Acts 28:1-16

I have a challenge before me this Sunday: preaching Acts 28:1-16. Have you ever heard a sermon on this text? I haven't it. Thinking through how to do application with this passage is difficult.

Comments

[Iain MacPherson]

Nope, never heard one! Is providence/sovereignty a theme? God working in circumstances that to worldly eyes seem rotten and void of blessing, but with kingdom eyes there is a higher purpose to the circumstance Paul finds himself in. Also, God's justice and his administration of justice? Again there is the world v. kingdom here. I checked out Matthew Henry to test these themes, maybe you already did? My Pastor recently preached on Providence from Isaiah, check it out for his application:
http://www.gerrardstreet.com/mp3s/Isaiah/22_Chapter45.mp3

These are just my little thoughts, but have enjoyed thinking about it. Bless you as you prepare for preaching, I look forward to hearing my first on Acts 28:1-16

-Iain

[Alan]

Stuart Olyott at www.knowyourbiblerecordings.org

The other guys I like to listen to have nothing.

I preached two messages - one on how we understand God's providence (from Malta and the snake etc.) and the other on how to finish well (from what we are told of Paul at the end of Acts.)

[Josh Montague]

Those dudes in Kentucky obviously got it right when they handle those rattlers! Just follow the text.

There's some great stuff about encouragement and corporate mission in v. 15.

Keep us posted on what you did.

[Bro Peter]

That is a great couple verses though, I am new to your blog I really liked your list of top 7 books to read for preachers. I have been preaching for almost a year and am trying to stay with the PREACHING biblically there are so many who just fill peoples head with false hope that when they here real biblical sermons they trun it away.

But there seems to be alot in that passage I pray that god leads you to Preach so that someone will be helped.

I saw something right away notice the enmy tried to attack when they were just hanging out, but Paul was still ready, we need to be ready at all times, and he was around people, this tells me where ever we are Satan will still try to attack and just imagine if Satan would have won Paul would have been called a hypocryte (Im not a good speller) see people need to see in our actions that we are real.

Sorry that went long but I just love preaching and the Scripture I pray many blessings on your life.

Father touch this Brother in the name of your son Jesus, father open up his mind and create a clear picture to him of what was really going on in the text father lead him to preach so someone might change in a mighty way, IN your son Jesus name I pray AMEN.

God Bless YA Bro

[Daniel Loggans]

You might want to take a look at what they have at www.ccel.org - especially Calvin's commentary on this passage; this site also has links to several online commentaries http://preceptaustin.org/acts_commentaries.htm; and then I found out that MacArthur spoke on this passage (big surprise) and the outline is here http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1801.htm
Hope that helps!
I'll be praying that God will open your eyes and the eyes of those you serve to see wonderful truths from His Word.

Dan

[the rabbi]

Justin,

I'm sure there's a lot you could focus on here. I'd suggest:

"Everyone's Got An Opinion...And They Usually Stink"

In vv.1-6 the people, though showing extreme hospitality, have a misconception about Paul on 2 extremes: first he's a murderer and then they think he's a god.

In vv. 7-10 Paul again is showed hospitality, but after healing the man, the people seek healing and show more hospitality.

In vv. 11-16 Paul is shown hospitality by the brothers.

I think there is a theme of "gods" or how people perceive us as being better than we are. In vv. 1-6 they think Paul is a god. In vv. 7-10 the people's view must be high of Paul after he heals people. In v.11 they set sail and Luke specifically mentions the ship with the twin Gods on it.

But it isn't until Paul gets with the "brothers" {mentioned twice- v. 14 and 15} that we really catch a glimpse of Paul's true identity, which can only be correctly diagnosed in the midst of the church community:

1} Paul takes courage after seeing the brothers and praying to the Lord. He was no superman. He needed community and God.

2} Paul is left with a soldier as a slave. Paul's true identity is that of being a slave of Jesus for the gospel.

Everyone had an opinion of Paul, but His true identity was wrapped up in community with the brothers and with the Cross.

Everyone has opinions of us-whether we do great ministry, preach greatly, or people at work think things of us. But our true identity is found with our brothers and sisters in Christ and being a slave of Jesus Christ for the gospel's sake.

Everybody's got an opinion of us...and they usually stink.

Is your opinion of yourself that you are a member of the body of Christ serving as His slave?

Hope this helps...

[Justin Buzzard]

Thanks for the thoughts fellas.

Josh, great to see that you've got a blog now.

[Josh Montague]

All the cool kids have one, Justin. Preach on, man.

[joel]

Something that this passage highlights is the world-view of karma:

- Paul is treated well by the natives.
- Paul is bitten by the snake
- Natives say "Oh well, his deeds finally caught up with him"
- Paul is unharmed
- Natives think "Paul must be better than us"

Jesus destroys the slippery slope of 'you get what you deserve' by taking everyone's deserved justice upon himself. We can now receieve grace and mercy.

Grace is then practically displayed through Paul healing the people of Malta.

Praying for ya mate,
Joel

[Justin Buzzard]

Joel, good thoughts. Way to spot that. I actually spent the largest chunk of my sermon dealing with this religion/karma vs. the gospel aspect of the text.

[Joel]

Sweet. Looks like we're both influenced by Keller's expository style... Hehe!

[Dana Ferri]

Good job today! The 57-1 principle should be mentioned again...inspiring!

[Jeff Patterson]

Justin,
Jotted down some notes and then I now see you have plenty of feedback. I'm interested as what the "57-1 principle" is!?

---
I could see going one of two directions, focusing either on vv. 1-10 or 11-16.

In the first part note how the great Apostle refuses to take credit (homage; cf. Acts 14) for miracles done through his hands. Great godly leaders are those who point past themselves to the Great God of the Gospel of Grace.

Or perhaps a note on Paul's unrelenting desire to get to Rome (where he arrives in v. 14), and note the silence as to any fear of being there. He knew who he was and was prepared to testify to the Gospel (which by the way is exactly what the snake bite and healings on Malta had done too). There are some statements in Acts covering the movement there:
19:21 - "I must also see Rome"
23:11 - Jesus words of encouragement: "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome." (a key passage!)
25:12 - In Caesarea Festus concludes: "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go."
28:14 - And so we came to Rome.