No Other God

And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
Acts 27:33-37

We have previously seen that the reason these men were in these desperate circumstances which required them to not eat for fourteen days was because they had ignored the warning from God through the apostle Paul. Even though it wasn’t Paul’s fault they were in this mess, he had to suffer right along with the rest of them; however, as we see in our text today, in suffering with them, Paul’s faith was put on display, and others were encouraged by what they saw.

There are many stories about early attempts by missionaries to convert Native Americans. Some missionaries came pridefully, appearing high and aloof to their hearers. Others were determined to convert men by force. But there was another group which seemed to be most preferred because, as one Native American put it, “these go about poorly dressed and barefoot just like us; they eat what we eat; they settle among us; and their intercourse with us is gentle.” In other words, these missionaries were effective because they endured the same struggles as their audience but did so trusting in the true and living God!

In 1Pe 1:6-7, we find a Christian people who “have been grieved by various trials”. What is the purpose of these trials? Per this passage, the difficulties are present so “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” God is glorified when we endure these trials by faith, steadfastly resting in our mighty Deliverer! People will pay attention when we suffer in that fashion. All the men in the boat with Paul were still in the midst of a life-threatening experience, but he believed so much that God would save them just as He had promised that he “took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all” and “began to eat.” After this display of faith, these men who had previously been scared to death, “were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.” Christian, it’s not just THAT we endure. It’s HOW we endure! God gave the apostle a captive congregation of 275 people on stormy seas in order to put his faith on display.  I pray we are likewise willing to suffer so that souls might be saved.

Jamie

Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss…”
Acts 27:20-21

In the text above, Paul is under the care of a Roman centurion as he is on his way to stand trial in Rome. He had previously warned his traveling companions that they should not yet set sail due to the dangerous storms at sea this time of the year. He had told them in v. 10: “I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” However, the centurion relied on the word of the helmsman and the ship’s owner rather than the word from God by the mouth of the apostle. (v. 11) The result was a perilous and fearful journey, and at the point of our text, they had given up all hope of survival. At what seems like the most inappropriate time, Paul effectively says in v. 21, “I told you so!”

I don’t believe Paul’s statement in v. 21 to be mean-spirited but necessary in order for these men to understand the grave danger of ignoring God’s warning. After correcting them for their error, he speaks words of tremendous comfort, sharing with them that God’s angel told him that he would make it safely to Rome and that “God has granted you all those who sail with you”. And so he encouraged them to “take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” (v. 24-25)

We have in a nutshell in this passage the manner in which we are to share the gospel with souls. They must first understand the grave danger they are in because of their disobedience to God’s word, i.e. because of their sin. Only against this backdrop of eternal condemnation do men come to appreciate the great mercy of God extended in the gospel! Did it work for Paul’s companions? Well, when some of the crew later attempted to abandon ship in the life boat and Paul told them God’s command was that everyone had to stay on board for all of them to survive (v. 31), they quickly cut the ropes to the boat and simply trusted in God’s promise (v. 32). In like manner, as we faithfully warn men that their sins have eternally condemned them but that God has extended mercy in Jesus Christ, we will see souls cut the ties to anything else they’re trusting in for their salvation and rely on Christ alone!

As Christians, we will find that rope-cutting has to happen more than once as we walk with the Lord. Even though we believe and trust God, there will be temptations to misplace our trust. We know as Christ said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” But just like the man Jesus was addressing in that statement, we at times must confess, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mar 9:23-24) So, do you have any ropes that need to be cut today? What are you leaning on besides the Lord? He alone is our Deliverer! Why would we ever look elsewhere? Hasn’t He assured us that He will always be there for us? “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32)

Jamie

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting…
Romans 1:28

This verse is a fearful one for it describes a people from whom God steps away, leaving them to their own devices. The surrounding verses list some specific sins of which these individuals were guilty, but our verse sets forth the origin of those sins–they simply didn’t want to think about God! Their downward spiral started at that point. They had no appetite for Him. The word “like” in the text means “test” and is at times translated “prove”. In other words, they had zero interest in even getting to the bottom of whether or not the assertions of scripture were true. They just didn’t care! Their attitude was like the wicked in Job 21:14-15 who said to God, “Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?”

One definition of the Greek word “like” in our text is “to recognize as genuine after examination”. The point is that our verse includes not only those in open rebellion but also those with a causal approach to God. They have no real interest in digging deeper. Sadly, this definition reveals that some who sit on church benches are among these. They hear the truth but don’t consume it and grow in it. As in 2Ti 3:5, they are those “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” The sin that’s going to condemn men per Joh 3:19 is loving darkness rather than light, and that sin is not always outwardly apparent. Many we would call “decent” people inside and outside church walls are a part of this group. It’s not a matter of committing some terrible crime. It just boils down to living a life devoid of an appetite for God. Remember, the manner of life of those in Lot’s day and in Noah’s day was that they were involved in normal, everyday things (marrying, buying, selling, eating, drinking…) but with no consciousness of God! (Luk 17:26-30)

In contrast to these, if you are among those who like to know Him, who desire Him and seek Him, then a story you’ve probably been reminded of recently should be of great encouragement to you. The account of the wise men in Mat 2 reminds us that God will not abandon such souls. God will continue to lead and instruct us as we seek Him until we find Him. No wonder they rejoiced to see the star in v. 10. The point was that the star never left the wise men until they found the Lord! They were continually guided by God until they reached their destination where they enjoyed the blessing of worshiping Him. (v. 11) So keep knocking, keep asking, keep seeking. Our God rewards those who diligently do so! (Heb 11:6)

Jamie

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Acts 26:32

It’s fitting that we should consider this text this week since today we were able to exercise one of our rights as American citizens–the right to vote for the person that should occupy the highest office in this nation.  In our text, we are reminded that Paul, when previously on trial, had exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the higher court of Caesar in Rome. Agrippa’s view concerning Paul’s appeal was that if he had not done it, he would have been set free at this time. But Agrippa didn’t understand that God had big plans for Paul which included this trip to Rome. Paul’s appeal to Caesar is in fact a great example of how we should properly use our own rights and privileges as citizens of our country.

At least three times in the book of Acts we’ve seen the apostle use his Roman citizenship to his advantage. The first time was in Act 16:37 as he responded to the officials of Philippi who had sent word to the jailer to let Paul and Silas go: “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” The result was a humbling of those officials who came and pleaded with the apostle to depart. Paul had brought their wrongdoing to bear upon them, and they would think twice before mistreating the believers who would be left in Philippi as Paul continued on his missionary journey.

The second time the apostle exercised his right as a Roman citizen was in Jerusalem in Act 22:25. Here he was about to be beaten by the Roman soldiers who were trying to get to the bottom of why there was such an uproar concerning him: “And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, ‘Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?’ ” Immediately, the Roman soldiers were afraid. Paul was spared his beating, but, more importantly, he was granted a much larger audience before which to give his defense, a defense that included sharing his hope in Christ.

Finally, Paul’s actions referred to in our main text took place in Act 25:10-11. Paul was in Caesarea at this point, standing trial before Festus. The Jews, however, wanted Paul to be returned to Jerusalem for trial so they could ambush him during the move and kill him. When Festus asked if Paul was willing to be tried in Jerusalem, he replied, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Back in Act 23:11, the Lord had encouraged the apostle, telling him, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Paul, therefore, used his Roman citizenship while in Caesarea to help reach that ultimate goal of testifying of Christ in Rome.

So, what do we gather from all of these examples concerning our own responsibility with using our national citizenship? Simply put, we ought to use our rights as American citizens with a kingdom view in mind, understanding that we are first and foremost heavenly citizens. It is worthy to ask ourselves daily how we might use the liberties we enjoy to further the kingdom of God. We have many rights and privileges available to us. Use them for God’s glory and for the furtherance of the gospel.

Jamie

Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
John 8:59

In studying the book of Acts, we have seen numerous plots to kill the Apostle Paul because of hatred for the gospel he preached. In Act 23:12-13, over forty men had determined that they would not eat or drink until they had assassinated Paul. Their plot was formed in secret, but the all-seeing God exposed their plan to the apostle’s nephew who in turn told the Roman guarding Paul. The result was a spoiling of their plan and the deliverance of Paul. Another time the Jews wanted the apostle brought back to Jerusalem for trial because they were going to ambush him as he traveled and kill him along the way, but the ruling Roman official Festus wouldn’t agree to their request, determining that he would hear the case in Caesarea. (Act 24:2-4) Again, the evil scheme of Paul’s enemies was foiled, and his life was spared.

We have a similar situation presented to us in our text today. Jesus was in the very midst of the crowd that wanted to stone Him, and yet He escaped without a scratch. Just a couple of chapters later we read, “they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.” (Joh 10:39) To understand why Jesus was such a good escape artist in these chapters, we have to go to Joh 7:30 where there was another attempt on His life: “Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.” The reason they couldn’t take Him then but would be able to crucify Him later was because He had an appointed time to die. Act 2:23 teaches us that though they took Him “by lawless hands”, He was in fact “delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God”.

Paul and Christ are clear examples of what’s true for us all. As Ecc 3:2 says, there is “a time to be born, and a time to die”. Concerning mankind, God “has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings”. (Act 17:26) If we don’t realize our God is that much in control, then we’re missing out on a blessing! This truth frees the believer from doubt and worry. Do the wicked plot against the righteous? Yep, but our God is bigger! In a day of backroom deals and secret alliances in an attempt to bring sinful plots to fruition, it’s a strong temptation to be fearful. But remember, God’s plan is the only one that will without fail come to pass. So, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass…For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psa 37:7-9)

Jamie