Tabor Baptist Church

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