Have you ever wondered what the sister who sits next to you at a meeting is like in her casual moments? For example, what is she like with the checkout girl at the supermarket where she shops? What is the brother who serves with you on the ecclesial committee like when he opens up his lunchbox with the men at work at noon? How does your Sunday school teacher treat his neighbors as he does yard work on Saturday morning?
We have often yearned to have been with the Lord Jesus and the faithful of old, visualizing how they would have been in their everyday lives. What would it really have been like to know them in their casual moments? What would it have been like to be the shopkeeper where Jesus bought his carpentry supplies, or the helper on Peter’s fishing boat, or the soldier who guarded Paul? What observations would we make about these faithful people? How would casual conversation go with them? What personalities would shine through?
If Only We Could Observe Daily Routines, We Could Learn to Deal with Life
We feel that if we could have been around these men, observing their day to day routines, we could catch and absorb their skills for dealing with life, this wonderful business of being in the world yet not of it, of letting our light shine before men that they might glorify our Father in heaven. Yet through the choice of the Spirit we are blocked from this knowledge. It is only on rare occasions with the first century church that we catch a glimpse of the faithful when they are not teaching or preaching to a gathering. The Bible message is too vital, too urgent to be spent on day to day experiences.
Now in Acts chapter 27 we find a fast moving tale of shipwreck and escape, doubt and faith, disaster and hope, human frailty and the saving power of the Almighty. It is one of our favorite chapters. It reads with all the drama and thrill of an adventure story and like a good adventure, it leaves you hanging to the very end. It is so action-packed that it almost seems out of character with the rest of scripture because it exudes excitement yet appears to be lean on lessons. Supporting this suspicion one only has to thumb through the popular commentaries on Acts 27 to see that most concern themselves with retelling the story and debating about ship’s rigging and the navigational techniques of the day.
There must be more to this chapter in God’s mind than sails and stars. There is! Acts 27 is also a rare account of how one of the faithful of Bible times conducted himself in his not-on-the-platform, everyday life. Acts 27 contains 44 verses on the inside life of the Apostle Paul, not Paul on an ecclesial speaking tour or preaching campaign, but Paul “killing time” on his way to meet Caesar. Acts 27 shows how Paul behaved and therefore how we could behave in our day-to-day life. These 44 verses provide valuable insight into the man and his personality and a navigational chart for us to follow in our dealings with the people around us, the people we meet on a daily basis. Let’s take a closer look.
- Develop Trust And Respect With People
Acts 27:1-3 “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonian, being with us. And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.”
Paul was actually encouraged to have a certain degree of liberty even though he was a prisoner. Julius let Paul walk off the ship like a free man. If Paul had escaped into the crowd of Sidon it would have been Julius’ neck at stake. Paul must have developed a relationship of respect and trust with the centurion for this liberty to have been granted. Julius trusted Paul with his life! Our goal is to convince anybody we cross paths with to trust us with their life as we endeavor to lead them to lose their life for the Lord’s sake. We cannot expect them to take this step if we are not totally honest and trustworthy, saying what we mean, and meaning what we say. Do our neighbors and work associates know and recognize us to be honest people who faultlessly obey the laws of trust and goodness? In our times, as the world becomes more entrenched into “as it was in the days of Noah,” it is almost customary to “never give a straight answer.”
Putting People On and Teasing is the Modern Way
Putting people on and teasing are the modern way to be friendly and personable. Everyone wants to be a stand-up comedian. It is true that this “funny business” will help us get popularity and friends, but at a big expense. We sacrifice our credibility, our trustworthiness. One may never know if we’re teasing or not. Why would anyone stake their life on the integrity of a tease? It’s just not worth the cost to try to be friendly in this way. Deal straight with all people you meet and you will have a chance to develop a Christ-centered relationship with them. Jesus put it this way: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16
If we are not prepared to be honest and trustworthy even in the little things then Acts 27 stops right here for us. It is only after this foundation is laid that we can go on and follow Paul’s example.
- After Developing Credibility — Warn Them Of Coming Destruction
Vs. 9-10 “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 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.”
Rather than commencing with a message of redemption and hope beyond trouble, Paul warns those on board of certain death unless they change their plans. People cannot see a need to be redeemed if they don’t first see that life is literally a dead end. In our relationships it usually doesn’t take much courage to be credible, but after trust is developed, we have the responsibility of the watchman to take the step of courage and warn our friends about the coming holocaust and the finality of death.
“If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be on his own head.” Ezek. 33:3-4
Unlike the churches around us who first preach of peace, our first duty is the duty of a watchman, to warn of the coming destruction.
- When The Trials Strike, Let Them Work At It Awhile
Vs. 15-20 “And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, under girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 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.”
The sailors are in a frenzy, trying to solve their problems yet Paul does not say “I told you so” nor does he interfere or yell and shout to get their attention. For a while at least, he does nothing. Our friends most likely will ignore our original message of warning as the troubles of life close in on them. Maybe they can avoid death and the return of Christ, or serious trouble, by just going on searching for a magic solution by themselves. At this point we can be easily tempted to reason that our friends are not interested, just not into religion, too busy with their own problems. After all, they didn’t heed our warning, did they?
Paul does nothing for many days (v. 20) during this frenzy, but he does act decisively later. What was the signal that Paul was waiting for? When is the right moment for us to re-introduce and further develop our gospel message? Paul shows us the signals to look for. The first signal is a willingness by our friends to make sacrifices to now solve the jam they have gotten themselves into. V 19 “. . . we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.” Most people hang on to their possessions and lifestyles at the expense of godliness. When people begin to throw out the lifestyle on which they depended, it can be a sign they are sincerely trying to seek salvation. The second signal is that a hopeless attitude manifests itself. V. 20 “. . . all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” When our friends say “I can’t take it anymore!”, when they give up hoping that their solutions and possessions will save them, then they are ready to hear what Paul has to say next.
- When the time is Ripe, Introduce the Hope of Salvation
Vs. 21-26 “But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.”
Now Paul says, “I told you so.” The frenzy is gone and the hush of hopelessness has descended. They are ready to listen to that which they once spurned when they were so self-strong. Realization of weakness fosters meekness. And look at the glorious message he presents to them! He is absolutely certain of life for all of them. The angel of God assured him! We, brothers and sisters, can have the same strength in our message to friends, the confidence of Paul, because God has in these last days spoken to us through the miracle of the Jews, the miracle of fulfilled prophecy, the miracle of the Bible, the sensibility of creation over evolution, and most importantly the sign of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has given assurance to all men in that he has raised him from the dead (Acts 17:31). He has so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him Should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). We can declare to our friends with the same confidence of Paul that eternal life is guaranteed to those who believe and obey (Romans 8:1).
- Never Desert Others or Give them the Opportunity to Desert you
Vs. 30-31 “And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, unthat color as though they would have cast anchors out of the fore ship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.”
At some point in our relationship with our friends and their developing relationship with God, whether it be before they ever begin to really listen to the gospel or even after they have accepted the Truth and are baptized, they may reach a low point where they feel like sneaking out the back door just as the shipman did here.
Paul did not just let them go. He kept them within his sphere of influence. On top of the foundation of trust that he’d developed he had planted an awareness of approaching doom, cultivated it with patience and watered it with the hope of a way out. Now he was able to be bold and definite about what they needed to do to be saved. He was clear on the fact that salvation from the sea depended on staying on the ship.
John 10:11-13 says “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
From a natural point of view, the shipmen were the shepherds of the boat and its passengers, yet they were about to act like hirelings. Paul fulfilled his role as shepherd to the sailors. They heard his voice and obeyed. The people we meet, neighbors, workmates, the check-out person at the supermarket, are sheep. We have the opportunity to be a shepherd to them. In a world full of hirelings, we may be the only shepherd they will ever hear calling.
Now it may be that we are frightened or nervous or uncomfortable or even disinterested when the subject of religion comes up. We may have our lifeboat ready so we can duck out. There are many one-liners to use as lifeboats such as, “I have to go check the pies,” “I’ve got one more phone call to make,” or “let’s talk some other time.” These are the fruits of a hireling. Shepherds are available. Shepherds don’t leave the sheep to the wolf when the wolf is at the door. To effect the change in ourselves from hireling to shepherd we have to cut the ropes to our lifeboats and let them fall into the sea. If we don’t actively initiate and pursue Biblical-style communication with our friends we are risking their necks And Our Own Necks as well. Think of the watchman on the tower. Think of Paul in the storm. Their lives were at risk, too! In fact if Paul had not been a man of integrity because of the gospel, Julius would not likely have protected him from the sword in verses 42-43. Conversation that’s only about the weather, high prices, things, people, planting, building, buying, selling, marrying, etc., is not shepherding. Do what it takes to be a shepherd who calls his sheep so they know your voice to be a voice of truth, warning, patience, hope, and availability. If they move away from your area keep in touch through the mail or telephone. Don’t let them leave your sphere of influence that will lead them towards life.
- Feed Them
Vs. 33-34 “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat; for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.”
Through God’s grace we will be allowed to feed these people with bread from heaven repeating the hope of salvation again and again as Paul does here, telling and demonstrating how it affects the way a believer thinks and lives. At first there was hesitation by the crew to eat, but afterwards they receive the food with good cheer. Paul gave thanks for the bread “in presence of them all.” He was consistently bold about his relationship with God, consistently confident about his faith, and consistently thankful to God for His care.
- Salvation
Vs. 42-44 “And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape, but the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land. And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”
Under God’s guiding grace, Paul’s involvement with these associates, the relationships he had built with them and the shepherding he had done resulted in them all escaping safe to land. Paul was saved from the sword, the sailors and soldiers from the sea. It will be through God’s grace that our daily involvement with our associates, the trust we have built, the warning we give, the patience we practice, the hope we share, the closeness of keeping in touch we offer, and the type of food we feed them with will finally let us and our hearers escape safe to the promised land.
There is then something we can do with each person we cross paths with in our lives. You may not be able to map out with each acquaintance just where you might be in your relationship. After reading an article like this your chances of retaining all these steps in order are slim and none unless you mark them down. But there is one thing Paul drives home to us that we would do well never to forget, which we repeat: There Is Something You Can Do With Each Person You Cross Paths With in order to bring them closer to salvation.
But what must motivate us to consistently follow up an approach to each and every person we cross paths with? ‘What motivated Paul to deal so deliberately with the soldiers and crew of the storm-drenched ship? Hebrews 10:34 gives us a clue. “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”
It is guessed that Hebrews was written about two years after the shipwreck. Could it be that this verse is an allusion to the incident? Firstly, there is the reference to prisoners and secondly to the spoiling of goods, just like the tackling of the ship being thrown overboard in Acts. 27. In any case, the Hebrews had compassion on the prisoner. The sailors were in bondage to their own fears regarding a sinking ship and Paul had compassion on them, even though he was the one in literal bonds! He wasn’t concerned only with his own neck, after all he had been assured that he would be brought before Caesar. He was the Lord’s servant, and his faith and the angel told him that God would take care of him. He could have let the sailors leave in the lifeboat. He could have let them continue fasting. He could have rested on his own faith without interfering and let them carry on their own efforts to save themselves until they finally were lost. After all, Paul was only “killing time” until he got to Rome! Instead he said, “Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you” (V. 34). These are words of compassion. Let us be like that. Let us be willing to allow the spoiling of our goods even as the Hebrews did in order to make compassion live.
Is There Something We Need To Throw Overboard?
If our compassion is gasping its last breath instead of thriving, it may be that we need to voluntarily spoil our own goods. Is there something we need to throw overboard to lighten our load ? Maybe our lives are so cluttered with irrelevant things and activities that we’re drowning too! The world’s a ship sinking fast and people all around us are drowning in sin. If we view them with active compassion though, our preaching duties are no longer duty but joy. We do know the way to land. Let’s reach out with the arm of compassion and point the way.
Not one of us has always used the chart and seen the way clearly to land. We are every one shipwrecked without our Lord in the captain’s chair. We all have something that needs to be thrown overboard. Yet in spite of this not one of us needs to be drowned for our Savior has done the ultimate in compassion. There is no greater love. Let us too, share the comfort and be messengers of this righteousness.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One