Coming towards the end of ministry
Introduction
Gone through the book of Acts – we have come to the final chapter
Reading Acts 28:1-16
Coming to the end
Nothing human ever lasts – examples
Life is short – quote
Are lives are subject to God’s will and must come to an end
Paul’s life
His plan was to go to Rome and then Spain
In all probability his life ended in Rome
Romans 1:11-13 – He desired to go to Rome but his plans were thwarted
Romans 15:22-24
What hindrances do we have in our lives? – examples
Paul did not think he would go to Rome as a prisoner
Paul did not foresee a terrible shipwreck
Paul was a prisoner of Rome
Do prisoners get special treatment
He was used remarkably on the ship
Tremendous favour was shown him
Paul’s life really counted
Do our lives count?
We are called to finish the race
Do we get things wrong? – example
Paul learnt to wait upon God
Our lives are invincible until God chooses to take us
A poisonous snake fastens on his hand when looking for firewood
God had said that Paul would testify in Rome – Acts 23:11
Do we realise that our days are ordered by God?
This should encourage us
Examples
This means we should trust God
Great men gather sticks
It is easy to judge a man on material matters – examples
God looks not at the outward but the heart
God sees the little things – the servant spirit
Paul did not expect people to do things for himself, he did things for others
The Lord Jesus Christ was a humble servant – Phil 2:7-8
Human judgments so often miss the mark
The native people first thought Paul was a murdered, then a god
Example of Hannah with Eli, the ‘rival’ altar, King Saul
How good a judge of character are we?
We should allow God to be the judge of people
God orders Paul’s footsteps
Examples:
The natives showed these 267 strangers unusual kindness – whether it was just Paul and the smaller group, we don’t know – v2
The leading citizen of the island entertains them for 3 days – v7
Paul healed through the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ – v8
God is using Paul’s privileged gift and position as an apostle of Christ
They provided for their departure – v10
The blessings for Paul were really a blessing to others
Fellowship with other believers
Paul shares deep fellowship with other believers – v14
A delegation from Rome comes to meet Paul – v15
Quote from Bernard Lewis preaching last week
Personal example
Julius [the Centurion] must have been flabergastered at all he saw
Example from the book “Life Stories”
Example of listening online to Jesus Prayer and ‘Behind the Stage”
Closing Remarks