Acts 27:27-44 The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck
Acts 27:27-44

Have you ever been seasick? What happened? How did you recover? 

#God                  #People           #Time                #Place              #Obedient faith          #Sin    #Key Idea

Acts 27:27-44 (ESV)

 

27When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.^d A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.^e 29And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.

33As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,^f for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37(We were in all 276g persons in the ship.) 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41But striking a reef,^h they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Hashtags

People
#Paul
#we – Paul and Luke
#the centurion = (Julius) of the Augustan Cohort named
#the sailors
#the soldiers
#prisoners
#276 persons

Places
# Adriatic Sea #Cnidus
#the land, a bay with a beach

Topics
#Skill of sailing
#Emotions of travel on sea
#praying for daylight, Paul’s prayer for food observed
#responsibility to passengers
#Importance of food for strength
#Everyone can contribute a positive in the midst of a “Storm”

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• How does one’s reaction to a crisis reveal character?
• What did this crisis show about Paul’s character?
• How is Paul’s role in the storm and wreck an example for us?
• Why would Julius listen to Paul’s advice about anything?
• How does one become the person whose advice others will seek?
• What do you think the angel meant by saying that God had graciously given Paul the lives of his fellow passengers (27:24)? What does this show that Paul had been doing?
• Why did Paul reprimand the men on the boat?
• Compare verse 31 with verse 11. How does the centurion feel about Paul now? About the God Paul serves?
• How do Paul's words and his example serve to encourage the others? How would your estimation of Paul change during the two weeks of the storm? 
• What do you imagine the scene in verses 39-44 was like? What was said? How did people look? Feel? 
• How do Paul's attitudes and actions compare with those of the sailors? To what would you attribute Paul's ability to remain calm under pressure?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• What situation in your life most dramatically shaped your character? What is the greatest pressure situation you're facing now? 
• How can Paul's example and the principles you've learned from his experience help you? What is your part and what is God's part in the resolution of your storm? 
• When have you been tempted to bail out of a stormy situation and slip away in a lifeboat? What happened? What did you learn?
• 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.

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SERMON: Four Anchors that Stabilize our Soul

TEXT: Acts 27:29

1. GOD is our Anchor - Acts 27:24 "Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee."

2. FAITH is our Anchor - Acts 27:25 "I believe God."

3. PERSEVEREANCE is our Anchor - Acts 27:31, "except you abide in the ship."

4. STRENGTH is our Anchor - Acts 27:33, "take meat." Our soul needs spiritual food like our body needs nourishment.

Conclusion: Anchors hold; they hold our soul!

Acts 27:13-26 The Storm at Sea

The Storm at Sea
Acts 27:13-26

Have you ever been seasick? What happened? How did you recover?

#God                  #People           #Time                #Place              #Obedient faith          #Sin    #Key Idea

Acts 27:13-26 (ESV)

 

The Storm at Sea

13Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,^b we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,^c and thus they were driven along. 18Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26But we must run aground on some island.”

Hashtags-People

#Paul

#we – Paul and Luke

#Caesar

 

Places

#Crete

#lee of a small island called Cauda

#aground on the Syrtis

 

Topics

#ship

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• What in verses 13-20 reveals how severe this storm was? Verse 27 indicates this situation lasted two weeks. How would you be feeling by the end of the first week? What would a page from your ship's diary sound like? 
• As a sailor on board, how would you feel about Paul's message in verses 21-26? 
• After being in Caesarea for at least two years. Why would Paul need to hear the promise of 23:11 repeated (v. 24)? 
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• In terms of a weather report, how would you describe your life at present? Your life five years ago? 
• In a crisis, Paul reacted with urgent forewarnings, maintaining hope, counseling, common sense, giving thanks, remaining calm, persevering to the end. In comparison, how do you react to a crisis? 
• 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.

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Acts 27:1-12 Paul Sails for Rome

Paul Sails for Rome
Acts 27:1-12

If you could take a honeymoon cruise anywhere, where would you go? Why? 

#God                  #People           #Time                #Place              #Obedient faith          #Sin    #Key Idea

Acts 27:1-12 (ESV)

 

Paul Sails for Rome

1And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fasta was already over, Paul advised them, 10saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

Hashtags People

#Paul

#we – Paul and Luke

#prisoners

# Julius = a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named 

#Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica

#the pilot (Owned the ship)

Places

#Italy

#Adramyttium

#coast of Asia

#Sidon

#lee of Cyprus

#along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia

#Myra in Lycia

#Cnidus

#lee of Crete off Salmone

#Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea

#Phoenix, a harbor of Crete

Topics

#ship

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• As Paul sets sail for Rome (consult the map), what points of interest can you locate along the way from Paul's diary? 
• From verses 1-3 and 43, what do you know about the centurion in charge? How does his concern for Paul indicate the way Paul used his time while imprisoned in Caesarea? 
• If you were the ship's owner or pilot, how would you react to Paul's warning about the 50-mile trip they wanted to make (v. 10)? Would you have responded any differently than Julius did to Paul's concern? 
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• When have you felt caught in a "northeaster," driven along by the wind? What happened? What did you learn from the situation? 
• 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.

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==========

Paul's Journey To Rome,                     Acts 27:1-28:31

Synopsis:      
The time came for Paul to go to Rome for his appeal unto Caesar.  A centurion named Julius of the Augustan band was put in charge of taking Paul to Rome.  Paul was treated kindly by Julius and was able to visit his friends there.  They sailed by Cyprus and came to Myra, a city of Lycia.  There they boarded a ship of Alexandria sailing unto Italy.  The sailing was slow because of the wind.  They came unto Salmone and then to Fair Havens.  Paul urged them to winter there, but the captain of the ship wanted to go on and his opinion prevailed.  When the wind was favorable, they sailed and were caught in a storm.  The storm grew so bad they had to lighten the ship.  Many days went by and most of them lost hope of arriving safely.  Paul encouraged them by telling them that an angel of God appeared unto him and told him the ship would be lost, but no lives would be lost.  They would be cast upon an island.  After fourteen days they came close to land and anchored fearing lest they hit the rocks.  The sailors started to abandon ship with the lifeboats leaving the others on ship.  Paul seeing this warned the centurion and the lifeboats were cut adrift.  Paul re-assured them that no one would be lost and urged them to eat.  He gave thanks for the food and ate.  The others encouraged by his words and example, also ate.  There were 276 people on the ship.  They again lightened the ship by throwing off the cargo of wheat.  At daybreak, they discovered a creek and sailed the ship as far as it would go.  When the ship ran aground, the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so that none would escape, but the centurion would not allow this.  They all left the ship and made it to shore and none were lost, as Paul had predicted.

            They discovered upon landing they were on the island of Melita.  The people were kind to them and made a fire for them to warm themselves.  Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake as he gathered wood for the fire.  The natives assumed he was a murderer because the viper bit him, but when Paul shook off the snake without harm, they changed their minds and thought he was a god.  They stayed with the chief man of the island named Publius.  Paul healed the father of Publius.  After this he healed many others who were ill and had diseases.  The people were very kind to them and about three months later they boarded another ship for Rome.  They landed at Syracuse and were there three days.  They went to Rhegium, then to Puteoli where they found some fellow Christians and stayed a week with them.  They journeyed toward Rome and the brethren from Rome met them at Appii Forum and the three taverns.  This was encouraging to Paul.  He thanked God.

            When they arrived in Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier to guard him.  After three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together and explained why he was there and about his appeal unto Caesar.  He spoke to them of the hope of the resurrection.  The Jews had not heard about Paul and listened to him.  He preached Christ to them; some believed, and some did not.  Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9 to show that the people would reject the gospel.

Outline:
Paul the Counselor (27:1-20)
Paul the Encourager (27:21-44)

Paul's Life - Paul's Voyage to Rome = July 25

Paul & His Associates Sail to Rome

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 60-61 A. D.

Scripture: 27:1--28:10

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Rome

#Journey

The time now approaches for Paul to be sent to Rome to make his appeal to Caesar. Paul is placed in the custody of a Roman official named Julius and is accompanied by Luke and Aristarchus, a brother in the Lord from Thessalonica. What follows is Luke's account of their almost disastrous voyage from Caesarea to Rome. Leaving Caesarea, they sail North along the Syrian coast to Sidon, then west along the southern coast of what is known today as Turkey, past the ancient provinces of Cilicia and Pamphylia, to the port city of Myra in Lycia. 

At Myra, Paul's entourage obtains passage on an Egyptian ship bound for Italy with both cargo and 276 persons on board. Despite a warning from Paul, that trouble awaits them, the crew set sail and they soon find themselves in difficulty off the east coast of the island of Crete. Attempting to make a safe harbor at Phoenix, on the west coast, the ship is blown off course during a 2-week storm and finally breaks apart as it approaches the small island of Malta (Melita), south of Sicily. By God's grace, however, all lives are spared. During the next 3 months. Paul works among the people of Malta and heals many of their diseases. When it is once again safe to sail, the group sets out for Italy on another Egyptian ship that has been waiting out winter storms in the harbor of Malta. The remainder of the voyage is happily uneventful, and Luke records the warm welcome that they receive from the brethren in Italy. 

The Voyage To Rome

(60-61 A.D.)

INTRODUCTION

• At long last, Paul is headed for Rome...
• As he had wanted to do for some time - cf. Acts 19:21; Romans 1:9-11,15; 15:23-29
• As the Lord had revealed in a vision - Acts 23:11
• Paul is not going as a tourist but as a prisoner...
• Having been arrested in Jerusalem two years earlier - Acts 21:26-36
• Having defended himself in various trials
• Before the mob in Jerusalem - Acts 21:37-22:29
• Before the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem - Acts 22:30-23:10
• Before Felix the governor in Caesarea - Acts 23:11-24:27
• Before Festus the governor in Caesarea - Acts 25:1-12
• Before King Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea - Acts 25:13-26:32 -- Going to Rome because he had exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case before Caesar - Acts 25:11-12; 26:30-32

[The voyage to Rome would not be without trials of its own. Traveling by sea was extremely very hazardous in those days. Paul had already experienced three shipwrecks (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25-26). He is about to add to his experiences of “perils in the sea”. The first leg of the trip was...]

I. FROM CAESAREA TO MYRA

A. THE JOURNEY BEGINS...

• Paul was placed in the care of Julius, a Roman centurion - Acts 27:1
• Of the Augustan Regiment, a division consisting of 400-600 men (Barnes)
• Perhaps named in honor of the Roman emperor Augustus
• Along with some other prisoners - Acts 27:1; cf. 27:42
• Paul was joined by two dear friends - Acts 27:1-2
• Luke, the author of Acts and “beloved physician” (Corinthians 4:14), as evidenced by the use of “we”
• Aristarchus, from Thessalonica of Macedonia
• Who had faced the mob in Ephesus - Acts 19:29
• Who had returned with Paul to Asia - Acts 20:4
• Later described as Paul’s “fellow prisoner” and “fellow laborer” - Corinthians 4:10; Philemon 24
• Placed on a ship of Adramyttium - Acts 27:2
• A maritime town of Mysia in Asia Minor (Barnes)
• Located between Troas and Pergamos

B. ALONG THE COAST OF PHOENICIA...

• From Caesarea they sailed to Sidon - Acts 27:3
• At Sidon, the Roman centurion allowed Paul to visit friends and receive care

C. AROUND THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS...

• From Sidon they sailed “under” Cyprus - Acts 27:4
• Because of the winds
• Where Paul had gone on his first missionary journey - Acts 13:4-12
• They continued off the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia - Acts 27:5
• Cilicia, where Paul was born, and spent five years after becoming a disciple of Christ - Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:21
• Pamphylia, where PerGalatians was located - cf. Acts 13:13; 14:24-25

D. ARRIVING AT MYRA...

• A city of Lycia, the province west of Pamphylia - Acts 27:5
• At Myra, the centurion books passage on an Alexandrian (Egypt) ship sailing to Italy - Acts 27:6

[The first leg of the trip appears to have been a pleasant one, despite the rough winds they encountered near Cyprus. But those winds were nothing compared to what they would experience on the next leg of their voyage...]

II. FROM MYRA TO MALTA

A. SLOW BOAT TO CRETE...

• It was slow sailing for many days - Acts 27:7
• They arrived with difficulty off Cnidus (on the coast of Asia Minor, northwest of the island of Rhodes)
• The wind forced them to sail westward under Crete off Salmone (on the eastern promontory of the island)
• With difficulty they arrived at Fair Havens - Acts 27:8
• Near the city of Lasea
• On the southern part of the island of Crete
• Where they spent “much time” - Acts 27:9
• Sailing was now dangerous because the Fast (Day Of Atonement) was over
• This would have been around September or October
• Paul’s advice is ignored - Acts 27:9-12
• He perceived that the voyage would end in disaster
• With the loss of cargo and ship
• With the loss of their lives
• The centurion is persuaded otherwise
• By the helmsman and owner of the ship
• Because the harbor at Fair Havens was not suitable for winter
• The majority prevailed to try for Phoenix (Phenice), a harbor that faced both southwest and northwest

B. STRONG WIND NEAR CLAUDA...

• Lured by a soft south wind, they sailed along the coast of Crete - Acts 27:13
• They were soon caught up by a strong wind - Acts 27:14-15
• Called “Euroclydon” (lit., wind wave), perhaps a hurricane or typhoon
• Forced to let the wind just drive the ship
• A short reprieve near the island of Clauda - Acts 27:16-17
• A small island southwest of Crete
• Where they secured the small skiff (boat) onboard
• Where they used cables to undergird the ship
• They struck sail, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis Sands (quicksands off the coast of Africa)
• At the mercy of the winds - Acts 27:17-19
• Driven and tossed by the tempest
• Throwing ship’s tackle overboard to lighten the ship
• Paul’s comforting words, prompted by a visit from an angel - Acts 27:20-26
• After many days without seeing the sun or stars, all hope was lost
• After a long abstinence from food, Paul addresses those on the ship
• Reminding them they should have listened to him
• Encouraging them to take heart, for no lives would be lost, only the ship
• An angel had appeared to Paul, telling him:
• Not to be afraid, for he must appear before Caesar
• God has granted the lives of all those with him
• Paul encourages them to take heart, though they must run aground on a certain island

C. SHIPWRECKED ON MALTA...

• After two weeks in the Adriatic Sea, they run aground - Acts 27:27-44
• Sensing they were nearing ground around midnight, soundings confirmed their fears
• Sailors attempted to flee using the skiff, but Paul and the Roman soldiers prevented them, letting the skiff fall off the ship
• At dawn, Paul encourages them to eat and offers thanks in their presence
• They then further lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea
• In daylight, they tried to run the ship into a bay with a beach
• The prow of the ship ran aground where two seas met, and the stern began to break up
• The Roman soldiers planned to kill the prisoners but were prevented by the centurion who wanted to save Paul
• All made it land, some swimming, others on broken pieces of the ship
• 2. Three months on the island of Malta (Melita, 60 miles S from Sicily) - Acts 28:1-10
• Where the natives made them welcome
• Where Paul amazed the people when he did not die from a poisonous snake bite - cf. Mark 16:17-18
• Where Paul healed Publius’ father of a fever and dysentery
• Where they were honored in many ways, and provided with whatever was necessary when they departed

[For the fourth time in his life, Paul had experienced a shipwreck. Yet God was with him, and would be with him as he and his traveling companions continued their journey...]

III. FROM MALTA TO ROME

A. ON THE SHIP TO ROME...

• After three months on the island, they sail from Malta - Acts 28:11
• On an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead “The Twin Brothers”
• Which had wintered on the island
• They sailed to Syracuse (capital of Sicily), where they stayed three days - Acts 28:12
• From there they circled about to Rhegium (a city on the SW extremity of Italy) - Acts 28:13
• With the aid of a south wind, they sailed on to Puteoli (8 miles NW of Naples) - Acts 28:13-14
• Where they found brethren!
• Where they were invited to say seven days

B. ON THE ROAD TO ROME...

• From Puteoli they head to Rome - Acts 28:14
• Brethren from Rome hear of their coming - Acts 28:15
• They came to meet Paul and his companions
• When Paul saw them, He thanked God and took courage
• Finally, they arrive in Rome! - Acts 28:16
• The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard
• Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him

CONCLUSION

• Several years earlier, Paul had written of his desire and prayers to meet his brethren in Rome - cf. Romans 1:8-10
• Paul finally had his desire granted, and for two years remained in Rome...
• Yes, it was as a prisoner awaiting his appeal before Caesar
• But as we shall see in our next study, it was a fruitful time in which he taught, preached, and wrote much about the gospel of Jesus Christ!

What helped Paul throughout his voyage and the remaining years of his life was “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve” (cf. Acts 27:23). Later, Paul would write:

“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18)

May the example and faith of the apostle Paul encourage us to serve the same God with the same faith he did!

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