An Island of Snakes and DysenteryActs 28:1-10

Maud church of Christby Jim Bradshaw

Sunday Evening, August 11, 2013

Read Acts 28:1-10

Act 28:1-2 NKJV Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. (2) And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.Gal 5:22-23 NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Kindness – chrestotes : moral goodness or kindness (Thayer);According to Webster 1828, Kindness Act of good will; beneficence; any act of benevolence which promotes the happiness or welfare of others. Charity, hospitality, attentions to the wants of others, &c., are deemed acts of kindness, or kindnesses. Acts 28.

Snakes!!!

Act 28:3-6 NKJV But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. (4) So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." (5) But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (6) However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Snakes!!!Mar 16:15-18 NKJV And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Mar 16:19-20 NKJV So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Dysentery

Act 28:7-10 NKJV In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. (8) And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. (9) So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. (10) They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

God’s ProvidenceIn theology, the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence,but deny a particular providence, not considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God himself.

A miracle is something that goes beyone the Law of Science or nature. Only a supernatural occurrence can explain the results.

God’s ProvidenceAct 23:11-14 NKJV But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." (12) And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. (13) Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. (14) They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

Act 23:16-17 NKJV So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. (17) Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him."

God’s ProvidenceGod’s Providence still at work today, however, the miraculous age has ended; Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.

Col 4:2-4 NKJV Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; (3) meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, (4) that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

God’s ProvidenceWhat opportunity lies ahead of us here at Maud