On Malta Acts 27:39 44 It is very likely that Paul was the only prisoner on the boat that had appealed to Caesar and thus had the possibility of release. The other prisoners were likely condemned to die in the Coliseum. If they had escaped, their guards would have been given the punishment intended for the escapees. 1. Paul started this voyage as a prisoner in chains with little influence onboard ship, yet by the time the ship runs aground, he has assumed the leadership role with all onboard following his instructions. 6

7 a. Looking back over the incidents of the voyage, what actions, attitude(s), or words do you feel propelled Paul into his position of leadership? b. Paul beautifully illustrated the leadership model shared by Jesus. What do we learn of true biblical leadership in Mark 10:43 45? c. Contrast the worldly and biblical models of leadership. 2. Paul was convinced that his life was firmly in God s hand and that nothing could derail God s purpose for his life. What do the following two passages, written later by Paul while in prison to the church in Philippi, teach us? a. Philippians 1:12 b. Philippians 1:6 3. The ship had drifted 476 nautical miles across the Mediterranean and ran into the only available speck of land between Crete and North Africa. Researchers have found that given the average speed of a grain vessel (1.5 knots) it would take exactly thirteen days and change to cover this distance. Luke s accuracy in reporting the details of the voyage was spot on. Once again, the events demonstrate God s providential care for His saints. What do the following verses teach about the providence of God? a. Matthew 10:29 31 b. Proverbs 16:9 c. Genesis 50:

8 d. Romans 8:28 Memory Verse Fill in the blanks. Now to, but ;, the it Hebrews 12:11 NKJV Day 5 Take Away / Summary To avoid walking in circles when lost in the wilderness, survival instructors teach their students to pick out the most prominent point in the distant landscape and walk toward it. In a similar sense we need to pick out the single most important truth in this week s study and apply it in our life as we walk toward Jesus and out of the wilderness. Please share with your group what that truth is for you, and how will you apply it this week: Memory Verse Fill in the verse completely from memory.. Hebrews 12:11 NKJV Key Words/Phrases Write out the definition of these key words. You can use a regular dictionary or go to one of the Greek sources listed in the Tool Box at the end of the study. You may also use a concordance to see where else and how the word is used in the Bible. How would these phrases instruct or encourage us today? The God to Whom I Belong and Whom I Serve (Acts 27:23) 8

9 God Has Granted You All Those Who Sail with You (Acts 27:24) Tool Box Step 1: The Bible. Read the passage in a couple of different versions. If you are having trouble understanding a passage, choose a more dynamic version such as New Living Translation or The Message. To focus in on the exact meaning of a verse, choose a more literal translation such as New American Standard Bible or New King James Version. Step 2: Study Tools. Use these to help you dig deeper. Background Information: 1) Unger s Bible Dictionary 2) Bible Dictionaries online at biblestudytools.com and blueletterbible.com. Word Studies: 1) Zodhiates The Complete Word Study New Testament 2) Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary 3) Strong s Dictionary of Bible Words. Step 3: Commentaries. Commentaries should not be used in place of studying God s Word directly, but they can give you additional insights. Some good commentaries include: J. Vernon McGee, The Expositors Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, H.A. Ironside, William Barclay (great for background and culture but be careful of his spiritual applications). Step 4: Online Assistance. Should you have a specific question about the study please your inquiry to: markn.valor@gmail.com 2015 Mark Newton. All rights reserved. Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. 9

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11 Timeline for the Life of Paul 11

12 Message Notes 12