7/2/2010 Acts 28: When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us extraordi

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1 Acts 28: When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, "Undoubtedly this man Acts 28: is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live." However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, Acts 28: who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed. Paul Ministers on Malta Extraordinary Kindness A Life of Service God s Protection Acts 28:1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. Do you realize how versatile the Apostle Paul has been? God has used Paul in such a variety of settings and circumstances: Reasoning with the Jews in the Synagogues Teaching house to house Teaching in the public square in Lystra Debating the philosophers of Athens Confronting Elymas the sorcerer Preaching to Lydia and the women in Philippi Training Aquila and Pricilla Training the elders at Ephesus Teaching in the school of Tyrannus Before Sergius Paulus, Felix, Festus, King Agrippa In the courtroom In the prison During riots On a ship - and now on the Island of Malta 1

2 We don t see Paul putting any restraints or qualifications on God s calling or plan for his life - My Ministry is We have to be careful not to miss God s purpose for us because we too narrowly define how God can use us Myers Briggs - (S) sensing, (N) intuitive, (F) feeling or (T) thinking - Spiritual gifts tests etc God will stretch us far beyond our personality types, love languages and natural giftings in our service to Him We must be open to whatever God asks us to do regardless of what we think our giftings are 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Don t assume that God is calling you where you are talented, but trust that He will equip you for what He is calling you to do God doesn t call the equipped - He equips the called Extraordinary Kindness Acts 28:2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. This was extraordinary - to care for 276 people This is nothing less then God demonstrating His kindness through these natives God demonstrates His continued providential care God demonstrates His sovereignty by using unbelievers to show His kindness A Life of Service Acts 28:3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. Paul is thoroughly committed to pouring out his life in love and service to others. 2 Corinthians 12: Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls A Life of Service Philippians 2: But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. A Life of Service Are we thoroughly committed to pouring out our lives in love and service to others? Do we rejoice in pouring out our lives in service for the faith of others like Paul did? Are we genuinely concerned for the welfare of others like Timothy was? - you are extremely rare if you are Do you seek your own interests or do you seek the interests of Christ? As a Christian there really is no other way to live our lives and we are deceiving ourselves if we think there is 2

3 God s Protection Acts 28:4-5 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, "Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live." However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. Paul shook the serpent off into the fire - it either didn t bite him or the venom did not affect him, but he suffered no harm God protects his people God s Protection God at times puts a distinction between His people and the people of the world Exodus 11:6-7 'Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again. 'But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.' God s Protection God negates the power of the serpent through Christ Mark 16: "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. We must realize the victory that Christ has won for us - we are more than conquerors through Christ Acts 28:6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. First they thought Paul was a murderer and now they think he s a god This is being superstitious and people by nature are very superstitious Superstition: 1.an irrational belief in or notion of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance or the like. 2. a system or collection of such beliefs. 3. a custom or act based on such beliefs. 4. any blindly accepted belief or notion. 5. irrational fear of what is unknown. esp. in connection with religion. Acts 14: When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us." And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Acts 17: "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD ' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. How superstitious are we about other people? It s impossible to know someone's intentions - only God knows the heart - Is it possible to know God? 3

4 Acts 8: But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." Peter knew what was in Simon s heart because Peter was walking in the Spirit and knew the risen Christ We are also superstitious about events - looking for signs Acts 8:27:13 When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore. It s impossible to know the future - only God knows the future - is it possible to know God? We are living such a nominal and powerless Christian life compared to what we see in the Bible We look for signs instead of looking to God Look at the contrast between Paul and the sailors, seeking signs versus knowing the risen Christ Acts 27: "Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. "But we must run aground on a certain island." Paul knew the future because Paul was walking in the Spirit and knew the risen Christ How superstitious are we about the decisions we make? Do we know God or do we look for signs? What is our criteria for making a decision? Do we do something because it s fun? Do we do something because it feels right? Do we do something because my spouse likes the idea? Do we do something because keeps peace in the home? Do we do something because the kids want to do it? Do we do something because it looks like an open door? Do we not do something because the door is closed? Do we do it because it is popular? Are we led by God s Spirit and His Word or are we led by signs and feelings and notions about what we should or should not do? Our intimacy with God directly corresponds to the level of superstition we allow in our lives. Matthew 16:1-4 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away. We must be discerning when considering the facts and careful not to be led by the evidence alone. We must seek the Lord 4

5 When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out out and torn and mended, and worn- out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us. The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you are living within our land; how then shall we make a covenant with you?" But they said to Joshua, "We are your servants." Then Joshua said to them, "Who are you and where do you come from?" They said to him, "Your servants have come from a very far country because of the fame of the LORD your God; for we have heard the report of Him and all that He did in Egypt, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan who was at Ashtaroth. "So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; now then, make a covenant with us."' "This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions out of our houses on the day that we left to come to you; but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled. "These wineskins which we filled were new, and behold, they are torn; and these our clothes and our sandals are worn out because of the very long journey." So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD. Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. Joshua 9:18 The sons of Israel did not strike them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. Acts 28:7-8 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. Publius was the leading Roman official on the Island God displayed His power through Paul Acts 28:9 After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. The people showed extraordinary kindness toward Paul and now God is showing kindness to them by displaying His power through Paul How do we deal with illness? Are we superstitious or do we seek God - what does the Bible tell you to do if you re sick? 5

6 James 5: Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. There is no mention of Publius or the natives getting saved, but there seems to be fruit of changed lives Acts 28:10 They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed. They had a true love for the brethren and Paul and his travelling companions spent three months with them before they left for Rome. What do you think Julius and the other men on the boat thought about Paul now? Paul Ministers on Malta Are you open to doing anything Christ would call you to do or have you already narrowly defined your scope of ministry? How do you make decisions? - Are you superstitious or do you know the living God? 6

The Book of Joshua. Session 8 Part 3 (8:1-9:27) So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. (Joshua 9:14, ESV)

The Book of Joshua. Session 8 Part 3 (8:1-9:27) So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. (Joshua 9:14, ESV) The Book of Joshua Session 8 Part 3 (8:1-9:27) So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. (Joshua 9:14, ESV) " The Book of Joshua 1 I. The Defeat of Ai (8:1-29)" So