The Perils of Paul: Shipwreck on Malta

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Topic: 0791

Introduction:

A.     Time: 60-61 AD.  Paul has been preaching/teaching for over 20 years at this point.

B.     2 Cor. 11:22-33 – Paul knew persecution. He knew anxiety. He knew what it means to suffer shame for Christ. CONTRAST COULD NOT BE GREATER!

1.      This from a man who in his former life had every opportunity to have power, prestige, money, and influence.

2.      Phil. 3:7-10

C.    Dangers Paul mentions in 11:26 occurred BEFORE the story we have in Acts 27-28 w/Paul’s journey to Rome.

D.    Acts account: Paul has spent 2 years in prison on trumped up charges by the Jews – who were bent on killing him.

1.      Acts 25:7 – many and serious charges…which they could not prove.

2.      When Paul understands that Festus was not interested in trying him in Caesarea – but in Jerusalem to do Jews a favor – Paul appeals to Caesar.

a)     Had Paul not appealed to Caesar – Jews would have had an upper hand on his life.

 

Acts 27 – The Journey & Shipwreck.

A.     Luke is with Paul.

1.      Luke – author of Acts. A gentile, physician. Would have been welcome on the ship b/c of his profession. Traveled w/Paul throughout his journeys. Remained faithful to God even when majority seemed to turn away.

B.     Aristarchus – traveled w/Paul on 3^rd missionary journey. In 59 – almost killed at riot in Ephesus.

1.      Either sent to Rome as a prisoner; or became one later while in Rome. Col. 4:10 identifies him as a prisoner.

2.      Reese: may have been catching a ride home to Thessalonica aboard the ship Paul was on.

3.      It has been suggested that there was only one way in which Aristarchus could have accompanied Paul on this last journey and that was by enrolling himself as Paul’s slave. It is probable that Aristarchus chose to act as the slave of Paul rather than to be separated from him – and loyalty can go no further than that. (Barclay, Daily Bible Study Series, Acts, p. 181)

4.      Tradition: martyred in Rome during Nero’s persecution.

C.    When the journey begins – probably in September.

1.      27:9 – Fast mentioned. Refers to Jewish Day of Atonement. On that year it fell in the first half of October.

2.      Navigational practices of the time said sailing was doubtful by end of September & impossible by November.

a)      Sept. 14-November 11 was known as the “Dangerous season” on the Mediterranean. “Sail at your own risk.”

b)      After Nov. 11 – no sailing on Medit. till March 10.

D.    27:2-3 – Caesarea to Sidon.  70 miles N of Caesarea. Paul able to receive care from brethren.

E.     27:4-5 – Sidon to Myra in Lycia.

1.      Lycia was a province in SW Asia Minor. Very important city in these times as grain ships often docked there enroute to Rome from Alexandria, Egypt.

2.      Due to contrary winds, some have estimated that the journey from Sidon to Myra took 15 days.

F.     27:6 - At Myra – they board an Alexandrian grain ship.

1.      These ships were very large.

2.      Reese: ships were very large and steered by two broad oars, one on each side of the stern, and one large mast with the huge sail fastened to an enormous yard arm. Another sail was often seen in the forepart of the ship. One consequence of such a design is that in storms the strain was concentrated in a relatively small area, and the ships tended to spring leaks rather quickly. From the descriptions of such ships found in literature, it has been estimated they could carry between 10 & 11hundred tons. The design was especially suitable for running with the wind. Fully loaded, with a good breeze favoring, they could make about 8-9 miles/hr. (Garreth Reese – New Testament History – a Commentary on Acts)

G.    27:7 – Myra to Cnidus. Some say it took 3 weeks to sail the 130 mile distance.  W/a good wind, they could have made this distance in around 24 hours.

H.     27:8 – Cnidus to Fair Havens.

1.      Impossible to continue along the coast of Asia Minor because of prevailing winds. Set sail toward Crete – to go along the southern edge of the island and get a break from the wind.

I.         27:9-13 – at Fair Havens.

1.      Fair Havens nothing more than a small bay. City of Lasea 2 hours inland.

2.      Waited possibly 1-2 weeks for winds to change.

3.      Voyage has taken so long now that they are in the dangerous season to sail.

4.      A “ship’s council” is held.

a)      Paul speaks out. How can a prisoner speak out? Experience? Respect he commanded?  Paul advises them to remain at Fair Havens.

b)      Majority decide to sail on. 

5.      Would try to make it to Phoenix harbor on Crete – 35 miles NW.

a.      27:13 – when a Southerly wind comes up they feel they can make it easily to Phoenix harbor.

6.      27:14 – sudden wind comes off the land from the NE – blown off course. Now headed S/SW away from the island.

a.      Blown 23 miles S to Clauda – where they barely had enough time to make arrangements to ride out the storm.

                                                                                                  i.      Secured ships lifeboat on the deck. Normally towed.

                                                                                                ii.      Undergirded the ship by passing cables underneath to hold ship together during storm.

                                                                                              iii.      Let down weights to stabilize the ship.

b.      Everyone on board assisted w/these matters. Their very lives were at stake.

7.      What can we learn from this? Some Storms are self inflicted.

a.      The sailors & Centurion would not listen to Paul’s counsel.

                                                                                                  i.      listened? Reading accounts from Fair Havens – not about a great storm & shipwreck on high seas.

b.      Many of the storms of our lives come b/c we turn away from wise counsel:

                                                                                                  i.      Marriage problems…

                                                                                                ii.      Financial problems…not content…

                                                                                              iii.      Job problems … do not respect employer…

                                                                                               iv.      Lack of control w/anger…

                                                                                                 v.      Teen angers …not fleeing youthful lusts…

c.      Find yourself in a self-imposed storm?  Repent! Rather than blame…confess!

8.      They begin to fear being driven into the shallows off the coast of N. Africa.

a.      Forced to jettison the cargo.

b.      Imagine being on the ship – tossed too & fro w/the mvmt of waves.

c.      Ship probably leaking by now – being lighter would help it draw less water.

d.      Storm lasts for days. Having to throw over every non essential thing.

9.      27:19-20 – no small storm. All hope gradually slipping away. One by one they lose hope.

10. 27:21-26 – we see Paul’s faith in action.

a.      When everyone else has given up – his faith in God rings true.

b.      His hope was in the living God – who hears the prayers of His saints.

                                                                                                  i.      Paul’s courage allowed him to stand – when terror had invaded the hearts of others.

                                                                                                ii.      Paul is moving by absolute trust in God.

c.      God expects no less than our own absolute trust! It has always been this way.

                                                                                                  i.      Jesus – w/the cross. Let us never underestimate what it took for Jesus to die & suffer on our behalf.

                                                                                                ii.      Mt. 16:24 – it is the same for us. Do we have the same amount of courage? Are we really willing to go all the way with Jesus? 

                                                                                              iii.      Anywhere with Jesus?

d.      It was Paul’s absolute trust that allowed him to say Gal. 2:20.

e.      It allowed him to have courage in the most overwhelming circumstances – 2 Tim. 1, 4.

11. 21:27-32 – thwarts a plan by sailors to escape the ship when it is evident they are going to run aground.

a.      Centurion responds immediately by cutting loose the ship’s dinghy.

12. Here we can see that storms of life give us opportunities to glorify God & serve others.

a.      Trials are often used by God to refine our character.

b.      Trials give us opportunities to manifest God’s faithfulness to those who serve Him.

c.      Easy to dismiss one who’s never been tested…

d.      Another thing to dismiss one who remains faithful – even in the midst of affliction!

e.      In storms of life – God can provide a platform for us to share our faith!

13. 27:33-38 – After this they take food & this is important because they have very important tasks ahead of them the next morning.

a.      Their lives depended on them keeping their strength.

b.      It is at the midst of this – that there seems to be an element of calmness that overtakes them.

c.      Paul has made them all aware that God is in control.

d.      Barclay: the most useful people in the world are those who being themselves calm, bring others to the secret of confidence. Paul was like that & every follower of Jesus ought to be steadfast when others are in turmoil.

e.      Christians: we must possess the kind of faith that will stand up under adversity! 2 Tim. 1:7

f.        The storms we face cannot hide God’s face.

                                                                                                  i.      God never loses track of us!

                                                                                                ii.      Things are never so bad that God cannot find us!

                                                                                              iii.      In the midst of our storms we must remember that God is near!

14. 27:38-44 – ship runs aground. Every one of them survived – all 276 people.

15. Albert Barnes: It was a remarkable instance of divine interpretation to save so many through so long-continued dangers; and it shows that God can defend in any peril, and can accomplish all His purposes. On the ocean or on the land we are safe in His keeping; and He can devise ways that shall fulfill all His purposes, even though His people pass through all kinds of danger.

16. Our response to storms may impact those around us:

a.      People on the boat w/Paul were saved b/c Paul belonged to the Lord & served Him.

b.      Because Paul trusted the Lord & sought him in prayer…others were blessed & spared.

c.      Blessings of God on the righteous overflow to others.

 

On Malta.

A.     Originally a Phoenician colony.  20 Miles long by 10 miles wide. 

B.     Malta from a word which means “refuge.”

C.    28:2 – natives showed the extraordinary kindness. They received all 276 passengers.

D.    28:3-6 – Paul snake bit as he threw sticks onto the fire. Very poisonous snake. Natives thought he would die.

d.      Natives figured he had committed a vicious crime, murder, and that this was justice being delivered to him.

e.      When they seem Paul unharmed – they believed he was a god.

E.     28:7-10 – events at the house of Publius.

1.      Publius was the governor of the island. Showed Paul and companions great hospitality.

2.      Paul heals his sick father from dysentery & as a result many on the island hear of it & come to be healed of their diseases.

3.      McGarvey: We cannot suppose that Paul healed diseases among the islanders generally, without also mentioning the name of Jesus. Though Luke makes no mention of it, we must think from the palace of the legate, to the remotest hamlet on the island, the name and power of Jesus (& the good news of salvation to believers in him) were fully made known during the three months during his stay.)

F.     Tradition: Publius became an early leader of the church on Malta. Some say he succeeded Dionysus as the bishop of Athens and was later martyred for his faith.

 

The Journey to Rome continues…

A.     From here, Paul sails on to Rome – where he would remain under house arrest until he appeared before Caesar. It is speculated that after this 1^st Roman imprisonment he is released sometime in 63 AD & has an opportunity once again to preach & teach the gospel.