Acts 28:1-16
Whom would you elect "Mr. or Mrs. Hospitality" at work? In your neighborhood? In your church? In your family?
#God #People #Time #Place #Obedient faith #Sin #Key Idea
Acts
28:1-16 (ESV)
Paul on Malta
1After we were
brought safely through, we then learned that the island was
called Malta. 2The native peoplea showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all,
because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3When 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. 4When 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, Justiceb has not allowed him to live.” 5He,
however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6They 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.
7Now 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. 8It
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. 9And when
this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had
diseases also came and were cured. 10They also
honored us greatly,c and when we were about
to sail, they put on
board whatever we needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin godsd as a figurehead. 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14There we found brotherse and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Hashtags#Paul
#we – Paul and Luke
#native people
#chief man “Pubilus”
#Pubilus’ father
#people on island
#the brothers
#the soldier
Places
#Malta
#Sea = Mediterranean
#Syracuse
#Rhegium
#Puteoli
#Hospitality
#Viper – May or may not have been poisonous, but the people viewed it that way. Mark 16
#Justice = much like karma
#people’s change of mind.
#apostle power to heal sick people (prayer) laying on of hands too
#generosity of native people.
#sailing determined by the wind.
#Paul’s imprisonment
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- In your opinion, why did Luke describe the ship voyage to Rome at such length—longer than Paul’s time in Corinth or Ephesus? What was so important about this episode?
- In light of the fact God wanted Paul to get to Rome, why do you think he allowed all the events of 27:1-28:9 to happen? What stories would the centurion tell his fellow officers once they arrive?
- Do you see God’s providence working in these events? How?
- Did God miraculously protect Paul from the snakebite? (Acts 28:3–6)
- As Paul neared Rome, who came out to meet him? What was the impact of this greeting on Paul? Explain.
- Describe a time when someone encouraged you in a stressful situation.
- How restricted was Paul? (Acts 28:16)
- How could this set the stage for Paul to write about the way his imprisonment at Rome served to advance the Gospel (see Philippians 1:12-13)?
- How do you see Acts 1:8 still being carried out?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- How has God used a disaster in your life for ministry? What have you learned from this?
- Who can you encourage during the next week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Gratuity Not Included: Servers
The natives showed us unusual kindness. . . . Acts 28:2
Ask almost any waiter, waitress, or server and they'll tell you that they dread the Sunday after-church crowd. Perhaps it's undeserved, but many churchgoers have a reputation for being demanding and stingy. Somehow, we have gotten a bad name in the restaurant community, at least on Sundays.
It behooves us to be kind to those who serve us. One of the ways we express our thanksgiving to God is by treating others with gratitude and kindness. Proverbs 19:22 says, "What is desired in a man is kindness."
Those who serve us -- waiters, clerks, tellers, flight attendants, bellhops and skycaps, ushers, babysitters, valets, supermarket baggers, parking attendants, shuttle drivers, and so forth -- often work long hours and receive minimal pay. Yet they bear the brunt of complaints. They often have to put up with arrogant, unkind, irritable clients.
Go out of your way to smile at the guy behind the counter. Be pleasant to the woman on the phone. Tip when appropriate. Be a pleasure to serve. Show unusual kindness. A dash of gratitude can brighten the skies of others and represent Christ in their hearts.
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
William Arthur Ward
Blessings Abound: Blessings From Another
When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:15
In Acts 28, the apostle Paul grappled with disappointment, fatigue, and a sense of failure. He had hoped to be on his way to Spain as a free man, but he had encountered a series of unfortunate events—hostility, arrest, a near flogging, a prolonged legal battle, a terrifying storm, a shipwreck, a snakebite, and a forced march to Rome where prison awaited him. Imagine even one of those things happening to you!
But as Paul approached the city of Rome, he looked up and saw a delegation of brothers and sisters coming to meet him. At the sight of his friends, his spirits revived. He thanked God and took courage. As we visualize the scene in our minds, we can almost see a smile coming to his face, a grateful whisper on his lips, and a bounce entering his steps.
You and I have people like that in our lives too, but perhaps we don’t thank God enough for them. Take a few moments today to appreciate those who strengthen you and give you courage. Thank God for the blessings that abound and for the people who surround you.
Whoever is happy will make others happy too.
Anne Frank
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