Acts 27:1-20 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius… The narrative suggests that men in passing through life — I. HAVE TRUE AND FALSE COUNSELLORS. Paul here stands for the true (ver. 10). "The master and the owner of the ship" stand for the false (ver. 11). Thus there are ever counsellors; some pointing to the right path, and some to the wrong; some the apostles of God, and some the emissaries of hell. This fact urges on each — 1. The necessity of an independent inquiry into the question of duty. Let each use his own judgment. "Try the spirits," etc. 2. The necessity of Divine guidance in the question of duty. "Guide me by Thy counsel," etc. II. ARE EVER DISPOSED TO FOLLOW THE FALSE RATHER THAN THE TRUE. The greater portion on board rejected the counsels of Paul, and followed those of the master and the owner. It may be that some of them considered it a piece of impertinence on Paul, a landsman, to give nautical advice. Men follow the false because it is — 1. More congenial. 2. Popular. 3. Attractive. III. FIND THAT THE FALSE OFTEN APPEARS AT FIRST TO BE THE BETTER COURSE. When the vessel, contrary to the advice of Paul moved off from the Fair Havens, things looked propitious. Perhaps under the bright sky, and before favourable winds, many on board laughed at Paul on the first day. So it is; a false course frequently appears at first desirable. There are periods in our sinful life when the south winds blow softly. 1. Youth. 2. Health. 3. Prosperity. IV. DISCOVER THAT THE FALSE ULTIMATELY CONDUCTS TO THE MOST TERRIBLE DISASTERS. The soft south wind gives way to the Euroclydon, which hurls the bark into the utmost distress. And then comes the period when all hope that they should be saved was taken away. Two circumstances greatly aggravated the ship's distress. 1. The darkness. No sun or stars for many days appeared, not an unusual circumstance during a Levanter. 2. Hunger. The want of food led to the pain of exhaustion and the bitter gnawing of hunger. This is what following the false leads to. "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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