Deliverance

Deliverance

Acts 27:1-44

Most of us have never been in a terrible storm at sea, but almost all of us can imagine the terror of being in one. Our generation tends to fly over the seas rather than through them. When Martin Luther writes, “The human heart is like a ship on a stormy sea driven about by winds blowing from all four corners of heaven,” we understand his meaning. We know the raging fury of a heart tossed back and forth with fear and joy, wonder and worry, anger and anxiety, delight and despair. We do not need to experience a storm at sea to understand the metaphor, but we will never fully appreciate it unless we have stood on the deck where wave after wave comes hurling a defenseless ship. We can appreciate the storm imagery, but never grasp the terror and fear of night after night at sea without food or drink, fully at the whim of the waves. 

There is no control in a storm at sea. You are defenseless. All you have is those you are with. G.K. Chesterton wrote, “We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.” When you live through a storm together, a depth is developed as you pray for deliverance. You pray for in a raging tempest in the middle of the ocean it is crystal clear there is only One who can help. In times of utter despair and hopelessness, we discover faith. There may be experiencing storms of circumstance, or storms of the soul, regardless I pray as you face that storm and are tossed to and fro, that you realize, there is only One who can say, “Peace be still,” to quiet the waters. 

The Lord stood by Paul in barracks after his arrest in Jerusalem and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Paul knows he must go to Rome and he knows he will get to Rome. He knows God will bring him safely to his destination, but let’s notice how Paul took courage during his journey.

Deliverance from the Seas

Many today want to doubt the historical accuracy of the Bible. They often doubt the historicity of the text without ever reading it. Most classically, trained historians have little doubt of the accuracy of the Bible because of passages like Acts 27 and the detail provided by Luke. Acts 27:1–2,

[1] And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. [2] And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 

Luke highlights the centurion, Julius, who will be in charge of the transport. He mentions Aristarchus, who was a fellow prisoner with Paul, mentioned in both Colossians and Philemon. As you listen to this account, Luke draws out how incredibly long and taxing this journey to Rome will be. There will be multiple ships, various cities and ports mentioned, and the challenge of the weather. Keep in mind Jesus’ words at the beginning of the book, Acts 1:8,

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

It is as if Luke is showing how Paul is taking the gospel to the end of the earth. If not literally, then at least metaphorically. This trip would have seemed like they were going to the end of the earth. Acts 27:3–8,

[3] The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. [4] And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. [5] And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. [6] There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. [7] We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. [8] Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 

They boarded a second ship and began to have difficulty with the weather. So much of ancient travel depended on the weather. There was a pattern to the weather based on the season, which guided travel. And even though there was a pattern, it was still unpredictable.  Acts 27:9–12,

[9] Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, [10] saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” [11] But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. [12] And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 

The centurion did not listen to Paul but preferred the wisdom of the pilot of the ship. Of course the Pilot is going to listen to the captain over a prisoner on board. The centurion undoubtedly knew who Paul was and why he was on the ship. He was a religious man and some claimed to be a prophet, but the decisions on the sea should be given to the professionals. Acts 27:13–17,

[13] Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. [14] But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. [15] And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. [16] Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. [17] After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 

A tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, the Greek word used here is where we get the word typhoon. In verse 15, Luke explains they are no longer in control of the ship for they are “driven along.” They were afraid the ship was going to sink on the Syrtis, “This is a combination of sandbars and shoals off the North African coast. It is about four hundred miles from where they started. The site was known as a graveyard for vessels.” Things are not going well. 

As Luke continues to share the story as an eyewitness and fellow traveler, one can sense the growing desperation that seizes the crew. Acts 27:18–20,

[18] Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. [19] And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. [20] When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 

Slowly read these verses again taking into account the emotional state of the crew. “Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.” When you start throwing things overboard, you are starting to do whatever you can to survive. And the whole time, the boat is rocking back and forth. The crew and the prisoners are probably getting sick. Their equilibrium is gone. “And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.” The boat is probably taking on water and throwing the tackle overboard (most likely spare gear and possibly the main sail) would have made the boat lightly hoping to help them stay on top of the water. This is only the third day. And yet, this is the third day of experiencing tempestuous winds in complete darkness with probably no sleep. One day like that would likely cause us to start losing hope. Three days!! And it gets worse, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of being saved was at last abandoned.” 

Even those who were holding out hope for survival, the most optimistic among them, realized there was no chance of escape. No sun or stars for many days. Total and utter darkness with a fury of a violent storm, “all hope of being saved was at last abandoned.” Everyone gave up. Or almost everyone. 

Deliverance by the Savior

When all hope seems lost, the Lord shows up. Time and time again throughout history, While the tempest rages on; When temptation claims the battle, And it seems the night has won. Christ, the Sure and Steady Anchor, is still with us. Acts 27:21–26,

[21] Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. [22] Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. [23] For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, [24] and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ [25] So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. [26] But we must run aground on some island.” 

Paul stood up among the crew and told them to take heart that they are going to live. Now remember, “all hope of being saved has been abandoned,” yet Paul tells them that not one person shall lose their life. All we survive. Why? Because God says so. Verse 23, “For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I workshop, and he said, “Do not be afraid, Paul.” 

Paul had to believe God’s Word against all hope of what he saw. He had been without food and sunlight for days. He saw the crew throw the cargo overboard. He felt the ship being tossed back and forth by the fury of the storm. And yet, even in the midst of extremely dire circumstances Paul believed God’s Word. Beloved, I hope that encourages you day. I hope your faith will not waver in disbelief, but that you are fully convinced that God is able to do what he has promised. God told Paul he will testify in Rome and since God said it, nothing can stop it. 

For the Christian, there is always hope. Even the darkness of the 14 days at sea, is nothing to the utter darkness that covered Jerusalem as Jesus hung on the cross taking on the sin of the world. He shouted, “It is finished,” and breathed his last. He gave up his spirit and died. The sinless Son of God died and was buried. Everyone thought it was the end. It appeared death had won, but God’s Word had said that the Christ must suffer and die but on the third day rise from the dead. And God’s Word never returns void, but always accomplishes its purpose. Paul believed God’s Word in the midst of the storm, because God’s Word had already been proven true in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Beloved, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) If God has met your greatest need in Christ, why do you doubt him with lesser things? There was no logical reason for Paul to have hope on that ship, but he did because he believed God’s Word. Beloved, do you believe God’s Word? God knows our frame. He knows we are but dust. We get anxious and fearful, but he says to us, “Do not be afraid.” He wants us to trust him. Will we? 

I know in the midst of hopeless situations like troubled marriages, depleted finances, wayward children, and failing health, it is hard to believe God’s Word. And yet, what is harder than to raise the dead? Beloved, there is always hope in Christ. We must lift our eyes beyond our current circumstances to the hope of eternal life. 

Friend, if you are not following Jesus as Savior, what hope do you have? Truly, when you close your eyes in death, what will be your hope? What will you trust in on that day? Jesus Christ is a kind and gentle Savior. He wants to save you, but you must turn to him in faith to be forgiven. He invites you to come and follow him. 

Deliverance by the Centurion

God reassures Paul that he will be saved for he has a specific task for him to accomplish. God will not call you home until his work for you is done. Paul’s confidence in Christ has affected the centurion. The centurion can no longer trust the pilot of the ship, he must turn his trust to Someone else. Acts 27:27–32.

27] When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. [28] So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. [29] And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. [30] And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, [31] Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” [32] Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. 

The sailors were trying to jump ship in the lifeboats, but Paul, seeking to save their lives, told the centurion they must stay in the ship. The centurion listened to Paul. And yet again, Luke shows how the Roman representative sides with Paul. Claudius, Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa all have testified to Paul’s innocence and now Julius does the same. Julius puts his faith in Paul and in Paul’s God. Yet again shows Theophilus, Christians are not enemies of Rome. The Roman representative again declares that Christian representative, Paul in this case, was innocence. 

Deliverance for the Sinner

Paul cared for all the people on the crew. He cared for the sailor's souls who tried to flee on the lifeboat. In the midst of the storm, Paul’s eyes were not fixed on himself but on those around him. Acts 27:33–38,

[33] As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. [34] Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” [35] And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. [36] Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. [37] (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) [38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. (ESV)

Paul encourages everyone to finally take some food. You could imagine how weak everyone would have been after 14 days with nothing to eat. Paul has become the leader of the ship and encourages them yet again of their coming deliverance, “for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” It is similar to Jesus’ words to his disciples as they face persecution, Luke 21:17–19

[17] You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. [18] But not a hair of your head will perish. [19] By your endurance you will gain your lives. 

God is in control. Nothing can thwart his will. 

Paul gives thanks to God and they eat together. Luke is not referring to the Lord’s Supper as most of the sailors and prisoners would not have been Christians. Regardless, Paul gives thanks to God and encourages all who are on the ship. I really appreciate Paul’s heart for the sinners on the ship. Paul could have been more concerned with his own life, but he was not. He cared about the souls of the sinners on the ship. 

Beloved, I think we can learn something from the Apostle Paul here. Too often we are so concerned with the storms that are raging in our own lives that we do not consider those who are lost around us. How we handle the storms of our lives is a reflection in our trust in God? We could be more concerned with our own survival when we face cancer or we could be concerned with our lost family members or nurses. If you are in Christ, you know where you are going. You are bound for glory. Do not be afraid, trust God’s Word. Help those around you who are bound for destruction have faith by giving them an example of peace in the midst of the storm. 

How we handle our trials or storms of life will communicate our steadfast trust in the Lord and will lead people to praise God? Peter writes, 1 Peter 1:6–7,

[6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

God will sustain in our storms so we can help lead sinners to the Savior. Let us not waste our trials, but use them to display our unwavering trust in God’s Word.

Deliverance to the Shore

God was true to his Word. He supernaturally and miraculously spared every life on the ship through an incredible storm. Acts 27:39–44,

[39] Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. [40] So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. [41] But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. [42] The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. [43] But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, [44] and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. (ESV)

The ship was destroyed but the souls were safe. The centurion again saves Paul, keeping the soldiers from carrying out their plan to kill the prisoners. Some swim to shore and others grab some of the ship to help them there. “And so it was that all were brought safely to land.”

There is something so beautiful to me about that last line. I have the great privilege to help people die in Christ. Almost every time I say my final goodbye to the saints, I’ll pray, “Thank you Lord. One more has made it home.” The job of pastors is to help people make it safely to the celestial shores. I love how Spurgeon writes reflecting on Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress,

I am occupied in my small way, as Mr. Great-heart was employed in Bunyan’s day. I do not compare myself with that champion, but I am in the same line of business. I am engaged in personally-conducted tours to Heaven; and I have with me, at the present time, dear Old Father Honest: I am glad he is still alive and active. And there is Christiana, and there are her children. It is my business, as best I can, to kill dragons, and cut off giants’ heads, and lead on the timid and trembling. I am often afraid of losing some of the weaklings. I have the heart-ache for them; but, by God’s grace, and your kind and generous help in looking after one another, I hope we shall all travel safely to the river’s edge. Oh, how many have I had to part with there! I have stood on the brink, and I have heard them singing in the midst of the stream, and I have almost seen the shining ones lead them up the hill, and through the gates, into the Celestial City.”

Beloved, it is not only the job of pastors to help people make it to glory. It is the job of every single one of us.

God has given us one another to make it through the storm of this life. Remember Chesterton's words, “We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.” I pray as we are all in the same Park Baptist boat in the stormy sea of a fallen world, we will be terribly loyal to one another as labor for the celestial shores to see our Savior. It is our business to kill dragons, to cut giants heads, and to lead on the timid and trembling. We are engaged in personally conducted tours to Heaven leading one another to the River’s Edge. And when we cross to the other side, we will see the One who controls the wind and the waves, and the chaos of this world will be a distant memory. We will be with Christ our Savior and we will be at rest. The storms may be raging now, but our Shepherd will lead us to still waters. Trust him. He is Faithful.