Podcast Introduction

This is Gospels Saturday. We’ll complete the book of Acts with the reading of Acts 27-28. I’m calling today’s show “The Storm."

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Comments on Acts 27-28

Thoughts on Acts 27

When we last left Paul, he was on trial before Festus and Agrippa, when he appealed to Caesar. So now, he is being shipped off to Rome, the capital of the empire, where Caesar was located. 

What I want to look at in today's chapter is how Paul encouraged the men onboard the ship when it looked like all was lost. Paul had already told them that he belonged to God and that he served God, and that an angel had told him that all on board would be spared.

Now, I can imagine the reaction he must have gotten from the sailors and other prisoners on the ship. I think there would have been a lot of scoffing, don't you? 

But at the height of the storm, two weeks into it, Paul encourages the men to eat in order to live. And he reminded them that they would not come to harm in the storm. But words are cheap. So, in their sight, he took some bread, gave thanks to God and ate. And they were all filled with hope.

Sometimes, God puts us in situations where we can bring hope and make a difference. Without hope, the will to carry on or even the will to live can be extinguished. I know in my own life there have been times where it seemed that all was lost, and then God would bring someone to encourage me with a word from the Lord, and I knew I could make it another day. 

We need to be willing to be the one to bring hope to a dark situation. It really can save a life and even bring someone to the throne of God.

Thoughts on Acts 28 

Let’s take a quick look at the end of the the last chapter of Acts. What Paul quoted to the Jewish leaders should have sounded familiar to you if you've been with me since the beginning of our year together. He quoted from the book of Isaiah 6:9-10.

When God gave that message to Isaiah, it was a message to the Jewish people. It was one of the times that God had had enough of their rejection of Him. 

And now, Paul is quoting these verses to the Jewish leaders in Rome because the Lord wants them to know that the message of the Gospel which has been presented to them, and which they rejected, will be taken to the Gentiles, where it will be embraced and accepted.

You see, God is patient, but there is a point at which He draws the line. 

Beloved, I believe we are getting very close to the time when God says, “Enough. You have rejected my Son long enough. I have offered you forgiveness through His shed blood, and you have chosen your own way. You refuse to listen to my Holy Spirit as He tries to speak to you, and your ears will not hear and your eyes will not see. Your hearts are hardened. Therefore you cannot turn to me and let me heal you.”

This message in Isaiah was because of the Jew’s rejection of God. Today, much of mankind has rejected Christ. It is man’s pride and wanting to be his own master.

As our nation and our world falls deeper and deeper into sin and farther and farther away from God, we are seeing more and more outrageous behaviors being accepted by the culture. It’s no wonder, because without God, man is unable to govern himself.

Now is the time for each of us…you and me and every believing person on the planet…to get on our knees and pray. Pray for God’s hand in the affairs of the world. Pray that people would open their eyes. Pray for your unsaved family and friends. Time may be short, beloved. Don’t sit idly by and let them be left behind. Be bold. Don’t be cowed by those who will not hear. You have the message of life. Don’t be afraid to share it with those dying around you.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 27 NIRV; Ch. 28 CEV

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