Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

A. Paul Encouraged the Crew to Eat (33-34) – Though Paul was just a prisoner being transported to Rome, he had taken on a leadership role on the ship. Evidently, the entire crew was too tired and despondent to eat. So Paul “was encouraging” (imperfect of parakaleō – continuous action) them throughout the night to eat.

B. They had gone fourteen days (Act 27:27) since they left Fair Havens without eating. They were too preoccupied in the struggle for their lives. But Paul understood more than they did that the food was for their preservation. He also believed God’s promise (Act 23:11; 27:23-24) that not a hair from their head would perish (familiar Jewish idiom referring to absolute safety, 2Sa 14:11; Luk 21:18).

C. Paul Led by Example (35) –The men must have been so despondent that their desire for food was gone. Not even Paul’s encouragement by itself succeeded in moving the men to eat. Paul needed to eat as well as they did. So he took bread¸ prayed, and ate, leading by example.

D. He not only led by example, but he gave thanks in the presence of all. We can only surmise what Paul prayed for beyond thanking God for the food. He probably prayed in faith thanking God for the promise to spare their lives. He probably prayed for courage and physical strength for all aboard the ship. He quite possibly gave thanks to God for the promise of salvation in the resurrected Christ. (example to pray before meals and not just for the food).

E. The Crew Followed Paul’s Example (36) – This “encouraged” (euthumos – lit. good emotions) and picked up their spirits enough that “they themselves” (emphatic use of the pronoun and also the middle voice, they…they did it for themselves) took food and ate.

F. All Passengers (276) Followed Paul’s Example (37) – Luke mentions the exact number on board as a reputable historian giving this inspired historical document credibility. But he also implied that Paul’s encouragement, prayer, and example not only encouraged the crew but became infectious for every person on the ship, all 276 of them.

VI. ADVOCACY THROUGH PAUL (38-44)

A. The Crew Lightened the Ship (38) – They were encouraged enough not only to eat, but also to eat to their satisfaction. Their nutrition was of utmost importance as they approached the last hurdle of this peril. They lightened the ship so that it would rest higher in the water and less chance of striking a reef. The pieces have been put together, the ship was from Alexandria sailing to Italy (Act 27:6), which was a large “vessel” (Act 27:41), carrying cargo (Act 27:18), and its cargo was wheat (Act 27:38). It was now a choice between their lives or the goods.

B. Land was Spotted (39) – All this happened before the light of day. Now that they could see they did not recognize the land. Not knowing the land also meant not knowing hidden dangers of navigating through strange waters. Yet they spotted a bay with a beach. If nothing else, they could run the ship aground on the beach, that is, if they could make it.

C. The Ship Headed for the Bay (40) – The anchors had been let down earlier so that they would drift slowly toward land (Act 27:28-29). They could not be drawn into the ship because of adding more weight. So they were cast off from the ship and left in the sea. In addition, they loosened the ropes of the rudders that they might now be able to steer the ship. The foresail, which was the main and largest sail, was hoisted so that it would be blown by the wind toward land. After this masterful precision in nautical protocol, “they were heading for the beach.”

D. The Ship Struck a Reef (41) – Then it happened. They struck a reef in these unfamiliar waters. They did not know that two seas met and deposited sand. Rather than glancing of the reef, the ship had run aground (epikellō – nautical term put a ship upon ground, deliberately or accidentally). Sailors have a few tricks of the trade to free ships. However, this was hopeless stuck fast by the “prow” (prōra foremost point of the ship) and regardless of their attempts, it remained immovable. This left the stern vulnerable to the force of the waves and the ship began to be broken up (luō – loose or destroyed, here destroyed or broken up).

E. The Soldiers Planned to Kill the Prisoners (42) – The soldiers were more concerned with their reputations than with the lives of prisoners. The soldiers may have even wondered if they themselves would survive the swim to shore. But whether the soldiers perished or not, if the slaves survived the swim and escaped, the soldiers’ reputations would be tarnished. Luke previously gave accounts of the accountability of Roman soldiers (Act 12:19; 16:27).

F. The Centurion Kept Paul Alive (43) – However, in spite of the soldiers’ plans, God would once again use a Roman centurion to save Paul’s life (cf. Claudius Lysias – Act 21:32; 22:23-24; 23:23-24). Yet not only would Paul’s life be spared, but all of the prisoner’s lives as well.

G. Julius the centurion had to keep Paul safe. He most likely was given strict orders by Festus to treat Paul well and deliver him safely to Caesar. Therefore, Julius kept the soldiers from carrying out their intentions.

H. Instead he gave the command to all those who could swim to jump overboard first. Afterwards, the rest would follow and cling to anything that would float. Had he allowed all to go at the same time, mayhem would have ensued as well as loss of life.

I. All the Passengers were Brought Safely (44) – All the lives were spared due in part to the command of the Julius. Luke concluded with “And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.” None of the lives of 276 passengers were lost.

J. The entire ship could have faith in Paul’s God, who delivered them from a watery grave. All could now also see that He was an apostle, a spokesman for God. Paul through God had indeed predicted that the ship would be lost and it was (Act 27:22), that they would run aground on a certain island (Act 27:26), and that no one would perish (Act 27:22).

VII. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Theological Principles:

1. God’s will is not always smooth sailing.

2. Just because there are storms does not mean you are out of God’s will.

3. Just because those in authority made bad decisions, does not mean you are out of God’s will.

#4 - Just because you have to abandon ship, does not mean you are out of God’s will.

Hudson Taylor said, “God’s work done in God’s way will not lack God’s provisions.” We might add, “God’s work done in God’s way will not lack God’s protection.”

B. Leadership Principles:

1. Good leaders do not demand their authority, they establish it through respect.

2. Good leaders inspire others. A disheartened leader dooms himself and his followers.

3. Good leaders have a message of courage and hope. Not a false hope, not a hope built on lies but on the Word of God.

4. Good leaders pray for those around them.

5. Good leaders take courage by trusting in the promises of God.

#6 - Good leaders assist others in following God’s will.

#7 - Good leaders are not only concerned with their own lives, but are advocates for others.

#8 - Good leaders know that God will see them through the storms and dangerous waters.

C. Practical Principles: The storms of life have a way of revealing character.

a) Selfish sailors – The sailors tried to deceptively and selfishly save themselves (Act 27:30).

b) Insensitive soldiers – The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners rather than spare them (Act 27:42).

c) Stalwart centurions – Julius followed orders and spared Paul and the other prisoners (Act 27:43-44).

d) Supportive servants (of God) – Paul believed God and served in spite of the storm. Paul offered both leadership and assistance when called for.

e) Sovereign Savior – Though the experience had to be lived out by Paul and his companions, the Lord was sovereignly carrying out not only what He had promised to Paul, but what He had decreed from the foundations of the world.

D. Christ is the believer’s anchor (Heb 6:19)

1. He will hold the believer when the believer needs to rest in Fair Havens.

2. He will slow the believer through reef-filled dangerous waters.

3. He will allow the believer to go full speed ahead in service for the Lord

4. He Himself was cast into the depths of death that the believer may be brought safely to heavenly land.

5. He Himself is the anchor for the believer’s soul (Heb 6:17-20). The believer can be more safe and secure in the character and promises of God than in anything in this life. In addition, Christ, the anchor securely holds in spite of the storms.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516