From Ben Fronczek... Acts 27 Paul’s Encouragement

Acts 27 Paul’s Encouragement

Acts 27  Paul’s Encouragement

Question? Have you ever been to the point where you actually feared for your life; when in a situation, you thought that you may actually die? Maybe some of you have. Maybe when you were in a really bad car accident, or maybe when at one time you got really, really sick. Maybe on one of those occasions you thought, ‘This is it, I may die here!’ I have to admit, even though I’ve had a few accidents and have gotten pretty sick a number of times, I have never got to that point where I thought that my life might be over. Like a lot of you, I’ve experienced heart shaking, traumatic events that shook me to the core: Like when our first son died a week or so before he entered the world; or when my dad died unexpectedly at the age of 67.  Those events really got me shook up. Most of us probably have had one or more of those bad experiences that shake us up and bring us to our knees.  On those occasions we didn’t need any prophets of doom and gloom complaining around us, rather we need to be comforted. And after it’s all said and done, and those situations or events have passed by, and most of the hurt is gone, eventually, you can talk to others about your experience.  Somehow God can use our experience to help others when they are in distress. As one studies the life of Apostle Paul, you read that this man had his share of life shaking, traumatic events. I’m sure that more than once he thought that his life was over.  (see: 2 Corinthians. 11:22-27) But as a result of those experiences, rather than becoming a bitter old man, we read that he learned to encourage others and taught others to do the same. Concerning this matter he wrote something very profound to those in the Corinthian church;  

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. “ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”

Paul was a guy who not only experience some traumatic events in his life, he probably thought he was at the brink of death on some of those occasions. (Like when he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19)) And in those situations where did Paul find comfort? We read that the Lord comforted him over and over. He found that the Lord’s comfort not only helped him personally, he learned that the comfort that he personally  received also blessed and comforted others. As we continue on in our study of the book of Acts, we will see an example of how Paul was not only comforted in a difficult and trying situation, we’ll also see how it comforted others as well.

A little background before we read our text in Acts 27: In previous chapters we read that when Paul went to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem he was arrested by the Romans after a riot began to develop. Some Jews from Asia stirred a crowd after making some false accusations about him. The Jews wanted to kill him but after a trial before Governor Festus, rather that going back to Jerusalem to stand trial before the Jews, as a Roman citizen Paul claimed his right to make his appeal before Caesar. Henceforth, Festus send Paul to Rome.  Having been sent to Italy by way of sea, in Chapter 27 we read that things started out all right, but then the weather started going downhill quickly. And this is where our story picks up today:

Read: Acts 27:13-44 (Click on link to read)

Here we see that Paul does not seem too upset about the dire situation they were in. Believe me when I say, that their ships were nowhere are as sea worthy as ships are today. The prospect of that boat sinking was very likely; yet Paul seemed quite calm. I think that there are a couple of reasons for this peaceful state of mind:

#1. Probably in Paul’s mind he had been through far worst situations

#2. We read that an angel of the Lord appeared to him and lets him know that everything was going to be OK, because the Lord wanted him to go Rome.

So what does Paul do? He in turn encourages and comforts those on the ship with him with the comfort that he himself received from the Lord.

So as we read back in 2 Corinthians 1, Paul lets us know that there are two things that can happen when we encounter those life shaking events:

#1. As a believer, you can find comfort in God. And that comfort and peace of mind comes when we learn to trust Him. It doesn’t  matter how bad the situations is. God is in control and probably has a plan in mind for you and your life. And that can be reassuring to a believer.

#2. The 2^nd thing Paul lets us know in 2 Cor. is that you can be a blessing to others by comforting them with the comfort that you yourself have received from the Lord.

People who are upset will feel better if they see your confidence, your assurance, and your trust in the Lord. Never underestimate that power that flows in you and through you to them.

Those men on that boat were afraid. The storm was so bad they hadn’t even eaten in 14 day (vs 33) because of the dire situation they were in. And because of Paul’s confidence and strength, and prayer, it said that they were all encourages and had something to eat.

William Arthur Ward once said:
 “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”

In this day and age people are hungry for encouragement.
We need to understand that Christian encouragement is a profound thing: I love 

 Philippians 2:1-4  which says, ^“ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In the book of Hebrews it talks about us making encouragement a daily habit: 

In Heb 3:12-13 the author writes:  ^“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

And in Heb. Chapter 10:23-25 he writes, ^“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Encouragement will produce results. Don’t under estimate it’s power.

In closing, let me close by sharing two illustrations with you:

- Marion Gilbert wrote this in Reader’s Digest, February, 1994,

‘One morning I opened the door to get the newspaper and was surprised to see a strange little dog with our paper in his mouth. Delighted with this unexpected “delivery service,” I fed him some treats. The following morning I was horrified to see the same dog sitting in front of our door, wagging his tail, surrounded by eight newspapers. I spent the rest of that morning returning the papers to their owners.’

 - An elderly widow, restricted in her activities, was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that she could bring blessing to others by playing the piano. The next day sheplaced this small ad in the Oakland Tribune: “Pianist will play hymns by phone daily for those who are sick and despondent–the service is free.” The notice included the number to dial. When people called, she would ask, “What hymn would you like to hear?” Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was able to help and encourage them. (Unknown)

You may have had to suffer some bad times in the past, and you may not have liked it very much. But if you let Him, God can use you and your experiences to comfort and encourage another. Your most trying and difficult circumstance in life may have prepared you to give comfort and encouragement to scores of people who may come your way. My challenge this week is for you choose to be an encourager in a time of so much doom and gloom.  Pray about being a source of comfort and encouragement to others. And as you talk with others, do so with love, and let them know where your strength and comes from as Paul did on that ship so long ago.

From Jim McGuiggan... GOD AND WRATH

GOD AND WRATH

“Anger” is a response and not a constituent element of a person. Anger isn’t built into us as if it exists in some compartment waiting to express itself; it isn’t there every nanosecond of our existence. We may be cheerful one moment and angry the next; we may be angry for days or weeks but it is a response to some situation that doesn’t sit right with us.

Associated with anger are terms like displeasure, protest, rebuke—the kind of activities that are sometimes called “negative”. We don’t go around all the time displeased, protesting and rebuking because anger doesn’t exist where there is nothing to trigger it. Sometimes people are angry and we don’t know why (sometimes they don’t know why) but because we don’t know why doesn’t mean there isn’t a reason.

If A is angry we don’t expect her anger to result in sweet talk and gentleness though she may control her anger and speak amiably but then it isn’t her anger that is producing the friendly speech—it is something else. Because anger includes the notion of displeasure we don’t expect it to be associated with a pleasing response but when the situation is resolved the anger that exists because of the troubling situation disappears/dissipates.

Without entering into a linguistic debate we have reason to believe that God responds in what we call “anger” (an older word would be “wrath”). The human family has behaved and can behave in a way that displeases God and leads him to express himself in protest, rebuke and chastisement. His anger is not like ours in any of the tragic ways our can show itself. Our angry response can be vindictive, vengeful, over-the-top or something like that. That’s not because anger is a bad thing but because we are sinful people and we can abuse even things that are not bad. God’s anger is always warranted, is not spiteful or vengeful and always has an overarching redemptive purpose. [He deals with individuals, of course, but even when dealing with individuals he is working within his intention and purposes related to the human family as a family.]

We’re not to think of God as restless and ceaselessly foaming at the mouth, eager to blast the transgressors into oblivion; the kind that has to be bribed into a good mood or a kind attitude—Jesus has brought a final and glorious end to such thinking as he confirmed the OT witness to God’s commitment to humanity’s blessing in a new creation.

Rabbi Heschel has taught us that God’s wrath exists in order to destroy what generated the wrath to begin with. It isn’t a divine sulk or supernatural spite that lashes out at those who displease him. It is God working to uproot the trees of wickedness we plant within us or around us; uprooting them even when it brings us pain. It is God putting us to grief for our own individual sake and/or the sake of the family as a whole. Walter Moberly has taught us, the wrath may be experienced as mere retribution but it isn’t intended as mere retribution it has a redemptive purpose that is never to be severed from the welfare of the family as a family. [A disruptive child, refusing pleas and reasoning, may be sent to his room and experience it merely as punishment but he is being excluded 1) for the benefit of the other children and 2) in hope that he will experience a change of mind and cease his disruptive ways.]

It’s probably a mistake to speak of human repentance or Jesus’ saving life and death as “satisfying” the wrath of God because that suggests “wrath” has some kind of standard that must be met; it gives it a kind of autonomous existence—something that exists alongside God that must be placated. Wrath doesn’t exist apart from God! Wrath is God responding; God’s anger is God being angry. If we’re to satisfy anything we’re to satisfy God who is such a being that he has the capacity for anger at unrighteousness and has the capacity for seeking the redemption of the transgressors and not just their punishment.

Transgression is not external to the transgressor. Sin is a sinner expressing him/herself and when God deals with sin in an individual he must deal with the individual because sin is nothing other than the sinner in action—sins and sinners can and must be differentiated but when sins are being dealt with they must be dealt with “in” the sinner. [I recognize that “sin” is a much more complex reality than I’m sketching here but it’s nevertheless true that a surgeon who deals with a patient’s tumour doesn’t operate on the bench the patient lies on. Whatever else God does in working with a person’s sin he must work with the sinning person.]

God’s wrath is our assurance that oppression, abuse and immorality in all their forms are contrary to his character and will. The people who cannot be angered by anything are not more saintly because that’s true—they have something missing in them that should frighten and/or repulse us.

A person who would be perpetually wrath-filled would be a nightmare. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is well illustrated by Jesus himself when sometimes we see him anger-filled and at other times we find him filled with joy and pleasure. The balance is there in perfection.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Work Out Your Own Salvation (Philippians 2:12-18)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                  Work Out Your Own Salvation (2:12-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. One of the things that interests me about Paul's writings is that he
   is intensely practical

2. He always relates...
   a. Doctrine and duty
   b. Creed and character
   c. Faith and life
   ...to him, these are inseparable!

3. So it is now, that having described the example of Christ, he bases
   upon that example his exhortation to earnest endeavor towards
   spiritual progress (Php 2:12-18)

4. In this passage, Paul exhorts Christians to "Work Out Your Own
   Salvation"; in this lesson, there are several observations I would
   like to make concerning what this involves

[First, consider that as you "Work Out Your Own Salvation" that...]

I. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF OBEDIENCE (12a)

   A. THAT DONE ONLY IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS...
      1. This is a very common form of obedience
         a. Done only when others are around
         b. Because we fear what others might think if we don't behave a
            certain way
      2. Yet Paul did not want the Philippians' obedience to be of this
         sort
         a. For then it would only be what he calls elsewhere
            "eye-service" - cf. Col 3:22
         b. Their faith would then be an "environmental faith" (a faith
            which is active only if the environment is conducive to it)

   B. THAT DONE IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHERS...
      1. This is the proper form of obedience
         a. Done to please God, conscience, and no one else!
         b. This type of obedience remains faithful no matter what
            others do or think
      2. It is this type of obedience...
         a. That Paul hoped for in the lives of his beloved friends
         b. That we should render in our service to the Lord and His
            cause

[Secondly, we should also bear in mind that as you "Work Out Your Own
Salvation"...]

II. IT INVOLVES THE WORKING OF BOTH MAN AND GOD (12b-13)

   A. MAN HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN HIS SALVATION...
      1. He must "work out" his salvation
         a. As Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:40
         b. And also wrote later to Christians - 2Pe 1:10
         -- Therefore man is not totally passive (or helpless) when it
            comes to his salvation!
      2. He must also have "fear and trembling" in working out his
         salvation
         a. There is a place for the right kind of fear in the life of a
            Christian
            1) The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of knowledge
               - Pr 1:7
            2) The "fear of the Lord" will cause one to hate evil
               - Pr 8:13
            3) The "fear of the Lord" will prolong life - Pr 10:27
            4) The "fear of the Lord" provides strong confidence and is
               a fountain of life - Pr 14:26-27
            5) The "fear of the Lord" prompts one to depart from evil
               - Pr 16:6
            6) The "fear of the Lord" leads to a satisfying life, and
               spares one from much evil - Pr 19:23
            7) The "fear of the Lord" is the way to riches, honor, and
               life! - Pr 22:4
         b. Prompted by the "fear of the Lord" to hate evil, depart from
            it, and turn to God where they will find wisdom, life and
            honor, they will also come to find that love which dispels
            any improper kind of "fear" - cf. 1Jn 4:17-18
         c. But many never experienced such love from God because they
            have not had the "fear and trembling" in the first place!

   B. BUT GOD IS ALSO VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN OUR SALVATION!
      1. Notice that Paul writes "for it is God who works in you"
         a. We are not alone in our efforts to serve God
         b. God is always there to help us along
      2. In what way does God "work" in us?  Paul identifies two ways:
         a. "to will" - God helps us in our desire and motivation to do
            His will
         b. "to do" - He works right along together with us!
      3. This does not deny that man is a free moral agent...
         a. Paul has already said to "work out your own salvation"
         b. But when we offer ourselves in service to God, He becomes
            our partner, our "co-pilot" - cf. He 13:20-21
            1) At our conversion, He begins a new work in us, and
               intends to complete it - cf. Php 1:6
            2) Through His indwelling Spirit and Son, He gives us
               whatever strength we need - Ep 3:16; Php 4:13
            3) So that, whatever we may become in the Lord, it is by His
               grace! - 1Co 15:10
         c. Unfortunately, many Christians hinder God's work in them by
            their lukewarm attitude (or is it their lack of faith in
            God?)!
         d. God can work (and is willing!), but only if we let Him!
      4. Knowing that God is at work IN us, this ought to provide
         further motivation to work OUT our salvation!

[As we read on, we learn that one is to "Work Out Your Own Salvation"...]

III. DOING SO WITHOUT MURMURING AND DISPUTING (14)

   A. MURMURING WAS THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL...
      1. Notice 1Co 10:10-12
      2. This can also be a problem among many Christians today whenever
         they face hardships
      3. But we are told that God is ever ready to help us (1Co 10:13),

and that He is in us both to "will" and to "work"
         (Php 2:13), so why complain?
      4. Rather, rejoice for the opportunity such "tribulations" give us
         to develop spiritually! - Ro 5:3-5; Jm 1:2-4

   B. DISPUTING OFTEN FOLLOWS MURMURING...
      1. Those who murmur are likely to be the same ones who begin
         disputing with others
      2. All it accomplishes is ill will, and in many cases, unnecessary
         division
      3. Shall we dare destroy the unity for which Christ died on the
         cross to attain?

[We need to heed Paul's exhortation to "Work Out Your Own Salvation"...]

IV. SO YOU CAN SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (15-16)

   A. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE CHILDREN OF GOD WITHOUT FAULT...
      1. Which is possible only if we "become blameless and harmless"
      2. Which requires doing all things "without murmuring and
         disputing"
      3. Which can only happen if we allow God to "work in" us as we
         "work out" our own salvation; in other words...
         a. Allow God go forgive us in obedience to the gospel
         b. Allow God to strengthen us through His Word and prayer
         c. Allow God to change us in conformity to His Will

   B. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE "IN THE MIDST" OF CROOKED AND
      PERVERSE GENERATION...
      1. Lights are valuable only if they are used to dispel darkness
         - cf. Mt 5:14-15
      2. Though we are to "be separate" from the world (2Co 6:14-18),
         we must "not isolate" ourselves from it - cf. Jn 17:15,18;
         1Co 5:9-11
      3. We must associate with those in the world in order to be a
         positive influence

   C. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST "HOLD FAST" THE WORD OF LIFE...
      1. Some translations read "hold forth"
      2. Certainly we should do both...
         a. "hold fast" the Word of life (by our study and obedience to
            it) - 2Ti 2:15
         b. "hold forth" the Word of life (by offering it to those in
            the world) - Mk 16:15
      3. In both ways, we are to be like "The Statue Of Liberty"
         a. Showing the way
         b. Offering hope to those in need

[Acting as "lights in the world", we bring great joy to those who taught
us the Word of God (16).

Finally, Paul writes that as you "Work Out Your Own Salvation", it
should include...]

V. REJOICING IN YOUR SACRIFICES (17-18)

   A. WE MAY BE CALLED UPON TO SACRIFICE OURSELVES...
      1. It may be in service to our own faith, or in the service of the
         faith of others
      2. It may be a sacrifice of time, energy, money, or even life
         itself
      3. But it is for a good cause, and this is how Paul viewed his
         possible execution for the cause of Christ

   B. SUCH SACRIFICES CAN BE AN OCCASION FOR GLADNESS AND REJOICING!
      1. This is how Paul viewed it
      2. For he knew his sacrifices were in the cause of saving others
      3. And he knew that their salvation would ultimately bring him
         greater joy at Christ's coming - cf. 1Th 2:19-20
      4. Does not the prospect of seeing each other in the presence of
         the Lord at His coming...
         a. Make any sacrifice for one another worthwhile?
         b. Constitute good reason to be glad and rejoice in sacrificial
            service?

CONCLUSION

1. Such are some of the things involved in the salvation God offers

2. Are they included in YOUR efforts to "Work Out Your Own Salvation"?

3. As someone has suggested:  "Work as though it all depended upon you,
   but pray as though it all depended upon God"

4. Indeed we should, for as we work out our salvation, it is God who is
   working in us!

Are you doing YOUR part?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Canines, humans, love... a gentle reminder

Today, I would like to start off with a note of THANKS!!!  Thanks to all those who sent me comments about yesterday's post.  Most people thank me via email or on facebook, so those who just see the website do not realize how generous so many people are with their comments.  I appreciate all of you who give me encouragement and that spurs me on to keep writing.  As I sit in front of the computer, my dog, Pal, is laying at my feet (or rather on my foot).  I don't know why he has to do this, perhaps it is something about touching, but hey, that is just a guess.  My other poodle, Buddy, always seems to lay down about two feet away.  If I get up and go to another room, they follow and resume their designated positions.  Is it their way of expressing love. Who knows??  Whatever their motivation, their actions speak volumes about their heart.  Which reminds me of this very famous verse from the book of first Corinthians...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 13

13 But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. 

Those who care about you make every effort to be close to you.  This applies to human beings as well as dogs.  Its just that dogs don't talk- and I miss my wife Linda, who is so very far away in central New Jersey!!!  For now, I will have to be content with my dogs; hopefully Linda will return home in a week or so.  In the meantime, they do make life a little-less-lonely!!!  Do yourself a favor- tell those you really love, that you really do; and do it today!!!