From Acts to Revelation Part 77 – Melita

From Acts to Revelation

Part 77  – Melita

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Remember, Luke is recording he and Paul's travels.

Last week, we spoke about Paul's trip on a ship towards Rome, and how they were caught in a hurricane. This lasted for nearly two weeks. Paul addressed the Captain of the ship, reminding him that he had warned them not to travel, and they did not listen.

Paul them explained to them that an angel had revealed to Paul that God was going to spare all those with Paul on the ship, but they would shipwreck on a small island.

They believed Paul now, and Paul told them they should eat, and when he broke bread, he thanked God in front of them all.

The ship then ran aground, and the soldiers were going to kill all the prisoners in fear of them escaping. However, the Centurion who was in charge of Paul said no, because he didn't want Paul to be killed.

They all escaped to shore, and not one man died, just as the Angel had revealed to Paul.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Acts 28:1-15

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 

In today's scripture we will see;

1.      Satan does not give up easily

2.      However, God continues with His plan and purpose

3.      and although Satan continues to try and stop God's plan from moving forward, he is actually powerless against obedience to God's will

I.       SATAN STRIKES PAUL AGAIN

a.      Ruler of the air

i.       Ephesians 2:2 tells us that Satan heads up the system of this world.

ii.    Why is there evil in the world? Satan heads it up

iii. Why is there sin? Satan sells it, and we buy it

iv.   Why are bad things happening around the world at this very moment? Because sin is in this world, and its organized leader is Satan.

b.     tried to kill Paul at sea (and other places)

i.       Satan, tries to use everything he has at his disposal to kill Paul, and stop the message of the cross, salvation and forgiveness.

c.      tries to kill Paul with a snake

i.       Satan does not give up, because he wants to put stop to the Word of God

ii.    If one attack does not work, he comes up with plan b, then c, and so on!

a.      James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

b.     Ephesians 6:12-13 ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then,

d.     Satan does not give up easily

i.       Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

ii.    Three times Satan attacked Jesus, WITH SCRIPTURE, and Jesus stood firm against him with scripture.

a.      The difference between the quoting of scripture, Satan misapplied the Truth, although he quoted it correctly...and Jesus applied the Truth properly, which, when scripture is measured with scripture, the TRUTH will always be apparent.

b.     Is it important for you to know the Word of God?

1.      Only if you want to be able to thwart Satan's attacks in your life.

2.      Ephesians 6 tells us that the Word of God is Truth, and our sword...how can you fight without your sword?

II.   GOD CONTINUES TO HEAL

a.      Paul heals the father of Publius

i.       God continues to show His power and authority to all

b.     Others come for healing

c.      The islanders bring many items and goods to the 276 men

d.     They stay for 3 months, waiting for the season to change

III.  PAULS JOURNEY CONTINUES

a.      Syracuse, then Rhegium, then Puteoli

b.     They found brothers there and stayed seven days

i.       the Centurion was allowing Paul liberties

ii.    including preaching

c.      Word spread of Paul's arrival

d.     He continued to meet believers, and preach and encourage them on the way to Rome

CONCLUSION

1.      Satan does not give up easily...why should you?

1.      The Word of God promises, if we hold our ground, Satan WILL flee.

2.      God continues with His plan and purpose...regardless of Satan.

1.      If you do what you are supposed to be doing for the Lord, God's will in your life will move forward, no matter how many times Satan attacks you.

3.      Satan might try and stop God's plan from moving forward, however, he is actually powerless against obedience to God's will and Word.

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