1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,160 Well, I d- I was thinking of, uh… 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:04,580 Well, yesterday, uh, let me just say this. 3 00:00:04,580 --> 00:00:07,969 Yesterday, so one of the places Mindy and I like to go is to Crystal 4 00:00:07,969 --> 00:00:10,290 Cove, which is in Newport Beach. 5 00:00:10,710 --> 00:00:12,190 Uh, it's obviously a beach. 6 00:00:12,190 --> 00:00:14,150 And it's our favorite beach. 7 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,190 Um, but it takes a while to get there if you've ever been there. 8 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,390 It takes, like, a good hour depending on traffic. 9 00:00:20,969 --> 00:00:24,030 But we're always thinking, "Oh, we can't wait till we get there 'cause it's gonna 10 00:00:24,039 --> 00:00:27,000 be worth it," uh, regardless of traffic. 11 00:00:27,359 --> 00:00:31,759 And if, if you've never been there before, it's not like a beach that you could just 12 00:00:31,780 --> 00:00:35,759 park, like, at, like, Bolsa Chica, like, where we had the, um, baptism where you 13 00:00:35,759 --> 00:00:37,330 park, you just walk, you're on the beach. 14 00:00:37,899 --> 00:00:42,260 If you're gonna go to Crystal Cove, uh, it's a hike depending where you go. 15 00:00:42,410 --> 00:00:44,050 Uh, there's one area that we go, we have to… 16 00:00:44,090 --> 00:00:44,850 We're up on a cliff. 17 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:49,290 You actually have to hike down on stairs or depending on which way you go. 18 00:00:49,490 --> 00:00:51,870 It's, it's a, it's some work. 19 00:00:52,189 --> 00:00:54,169 But it's, when we're, when we're doing it, we're like, "At least 20 00:00:54,170 --> 00:00:55,260 it's gonna be worth it," right? 21 00:00:55,260 --> 00:00:56,889 It's 'cause it's beautiful down there. 22 00:00:57,210 --> 00:01:00,170 You have the ocean, and it's someti- it's a lot more secluded 23 00:01:00,170 --> 00:01:03,560 than most beaches probably because it's some work to get there. 24 00:01:04,050 --> 00:01:07,429 Uh, and over the past few times we've went, we've gone a different area 25 00:01:08,050 --> 00:01:10,910 where you have to walk through this tunnel to get through the beach. 26 00:01:11,099 --> 00:01:14,330 But because of the storms lately, the tunnel has been flooded. 27 00:01:14,750 --> 00:01:18,299 So, like, I think two weeks ago when we went, we had to, like, dredge 28 00:01:18,300 --> 00:01:20,120 through the, through the water. 29 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,180 It was like up to our knees, probably not very long, maybe from 30 00:01:23,180 --> 00:01:24,760 here to the back of the church. 31 00:01:25,220 --> 00:01:29,060 But we do it because we know that it's, it's worth it, right? 32 00:01:29,060 --> 00:01:34,240 And so as I was thinking of that and thinking of this, uh, this section 33 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:40,832 of scripture That's what we see, that in the Christian life, we go 34 00:01:40,842 --> 00:01:46,892 through the pain and the sorrow as believers, and even sometimes the, 35 00:01:46,902 --> 00:01:49,051 the roadblocks, the stumbling blocks. 36 00:01:49,092 --> 00:01:49,902 Because why? 37 00:01:50,301 --> 00:01:55,162 'Cause we know it's gonna be worth it in the end, whatever that end may be. 38 00:01:55,542 --> 00:01:58,282 I remember this, uh, painting I saw a long time ago, and I've 39 00:01:58,282 --> 00:01:59,572 mentioned this a number of times. 40 00:01:59,982 --> 00:02:03,362 It's a, it's a silhouette of Jesus, and he said, "I never said it would be 41 00:02:03,362 --> 00:02:05,902 easy, only that it would be worth it." 42 00:02:06,382 --> 00:02:10,901 And that really characterizes the Christian life, and it characterizes what 43 00:02:10,901 --> 00:02:18,122 the Apostle Paul's been going through on his journey from prison to Rome. 44 00:02:18,192 --> 00:02:22,892 And so we're gonna pick up, uh, the section where, if you remember last 45 00:02:22,892 --> 00:02:29,002 week, they had a crash-landed on, up against rocks, and were told to, "Those 46 00:02:29,032 --> 00:02:33,062 of you that can swim, swim to the beach, and those of you that can't, grab a 47 00:02:33,062 --> 00:02:35,412 piece of the boat and float to shore." 48 00:02:35,712 --> 00:02:39,992 And so we're gonna pick up, uh, their voyage from that point. 49 00:02:40,412 --> 00:02:41,811 And so let's read verse, uh… 50 00:02:43,641 --> 00:02:49,290 or chapter 28 It says, "And when they had brought, they had been brought 51 00:02:49,290 --> 00:02:55,540 safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 52 00:02:56,360 --> 00:03:01,460 And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for because of the rain that 53 00:03:01,470 --> 00:03:07,150 had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all." 54 00:03:07,530 --> 00:03:09,090 So let's stop right here for a moment. 55 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:13,540 So here the voyagers, it's interesting, it says they've been brought safely. 56 00:03:14,130 --> 00:03:18,760 And even though they crash landed and swam to shore, they were brought safely. 57 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,800 Remember the Lord told the Apostle Paul, "You are all going to 58 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,250 get there safely to an island." 59 00:03:24,250 --> 00:03:28,730 And it says, hey, that island happens to be the island of Malta. 60 00:03:29,260 --> 00:03:32,510 And even today, if you were to go to Malta, there's a bay called St. 61 00:03:32,549 --> 00:03:36,460 Paul's Bay where it's believed that that's where they had landed. 62 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:39,930 I was telling Mindy, "Hey, we need to, like, do a trip to… 63 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,320 That would be so cool to visit some of the places and see 64 00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:45,140 where the Apostle Paul was." 65 00:03:45,420 --> 00:03:48,000 And w- we'll talk about that a little bit more this morning and some 66 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,500 of the other places that he went. 67 00:03:50,690 --> 00:03:57,519 So they land on shore safely, and we see that they encounter some natives. 68 00:03:57,609 --> 00:04:00,949 And these are just re- it's just, uh, probably, uh, it's a word 69 00:04:00,950 --> 00:04:02,470 that just means residents, right? 70 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:05,030 Don't think of, like, Native Americans like that. 71 00:04:05,039 --> 00:04:07,210 It's, you know, the residents, the people that live there on Malta. 72 00:04:08,410 --> 00:04:11,710 Uh, they, it says, showed extraordinary kindness. 73 00:04:11,740 --> 00:04:12,800 They took the- uh, kindness. 74 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:14,339 They took them in, right? 75 00:04:14,340 --> 00:04:18,790 Here are these, this group of, if you remember, was it, like, 207, uh, 76 00:04:19,009 --> 00:04:24,880 76 people wash ashore, and, and the residents there take them in because 77 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,269 it says it was raining, and it was… 78 00:04:27,329 --> 00:04:29,359 They were probably, like, looked destitute. 79 00:04:30,210 --> 00:04:38,002 And they show kindness and hospitality to, uh, all the voyagers And if 80 00:04:38,002 --> 00:04:41,042 you're a voyager, you're thinking, "Look, we just got out of this 81 00:04:41,052 --> 00:04:45,232 voyage, so we hopped out of the, the frying pan and into the fire now. 82 00:04:45,412 --> 00:04:46,172 It's raining. 83 00:04:46,172 --> 00:04:46,912 We have nothing. 84 00:04:46,912 --> 00:04:47,752 It's cold." 85 00:04:48,212 --> 00:04:50,642 It's believed at that time commentators say it would've been 86 00:04:50,642 --> 00:04:53,012 about 50 degrees in the rain. 87 00:04:53,172 --> 00:04:54,292 They're soaking wet. 88 00:04:54,682 --> 00:05:00,132 And so, uh, somehow the, the residents kindle fires for them, 89 00:05:00,142 --> 00:05:01,622 probably covered fires, obviously. 90 00:05:01,982 --> 00:05:05,252 And Luke writes, "They received us all." 91 00:05:05,732 --> 00:05:06,752 They took care of them. 92 00:05:08,192 --> 00:05:13,342 It's a reminder that even in the midst of the travel, like I mentioned, there's 93 00:05:13,342 --> 00:05:17,472 gonna be some bumps along the road, and we're reminded here that God does 94 00:05:17,472 --> 00:05:19,932 not leave His people alone, right? 95 00:05:19,932 --> 00:05:26,552 He uses the hospitality of the residents of Malta to provide for Paul, as Luke 96 00:05:26,552 --> 00:05:29,392 says, by showing extraordinary kindness. 97 00:05:29,642 --> 00:05:32,782 They could've just, uh, leave, leave the, all those people alone out there. 98 00:05:32,982 --> 00:05:35,562 They could've said, "Oh, they probably deserved it," as we'll see in a few 99 00:05:35,562 --> 00:05:40,732 moments their, their quote, unquote, uh, "philosophy of life," right? 100 00:05:40,732 --> 00:05:42,662 God is punishing them. 101 00:05:42,812 --> 00:05:45,222 They deserve to be left out in the cold. 102 00:05:45,222 --> 00:05:52,322 But no, God, in His providence, puts Paul and the voyagers in the 103 00:05:52,322 --> 00:05:54,662 right place at the right time. 104 00:05:55,162 --> 00:05:59,462 God uses, again, the residents of Malta to take care of them. 105 00:06:00,512 --> 00:06:03,712 And it made me think, this happens to us all the time, the little things in 106 00:06:03,712 --> 00:06:08,862 our lives where God, in His providence, uses the kindness of others to comfort 107 00:06:08,862 --> 00:06:11,131 and provide for us in our own lives. 108 00:06:11,742 --> 00:06:14,512 I mean, can you think of a time that maybe that happened in your life 109 00:06:15,082 --> 00:06:21,621 where things were orchestrated and a favorable decision went your way 110 00:06:22,482 --> 00:06:24,762 that you thought wasn't, wasn't… 111 00:06:24,772 --> 00:06:26,982 God's hand was behind that, no doubt. 112 00:06:27,782 --> 00:06:30,681 Or maybe when someone helped you when you were in a time of need. 113 00:06:31,482 --> 00:06:35,751 Again, God uses ordinary things to help us along the way. 114 00:06:35,762 --> 00:06:37,402 That's how God operates in this world. 115 00:06:37,641 --> 00:06:39,772 He doesn't always perform great miracles. 116 00:06:39,781 --> 00:06:45,922 Sometimes He uses tiny little miracles in life, and it's incumbent on us to 117 00:06:45,922 --> 00:06:51,512 recognize God's providence, which is a first point for today's, um, application. 118 00:06:51,851 --> 00:06:57,991 We as believers need to recognize God's providence in the big 119 00:06:58,002 --> 00:06:59,391 things and in the little things. 120 00:06:59,401 --> 00:07:01,011 God is over them all. 121 00:07:03,516 --> 00:07:06,726 Well, how do we, how do we recognize God's providence, right? 122 00:07:06,786 --> 00:07:09,346 It's being aware of what's going on in the world, right? 123 00:07:09,356 --> 00:07:11,476 God's hand's all over things. 124 00:07:11,946 --> 00:07:15,256 I think sometimes we can easily forget about God, right? 125 00:07:15,256 --> 00:07:18,806 Unless it's a massive, miraculous thing, we may think that God 126 00:07:18,806 --> 00:07:21,466 is not involved, but He is. 127 00:07:22,556 --> 00:07:25,896 So how could we demonstrate our appreciation to God for all the 128 00:07:25,896 --> 00:07:27,916 things that He does in our life 129 00:07:31,548 --> 00:07:35,748 Well, I would like us to turn to the Book of Psalms, and I would just say 130 00:07:35,778 --> 00:07:39,468 keep your, uh, a bookmark there or your finger there because we're gonna 131 00:07:39,468 --> 00:07:44,528 refer back to this section often this morning in at least the Book of Psalms. 132 00:07:45,468 --> 00:07:51,828 In Psalms 100, one of the ways that the psalmist talks about recognizing 133 00:07:51,828 --> 00:07:54,468 God's providence is through worship. 134 00:07:55,098 --> 00:07:55,198 Right? 135 00:07:55,238 --> 00:07:56,118 That's what worship is. 136 00:07:56,118 --> 00:07:58,848 We're recognizing what God does. 137 00:07:59,758 --> 00:08:01,028 Look at what the psalmist writes. 138 00:08:01,028 --> 00:08:04,558 He says, "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 139 00:08:04,938 --> 00:08:06,878 Serve the Lord with gladness. 140 00:08:07,338 --> 00:08:10,018 Come before him with joyful singing. 141 00:08:10,408 --> 00:08:15,408 Know that the Lord himself is God and it is he," this is where 142 00:08:15,408 --> 00:08:19,357 the recognition comes, "it is he who made us and not ourselves. 143 00:08:19,638 --> 00:08:24,188 We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 144 00:08:24,738 --> 00:08:28,448 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. 145 00:08:28,728 --> 00:08:31,348 Give thanks to him and bless his name." 146 00:08:31,348 --> 00:08:35,107 Here the psalmist is recognizing God's in control of my life. 147 00:08:35,118 --> 00:08:37,047 He is the one who made us, right? 148 00:08:37,898 --> 00:08:38,528 Not ourselves. 149 00:08:38,528 --> 00:08:39,847 We didn't make ourselves. 150 00:08:39,998 --> 00:08:41,398 He is my shepherd. 151 00:08:41,398 --> 00:08:42,347 I'm just a sheep. 152 00:08:42,736 --> 00:08:45,878 So it's recognizing God through worship. 153 00:08:46,748 --> 00:08:50,567 And so that's one of the ways that we can res- recognize God is by worshiping him. 154 00:08:52,017 --> 00:08:57,578 The other way to recognize God's providence is to remind yourself of all 155 00:08:57,608 --> 00:08:59,658 of the benefits that God has given you. 156 00:09:00,228 --> 00:09:05,228 Turn just a few psalms over to Psalm 103 and we'll see this. 157 00:09:06,368 --> 00:09:09,798 Again, remind yourself of all of God's benefits. 158 00:09:10,828 --> 00:09:13,928 The psalmist writes this, just I'm gonna read the first two verses. 159 00:09:14,188 --> 00:09:17,988 He says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within 160 00:09:17,988 --> 00:09:19,558 me, bless his holy name. 161 00:09:19,958 --> 00:09:26,008 Bless the Lord, O my soul," and look at this, "and forget none of his benefits." 162 00:09:26,237 --> 00:09:29,917 The reason he's blessing the Lord is like because, hey, you need to remind 163 00:09:29,917 --> 00:09:32,157 yourself of all that God has done for you. 164 00:09:33,008 --> 00:09:36,278 Sometimes it would be helpful for us to take time to remember 165 00:09:36,358 --> 00:09:38,368 all that God has done for us. 166 00:09:39,208 --> 00:09:42,657 That's one way we recognize God's providence in our life. 167 00:09:43,797 --> 00:09:46,868 You know, a lot of people make lists like the pros and cons and, and try 168 00:09:46,868 --> 00:09:50,637 to journal maybe, uh, something in their life when they make a decision. 169 00:09:51,127 --> 00:09:55,038 But just think of this, if we journaled on a daily basis all 170 00:09:55,038 --> 00:09:56,797 of God's benefits for today. 171 00:09:57,377 --> 00:10:00,257 I know in our prayer group this morning as we were praying before service, we 172 00:10:00,258 --> 00:10:04,477 were just thanking God for getting us here, thanking him for watching over us. 173 00:10:05,208 --> 00:10:09,618 I mean, think of all the little things that God providentially 174 00:10:09,657 --> 00:10:13,987 orchestrated in your life this morning to get you here safely. 175 00:10:16,512 --> 00:10:21,932 Again, God here is orchestrating things in such a way in Paul's life 176 00:10:22,512 --> 00:10:24,992 to get him to his ultimate goal. 177 00:10:25,862 --> 00:10:28,842 So let's go back to our text this morning and, and read, uh, we're 178 00:10:28,842 --> 00:10:31,872 gonna read verses three through six and see what happens now. 179 00:10:32,092 --> 00:10:35,832 So now there's been some hospitality shown to Paul and the voyagers, 180 00:10:36,452 --> 00:10:38,012 and let's see what happens next. 181 00:10:39,582 --> 00:10:43,392 "So but when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on 182 00:10:43,392 --> 00:10:50,612 the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 183 00:10:51,132 --> 00:10:53,992 And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they, 184 00:10:54,152 --> 00:10:58,212 they began saying to one another, 'Undoubtedly this man is a murderer. 185 00:10:58,822 --> 00:11:05,242 And though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.' 186 00:11:05,972 --> 00:11:10,472 However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 187 00:11:10,852 --> 00:11:14,942 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. 188 00:11:15,362 --> 00:11:19,172 But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen 189 00:11:19,172 --> 00:11:23,622 to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he is a god." 190 00:11:24,152 --> 00:11:26,101 This is, uh, imagine just being the Apostle Paul. 191 00:11:26,101 --> 00:11:28,142 I, I survived the voyage. 192 00:11:28,491 --> 00:11:30,672 Now we're on this beach and it's raining. 193 00:11:31,152 --> 00:11:32,592 And now people help us. 194 00:11:32,612 --> 00:11:36,342 And now I'm helping and a, a snake bites me, right? 195 00:11:36,362 --> 00:11:41,821 Nothing but trial and trial and trial happening to the Apostle Paul. 196 00:11:42,351 --> 00:11:47,031 But here again, we see another opportunity for God to preserve his 197 00:11:47,031 --> 00:11:49,131 servant, and that's exactly what he does. 198 00:11:50,082 --> 00:11:53,632 But in the process, you notice the, the, even the residents were like, "Hey, 199 00:11:53,632 --> 00:11:55,082 he must have done something wrong." 200 00:11:55,392 --> 00:12:00,361 You know, even though he escaped the sea, now a viper's been sent to kill him. 201 00:12:00,362 --> 00:12:04,622 And so they're just waiting to see the poison to kick in and 202 00:12:04,692 --> 00:12:07,181 ultimately take the life of Paul. 203 00:12:07,752 --> 00:12:09,142 Again, 'cause the residents, they know. 204 00:12:09,142 --> 00:12:10,892 They've seen that viper before. 205 00:12:11,021 --> 00:12:12,092 They know what happens. 206 00:12:12,402 --> 00:12:16,541 But here, if you think about it, God miraculously saves 207 00:12:16,542 --> 00:12:17,902 the Apostle Paul this time. 208 00:12:19,682 --> 00:12:21,331 The question about why did he save him? 209 00:12:23,550 --> 00:12:29,270 Well, again, God's told the Apostle Paul, "I need you to be my witness in Rome." 210 00:12:30,210 --> 00:12:32,690 There's a purpose behind his preservation. 211 00:12:33,740 --> 00:12:37,840 God is preserving the Apostle Paul for something else. 212 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:40,670 He's not done yet with the Apostle Paul. 213 00:12:40,860 --> 00:12:48,190 Regardless of the storms, of the weather, of nature, creatures, God 214 00:12:48,220 --> 00:12:51,100 is preserving the Apostle Paul. 215 00:12:51,700 --> 00:12:56,040 Which reminds us that we too can trust in God's preservation in our own lives. 216 00:12:56,290 --> 00:13:01,300 If we think about it, God preserves us, even providentially, as I 217 00:13:01,300 --> 00:13:03,790 mentioned earlier, on a daily basis. 218 00:13:04,190 --> 00:13:07,640 If, again, think about it, think how many times God has miraculously 219 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:13,370 intervened in our lives for some reason to save us, day by day, 220 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:15,930 minute by minute, second by second. 221 00:13:16,300 --> 00:13:20,610 God is the one who holds our life in His hands. 222 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,210 He preserves and protects us. 223 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:27,200 The thing that we need to understand, though, is He preserves 224 00:13:27,230 --> 00:13:30,090 and protects us for His purpose. 225 00:13:30,970 --> 00:13:34,860 And that's the thing that's tough for us to understand sometimes, right? 226 00:13:34,860 --> 00:13:38,940 Because as believers, and even people in general, as we even see as the 227 00:13:38,940 --> 00:13:42,880 residents of Malta, they believe that if something bad happens to 228 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:46,300 you, it's because you deserved it. 229 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:47,579 It's justice. 230 00:13:48,940 --> 00:13:49,140 Right? 231 00:13:49,140 --> 00:13:53,130 We as believers sometimes can have a false theology that says, "Well, God will keep 232 00:13:53,140 --> 00:13:55,170 bad things from happening in my life." 233 00:13:56,610 --> 00:13:56,990 Right? 234 00:13:57,060 --> 00:14:00,770 There are even preachers who would preach that, that if something bad has happened 235 00:14:00,770 --> 00:14:03,969 in your life, that you're probably in sin. 236 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:05,620 You probably did something wrong. 237 00:14:06,479 --> 00:14:08,870 And we know that's not true. 238 00:14:08,879 --> 00:14:11,849 We don't see that being played out in the Apostle Paul's life. 239 00:14:11,850 --> 00:14:12,810 What did he do wrong? 240 00:14:13,699 --> 00:14:18,660 Again, he's gone trial after trial after trial after trial, and really has done 241 00:14:18,660 --> 00:14:20,929 nothing wrong except proclaim the gospel. 242 00:14:22,430 --> 00:14:27,550 So having a, a good biblical understanding of God's protection, God's preservation, 243 00:14:27,850 --> 00:14:32,750 can really help us to trust Him no matter what happens in our life, 244 00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:35,829 no matter the tragedies that come. 245 00:14:36,469 --> 00:14:41,239 Because Scripture teaches over and over again that God preserves His people 246 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:43,370 because He has a purpose for them. 247 00:14:44,219 --> 00:14:47,269 Turn with me, uh, hopefully you kept your finger in the Book of Psalm. 248 00:14:47,279 --> 00:14:49,090 Look at Psalm 138- 249 00:14:51,570 --> 00:14:57,220 And we'll see here that very point being proclaimed by the psalmist. 250 00:14:57,220 --> 00:15:01,420 Psalm 138:7-8 251 00:15:03,538 --> 00:15:07,878 He says this, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble," so he's acknowledging it. 252 00:15:08,108 --> 00:15:10,538 Look at what he says, "Thou wilt revive me. 253 00:15:11,058 --> 00:15:15,088 Thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, 254 00:15:15,468 --> 00:15:17,908 and thy right hand will save me." 255 00:15:18,808 --> 00:15:23,118 And this is the reason why, "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me. 256 00:15:23,628 --> 00:15:25,978 Thy loving kindness, O Lord, is everlasting. 257 00:15:26,238 --> 00:15:28,608 Do not forsake the work of thy hands." 258 00:15:29,218 --> 00:15:33,068 He recognizes that God's gonna be with him no matter what he goes through 259 00:15:35,374 --> 00:15:38,464 Until whatever God is doing in his life is accomplished. 260 00:15:38,854 --> 00:15:42,034 And it could be just a situation, and it could be ultimately 261 00:15:42,034 --> 00:15:44,244 our entire life, right? 262 00:15:44,274 --> 00:15:50,284 Until God's through with us, he's gonna preserve us, no matter what happens. 263 00:15:50,804 --> 00:15:53,244 And obviously, the question is, well, I don't… 264 00:15:53,254 --> 00:15:58,144 Well, we don't know when it, when that day is gonna come, right? 265 00:15:58,334 --> 00:16:00,674 But it, it's causes us to trust him. 266 00:16:01,024 --> 00:16:04,294 We need to trust that God's gonna preserve us as his people 267 00:16:06,716 --> 00:16:10,706 That preservation, as we've been seeing, doesn't necessarily mean he's gonna 268 00:16:10,706 --> 00:16:12,576 protect us from bad things, right? 269 00:16:15,292 --> 00:16:16,922 We've seen that in Paul's life. 270 00:16:17,842 --> 00:16:23,112 Again, Paul is preserved by God for God's purpose, but part of that plan 271 00:16:23,112 --> 00:16:27,632 is he's gonna go through some things as God gets him to the ultimate goal 272 00:16:30,484 --> 00:16:33,904 Paul testifies this point in the, his letter to Timothy. 273 00:16:33,904 --> 00:16:42,464 In Timothy chapter 2, uh, excuse me, 2 Timothy 4:18, he writes this, as he's 274 00:16:42,464 --> 00:16:48,494 aware, as he's coming to the end of his life, he writes this, "The Lord will 275 00:16:48,504 --> 00:16:54,824 deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. 276 00:16:56,134 --> 00:16:59,194 To Him be the glory forever and ever. 277 00:16:59,404 --> 00:17:00,084 Amen." 278 00:17:00,904 --> 00:17:05,454 Paul recognizes God's gonna deliver me from every evil, ultimately to 279 00:17:05,483 --> 00:17:09,154 take me to His heavenly kingdom, which is the end of his life. 280 00:17:09,394 --> 00:17:13,104 Until I'm dead, God's gonna keep me from evil. 281 00:17:13,114 --> 00:17:14,534 God's gonna preserve my life. 282 00:17:14,934 --> 00:17:18,454 God's gonna pervert, preserve, most importantly, his salvation. 283 00:17:18,874 --> 00:17:22,924 He's not going to let the devil snatch him out of his hands. 284 00:17:24,273 --> 00:17:28,013 So with that said, as we think about trusting in God's preservation, how 285 00:17:28,013 --> 00:17:30,744 should we live knowing that truth? 286 00:17:32,956 --> 00:17:36,946 Well, it would be this: Live faithfully for Christ, whether 287 00:17:36,946 --> 00:17:39,406 he calls you to live or to die. 288 00:17:40,596 --> 00:17:48,954 Live faithfully for Christ, whether he calls you to live or die So seize every 289 00:17:48,954 --> 00:17:51,324 day that you have here on this earth. 290 00:17:52,114 --> 00:17:53,074 I have a bracelet. 291 00:17:53,144 --> 00:17:54,284 I didn't think I wore it today. 292 00:17:54,324 --> 00:17:54,664 Oh, yeah, I did. 293 00:17:54,664 --> 00:17:57,264 It says carpe diem, meaning… 294 00:17:57,324 --> 00:17:59,154 It's Latin for seize the day. 295 00:18:00,634 --> 00:18:03,164 Every moment that we have is a gift from God. 296 00:18:03,804 --> 00:18:05,094 Make it worth something. 297 00:18:05,944 --> 00:18:11,314 Paul says this in a more biblical sense in Ephesians 5:16, right? 298 00:18:11,314 --> 00:18:15,184 When he says, "Make the most of your time," or, "Redeem your 299 00:18:15,204 --> 00:18:19,144 time for the days are short." 300 00:18:20,074 --> 00:18:20,234 All right? 301 00:18:20,304 --> 00:18:21,564 Evil is here. 302 00:18:22,684 --> 00:18:27,534 We have a short time on this earth, a short time to live for God. 303 00:18:27,694 --> 00:18:29,114 Make every moment count. 304 00:18:29,124 --> 00:18:31,904 Live faithfully for him until he calls you home. 305 00:18:32,964 --> 00:18:33,904 That's Paul's… 306 00:18:34,594 --> 00:18:38,474 That's what Paul said to the church at Ephesus, later on to the church at 307 00:18:38,474 --> 00:18:42,364 Philippi, and it's believed that Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. 308 00:18:42,814 --> 00:18:45,504 Uh, excuse me, to, yeah, to the Philippians. 309 00:18:46,074 --> 00:18:51,844 I wanna read what he says in, uh, Philippians chapter 1 verses 20 and 21. 310 00:18:52,693 --> 00:18:55,154 He has this same sentiment and outlook on life. 311 00:18:55,154 --> 00:19:01,214 He says this: "According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall 312 00:19:01,214 --> 00:19:07,644 not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall 313 00:19:07,644 --> 00:19:13,694 even now as always be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 314 00:19:14,134 --> 00:19:18,154 For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 315 00:19:18,624 --> 00:19:20,334 He's saying, "It's a win-win for me. 316 00:19:20,653 --> 00:19:24,383 When I'm living, I'm gonna live for Christ, and if I die or when I die, 317 00:19:24,624 --> 00:19:26,394 then I'm gonna be with Christ." 318 00:19:27,013 --> 00:19:30,304 He's gonna be a witness no matter what happens. 319 00:19:31,324 --> 00:19:35,323 And as I, as I thought of this, and, uh, unfortunately, as a pastor, you know, 320 00:19:35,324 --> 00:19:40,024 I do a lot of funerals, and there's always an opportunity that that brings 321 00:19:40,064 --> 00:19:46,074 people to be a little more open to the gospel, and to hear about Christ, and to 322 00:19:46,074 --> 00:19:50,483 hear about the person who's died, what they put their hope and their trust in. 323 00:19:51,214 --> 00:19:52,094 And I thought about this. 324 00:19:52,094 --> 00:19:55,983 I mean, wouldn't it be worth it if, in your death, you brought somebody to 325 00:19:55,983 --> 00:19:58,943 the Lord because of your life, right? 326 00:19:58,943 --> 00:20:02,663 Or somebody came back to the Lord because they remember your example, 327 00:20:02,914 --> 00:20:05,004 that you trusted Christ until the end? 328 00:20:05,404 --> 00:20:09,693 I could not think of a greater thing to happen, uh, at my funeral. 329 00:20:09,693 --> 00:20:13,854 I know how much Mindy likes for me to talk about my death, but when I 330 00:20:13,863 --> 00:20:17,843 die, if somebody came back to the Lord or if somebody for the first 331 00:20:17,863 --> 00:20:20,644 time came to the Lord, that, that… 332 00:20:20,673 --> 00:20:23,684 Obviously, I wouldn't know about it till later on in heaven, but 333 00:20:23,684 --> 00:20:25,513 that would be worth it, I think. 334 00:20:26,693 --> 00:20:28,773 Again, Paul had that outlook on life. 335 00:20:28,843 --> 00:20:32,344 We, as believers, should have that as well, right? 336 00:20:32,354 --> 00:20:36,814 For me to, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 337 00:20:38,452 --> 00:20:40,472 So obviously Paul did not die. 338 00:20:40,742 --> 00:20:42,272 God was not finished with him. 339 00:20:42,272 --> 00:20:47,602 As we go back to Acts 28, let's r- uh, pick up the story in verse seven. 340 00:20:47,612 --> 00:20:51,762 So they're looking at him, he, you know, he doesn't die, he must be 341 00:20:51,762 --> 00:20:53,792 a god, and obviously Paul's not. 342 00:20:53,802 --> 00:20:55,932 They, again, have bad theology. 343 00:20:57,172 --> 00:21:00,512 Verse- let's read verses seven through nine, sees what h- see what happens next. 344 00:21:00,792 --> 00:21:05,332 It says, "Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging 345 00:21:05,332 --> 00:21:10,482 to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and 346 00:21:10,502 --> 00:21:12,902 entertained us courteously three days. 347 00:21:13,322 --> 00:21:18,752 And it came about that the father of Publius was lying in bed, afflicted 348 00:21:18,752 --> 00:21:21,112 with recurring fever and dysentery. 349 00:21:21,502 --> 00:21:24,172 And Paul went to see him and after he had prayed, he laid 350 00:21:24,172 --> 00:21:26,292 hands on him and healed him. 351 00:21:26,762 --> 00:21:30,972 And after this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases 352 00:21:30,972 --> 00:21:33,442 were coming to him and getting cured." 353 00:21:34,052 --> 00:21:38,112 So now we see God using the Apostle Paul. 354 00:21:38,432 --> 00:21:43,272 He preserved the Apostle Paul, and now he's gonna use the Apostle Paul to 355 00:21:43,272 --> 00:21:47,571 bring about s- uh, healing to everybody else on the land who's ill, who's sick 356 00:21:50,836 --> 00:21:53,576 And I, I wanna point out something I think that's very important. 357 00:21:53,756 --> 00:21:56,846 So remember in verse six they said, "He's a god." 358 00:21:57,316 --> 00:22:01,276 Like, they obviously thought Paul was someone special 'cause 359 00:22:01,276 --> 00:22:05,676 he didn't die from being bitten by a poisonous snake, a snake. 360 00:22:07,006 --> 00:22:10,516 But if you notice, the Apostle Paul, what he does, when he doesn't just go 361 00:22:10,516 --> 00:22:12,406 and heal the man, it says he prayed. 362 00:22:13,566 --> 00:22:18,796 Showing that, "Hey, I, I need to ask for God's provision to heal this man. 363 00:22:18,826 --> 00:22:23,446 I don't have the power in myself" And he demonstrated that, right? 364 00:22:23,446 --> 00:22:28,326 It says he, he went to the see the man, and he prayed and laid hands on him. 365 00:22:29,876 --> 00:22:35,616 And this shows that even Paul, as, as great as God used him, depended 366 00:22:35,616 --> 00:22:38,086 on God's provision in his life. 367 00:22:38,106 --> 00:22:40,506 He needed God to work through him. 368 00:22:40,646 --> 00:22:44,296 He didn't take for granted that, uh, "Hey, I'm this great man. 369 00:22:44,296 --> 00:22:45,686 I just survived this snake. 370 00:22:45,876 --> 00:22:46,956 I could heal anybody. 371 00:22:46,956 --> 00:22:47,696 I could heal myself." 372 00:22:47,696 --> 00:22:51,596 He's like, "No, I need God's help" And he demonstrated that in front 373 00:22:51,596 --> 00:22:53,456 of all the people that were around. 374 00:22:54,556 --> 00:22:57,376 Which leads me to my third point of application, is that we as 375 00:22:57,376 --> 00:23:00,906 believers need to depend on God's provision in our own lives 376 00:23:03,358 --> 00:23:05,428 One of the ways that we do that is through prayer. 377 00:23:06,268 --> 00:23:11,008 I think that's one of the purposes of prayer, is to help us to 378 00:23:11,008 --> 00:23:13,248 realize our dependence on God. 379 00:23:13,498 --> 00:23:17,018 It's not that when we pray that we're gonna change God's mind or God 380 00:23:17,018 --> 00:23:18,928 wasn't aware of the situation, right? 381 00:23:19,558 --> 00:23:22,278 If God's in control of all things, then He knows all things. 382 00:23:22,488 --> 00:23:25,108 He knows what we need before we even go to Him. 383 00:23:25,258 --> 00:23:28,308 He knows what we're gonna ask before we even ask it. 384 00:23:29,088 --> 00:23:32,548 And some people will say, "Well then, why do we even pray if He knows all things?" 385 00:23:32,868 --> 00:23:35,068 Well, because we're commanded in scripture to pray. 386 00:23:36,338 --> 00:23:40,988 But I think, again, prayer helps us to realize our own dependence on God. 387 00:23:41,828 --> 00:23:44,918 Right, 'cause we're praying to God, "Look, God, I, I need your help. 388 00:23:45,328 --> 00:23:46,678 God, I, I need you." 389 00:23:47,498 --> 00:23:49,558 Or, "Thank you, Lord, for what you've given me." 390 00:23:49,558 --> 00:23:53,788 We recognize that it is our provision all comes from God. 391 00:23:54,338 --> 00:23:58,618 And so prayer helps us to build that dependence on God. 392 00:23:58,638 --> 00:24:01,358 Not only that, it's a witness to other people as well. 393 00:24:01,628 --> 00:24:04,298 Remember I said the Apostle Paul prayed in front of everybody, 394 00:24:04,298 --> 00:24:08,648 showing that he depended on God for things, and they saw that. 395 00:24:08,988 --> 00:24:13,908 And when we pray in front of people, they realize that, hey, they're recognizing 396 00:24:14,928 --> 00:24:16,678 something other than themselves, right? 397 00:24:16,678 --> 00:24:19,268 That, hey, this food that I have comes from God. 398 00:24:19,437 --> 00:24:22,037 This life that I have comes from God. 399 00:24:22,437 --> 00:24:26,428 I can't get through the day on my own without depending on God 400 00:24:28,660 --> 00:24:33,170 So dependence on God, again, is what prayer is all about. 401 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:37,670 And if that's the case, then we should be, as believers, committed to prayer. 402 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:45,210 That's why the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:7-8, "Be anxious for 403 00:24:45,210 --> 00:24:51,410 nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 404 00:24:51,670 --> 00:24:54,400 let your request be made known to God." 405 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:56,200 And then look what happens. 406 00:24:56,980 --> 00:25:01,830 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your 407 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:05,550 hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus." 408 00:25:06,290 --> 00:25:09,250 See, prayer doesn't necessarily go and change God, it changes us. 409 00:25:09,250 --> 00:25:10,380 It gives us peace 410 00:25:12,916 --> 00:25:15,906 Because we're fully dependent on God for that thing that we prayed for. 411 00:25:15,906 --> 00:25:19,546 It's like, "God, I need this," or, "God, can you do this?" 412 00:25:20,056 --> 00:25:24,256 And we are acknowledging we need God's help, and that in turn gives us a 413 00:25:24,256 --> 00:25:27,706 peace that surpasses all comprehension. 414 00:25:28,526 --> 00:25:32,356 It gives us peace, and it guards our hearts and our minds. 415 00:25:32,366 --> 00:25:34,516 So think of the power of prayer in that sense. 416 00:25:34,706 --> 00:25:38,626 It gives you peace, it guards your hearts, and it guards your minds. 417 00:25:39,316 --> 00:25:40,956 Do we not want that in our lives? 418 00:25:40,966 --> 00:25:41,156 Yes. 419 00:25:42,586 --> 00:25:44,066 So be committed to prayer. 420 00:25:44,796 --> 00:25:48,986 And then when we pray, when God moves, make Him known to others. 421 00:25:49,466 --> 00:25:51,816 Again, I said prayer is a witness, and that's what I mean. 422 00:25:51,826 --> 00:25:53,136 Prayers are a witness to other people. 423 00:25:53,136 --> 00:25:57,126 When they see us pray, they recognize something is going on. 424 00:25:58,966 --> 00:26:01,026 But what about when God answers your prayer? 425 00:26:01,376 --> 00:26:02,756 Do you share that with people? 426 00:26:02,756 --> 00:26:04,186 Do you tell people about it? 427 00:26:04,816 --> 00:26:07,986 That's why I said, when God moves, make Him known. 428 00:26:08,756 --> 00:26:13,276 This is what the psalmist said in Psalm 9, in a couple of Psalms here. 429 00:26:14,136 --> 00:26:17,615 Psalm 9, he says, "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, 430 00:26:17,916 --> 00:26:20,366 and I will tell of your wonders. 431 00:26:21,206 --> 00:26:23,206 I will be glad and exult in you. 432 00:26:23,206 --> 00:26:27,096 I will sing praises to your name, O Most High." 433 00:26:27,605 --> 00:26:31,155 So he's saying, "Hey, when these things happen, I'm going to tell 434 00:26:31,156 --> 00:26:32,636 others about what you've done." 435 00:26:33,626 --> 00:26:34,695 That's a witness. 436 00:26:35,325 --> 00:26:40,066 And then again, in Psalm 96, let me turn there with you, is, is another 437 00:26:40,066 --> 00:26:45,746 example of that exact thing about telling other people about what God has done. 438 00:26:46,505 --> 00:26:47,385 This is a testament. 439 00:26:47,406 --> 00:26:50,986 This is a way we can proclaim God's name to be a witness to friends 440 00:26:50,986 --> 00:26:53,626 and family, even to strangers. 441 00:26:54,105 --> 00:26:57,556 Look at Psalm 96, particularly verses two through five. 442 00:26:57,556 --> 00:26:58,286 He says this. 443 00:26:58,596 --> 00:27:00,615 "Sing to the Lord and bless his name. 444 00:27:01,266 --> 00:27:04,995 Proclaim good tidings of his salvation from day to day." 445 00:27:05,936 --> 00:27:06,596 And then look at this. 446 00:27:06,626 --> 00:27:11,046 "Tell of his glory among the nations, his wonderful deeds among all the peoples. 447 00:27:11,296 --> 00:27:14,226 For great is the Lord and great to be praised. 448 00:27:14,315 --> 00:27:16,595 He is to be feared above all gods. 449 00:27:16,755 --> 00:27:21,576 For all the gods of peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens." 450 00:27:21,826 --> 00:27:26,006 When we tell people about what God is doing in our life, it, it magnifies Him. 451 00:27:26,006 --> 00:27:27,675 It, it raises Him up. 452 00:27:28,735 --> 00:27:29,855 It elevates Him 453 00:27:32,308 --> 00:27:36,398 It's something again that I need to work on in telling people what God is doing in, 454 00:27:36,458 --> 00:27:39,478 in my life or how God moves in my life. 455 00:27:40,918 --> 00:27:44,638 My wife, I, I don't wanna embarrass her, but she's a great witness to that. 456 00:27:44,638 --> 00:27:47,108 She'll tell me, "Hey, God did this," or, "God moved that." 457 00:27:47,118 --> 00:27:48,518 It's, uh, all, it's in her language. 458 00:27:48,518 --> 00:27:52,598 That's how she talks, and it's a great reminder how she truly 459 00:27:52,598 --> 00:27:56,858 believes that God is moving in her life on a day-to-day basis. 460 00:27:56,868 --> 00:27:58,828 That's how all of us as believers should be. 461 00:27:58,828 --> 00:28:05,218 This is what the psalmist is exhorting us to do, to make known the wonderful 462 00:28:05,218 --> 00:28:10,618 works of God and the peop- around the p- around, uh, in our lives so 463 00:28:10,618 --> 00:28:12,238 that the people around us will hear. 464 00:28:13,208 --> 00:28:15,138 So this is what the Apostle Paul does. 465 00:28:15,758 --> 00:28:19,848 He's healing people, and then we ca- go back to our text 466 00:28:19,848 --> 00:28:22,578 now, see what happens next. 467 00:28:22,618 --> 00:28:27,207 So after he's blessed people, we're gonna see that they wanna bless Paul. 468 00:28:27,368 --> 00:28:31,968 They wanna bless his trip and everyone else that's involved. 469 00:28:32,398 --> 00:28:33,108 It says this. 470 00:28:34,088 --> 00:28:38,388 So after they, uh, brought people and they were getting cured, it says this 471 00:28:38,397 --> 00:28:43,307 in verse 10, "And they also honored us with many marks of respect, and we 472 00:28:43,308 --> 00:28:49,008 were s- and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed." 473 00:28:49,478 --> 00:28:49,628 Right? 474 00:28:49,647 --> 00:28:52,128 They still need to go to Rome, and they have no ships 475 00:28:54,260 --> 00:28:59,690 But it says the people here, hey, they honored us with marks of respect 476 00:29:00,150 --> 00:29:04,280 and gave us all the supplies that we were gonna need to make that voyage. 477 00:29:05,690 --> 00:29:06,600 Look at verse 11. 478 00:29:06,750 --> 00:29:09,980 It says, "At the end of three months," so they were there for three months, 479 00:29:10,850 --> 00:29:16,950 and at least, and they're gonna be, get their supplies, and it says this: "We 480 00:29:16,950 --> 00:29:22,460 set sail on an Alexandrian ship, which had wintered at the island, which had 481 00:29:22,460 --> 00:29:24,710 the twin brothers for its figurehead." 482 00:29:25,160 --> 00:29:28,720 So they, there's a ship there that has docked for some reason. 483 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:29,500 We don't know why. 484 00:29:30,460 --> 00:29:31,810 But they were allowed to get on it. 485 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:34,520 Was it all 276 people? 486 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:35,100 I don't know. 487 00:29:35,110 --> 00:29:37,890 The, we, we know it was the Apostle Paul. 488 00:29:37,890 --> 00:29:41,520 We know it was Luke and some of the companions, and it was probably 489 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:45,310 some of the, the centurion and the Roman guards who were in charge 490 00:29:45,510 --> 00:29:47,620 of getting them there, right? 491 00:29:48,820 --> 00:29:53,420 But what we see here is that God uses the kindness and generosity of the residents 492 00:29:53,420 --> 00:29:56,590 of Malta to provide for Paul's trip. 493 00:29:57,150 --> 00:29:57,790 He's like, "Hey." 494 00:29:58,070 --> 00:29:59,590 They're like, "Hey, you blessed us. 495 00:29:59,650 --> 00:30:00,780 We wanna bless you. 496 00:30:00,790 --> 00:30:02,030 We wanna take care of you." 497 00:30:05,108 --> 00:30:09,218 You see, God rewards and provides for His servants as they're 498 00:30:09,218 --> 00:30:11,158 going about the Lord's business. 499 00:30:12,358 --> 00:30:14,668 We see this in a number of examples in the Old Testament. 500 00:30:14,668 --> 00:30:15,488 Let me just give you two. 501 00:30:15,488 --> 00:30:20,258 You remember when the Israelites left Egypt, they took a lot of 502 00:30:20,258 --> 00:30:21,308 provisions with them, right? 503 00:30:21,308 --> 00:30:24,118 The, the Egyptians were, "Here, we'll provide you with this." 504 00:30:24,368 --> 00:30:26,258 Even though it was like, "You guys just get out of here." 505 00:30:27,208 --> 00:30:31,138 God provided for the Israelites through the Egyptians. 506 00:30:31,418 --> 00:30:35,408 Or when Nehemiah was gonna go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of 507 00:30:35,408 --> 00:30:41,308 Jerusalem, he asked for the king to give him letters so he could get lumber, he 508 00:30:41,308 --> 00:30:45,818 could get supplies to rebuild the wall, and that's exactly what the king did. 509 00:30:45,948 --> 00:30:49,548 He sent letters with Nehemiah so that the people will provide 510 00:30:49,548 --> 00:30:52,338 for God's people for God's work. 511 00:30:53,498 --> 00:30:59,028 Again, it's another way of showing how God provides for His people. 512 00:30:59,688 --> 00:31:03,728 Knowing that God will provide for you, we don't always know the when 513 00:31:03,728 --> 00:31:07,968 and the how, but what's our response, what should our response be to that? 514 00:31:08,498 --> 00:31:12,338 Well, it should be to remain faithful and trust God for the results. 515 00:31:12,368 --> 00:31:16,238 We continue to live for God, continue to do what He's called us to do, 516 00:31:16,547 --> 00:31:20,837 and allow Him to provide what He needs in, what we need in our lives. 517 00:31:21,267 --> 00:31:25,128 The New Testament over and over encourages us in that way. 518 00:31:25,438 --> 00:31:29,117 Let me share with you a couple of verses like, that demonstrate that. 519 00:31:30,297 --> 00:31:34,978 The Apostle Paul, when he wrote to the church at Galatia about not 520 00:31:34,988 --> 00:31:38,957 growing weary and continuing to be faithful to God, he wrote this: "Let 521 00:31:38,958 --> 00:31:41,087 us not lose heart in doing good." 522 00:31:41,337 --> 00:31:43,718 This is Galatians 6:9. 523 00:31:43,718 --> 00:31:47,388 "Let us not lose heart in doing good," so let's just remain 524 00:31:47,398 --> 00:31:53,177 faithful, "for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." 525 00:31:54,058 --> 00:31:58,808 Again, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if 526 00:31:58,808 --> 00:32:01,268 we do not grow weary," Galatians 6:9. 527 00:32:01,268 --> 00:32:02,688 Again, it's a, an encouragement. 528 00:32:02,688 --> 00:32:03,957 Hey, don't give up. 529 00:32:04,168 --> 00:32:04,958 Don't lose heart. 530 00:32:04,958 --> 00:32:06,077 Remain faithful. 531 00:32:06,937 --> 00:32:08,588 God's going to reward you. 532 00:32:08,608 --> 00:32:09,587 He believes that. 533 00:32:10,587 --> 00:32:16,627 Then in the book of Hebrews 6:10, the writer says this, 534 00:32:17,688 --> 00:32:19,268 again, about trusting God. 535 00:32:19,278 --> 00:32:24,168 He says, "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and love 536 00:32:24,498 --> 00:32:29,247 which you have shown toward His name, and having ministered and in 537 00:32:29,248 --> 00:32:31,457 still ministering to the saints." 538 00:32:31,837 --> 00:32:34,397 He's saying God's gonna re- God's gonna reward you. 539 00:32:34,397 --> 00:32:35,128 He's just. 540 00:32:35,537 --> 00:32:37,517 He sees what you're doing for Him. 541 00:32:37,658 --> 00:32:39,377 He will reward you. 542 00:32:40,397 --> 00:32:46,677 And Jesus Himself said, if you remember in Matthew 6:31-33- 543 00:32:50,438 --> 00:32:54,208 Again, about remaining faithful, focusing on what's important. 544 00:32:54,798 --> 00:32:59,478 He says this, "Do not be anxious, then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' 545 00:32:59,478 --> 00:33:00,538 and, 'What shall we drink?' 546 00:33:00,538 --> 00:33:04,198 and, 'With what clothes shall we wear?' 547 00:33:04,638 --> 00:33:07,648 For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek. 548 00:33:08,498 --> 00:33:11,498 For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." 549 00:33:12,428 --> 00:33:15,108 So what's His advice, or command I should say? 550 00:33:15,278 --> 00:33:19,788 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these 551 00:33:19,798 --> 00:33:21,838 things shall be added to you." 552 00:33:22,588 --> 00:33:24,878 Again, it's focusing on the provision in our lives. 553 00:33:24,908 --> 00:33:26,598 God will provide for us. 554 00:33:26,918 --> 00:33:28,468 You remain faithful. 555 00:33:29,198 --> 00:33:30,438 You don't lose heart. 556 00:33:31,388 --> 00:33:36,508 God will not forget what you have done in His name and for His glory. 557 00:33:37,168 --> 00:33:40,618 And we see that being played out here in the apostle's life. 558 00:33:40,778 --> 00:33:42,718 He was following God's command. 559 00:33:42,838 --> 00:33:47,108 He was ministering to people along the way, even in the midst of tragedy. 560 00:33:47,398 --> 00:33:49,138 Remember, he's still a prisoner- 561 00:33:51,572 --> 00:33:52,622 But he didn't lose heart. 562 00:33:53,252 --> 00:33:54,182 He kept going. 563 00:33:54,182 --> 00:33:56,212 He knew that God would provide. 564 00:33:57,132 --> 00:34:02,222 And let's read the last section, verses 12 through 16, as we, as we close 565 00:34:04,244 --> 00:34:08,664 So it says, "And after we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days." 566 00:34:08,674 --> 00:34:09,974 So the ship's taken off. 567 00:34:10,434 --> 00:34:12,893 There's- they're traveling now towards Rome. 568 00:34:14,254 --> 00:34:19,074 And it says, "And from there we sailed around and arrived at, at Rhegium. 569 00:34:19,364 --> 00:34:24,514 And a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second dame- 570 00:34:24,614 --> 00:34:27,934 second day we came to Puteoli. 571 00:34:29,254 --> 00:34:30,884 There we found some brethren." 572 00:34:31,554 --> 00:34:35,873 By the way, these cities are along the, the western coast of Italy. 573 00:34:36,514 --> 00:34:39,384 It says, "Then we found some brethren and were invited to 574 00:34:39,384 --> 00:34:41,074 stay with them for seven days. 575 00:34:41,464 --> 00:34:43,414 And thus we came to Rome. 576 00:34:43,884 --> 00:34:47,914 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market 577 00:34:47,914 --> 00:34:50,984 of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us. 578 00:34:51,274 --> 00:34:55,224 And when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 579 00:34:55,664 --> 00:34:59,804 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with 580 00:34:59,804 --> 00:35:02,004 the soldier who was guarding him." 581 00:35:02,574 --> 00:35:08,594 So here we see the fulfillment of what God said in Acts 23:11. 582 00:35:08,964 --> 00:35:13,544 I have to go back, because this is what was holding or keeping Paul focused. 583 00:35:13,854 --> 00:35:18,603 This is why he was able to s- take courage, 'cause God said in verse 11 584 00:35:18,613 --> 00:35:24,833 of Acts 23, when he, when he stood by Paul, he says, "Take courage! 585 00:35:25,394 --> 00:35:29,804 For as you have solemnly witnessed to my cause at Jerusalem, so 586 00:35:29,894 --> 00:35:32,524 you must witness at Rome also." 587 00:35:33,244 --> 00:35:34,814 So this is what Paul was holding onto. 588 00:35:34,814 --> 00:35:39,334 This was the promise that Paul had from God, is you're going to make it from Rome. 589 00:35:39,964 --> 00:35:42,184 This is what he encouraged everybody in the boat. 590 00:35:42,184 --> 00:35:43,523 We're gonna make it to Rome. 591 00:35:43,524 --> 00:35:44,983 God has spoken to me 592 00:35:47,900 --> 00:35:52,840 Luke gives us this, this travel log of his trip highlighting them, 593 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:54,000 "Hey, look at what God is doing. 594 00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:55,020 We're meeting believers. 595 00:35:55,020 --> 00:35:56,070 They're taking us in." 596 00:35:56,250 --> 00:35:58,460 Again, God's provision along the way 597 00:36:02,270 --> 00:36:06,640 And then as they arrive in Rome, look at what Paul's response is. 598 00:36:06,650 --> 00:36:08,470 I think this is important in verse 15. 599 00:36:08,470 --> 00:36:10,030 This is gonna be our final takeaway. 600 00:36:10,380 --> 00:36:15,020 So when he arrives in Rome, at the very end of verse 15, "He 601 00:36:15,020 --> 00:36:19,820 thanked God and took courage," which is exactly what God told him. 602 00:36:19,820 --> 00:36:21,250 "Take courage, Paul. 603 00:36:21,900 --> 00:36:23,100 I'm gonna get you to Rome." 604 00:36:24,970 --> 00:36:27,020 That word courage means confidence. 605 00:36:27,500 --> 00:36:28,810 He gained confidence, right? 606 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:29,680 It happened. 607 00:36:29,920 --> 00:36:30,580 I'm here. 608 00:36:30,620 --> 00:36:36,180 Just like God said, I'm gonna have confidence and trust God, like, from 609 00:36:36,180 --> 00:36:39,360 this point forward, even though he's been trusting him from the very beginning. 610 00:36:39,360 --> 00:36:41,530 But right, when you get confidence in something, like, 611 00:36:41,550 --> 00:36:42,790 I believe it, it's gonna happen. 612 00:36:42,790 --> 00:36:43,430 It's true 613 00:36:45,628 --> 00:36:46,838 I can take courage in it. 614 00:36:48,048 --> 00:36:52,028 And that's the final application for us as we look at God's faithfulness. 615 00:36:52,498 --> 00:36:59,308 Let God's faithfulness renew your courage, your confidence in Him, right? 616 00:36:59,308 --> 00:37:00,698 God keeps His word. 617 00:37:01,068 --> 00:37:04,808 Here's a great example through the life of the Apostle Paul. 618 00:37:05,308 --> 00:37:10,028 God keeps His word, and because He keeps His word, we can take courage 619 00:37:10,188 --> 00:37:14,028 and confidence in what God's Word says. 620 00:37:15,198 --> 00:37:16,228 We don't have to doubt it 621 00:37:18,494 --> 00:37:22,134 I'll close with this last quote from a commentator named Darrell Bock. 622 00:37:22,934 --> 00:37:25,344 It kinda summarizes this. 623 00:37:25,894 --> 00:37:31,184 He says, "God's word can be trusted because God can be trusted." 624 00:37:32,184 --> 00:37:32,224 Amen. 625 00:37:32,224 --> 00:37:32,324 Right? 626 00:37:32,704 --> 00:37:35,044 We trust God's word because who said it? 627 00:37:35,084 --> 00:37:36,634 God said it, right? 628 00:37:37,004 --> 00:37:39,594 If there's people you don't trust, you don't believe their word, but 629 00:37:39,604 --> 00:37:43,554 you can trust God's word because the guy who's backing it, who's God. 630 00:37:44,034 --> 00:37:47,054 And then he c- concludes this, and this is the hard part, "The only 631 00:37:47,064 --> 00:37:50,814 thing one does not know is when God will accomplish His will." 632 00:37:51,604 --> 00:37:51,824 Right? 633 00:37:51,844 --> 00:37:53,034 That's, that's the hard part. 634 00:37:53,034 --> 00:37:56,614 We're like, God doesn't tell us what specifically is gonna happen. 635 00:37:56,904 --> 00:37:57,914 We have to trust Him. 636 00:37:58,804 --> 00:38:01,094 But we can trust Him because He's God. 637 00:38:01,094 --> 00:38:01,544 Amen. 638 00:38:01,544 --> 00:38:01,994 Amen. 639 00:38:01,994 --> 00:38:02,504 Amen. 640 00:38:03,194 --> 00:38:03,854 Let's pray. 641 00:38:05,124 --> 00:38:11,514 Lord, we thank You so much for Your word because it reveals who You are. 642 00:38:11,514 --> 00:38:18,224 It shows us the God behind the words can be trusted, and we've seen 643 00:38:18,224 --> 00:38:20,094 that again and again in scripture. 644 00:38:21,184 --> 00:38:24,863 And Lord, if we were to think about it and to write it down, we could say 645 00:38:24,864 --> 00:38:31,103 we've seen it again and again in our own lives, your providence, your provision, 646 00:38:31,544 --> 00:38:34,424 and your preservation in our lives. 647 00:38:35,004 --> 00:38:36,074 And we thank You for that. 648 00:38:36,084 --> 00:38:40,874 And I pray this morning that You would help us to remember those things, 649 00:38:40,884 --> 00:38:44,953 Lord, that we would remember You are in control of all things, that You 650 00:38:44,954 --> 00:38:50,514 preserve us as Your servants until the day that You call us home, and we 651 00:38:50,514 --> 00:38:53,193 can have confidence in that, Lord God. 652 00:38:53,684 --> 00:38:58,484 And may we, like the Apostle Paul, remember to, to thank You for all 653 00:38:58,484 --> 00:39:05,144 that You do in our lives, and may we take courage and confidence that 654 00:39:05,144 --> 00:39:06,854 You are in control of our life. 655 00:39:07,883 --> 00:39:11,094 Lord, we thank You for the, the reminder this morning through 656 00:39:11,094 --> 00:39:12,753 the life of the Apostle Paul. 657 00:39:13,353 --> 00:39:20,094 Help us this week to trust You, to follow after You, and to be witnesses for You in 658 00:39:20,094 --> 00:39:22,744 this life until the day You call us home. 659 00:39:23,374 --> 00:39:26,654 And we pray this in Jesus' name, amen.