"He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" Acts 28:30
Our journey through the book of Acts has illustrated for us how the gospel message was spread; beginning in Jerusalem and eventually making its way to Rome. The Jews were the first recipients of the Good News, but the message of salvation was also extended to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit directed the worldwide mission of the church through this journey, and today the Holy spirit still uses men and women to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
"The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land."
Acts 27:42-43
This reminded me of a Survivor episode. Just when someone is on the verge of being voted off the island, somehow they find a crack in the top alliance and live for a few more days. Paul's future looked gloomy, but because God needed Paul around to spread the gospel, his life was spared.
Paul placed his faith in God, and received courage when it was needed. Paul recognized what God had done, and thanked Him for how He protected and provided for him. This passage was a good reminder for me to remember to place my trust in God, and to let Him direct my paths. If I want to be on God's ship, I need to give Him control of the sail and to listen to Him so I know what direction to head, or to know if it's time to let the anchor down.
God is in charge of His church, and despite the evil forces that are attempting to destroy it, He will prevail!
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Acts 27:21&22
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.
Paul's way of speaking was great, he first showed proof and then gave a reminder to the men that they should have listened to his earlier advice, but quickly followed that up with some encouragement and positive news. How could you not listen to his advice after this? Paul obviously was lead by a greater power.
God's sovereignty was on clear display in today's passage!
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