Open—R. Boulard, D. So
DISCLAIMER: The following has been auto-transcribed. We hope it will help you to find the section of this audio file you are looking for.
M #23 in the appendix.
Oh Jesus, precious Savior.
For when without record.
Our hearts with woven.
Today our hearts occurred. Our world is thy Lord.
Great, that's hard.
And all my heart.
Nor hide, nor thy shall have.
Lost God in the faith created man.
On the ground.
For us to meet us in the clouds and to be presented by himself. And to thy home above of peace and love. We just, uh, rejoice at this time as soon to happen, or Jesus are so anxious to have that bride which thou has paid such a great price for him. And so we know that thou is longingly wait, uh, to have us with thyself to show us all the glories that thou does have with the Father. So we long and wait for thee. And in the meantime, we're thankful that thou has a provision for us in this scene.
That that was enabled us to be together and that we too now can, after having the joy of, uh, remembering thy death, that we too can open that precious word and by the Holy Spirit be fed and, uh, directed. And so we would pray that there might be that which would be suitable to each one here. We know there's many, uh, different ages and many different stages in the spiritual walk. And so we would just pray and earnestly plead that there might be that which would be for the benefit of each precious one, that their faith might be deepened and that their heart might be encouraged.
That they may go on faithfully until that has come, Lord Jesus for us. So we wait in thy presence and expectation that the person in work of Lord Jesus might be exalted in in all his benefits to us. And so we just look to the and ask these things as we pray and thy worthy precious name, Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
00:05:35
Just like to open the word of God up to the book of Acts chapter 18.
And just read a few scriptures in connection with Aquila and Priscilla.
We've been speaking a little bit about what takes place in the home and how wonderful it is to have a hymn sing in the home and, uh, to have the home devoted to the people of God and to the enjoyment of the things of God in the home. And isn't it wonderful how the word of God points out this couple who use their home for the Lord? And so let's just use just read in Acts chapter 18 and verse one.
After these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla. Because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome and came unto them, and because he was of the same craft, he abode with them and wrought, for by their occupation they were tent makers. And then just a little bit further on, we'll read about 5 passages here, verse 18.
Chapter 18, Verse 18. And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria. And with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Sanchez, for he had a vow, and he came to Ephesus and left them there. But he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Then just down to verse 24, and a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria.
An eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord.
And being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, whom when Aquiline Priscilla had heard.
They took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
And when he was disposed to pass into a care, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him.
Who when he was come, helped them much, which had believed through grace, for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ and then Romans chapter 16.
And verse 3.
Romans chapter 16 and verse 3 greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their own necks, unto whom not only I give thanks.
But also all the churches of the Gentiles likewise greet the church that is in their house. And then one last portion in First Corinthians chapter 16.
Verse 19.
1St Corinthians 16 and verse 19, the churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you, greet you one another with an holy kiss. Well, we just turned back to Acts chapter 18 and and verse two. There it speaks of the introduction. The Spirit of God introduces us to these two dear ones, Aquila.
And Priscilla, he came with his wife and he had been commanded of Claudius, had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. And so he came unto them because he was of the same craft he abode with them. So, you know, the first thing I want to point out is here that these deer ones equivalent, Priscilla knew what hardship was. We don't know what they left in Rome. We're not told what they had to leave in Italy, but they had to leave everything perhaps that they held dear and they had to.
Leave and go to a place that they didn't know and they had to live as strangers and pilgrims. And so their household then became characterized as one that was in the wilderness and as strangers and pilgrims. In this scene they sought to use their home for the Lord. You know, in umm, I'll just tell you a little story and I some of you have heard this story. Brother Ian Hurlbut told me this winter little story. I asked him how his family ever came to be among those that were gathered to the Lord's name. And he said this to me. He said.
00:10:24
He had a great grandfather, Clinton Hurlbut. And Clinton was, uh, lived in a little town called Myrtle, Ontario. And in the 1880s and, uh, he was a, part of the, the Methodist, uh, church there. It was a, a religious organization, perhaps the most prominent one in that little town of Myrtle, Ontario. And, uh, he was a Shoemaker, he repaired shoes and, and he was a cobbler and he went to that Methodist Church and then, you know.
As time went on, there were those that came into the community that read the word of God and that were gathered to the Lord's name. There was a testimony there of those that were gathered to the Lord's name on divine ground. And he went to the Bible reading meetings there and, uh, started to attend the meetings. And very soon he went to the Methodist minister and said he, I'm going to have to withdraw my fellowship from this church system because, you know, I found what I believe to be the truth. And so he withdrew from that organization.
And he began, he took his place at the Lord's Table. And very shortly thereafter, the minister stood up in his pulpit and he said, you know, I don't want you to go to Clinton Hurlbut's.
Little shop, I don't want you to do any business with Clinton because you know, he's not one of us anymore. He's withdrawn from this establishment and, uh, they starved him out of Myrtle, Ontario. They starved him out of town. He had to leave that town and he went to Toronto, ON and he started from fresh started, had a home, uh, built her home again and started business. And then, you know, his son Percy was, uh, began to grow and his son was.
Percy was gathered to the Lord's name, and then Umm Clayton was born and he was gathered to the Lord's name, and Ian Hurlbut was Clayton's son, and on it went, you know. But you know, I thought of that. Clinton hurled, but paid the price to be gathered to the Lord's name. And you and I here today, perhaps we've paid nothing to sit here in our seats and to sit under the sound of a good news of the grace and kindness of God and what it is to be gathered to the very precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Oh, help you ever thank the Lord for what it is to be gathered to the Lord's name. It's a precious, precious, precious privilege in this scene. What we find here that what's characteristic of Aquilin Priscilla is that they knew what hardship was. They knew what it was to identify with the people of God. And then it says that they were tent makers and they had the very precious privilege of opening up their little home to the apostle Paul. And so he was there in their home and it says.
I think.
A little bit further on that, he was there perhaps about a year and a half. I can't find it, but it says that, uh, he was there, he stayed with them in about a year and a half, and he was there, and perhaps in that very place in Corinth, he wrote those two letters, those two epistles, First and 2nd Thessalonians, perhaps one at the beginning of that day, and then one at the end of his stay there about a year and a half. And, uh, what a precious privilege, what must have been for Aquila and Priscilla to see.
That apostle writing to the other Saints. And so their home was a simple home perhaps, and it was characterized, as I say, of being strangers and pilgrims, and they desired to have the people of God in that home. Well, I just want to encourage one another here. Many of us have homes. Let's use them for the Lord. They may be simple homes and we may not have a lot of extravagance, but we surely can have the Lord's people in the home and invite one another and encourage one another. You know what says that in Hebrews chapter 10? That we ought to be encouraging one another and so much the more as we see the day approaching.
One another and I like that you know that statement because it's not a work to stand up perhaps or to encourage a multitude as it were. But the work of encouragement is a one-on-one work. Every one of us needs to encourage one another and you young person, you can encourage someone else. You know, I was very encouraged as a young man and I saw my twin brother reading the Bible and he he read some ministry. He was reading the Pentateuch by.
CHM And that was an encouragement to me to read some ministry for myself. Every one of us, I say, need to encourage one another in that way. Well, it says in verse 18 that he sailed and in verse 19 he came to Ephesus and left them there. And then in verse 24 we find that there was a, a man, Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man. He was a gifted man. He had a gift from God. He was exercising his gift.
00:15:26
And he was mighty in the Scriptures.
Not nice. You know, everyone of us could be mighty in the Scriptures if we would just read the Scriptures. We'd read the Word of God and have an appetite for the word of God to read it for ourselves. And he says that he was mighty in the Scriptures and he came to Ephesus and this man was instructed in the way of the Lord. It's nice to be instructed. You know, we can be instructed if we go attend the reading meetings and we take time.
To read a little bit of ministry for ourselves, read a little booklet, something that speaks of the Word of God and gives us a little better understanding of the things of God. And this man was instructed, but it says here he was instructed in the way of the Lord. Being fervent in his spirit, he taught diligently the things of the Lord. I believe, Mr. Darby says of the Lord Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, whom when Aquiline Priscilla had heard, they took him under them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Well, you know, here was a home.
Being used for the Lord and there was one that really had a gift for go in spiritual things and umm, perhaps wasn't as acquainted with the truth of God as you ought to have been at that time. But he, he loved the Lord, He desired the things of God and he desired the people of God to be instructed. And so he went into the synagogue. And you know, there was a very small private work that Aquilin Priscilla did with that man, perhaps that no one else knew. No one ever knew. But the Spirit of God records it here for us in the, in the book of Acts. He says, you know, Aquila and Priscilla love that man. They took them. He they took him very quietly into the home, perhaps gave him a meal.
They enjoyed something of the Lord together, and He became instructed more perfectly in the things of God. And so, you know, beloved brethren, I take the encouragement as the thought. You know, the Lord Jesus never scolded his brethren. He spoke, you might say, very sternly sometimes, and he spoke faithfully to them, and He quoted the verses of Scripture to them that applied to certain situations, but He never scolded them in that way, you know. And so these dear brethren, they didn't stand up and oppose what He was saying in the synagogue.
But they took him home to that lovely home, and they just expounded the way of God more perfectly under them. And then there was a bond of love between them.
And it says then that there was fruit for God in verse 28. He mightily convinced the Jews and that publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Well, I just like to encourage every one of us here, you know, to have others of the precious faith into the home, whether they're those of us that are gathered to the Lord's name or perhaps those that aren't. You know, we need to have one another in the home and to sometimes just encourage one another and correct sometimes those things that are not quite right and to.
Perhaps point out things that might be a little more correct and that would magnify Christ. Well, let's turn to Romans chapter 16, and we'll just read that again in verse 3.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their own necks, unto whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles likewise greet the church.
That is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epineus, who is the first fruit of Achae unto Christ. Well, now we find that Aquila and Priscilla, they had a little home. They had been displaced. They knew what it was to suffer the loss of the home and to leave the country that they lo loved and lived in perhaps, and and to go to another place. And now they find themselves perhaps in Ephesus and umm, we find that they're helpers.
The Lord has here recorded that they were helpers in Christ Jesus.
And we don't know, I don't know that it's recorded in the Word of God, but maybe someone could point it out to us later. We don't know when they laid down their necks, unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
And so, you know, they identified with a man, the apostle Paul, who spoke the truth of God and who was harassed and hunted by those that despised the truth and wanted Judaism. They wanted the vineyard, but they didn't want Christ himself. And so these dear ones, they identified themselves with the Apostle Paul. Well, you know, it's a wonderful privilege for us to identify ourselves with Christ. You know, I, I'm ashamed to say it, but when I was a boy, they.
00:20:25
Boys on the school ground used to sometimes say, you know, what church do you go to? And I would hang my head, I'm ashamed to say it. I would hang my head and I say, well, my parents go to a place and they're only gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus. There's no sign on the building. They're just gathered to the Lord's name.
And I was ashamed of that and I hung my head and I'm ashamed to say that now. But you know, now I thank God that I'm only associated with that blessed name, the name of the Lord Jesus. It's a wonderful thing.
To be gathered to the Lord's name. It's a normal thing in Christianity. God desired all of us to be gathered to the Lord's name.
And it just in very simple way to remember him in the circumstances of his death. He said this do in remembrance of Maine. And he just wanted us to associate with him in his rejection while we wait for his coming. And so these dear ones, they did that and they laid down there who have for my my life laid down their own necks. And we're not told when or exactly how perhaps, but the Spirit of God records it. And God will record everything that's done for himself. And if you and faithfulness identify with the Lord Jesus in rejection in this scene of his rejection.
He's going to take note of it and there's going to be a thankful remembrance in the coming day. He's going to come very soon for his own. We sang that to him as we've begun this meeting. He's going to come. And when you have identified with the Lord Jesus and you've identified with him as a rejected Savior, scorned his own, not a popular Christ, one that was crucified, cast outside the city of Jerusalem, dragged from place to praise place in scorn.
And disowned and shamefully treated and crucified, you identify yourself with that person.
That One who loved you and gave himself for you, why, in the coming day he's going to thank you for identifying with himself. Well, it says here that they had a little assembly in their home. And what a precious thing it is. I know that there are many here, and the home is open and there's a little assembly in the home, a place set aside for the Lord's people, a temporary dwelling place, as it were, in the presence in the wilderness, in the presence of God, just for the people of God to enjoy.
Christ in the wilderness scene just while we wait for his coming and so equivalent and Priscilla alright there's that record is given that the assembly was in their house and then in first or first Corinthians chapter 16.
And verse 19.
It says there the churches of Asia salute you, Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you, greet you one another with an holy kiss.
Well, I think of how the people of God were on the hearts of this man, this husband, and this wife, and they love the people of God. They didn't just say that they loved the people of God. There was an act of love and kindness in their home to have the assembly there. They had the apostle Paul there. They would take a policy in and just minister the things of God to him very quietly, in a very quiet way. And none of it was publicized, but God records it in His Word here.
And then it says that Aquilin and Priscilla saluted you much in the Lord. Why isn't it nice? Isn't it encouraging to just salute one another? You know, I wanna just say this, that Brother Hammer is at home in Hammer Bay, in the apartment there, 89 years old and can't get out much anymore. And he longs for those visits on the phone. He rejoices when he goes to the gets a ride, goes to the mailbox and there's a card and in the mailbox. And one of the brethren is saluting him, as it were, and encouraging him, giving him strength just for the last little step in this pathway of.
In the scene of the Lord's rejection, He longs for that and we ought to just encourage one another. It's a lonely day. Sometimes there's small assemblies and we need to greet one another fervently and express our love and affection for one another. I'll just give you one last little example of that as and then close. You know, in days gone by, there used to be a little assembly in San Antonio, TX and Eva Chris was there.
00:25:13
And, uh, there was one other sister, but often times when I had business in San Antonio, I would go there and there would just be Eva Chris and myself at the breaking of bread. And, uh, you know, I went there one day. I think it was the first time that I went there. And dear sister Eva Chris, she was in her 90s. And, uh, I sat down on, we remembered the Lord together. And then at the end of the meeting, you know, she very solemnly went over to the end table at the end of the sofa that I was sitting in. She opened the drawer. Very, very.
Very carefully and she very solemnly took out a big book. It was.
Probably as as large as this podium, maybe half the size. And she opened up the book very carefully and she flipped to the page that was open and I said, what, what book is this? He says. It's my book of remembrance.
And she said, I want you to put your name in my book of remembrance. And I tell you that book, it wasn't all full, but there were so many names in that book. I was, I was stunned. And then, you know, I looked, I went to sign my name in that book and the name on the top said Philip St. Vincent and gave the date. And I said, dear Eva, I said, I was in Phil Saint Vincent home for that very weekend. I, he couldn't have been here at the same time.
Oh, she says, oh, he wasn't here, but after you left, he phoned me and we had a nice visit on the phone. Oh, I enjoyed that visit so much on the phone. I wrote his name down in my book of remembrance. You know it's going to be like that, brethren, if we just encourage one another. If you don't, it says I'll just read in closing Malachi chapter 3 there it says in verse 16, they that feared the Lord.
Spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it in a book of remembrance.
Was written before him for them that feared the Lord.
And that thought upon his name, you know the book was written for them because they were going to forget.
That they ever spoke one to another, they were gonna forget. And in the coming day, the Lord is going to open that book. He's going to show those dear ones that it was such a precious thing in his sight that they spoke one to another and their purpose of their speaking was to encourage one another. And he's going to say, I appreciated that and I wrote it down in my book of remembrance. Well, I just trust these words spoken in this example of this household of equivalent. And Priscilla might be an encouragement to us to use our homes for the Lord.
For the Lord's people, and in these very last days, that there might be fruit for himself and the strengthening of the things that remain.
And that we might just long to just be together and just strengthen one another.
I'd like to turn to the book of Acts chapter 27.
I was thinking of how.
We had a nice meeting in the last reading meeting where we talked about redeeming the time and I think comments were made that.
It's nice, too, to see what the Lord's timetable is and to know how we ought to walk when we understand what He had before us. We won't have time to go to some of the things I wanna talk about. We have only about 20 minutes or so, but I was thinking of how we need to know that God has an overall time frame for this world. We know that He created this world to be inhabited in. We know that Israel is the center of His thoughts.
But then we know, too, that Israel is set aside for a little while.
So we as Gentiles can be brought into blessings. We know that.
The one who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ will become part of that church. We know that the Lord said he's gonna come back and he's gonna take us out of this scene, rapture, out of this world. We know that, don't we? And that this world is gonna face tribulations.
00:30:08
And then after that, Israel will be brought back into blessings.
We find that throughout his word. He tells us that repeatedly. We look at the seven fees of Jehovah. We'll find some of the events outlined.
We find the seven parabola in the book of Matthew. We find the events outlined in there as well. We find in the seven churches more detail about the church. But I have on my heart this afternoon this passage in the 27th chapter of Acts in regard to Paul's shipwreck.
I trust that with the Lord. Hell, perhaps it will give us a little bit of a picture of what we are going through.
What has passed and perhaps see how the Lord has warned us and with the Lord's help that we can use that to encourage to walk faithfully for him. So let's just begin by a few verses here. We won't be to the chapter 2. We'll just read a few verses at the time just to save, uh, some time here.
Uh, perhaps we can umm, begin by verse nine. And now. Now, when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous because the fast was now already passed, Paul admonished them and said unto them, Sir, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much and much damage, not only of the lading of the ship, but also of our lives nevertheless.
The centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those which were spoken by Paul.
We see here in the beginning of this passage how Paul has warned them of the dangers to come. We find too that Paul, through the Spirit of God, has written many things for us. We find in the beginning of Acts, it sets that those early Christians, they continue on a few things that we value. They continue on. Perhaps let's turn to that Acts chapter 2.
I wanna make sure we quote that properly.
Acts chapter 2 verse 42, it says that and they continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayer and in prayer. So we find that the apostles doctrine and fellowship. Now here is a picture of the apostles doctrine, isn't it? We know too that throughout the ages the apostles doctrine was forgotten.
The church as a whole has given up the apostles doctrine. Yesterday our brother mentioned how this world tried to change what some of the doctrines should be from the word of God. For a long time, as they say, call this the dark ages of the churches. We've gone through that the church have fallen asleep and it's so precious to see that the truth.
Was recovered the truth of the apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread and in prayers and perhaps as we go through this we'll see how this is being given up in this voyage and that it will be recovered again. And so let's let's go down a bit here again and we see here in this passage Paul warned them how dangerous it is by not heeding to his his word that the ship is going to be damaged even our lives.
But here we find that man, we as man, we like to use our wisdoms, we like to consult those that are experts. So here it says, nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship. You know, even today we find that they, when things happen, people were asked the so-called expert for experience, experts for advice. And we can even now buy books at times that have expert advice. And we find Yvonne among Christian books in the back there are pictures of the expert and the qualifications of the expert.
Why people think they're experts?
And if you look at that in contrast to many of the brethren's writing, you'll find that when the Lord, when the Spirit of God, directed them to many of His truths, often they do not put themselves as experts. You'll find many of the brethren's writing would not even bear the name, perhaps with a little initials at the back, because we trust that it is from God, not from man. So here they go. Nevertheless, they look for the they believe the Master and the owner of the ship.
00:35:15
Let's go on to verse 12. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in.
And more part advise to depart, and also if by any means they might be attained to Finisse and there to winter, which is in Haven of Crete, and lieth toward the South, uh, West and northwest. And when the South wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, losing fans, they sailed closed by Creed. So we see here that there is another reason that we find here. They were in this little place called Fair Haven. What they find this little place of Fair Haven was not commodious.
It to winter in. I'm not too sure exactly what that word means, but I do believe that it means it's not very comfortable here. Just further down here is with a place called Crete that done a Crete. They have a nicer port, perhaps there are more facilities for them. It's more comfortable, it's more convenient. So they decided to leave before winter sets in. Now notice here they didn't depart very far from what they ought to be. They just want to go a little further and find a place that is convenient.
And they left the apostles warning behind them. And you know, sometimes when we ignore the warning from the Word of God, we feel that we were redeeming the time because we feel from our heart perhaps what we think is right. And sometimes the Lord allow for that too, doesn't He? Here we see that even the South wind begins to blow softly for those that have taken a path that is different than what the Lord intended.
The initial path does not always mean a dangerous path. The South wind begins to blow. Can you picture these men looking at Paul and say, I told you so, there's nothing wrong. Look at this. Everything seems to work well. The South wind blows softly. They're sailing smooth sailing as if it were. And it looks good, so good. And that is that they obtained their purpose.
There's always a purpose behind what we want to do. Is it God's purpose? And then the next two word is interesting too. If you look at it here, it says losing events, losing advance. I'll let you meditate on that. When you choose to go your own path, are you losing events? So they sail close by Creed verse 14. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous win.
Call Europe London, and when the ship was caught and could not bear up into the wind, they let her dry and running under a certain island, which is called Clouda. We have much work to come by the boat, which when they had taken up, they used, helped undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksand straight sail, and so were driven, and we being exceedingly tasked with a Tempest. The next day they lighten.
The ship, ah, the South wind blew softly, just for a little while, and then the storm came along. And we find that in our lives at times that when we want to go our own way, the things looks good. And before we know it the tempestuous storm of life came along there they were caught. They thought they can hide behind that island in the sand and that and the other side of where it's not as windy.
They try to fix things their own way. Now they're girding up the ship. They're tying cables underneath, hoping to fasten it to the point that it would not crash or break up in the tempestuous water that they are in. And they find that they no longer in are in control. The circumstances before them are greater than they can handle. So what do we do when things get really tough? So here we find they did just that. They let go.
Just let it be, let the wind take wherever it drives them to be. So man's efforts find out that it's all in vain. Isn't it sad to see that? Have we seen that in our own lives? And we are redeeming that time, aren't we? And when we leave the Lords out in the decision process, when we do not follow what He has for us, When we think using our wisdom and the counselors of our friends.
00:40:13
We too can easily fall into this tempestuous storm, and then we try to fix it ourselves.
And getting to further and further trouble. So what did they do? Let's go further into the chapter. Our time is running here, verse 19 and.
And the third day, we cast out our own hands, that tackling of the ship. I'm sorry, I missed verse 18 there. And being exceedingly tasked with a Tempest. The next day they lightened the ship. And on the third day, they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship. Oh, isn't it sad? They had supplies on the ship. Now they have to pass them overboard. Things that they needed to lived on, things that they needed to sustain the journey.
Now they have to take it and toss that overboard. Are the things that we do required for our lives, other spiritual needs, other things that we have learned since we were youth, since we were a child? And when storm clouds come, when that tempestuous time come, what do we do? We're told to buy the truth and sell it not.
Have we bought any truth? What are the truths that you have bought?
And now when problems come, do we just take these truths, this truth that we have learned?
And just toss it overboard. Not only so is that the third day, on the third day, what else did they do? It says it takes the tackling of the ship. I'm not a sailor, as many of you know, I get motion sickness, so I won't make a good sailor. But I believe a tackling on the ship is something is probably necessary for the navigation of the ship. Oh.
They picked that up and they said with their own hands, they toss that overboard too. What is the guiding, guiding force in your life? Have you given that up to you? Because they are tempestuous storms in your life and the sets here and the third day, you know, in scriptures, third day is mentioned often.
And as many redeem one here we know the third day is the picture of the resurrection scene. Isn't it the third day we find in Abraham on the third day he lifted up his eye. What did he see? He saw the mountain that God told him from afar off. We find a third day is that that new life, new resurrection day. But what happened when the Lord is out of our mind, when we cast and not heed the apostles doctrine, we find here that.
Verse 20 And we, when neither sun nor stars in many days appear.
And no small tempers lay on us. All Hope that we have should be saved was then taken away. Isn't it sad? Instead of looking for that resurrection, looking for the one who conquered death, looking for that one who is now risen, seated on high at the Father's right hand, It says here they gave up all hope. They didn't see the sun, they didn't see the stars. They have given up hope.
Are we just like the rest of the people in this world? We had that before us yesterday, without hope, without God in this world.
God didn't leave us to be in our own devices, did he? So here they have to learn. Verse 1121 But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have parked in unto me, and not have loose from creed, and to have gained us harm and loss. Oh, what happened to Paul all this time, that they were trying to fix all the problems on their own?
We do not read up any that we know of Paul saying anything throughout this dark, terrible time, Did we? They have ignored the apostles doctrine. Now it's time for the apostle to speak up. For many years Christians have forgotten the blessed hope of the Lord's soon return. We have given up. We live as if this world is ours.
And we still find many today trying to fix the problem in this world, trying to fix this sinking ship. But the apostles doctrine was revived. Oh, you have before us. He reminded us of the coming of our blessed Savior, that we are not of this world. There are many other doctrines we don't have time to go into. He brought back and reminded us the doctrine of the one body. How precious it is to think about one body that every believer is part of that one body.
00:45:33
Regardless of who they are, they have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are. We are part of that one body. And that our fellowship should be wide enough to embrace every believer, but from his doctrine it should be narrow enough to exclude the world. Oh, there is that that oneness, but then there is that path of separation to walk in a way pleasing to our blessed Lord.
So let's go on here. What did he say to them? Verse 23. 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, beat up good, be of good cheer, for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me.
So how precious to see the confident that the Apostle Paul has here. What a testimony here. The apostle was taken as a prisoner on his way to Rome, but yet he was a testimony to all those that were with them. How we can assure them amidst all these confusions, amidst all these dangers and sadness, he can say to them, fear not, fear not. How did he know that? Oh, he believe in God?
And he said, God told him so he said, For there stood by me this night the Angel of God, who, who told me and whom I serve, how precious to think that he would declare to them the God that he believed in, the God that he served. Oh, we have his doctrine before us. We have the full word of God before us. Brethren, may the Lord give us that confidence too, to be able to stand up like Paul of all, to declare that we.
That we are able to serve him as we are. And he told them that he, God told him. None of them will be lost.
And you know, in this world we mentioned the path of separations.
There are Christians that you know that walk disorderly that we cannot fellowship with. We told that if they are drunkards, if they there's a list that go on there said we can't even eat with them. So does that mean we won't see them in heaven? No, it doesn't does it They happy they too have been redeemed with a separate from them, but here what an assurance to know that we will.
We will spend eternity with them here. Paul, assure them that no soul shall be lost. Verse 26. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the 14 night was come, as we were driven up and down, and in Adria about midnight, the shipment deemed that they drew near to some country and sounded and found it. 20 fathoms. When they had gone a little further, they sounded again and found it. 15 found them.
Than fearing they should, lest they should have fallen upon rocks, they cast 4 anchors out of the stern, and wish for the day. Oh, how precious that the Apostle gave them the assurance that no soul shall be lost, and that they will be cast upon certain islands. That blessed hope was restored. Do you have that blessed hope? Are you waiting for that blessed hope, and that glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ?
When that hope is being reminded, things change what we see and lift our eyes. Sometimes we think that em in hope we lift our wishful longing eyes waiting for the morning star arise. So here that hope changed the lives. Let me digress just a little bit. You know I know with this many here often some would come with heavy hearts.
00:50:01
And often we see smiley faces with the heavy hearts behind it.
And I can assure you that in most cases, the reason we have a heavy heart is that we have lost sight of the coming of our blessed Savior. Young people, remember that when you find yourself in difficulties, when you find find yourself to be in distress.
Look to the Lord, be reminded that the Lord's coming is at hand, and you'll find your life going to change. Here they were reminded that they're going to be saved.
And after they see that blessed hope, now they see signs of being rescued. Instead of being tossed to and fro in the middle of the ocean, there they find it getting closer. There are signs. Do we not have signs to brethren?
I enjoyed a thought another brother put it, he said. It's like watching a play. You see the stage with a curtain closed, but behind the curtain you see movement. You see, you know that the props are set up. You know the actors and actresses are all lining up ready to play. The curtain hasn't opened yet, but you know the play is about to begin.
Brethren, the Lord's coming is at hand. Look.
Look, look up and we will see. So here they see sign as they come closer and closer and then they learn something that is precious to them. They drop 4 anchors. They needed something solid.
Will your anger hold in the storm of life? Oh, does that only apply to the gospel and to the lost souls? No, we have our blessed Savior. Who is that true anchor, isn't it?
So let's go on. We only have a few more minutes left here.
Umm, verse 30 and as the shipment we're about to flee out of the ship when they had let down the boat into the sea under color, as though they would have cast anchors out of the ship now.
Let me stop there.
I can't but help that every conference I've been to, every time I visit different places.
It's always a question about the division of those that have left us. I would say this would shame. It's not something we want to be proud of. It's sad. But here it's interesting to see the word use. And I'll let you meditate more on this. They are letting down the boat, perhaps this little lifeboat.
And what did it say? Here, let's read this again. When they had let down the boat into the sea under color, as though they would have cast anchor out of the four ship. Isn't that interesting? Under color. Oh, what are they doing? Are they trying to save the ship? Are they bailing? Oh, when there are problems, often it's so hard to tell. Some would bail.
Under color. Let's go on verse 31. Paul said to the centurion and the soldier, except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat and let her fall.
Let's go on to our time is verse 33. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying this day is the 14th day that you have carried and continue fasting, having taken nothing, whom I pray you to take some meat for this is for your health, for there shall not inherit fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread and gave thanks to God.
In presence of them all. And when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Here these men.
These men have been fasting. There were problems. They didn't feed themselves.
Have you been fasting, deal ones, fasting from the word of God? Is that why we seem to feel weaker and weaker? You know that when we don't eat food, our bodies will become weak and weary. Have you been fed? Have you been fed by the word of God?
Or have you 2 been fasting because of the problems and the cares of this world that you have to face? It's interesting to see here Paul took Brad. If you read it again carefully, you'll notice that he took bread and he gave thanks, but there's no mention that they'd partake of that bread with him right away. And when he had broken it, he began to eat. Oh, how much more so that they themselves need to eat.
00:55:31
To be fair, by the word of God, then were they awe of good cheer, and they took some meat, and when we were in all the ship, 203 score and 16. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and passed out the wheat into the sea.
They were fed, by the way. Where did the food come from? They were on this ship.
I believe the food was there all along. It was in the possessions, but they didn't feed on it. Do you have the word of God with your dear ones? Is it in your possessions that you forget to feed yourself?
They were strengthened. They were strengthened after they were fed. Isn't it precious to think that?
Now here's something sad.
Let's read that verse again, verse 38. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea. We find we do that. We said, OK, let's eat, unfold now, let's toss the rest out. We don't need it anymore.
Did we find that the word of God refresh our hearts, it strengthen us, and then as soon as we can stand on our feet, we cast that out. The apostle doctrines mean anything to you, or is it enough to build you up and then toss it out all over again? Verse 39 And when it was day, they do not the land, but they discover a certain Creek with a shore into which they were minded, if it were possible to thrush the ship.
And when they had taken up anchors, they committed themselves into the sea and lose the rudder bands and hoist up the main sail to the wind and made toward shore. Oh, now that they have strength, they thought they can do it all over themselves again. They thought instead of the place that they really want to go here, just another island. This is good enough. Let's get off this ocean and find a safe haven. They didn't care where this place was, as long as they can find land.
So they just hoist up the anchor. They didn't need the Lord anymore, do they? Just like us, at times we say we do, but our actions will tell us, do we trust that the Lord is in the midst and that he will take care of all matters? Oh, not only did they hoist up the anchor, they committed themselves to the sea. They raised the main sail as if let's give it a last hurrah, let's make it look good if we're going to crash into this island.
Let's make a big splash so that the rest if someone were watching, we look grand.
Oh how sad it is. So verse 41 and failing and falling into a place where the two seas meet, they ran the ship aground. The four parts stuck fast and remained unmovable, but behind their part was broken with the violence of the waves.
Oh, that ship is another brother. Brother put it that ship of testimony, if we were to look at it as an application.
What a shambo it became. Not much of A testimony, is it? Let's just go down because our time has passed. Let's go down at verse 44, a latter part of of verse 43. And they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to the land, and the rest, some on boards, some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped.
All save to land.
Oh yes, the goodness of God, the graciousness of God knows soul to a loss. Some got there by broken pieces.
Some came, but all become saved. But is it not a blessed thing, brethren, that we become obedient to His will, redeeming the time, knowing that what His time is, what His will, is not yours, not mine?
01:00:01
It was. It was mentioned before.
The two phrases that are not good, we often use the phrase we agree to disagree. Terrible phrases. Isn't it just as bad as the phrase we agree to agree? Brethren, even if all of us here agree to agree, does that agree with the word of God? That's a word of God. Be true and be a guide to our lives. I'm sorry we have time. Let's commend ourselves here.
Blessed God and our Father, we thank thee again for thy love. We thank Thee for the time we have here with thy words open before us. We thank thee for our Lord Jesus Christ.
We do look to thee, first of all, to acknowledge our nothingness, to acknowledge how weak we are, how easily we stumble, how often we stray.
How often that we let the care of this world dictate our lives.
We do look to the end.
Would you pray that that would help us? We cast our dependence upon Thee.
Give us the strength, Lord, to walk in that way pleasing to Thee. Help us to be a ready, willing vessel, ready for the Masters use. So we pray one another here.
And we pray that with the remainder of the time here that thy name may be glorified. We give thanks and we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.