Acts 27:39-44 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 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. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.
 
THE seasoned sailors knew what to do to guide the ship to shore. Wisdom prevailed as the ship broke apart. People did as they were told. All survived the terrible ordeal as God had promised. With his instructions to Paul, the LORD had shown them the way home. Even those who had sought to escape on the lifeboat and the soldiers who wanted to kill the prisoners arrived safely.
   We could ask, “Why the storm?” God’s plan is to put Paul in Rome. Why did the Lord not simply direct a safe, quick passage?
   The answer to “Why?”’ doesn’t matter. We don’t need to know or debate on God’s reasons. To ask, “Why the storms?” you could also ask, “Why did Jesus say, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”  (Matthew 16:24-25) 
   The Christian life is not asking God, “Why?” it’s asking God, “What do you want me to do?” To follow Jesus means you will often find yourself in some degree of turmoil. The natural world wants to shipwreck your life, even drown your faith because you stand for the firm ground of God’s righteous commands.
   We can think God created that storm on Paul’s voyage for a certain purpose. But we may be more accurate to understand the storm was a natural response to atmospheric conditions at the time. The ship and its occupants were at the storm’s mercy. Then God stepped in to reveal his mercy. He instructed. The apostle obeyed. All lived.
   When Paul wrote, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) he was not merely looking at daily challenges. He had triumphed through the lashings, stonings, persecution and imprisonment to point people to Jesus. He understood God did not create each crisis. Corrupt hearts had stormed against him. But God had given him the words to stay safe in Jesus. Paul had obeyed to stay safely under God’s eternal care.
   The storms come. God gives you the way to safety. Heed his commands, and you will stand on Jesus, your firm foundation.
 
 

Acts 27:33-38 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food – you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
 
276 people on this ship meant this was a diverse group of people. Regardless of their age, social and economic standing, they all were nearly helpless in the storm. Fourteen days of little sleep, food or comfort would cause deep weariness and despair. Paul became God’s gift to them. Paul urged them to eat in a manner similar to his Lord Jesus’ compassion for the thousands: Mark 8:3 “If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
   Paul gave thanks. He broke the bread. And they ate. Didn’t Jesus do that? John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”   
   The people on the plain had all they wanted. The people on the ship ate all they wanted. They then tossed the remaining grain overboard to lightened the boat’s load to prepare to direct the boat to the shore. 
   Remember, God had promised their survival. They had to follow Paul’s instructions. God’s promise came through God’s messenger. How is God speaking to you? Is there something you need to tell others?

Acts 27:27-32 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.
 
SOME sailors did not believe God’s promise they would all survive the storm, even as the ship would be destroyed. They believed they had a better plan. A few unbelievers will affect the safety and welfare of all. That’s why God sends messengers to teach us the way to safety.
   Paul became God’s representative on the boat. The apostle has assumed all authority on the boat. Do  you think Roman soldiers would respond to a prisoner’s warning? But they did. God had granted the soldiers understanding to listen and respond, so all lives would survive.
   We can see this as a picture of God’s progressive redemptive work over the world. Because of sin, all creation is caught up in an endless storm. Paul describe this in Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Trouble rages against our lives, and the waves of opposition come from every direction.
   Then God sent a Messenger. His name is Jesus. He promises, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) We believe his authority when we understand what he has done to save us from sin’s raging storm. He has died on a horrible cross. Jesus has been buried. He risen, and has ascended to heaven. The Holy God has promised his death is the end of sin’s deadly storm.
   Because Jesus has sought us, you can trust his authority to save us, “I tell you unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke 13:3)
   Consider this. God could have used the storm to destroy all who opposed Paul. Paul could have been free! But God’s purpose in the storm, as it is in the world, is to exalt his name among all his creation. Some on that boat would be saved into eternal life.
   As the world suffers the storm, God is revealing his promises. Those who do not believe will look for their own lifeboat, but they will perish. Those who believe will listen to the Author of Life. They will be saved. It’s as simple as that. 

Acts 27:21-26 After the men 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. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
 
WE don’t like to be told, “You were wrong.” even when it’s true. We are more comfortable to hide our errors or pretend they are another’s fault. But the men couldn’t deny Paul’s reminder he told them not to sail from Crete. This prisoner had warned them; now they were on the verge of drowning.
   Paul’s reminder was to encourage them. He had some great news! They would survive the storm! How did he know? “An angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me last night.”
   God’s promise was very clear. Paul would go to Rome to stand before Caesar. All on board would survive. In the violent darkness came a light from heaven. The Lord assured his apostle and gave confidence to the crew. They had heard the promise. They would see the promise fulfilled. God’s messenger came with the Lord’s tender mercy to calm fearful hearts in the dark wind and ceaseless waves.
   Did they believe? The evidence is that some did and some did not. But the messenger also said the crew couldn’t simply wait and watch events unfold. They had to guide the boat onto an island. Everyone needed to do his part to see God’s promise completed.
   God’s promises often require your response. God promised to the Jews a land where they would enjoy prosperity and peace. For this to happen, the Jews had to follow his commands, to conquer the land and to worship him only. They didn’t do that, and God’s promise became an empty memory.
   In the gospel message, Jesus promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) But there’s no rest if you don’t go to him. Most of God’s promises require our response. In the storm, the sailors needed to believe, so God could save them. What was their response? What is your response in the storm?  

Acts 27:9-20 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. 17 When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
 
PAUL was only a prisoner, so we can understand why the ship’s owner, pilot and the centurion did not listen to his advice to stay in the safe harbor. But each day on the sea in winter exposed the ship and its inhabitants to extreme weather. Then it came.
   We can’t imagine the effort to wrap ropes around the tossing ship. How could one cope with the violent, unrelenting winds that blocked the sun and the stars. We understand why they gave up all hope of being saved.
   All the sailors’ skill, strength and knowledge was useless against the hurricane winds. Who could survive such a storm?
   For his purpose, God has created such storms at other times. The storm raged when Jonah ran from God (Jonah 1:4). When Galilee rolled and pitched their small boat, the disciples cried, “Lord, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mak 4:38). God used the storm to turn Jonah back to preach to Ninevah. He used the storm to awaken the disciples to Jesus’ sovereign Majesty. What would God do with this storm?  

Acts 26:30-32 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
 
FOR the third time in this lengthy account of Paul’s defense that occurred over two-plus years, the Romans – and now King Agrippa – find no cause for Paul’s imprisonment. It is unfortunate Festus had not acted on this conclusion a few days earlier before Paul had appealed to Caesar. That appeal was his only hope at the time to escape the Jews’ endless accusations and Rome’s failure to rule. Paul’s solution seems to have caused another problem.
   Good or bad, it is time to move ahead, to set one’s mind on the future. Paul cannot change what has happened. The good thing is he will no longer languish in a jail in Caesarea. The time has come to move forward.
   How do we encounter obstacles as a Christian? To go forward we should assess how the LORD God has prepared us for the challenge: What do we know? What skills do we have? Who can help us? How can we help others? Are we prepared to see God’s kindness through the difficult days?
   As we read Acts 27, we will learn how Paul answers all of those questions through the storm, a shipwreck and suspicion. Let’s begin:
 
Acts 27:1-8 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. 3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. 4 From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
 
Luke’s first-hand account helps us understand God’s care on this group. One way God helps Paul is to add Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, to accompany him. Aristarchus will be with Paul through his time under Roaman guard (See Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 24). Junius, too, is a kind Centurion, another Roman who helps Paul. He allows Paul’s friends at Sidon to care for the prisoner.
   The prisoners get on a Alexandrian ship in Lydia. It is a large grain ship from Egypt. But it is very difficult to travel east to west on the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea in winter. For a time they find a quiet port to be safe from the winds.  

Acts 26:24-29 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long – I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
 
JESUS was changing minds in Israel and in the known world. When we read Acts, we must consider we are learning only a very small part of God’s great work at that time. The twelve apostles listed in Acts 1 have developed a strong ministry in Jerusalem. Thousands of people were believing Jesus is the Christ, risen from the dead. Other histories of this time tell us some apostles went to India (Thomas) and Europe. Evangelists such as Stephen and Philip were Spirit-anointed to expand the gospel. Yes, even through Stephen’s martyrdom the gospel spread to the nations.
   One clue to Christianity’s growth is Agrippa’s statement, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” There is a name to Jesus’ followers that separates them from a nationality or nation. Christian gives Jesus’ followers a name to connect them with Messiah. The Jews, especially, are aware of Jesus of Nazareth’s influence on many, many people. Perhaps that is why they hated Paul. His passion for Christ has influenced hundreds to believe in Jesus. They need to stop him to stop Jews from becoming Christians.
   Can one quickly become a Christian? The evidence answers the question. Paul had quickly turned to faith, and many more had done so. Consider the 3,000 at Pentecost (Acts 2:41) and thousands more in response to Peter’s and John’s preaching. The Spirit will move whomever he chooses to faith whether it be short time or long. Jesus called, “Lazarus come out!” (John 11:43) and the dead man quickly rose. Peter spoke, “Tabitha get up.” (Acts 9:40)  and the dead woman suddenly got up. The jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved.” (Acts 16:30). Immediately he and all his family were baptized. (Acts 16:33b) God’s short or long time to save is his time to change a life forever.
   God always gave to Paul the opportunity to testify of Jesus’ saving power. Once again he faithfully used the time. Paul was not responsible for Agrippa’s or Festus’ response. He was responsible to tell the truth of Jesus’

Acts 26:19-23 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – 23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
 
TESTIFYING before Israel’s authorities, Paul explained he immediately obeyed  heaven’s authority. Jesus had commanded him (verse 18) to open their eyes and turn their hearts to light and from the power of Satan. That is exactly what he did.
   We remember the Romans had found no reason to charge Paul. And he was standing before King Agrippa, who ruled a portion of Israel, because the king was curious about him.
   This was not a criminal trial. The God of heaven and earth was on trial in the unbelieving pagan minds. They were listening to Paul. But did they hear him? Would they believe?
   Paul wanted them to know about his radically changed life. He was the powerful death-dealing Pharisee who experienced a most radical change. There was no earthly reason for Paul to reject the power and authority he had attained. The Jews’ rulers had respected him. Paul was proud of himself!
   But now Paul wanted the prideful people in the assembly that day to know Jesus is far more important to him than any earthly status.
   Paul tried to convey his sense of duty to the law. He had been faithful to Moses’ and the prophets’ words. He testified that he came to know those words told the Jews the Christ would suffer (Isaiah 53).  He would be the first to rise from the dead (Psalm 16:8-11). The Messiah would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles (Isaiah 51:8).
   Paul had come to know his true life was in full obedience to the Scriptures. His life was not his own. Paul wanted the Jews and Romans to know he lived in the authority of the Living Word. His life was not his own.
   This is the Bible’s truth, isn’t it? When God calls you, your life is not your own. Are you willing to join him wherever, however he directs you?
 

Acts 26:12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
 
WHAT did Jesus mean when he said, “Saul, Saul, it is hard for you to kick against the goads.” As he often did during his teaching ministry, Jesus used an agricultural term to make his point. The goad was a means to control oxen pulling a plow or heavy load. It was a long, sharp-pointed pole, or the goad was a board with sharp nails hung behind the oxen’s back feet. When they kicked against the goad, the nails pierced their legs. The oxen quickly learned it was useless to kick against the farmer’s commands.
   Jesus drew the line with Paul on that fateful day on the road to Damascus. He told Paul, “Stop rejecting me! Believe and follow my commands!”
   Some believe there was a battle in Paul’s conscience. As he was persecuting Christians to their death, Paul may have begun to understand he was kicking against the goad of God’s moral laws. Perhaps his heart was also fighting the truth that the law he knew so well pointed directly to Jesus of Nazareth.
   “Why do you kick against the goads?” could have been Jesus’ gracious question to essentially say to Paul, “You know what is true. You know I am the Christ. It’s time to submit to the Spirit’s stirring in your heart and begin to live for me.”
   When God stirs our hearts to reject our desires, our nature is to kick against his truth. Is Jesus now in you? Then be thankful that one day the Spirit changed your kicking against Jesus to walking with your Lord and Savior.
   That’s what happened to Paul. Jesus commissioned this gifted man to be on mission for the gospel, so they would be forgiven and stand with Jesus and the redeemed forever.
   This is Jesus’ mission for all who confess he is Lord. Are you kicking against him or walking with him?

AT the beginning of his gospel, Luke wrote: Luke 1:1-2 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Luke’s gospel is an orderly progression of Jesus’ life from the prophets through his ascension. Now Luke gives us an orderly account of Paul’s changed life through Jesus’ transforming gospel:
 
Paul’s Early Life as a Jew
 
Acts 26:4-8 “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
 
PAUL wanted all to know he was no enemy of the Jew. He was a Jew, loyal to his people and God’s law. Because of his great devotion to God, he had come to understand God’s resurrection power.
   He was specific with this point because it is the greatest hurdle for many Jews. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus had corrected them with Exodus 3:6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” The long-dead patriarchs still lived in heaven. Paul wanted all to know God’s power raised his Son, Jesus of Nazareth, from the dead.
   Jesus is alive. Jesus saves us from death when we believe. This is Paul’s story. He wanted this to be everyone’s story.
   Then Paul testifies once more of God’s grace on his life. He began with the depth of his sin.
 
Zealous Against God
 
Acts 26:9-11 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.”
 
WE could consider the Spirit caused and used Paul’s unjust captivity in Israel to testify of God’s gracious freedom to the nation’s rulers. Paul was speaking to Agrippa and Festus, who were very familiar with deadly force against political and religious rivals. They understood Paul’s great passion to go many a time from one synagogue to another to find Christians to imprison and kill them. What had happened that Paul had become the accused?