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And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

-Acts 8:36

3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

There is great protection in staying on track to do what God wants you to do. Paul showed up in Malta and though the people were very kind and hospitable, they didn’t believe in Paul’s God. As Paul was unwavering in his task, appointed by God, he faced many hardships along the way. God even used those hardships to enhance the message. Paul was bit by a poisonous snake, but he didn’t swell-up and die, he continued to stay on point with the gospel. But even then, the people wanted to believe, they just didn’t believe the right thing. It’s very important we help people to the truth, not just a willingness to believe “something.” People need to believe the right thing and follow the right one, Jesus.

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.

Things rarely go according to plan. The soldiers were trying their best but storms and unavoidable circumstances got in their way. They were focused on their task, but they didn’t know God’s plan, His plan for Paul. The Lord used the centurion to protect Paul and ended up saving his life. In our day-to-day existence we can get focused on shortsighted goals “don’t do this… don’t do that…” just like the soldiers “don’t let the prisoners escape…” yet God most assuredly wants to do more. He is working out His will in our lives. Trust Him, and listen to His will. He may have a centurion in your life to save you! Don’t miss it.

21 they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment…

Once we become a Christian, that doesn’t mean that we completely throw out our past, we just allow God to remove those aspects of how we used to live that He chooses. Paul was a Jew, he was a Jew’s Jew. Paul can say with reference to the law he is a Pharisee speaking of his righteousness under the law, he is blameless. This interesting episode of these 4 young men taking a Nazarite vow, and Paul participating in this temple ritual, tells us that Paul continued to observe Old Testament rites and rituals. It is, however, important to note he didn’t do it out of obligation, nor did he prescribe this lifestyle for others. He did it so he would be free to share the gospel with Jews. Also, people with shaved heads area apparently more holy. 😉

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

Every preacher struggles with the aspect of time. Week after week, there is so much more that probably should be said than can be said in 35-minutes. When I prepare for a Sunday sermon, the most time-consuming part of my process is cutting out what not to say, there is never a worry of filling the time. That’s because God’s word cannot be reduced down to one half-hour session per week. Even the Apostle Paul found this. The church was gathering on a Sunday and Paul was teaching them, and he didn’t stop. He preached on into the night. They didn’t have Children’s Church, so Eutychus fell asleep. Let this be a word of warning, fall asleep during a sermon, and you might die! 😉