S. S. Times Acts 28:1-14 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.… I. THE APOSTLE SURVIVING. Lessons: The Christian worker — 1. Often receives better treatment from the lowly than from the great. Paul was assaulted by the Jews, and assisted by the barbarians; Christ was accepted by many of the people and rejected by their rulers. 2. May be called to testify before kings; again, he may be called to pick up sticks to build a fire: and circumstances may make the two tasks equally noble in God's sight. "Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws, makes that and the action fine." 3. Must expect that vipers of opposition will come out to fasten upon his hands so soon as those hands are occupied in earnest Christian work. 4. Must shake off these vipers of sinful opposition even as Paul shook off this viper. And he must be careful even as Paul was to shake the viper into the fire, where it can do no further harm. 5. Will be misjudged by appearances, just as Paul was. Happy is that Christian whose righteousness is attested by the fact that the vipers of sin cannot harm him! 6. Who in this sinful world shakes off the deadly vipers of sin and feels no harm, need assuredly feel no harm from the petty bites of those who call him "murderer," or "bigot," or "fanatic." 7. Wins final respect, if he is faithful. The world will in the end call him godly, even as it called Paul "a god." II. THE SUFFERERS REVIVING. 1. Blessings come through association with the godly. 2. Blessings come beyond our expectation when they come from God's hand. 3. Blessings come in no sense as a repayment, but in a certain sense as a remembrance, of righteousness. Publius befriended Paul, and was in turn himself abundantly blessed. 4. As Paul prayed for the fever-smitten body of Publius's father, we should pray for the sin-sick souls about us. 5. As Paul brought new life to these island dwellers, so we should endeavour to bring a new spiritual life to all those with whom we come in contact. 6. As the islanders honoured him who brought them bodily healing, so should we honour those who make it their special effort to bring spiritual renewal — the ministers, the missionaries, all the devoted workers for Christ. (S. S. Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.WEB: When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. |
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