Atos 27
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 27
Wiersbe - Before leaving this exciting section of Acts, we should note some practical lessons that it teaches us. First of all, storms often come when we disobey the will of God. (Jonah is a good example of this truth.) However, it was not Paul who was at fault, but the centurion in charge of the ship. We sometimes suffer because of the unbelief of others. Second, storms have a way of revealing character. Some of the sailors selfishly tried to escape, others could only hope for the best; but Paul trusted God and obeyed His will. Third, even the worst storms cannot hide the face of God or hinder the purposes of God. Paul received the word of assurance that they needed, and God overruled so that His servant arrived safely in Rome. Finally, storms can give us opportunities to serve others and bear witness to Jesus Christ. Paul was the most valuable man on that ship! He knew how to pray, he had faith in God, and he was in touch with the Almighty. (Borrow online version of The Bible exposition commentary) PAUL’S SHIPWRECK, OR THE POWER OF FAITH ACTS 27:1–44 - by James Smith The taking of Paul the apostle to Italy was one of the most important and far-reaching undertakings ever attempted by the powerful Government of Rome. The coming of that lonely prisoner was the coming of the Ambassador of Heaven to establish a new and everlasting kingdom among the Gentile nations of the earth. It was the planting of that new tree, the leaves of which will ultimately heal the nations. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. We cannot go into detail here, but will seek some spiritual lessons from the outstanding features. We note— I. A PERILOUS POSITION.—“Exceedingly tossed with tempest … neither sun nor stars … and all hope taken away” (vv. 17–20). We can scarcely imagine a more agonising predicament. Such is a true picture of those who have been awakened by the Holy Spirit to a real sense of their guilt and danger as sinners in the sight of God. Tossed with fear and alarm, without seeing any guiding light, and all hope of salvation taken away. At that time ye were without Christ, having no hope (Eph. 2:12). II. A MERCIFUL REVELATION.—“The angel of God stood by me, saying, Fear not, Paul … God hath given thee all them that sail with thee” (vv. 23–24) The effectual, fervent prayer of this righteous man hath availed much (James 5:16). It was doubtless in answer to Paul’s earnest pleadings that this answer was given. What a victory of faith it was. Are we not reminded here of God’s answer to the cry of Christ’s heart, “I will give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance?” All who sail in the same boat with Jesus Christ will be eternally given to Him. III. A FAITHFUL PROCLAMATION.—“Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer, for I believe God” (vv. 22–25). It was a “glad and glorious Gospel” that Paul had to preach to those whose souls were sinking in despair It was, indeed, the Gospel of Salvation. “There shall be no loss of any man’s life.” It was a Gospel of certainty to Paul, for he adds, “I believe God that it shall be, even as it was told me.” Such is the Gospel of Christ to all who, like Paul, have received it as a revelation from God. Only those who believe the Word of God have any Gospel of certain salvation to preach. IV. A NECESSARY CONDITION.—“Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved” (v. 31). Paul warns the soldiers that if the sailors are allowed to desert the ship, they could not be saved (v. 30). There is no inconsistency between the sovereign grace of God and the responsibility of man in the use of prescribed means. The promise was that “all would be saved;” the condition was, “abiding” in the ship. The Gospel of Christ offers salvation to all, but the condition is, believe in Him and abide in Him. V. A COMPASSIONATE EXHORTATION.—“Wherefore, I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health” (v. 34). No shepherd could be more careful over his flock than Paul is over those 276 fellow-passengers. He seeks not only their salvation, but their health and comfort. But God’s order is salvation FIRST, then health, and better houses if you will. The Holy Ghost is the agent in every God-sent revival, and He never begins with the social conditions of men, always with their sinful, sorrowful spirits. But here note that eating, as well as abiding, is a condition of full salvation. “Thy Word was found, and I did eat it.” VI. A WONDERFUL TRANSFORMATION.—“Then were they all of good cheer” (v. 36). What a contrast between the experiences mentioned in verse 29, “all hope taken away,” and verse 36, “good cheer.” What has made the difference? The promise of salvation. After they had got the assurance that none of them would perish, they were able to eat with gladness of heart. It is so with all those who, by faith, receive the promise of God in Christ Jesus (Acts 16:31). Those who have had their feet taken out of the fearful pit of despair and planted upon the rock of God’s Word will have the “good cheer” song put in their mouth (Psalm 40:2–3). VII. A PERFECTED SALVATION.—“And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land” (v. 44). Not all in the same way; not all at the same time; but all enjoyed the fulfilment of the same promise of deliverance. If they had not been obedient and abode in the ship, they would not have got the “boards” and “broken pieces” to float them ashore. It is always safe to trust God and obey His will. “None perish that Him trust.” Christ shall lose none of those whom the Father hath given Him (John 6:39); in some way or other all shall come safely to the heavenly land. But how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation. From Paul’s action at this crisis we may learn the value and power of individual faith in God. Jon Courson on Storms - Just as the Lord promised, everyone on board survived the storm. Please note four types of storms that blow into our lives: Storms of correction. Ask brother Jonah about these. When a storm arose and he was tossed overboard and swallowed by a great fish, it was because he was rebelling against the Lord (Jonah 1:10). So, too, sometimes when I'm in a place of disobedience or rebellion, the Lord will allow a storm to get me on track again. Storms of perfection. After Jesus fed the five thousand, He sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14). Midway through their journey, a storm arose around them for their perfection. You see, Jesus knew it wouldn't be too many months before these same disciples would see another multitude of five thousand—not fed, but saved (Acts 4:4)—followed by another storm—not on the sea, but of persecution within the church (Acts 8:1). Thus, Jesus was training His boys to endure the storms of persecution that inevitably follow the seasons of blessing. Faith is not a pill we take, folks. It's a muscle we work. Therefore, the Lord will send me into a storm from time to time not for correction, but for perfection because the way I react to storms internally will tell me where I'm at spiritually. Storms provide unique opportunity for me to see where I'm at and to grow in my understanding that the Lord will come through at the right time, saying, "Be of good cheer. We're going to make it." Storms of protection. Because "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8), God sent a storm to drown out all of the carnality, sin, and iniquity that surrounded him. The storm raged for forty days and nights, but Noah and his family were not only protected in the storm—they were protected by the storm. "Oh no!" we cry. "My TV blew up," or, "My stereo doesn't work. What a storm I'm in." But, as in Noah's case, it might be a storm of protection—protecting us from the carnality and iniquity that surround us continually. Storms of direction. Knowing there was a group of people on the island of Malta in need of ministry, the Lord said, "Before you go to Rome, Paul, I'm going to allow you to be blown off course because there is something I want you to do for Me—something you never would have thought of on your own, something that wasn't part of your agenda. I have some people to whom I want to minister, so I'll allow a storm to arise, which, although it looks like it's blowing you off course, will put you in the very place I want to use you." "How come I got canned?" "Why did she dump me?" "How come it's not working out?" you ask. Don't be blown away. Realize that the Lord is changing your direction because there's something He wants to do that will ultimately be a blessing. Storms of correction and perfection, storms of protection and direction—how can you know which one you might be in? Talk to the Father. "Why am I in this storm, Lord? Is it correction—or are You perfecting me for what You see is coming my way? Is there a new direction for my life—or are You protecting me from something that would be very damaging?" How long has it been since you got away to spend time with the Lord? Clear your schedule, seek Him, and you'll be blown away by His goodness rather than by the storm. (See Jon Courson's Application Commentary)
Atos 27
Wiersbe wrote, “Sometimes we get ourselves into storms for the same reasons: impatience, accepting expert advice that is contrary to God’s will, following the majority, and trusting ‘ideal’ conditions... It pays to listen to God’s Word.” (BEC) Steven