Faith Alive

Ask Jan to tell the story of meeting Daniel in LaMadd.Read TextExplain text: The “we” begins again after stopping in chapter 21. Luke and Aristarchus are part of the team.Chain of command: Owner, Captain, then Roman centurion.  This one of Caesar’s cohorts!Innocence of Paul shown in Sidon.Trip to south of Turkey, and the to a new ship.  The Alexandrian ship is taking grain from Egypt to Rome, and the emptier paid extra, plus insurance to get the grain to feed the city in winter.  Leaving Turkey (Asia) the winds are contrary so the sail to Crete and want to spend the winter in a good Harbor.  Leave Fair Havens even though Paul warns against it. Danger at sea is something Paul has been used to, in 2 Corinthians 11:25 he says he had already been in shipwrecks and spent a day and night in the sea.  He is well travelled. And he is also a prophet though at this point in time the captain is making decisions based on his experience and knowledge – not on God’s direction. The dangers off the coast of Libya are treacherous. Now Paul uses his authority in Jesus to speak to the crew. The Centurion now takes his advice from Paul whose faith is going to save them all.Paul’s purpose is now not just to witness in Rome, but to Caesar as well.God’s authority supersedes all other authority. The Hope that faith gives, and the confidence of faith surpasses good ideas.How does this affect us? In the storms of life, and in the crisis of worldly culture there is an anchor for our souls!It’s a question of authority!What is God saying to you? What place does God’s authority and word have in our lives? Only for salvation, or in all things?Accepting God’s authority, leads us to obey that authority, leading to the salvation of our souls. It gives direction to what we do in life!Obedience leads to the excitement of seeing God at work in our daily lives. Obedience to God’s authority is not enslavement but even greater freedom! (Soldiers)How are you obeying in the midst of all going on around you?The crisis the world is in does not affect the call of God upon your life, nor your obedience.Whatever the culture of the world may say, it cannot negate the law of God.  If God says something is wrong, evil, sinful, or bad, your opinion on that matter is irrelevant.  You will not be able to argue with God on the day of judgement. The time to plead for mercy and grace is not on that day, but now in this life. By taking steps towards God in this way, you do not need to have a majority vote to do what is right! When God supports you, you will stand!  Paul ends up with more authority than all, and even the centurion takes his orders from him.