ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

JULIUS

Acts 27.1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

Millions have viewed the movie, The Storm. Sailors’ fighting to survive a powerful storm is nothing new. We recognize many of them as heroes for their efforts to save others, their ships and their cargo.

Consider the impact of Julius, the centurion. First, he was kind to Paul:

Acts 27.3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.

God used Julius and Paul’s friends to comfort the apostle. These acts of kindness helped Paul prepare for the journey. As we experience kind acts--great or small--we appreciate both the acts and the person who extends them to us.

We do not know about his sailing experience and should not be surprised that he chose to trust the "experts"--the professional sailors. He may have considered Paul an eccentric or an alarmist and he chose to proceed with the journey.

Acts 27.9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, 10 "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

As the storm became violent, Julius and the others were more receptive to Paul’s counsel:

Acts 27.23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

Paul became the leader of the crew. Julius and the soldiers took his advice:

Acts 27.31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.

Consider how much confidence they had in Paul by now. They demonstrated their faith in Paul and the angel’s message to him by dumping the lifeboat. Notice Paul’s leadership as he demonstrated his concern for the sailors:

Acts 27.33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. "For the last fourteen days," he said, "you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

While some of the soldiers wanted to execute the prisoners, Julius intervened to save Paul and the others:

Acts 27.42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.

Perhaps we identify with Paul when as we read Acts 27. Let me suggest that if you are not the one who hears the angel’s voice and leads the crowd, you can still be heroic as you, like Julius, extend kindness and intervene to help those who are overwhelmed by the storms.

Our dear Father, we are so grateful for those in our lives who extend themselves to help us in many ways. We want to be Your instruments to help others. Help us as we help others. Help those who are hurting. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Great Helper. Amen.

1 John 5.14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Only God can know HOW our prayers WORK but we believe HE answers. Please write me to add names to the prayer list and to report changes in status.

Let us be thankful and prayerful! 

Love,
Brad Forgy