The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Shipwreck

  • Lesson 13: Paul Shipwrecked: Acts 27 – 28

    Key Verse

    But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

    —Philippians 1:12

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Paul wrote these words in a letter to the church at Philippi. It is possible that Paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter. He understood why he had been arrested, stood before rulers and kings, and even been held as a prisoner in Rome. He had been given opportunities to present the Gospel message of Jesus. While he was kept guard by a centurion, he was able to witness to him. With his time, he was able to write letters back to the churches, teaching them the things of God. In this lesson, we will learn that even while he was a prisoner, being transported, he was able to be a witness to people he never would have seen (i.e.: the people on the island where they were shipwrecked, and even the prisoners on the ship – both of which we will learn of today).

    Emphasis: Christians are to be content with the place God has placed us, recognizing an opportunity to further the Gospel message – just as Paul did even while he was a prisoner.

    Lesson Summary: After being heard by Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa, it was declared that Paul had done nothing worthy of death. However, no one would release him from prison. We understand that Paul had been held in prison well over two years. Because Paul had requested a hearing before Caesar, he was to be shipped to Rome.

    Paul was sent on a ship headed toward Rome. In this lesson, we will learn who else was with him on this journey, and the troubles that were encountered. When a storm arose, all aboard the ship were afraid – but God sent an angel to tell Paul that all would live, if they listened to the words of Paul. When the ship broke apart, all were saved because they obeyed the words of Paul.

    Once they made it to the island after the ship wrecked, the islanders greeted them hospitably. Nevertheless, when they saw Paul bitten by a viper, they assumed he would die because he was a prisoner. But Paul lived, and was able to heal many sick on the island.

    They resumed their journey, finally making it to Rome. Paul was kept imprisoned alone with a soldier. However, after three days, he called the chief Jews in Rome to meet with him. When they came, Paul told them the truth about Jesus, bringing them to the point of decision. We will learn if any of them believed in Jesus.

    Paul was kept in Rome for another two years. However, during those years, he was able to write many letters to the newly established churches.

    Y3Q2 – Lesson 13 Questions

    Y3Q2 – Lesson 13 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson.

    We decorated a foam ship and added this lesson’s key verse to remember Paul’s focus to preach the Gospel Message no matter what happened to him.

    The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Two available through Amazon.

  • Believe God

    “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”

    Acts 27:25

    Is it easy to determine God’s will for one’s life? What if you know what God has planned for you, but you find circumstances seem to be averting that plan? Is it possible to remain confident in God and His Word? There are many great examples in the Bible (see Romans 15:4). The following is one in Paul’s life.

    Paul had wanted to go to Rome for many years, but God had not yet opened a door. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, the Lord encouraged Paul. “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said,Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Paul was sent from Jerusalem to Caesarea. He was kept in prison in Caesarea for two years when the rulers finally set a time to send him to Rome to stand before Caesar. Paul would finally get to preach the Gospel Message in Rome. Paul may not be traveling to Rome they way he planned, but he believed the Lord’s Words. Paul now understood that he would go to Rome as a prisoner.

    Paul’s life was out of his hands. He was put on a ship in the custody of a Roman centurion, Julius (see Acts 27:1). Along with many other prisoners, Luke and Aristarchus, Paul’s friends, were on the ship. At their first stop, the centurion was kind to Paul and allowed him to go ashore, meet friends, and to refresh himself. When they sailed again, the voyage became difficult because the winds were contrary (means “they were antagonistic, or against them” see Acts 27:4). At the next place they stopped, the centurion found a ship of Alexandria that was sailing to Italy and put Paul and the other prisoners on that ship. They sailed many days, making little progress, until they reached The Fair Havens. “9. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10. And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives” (Acts 27:9-10). It was now late in the year (the fast was around late September or early October – too late in the year to be sailing).

    The trip was taking longer than planned. It was now too late to safely continue a journey, for winter weather was approaching. Sailors understood that it would be dangerous. The Fair Havens was not the greatest place to “winter” for the year because of the exposure to winter storms.

    The master and owner of the ship wanted to continue (see Acts 27:11). The Fair Havens was not a good place to winter, and Phenice was better (see Acts 27:12). Because Paul had experience shipwrecks before (see 2 Corinthians 11:25), he understood the potential danger. Paul had warned them rightly.

    The centurion had a decision to make.

    “And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete” (Acts 27:13). Supposing means “to think, imagine, consider, appear. Expresses the subjective mental estimate or opinion which men form about a matter. Such recognition may be correct, or (as in this case) incorrect, involving error (i.e. Acts 27:13).” The majority agreed to continue with the journey, and the deciding factor was the south wind that blew softly.

    However, Paul had been right. “14. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive” (Acts 27:14-15). The storm came.

    All were in a storm because:

    • they were impatient (see Acts 27:9);
    • they trusted themselves (see Acts 27:13);
    • they rejected counsel from God’s man, Paul (see Acts 27:10-11).

    They had to let the ship drift (see Acts 27:16-17). All they could do was try to weather the storm safely (see Acts 27:18-19). “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away” (Acts 27:20).

    Consider what Paul may have been feeling and thinking. He recognized the situation – it was dangerous. However, Paul had a hope that the others did not have. Remember, the Lord told Paul that he would “bear witness also at Rome.” Paul had the Word of the Lord to encourage and comfort him in this terrible storm of life. God encouraged Paul again. Paul then encouraged the others. “23. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24. Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:23-25). All would live. If they followed the Word of the Lord given to Paul. If you remember the rest of the story, because the men adhered to Paul’s word (from God), all lived (see Acts 27:44).

    What made the difference for Paul, who knew God’s plan? “… for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:25). He believed God.

    Do you believe God and remain confident in His Word when the storms of life come?

  • Exercise

    “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
    1 Timothy 4:8

    Paul wrote a letter to Timothy helping him understand better the Christian life. Not only was he to know the truth’s of God’s Word, but he was to live them out in his life. His life was to be an example for anyone whom he met of a Christ-like life. It would not always be easy, but Timothy was to remain faithful.

    Paul wanted Timothy to understand these things – for he was in a warfare. “18. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). Warfare means “military service; dangers; trials; a warfare; hardships.” Paul wanted Timothy to understand that it would not be easy, but that it would take much work – as a soldier in a battle having to deal with trials, hardships, and dangers.

    • Faith means “good faith; faithfulness; sincerity.” 
    • Conscience means “the testimony of the Spirit in man’s heart concerning his obligation to God; i.e.: good conscience means ‘conscious of integrity.’” 
    • Put away means “to thrust away from oneself; repel; reject; cast off.”

    Paul drew attention to the fact that “some” had not warred a good warfare but had put away the faith – not remaining faithful or sincere. Timothy had to be sure that not only was he to be careful in his teachings (making sure he was true to God’s Word), but that he was to never forsake the truths of God’s Word (as some obviously had), living a contrary lifestyle. When one declares that he is a Christian, telling others about Jesus becoming a vocal witness, and then turns and rejects the truths of God’s Word living a life contrary to what it teaches, then they have “made shipwreck.” For it would have been better if they had never declared they were a Christian. It does much damage to the body of Christ.

    To live a right Christian life is a warfare – a daily battle that must be won.

    Part of living a right Christian life is to know what the Bible teaches. More importantly, a Christian is to be able to defend the truths of God’s Word. Paul warned that there would be those who would depart from the faith. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). Here we find a warning that in the “latter times” some would “depart from the faith.” Depart means “of ones who stood away from God, never having belonged to Him; they stood away from believing; those who refuse to believe, who stand aloof, alone.” Instead of believing in Jesus and the truths of God’s Word, they will choose to believe in false teaching. These false teachings are to be refused. But more than that, right things (good doctrine) are to be taught. “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6). Christians are to constantly know and remember the truths of God’s Word so that when false teaching is heard; “thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ.” For that Christian will recognize and reject the false teaching. 

    What Christians are to do in preparation? “7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

    • Exercise means “to train in godliness.” 
    • Godliness means “… reverence and love of God’s character and the exercise of these affections in obedience to His will and devotion to His service is the principal and foundational part. When applied to the Christian life, it symbolizes a life that is acceptable to Christ. This involves both the attitude of the believer toward Christ who saved him and a manner of life. “Exercise thyself rather to godliness” does not come automatically, but is something into which one must put forth much effort. It is contrasted to physical exercise for it has a far greater and wider usefulness while physical exercise has limited usefulness.”

    Paul wrote what must be done to accomplish this. “12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:12-13). Paul encouraged Timothy to continue – and not to let anyone undermine the work God had for him – even when people said he was too young to do the work God had for him. Anyone can live for and serve God – no matter what the age. Timothy was not only to tell others about Jesus, teaching the truths of God’s Word, he must live them as well. That goes for every Christian. Remember that each Christian is to live a life so that any who see them will recognize Jesus. Christians who are faithful to the truths of God’s Word, especially in lifestyle, are imperative.

    Do you exercise yourself unto godliness, living out the truths of God’s Word?