But more than this, God had already assured Paul that he would reach Rome. Paul did not have a formal position as leader, but was rather a functional leader. Bruce writes. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). Beyond this, God is free to act or not to act in any way that He chooses. While there are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible, there are some you are probably more familiar with than others. "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Isnt it true that men do those things which they know to be risky, partly for the love of the risk, and often due to some small gain they wish, prompted by a false sense of assurance, and by the hope for some small gain? Julius and the others did not seem to look upon Paul in religious or spiritual terms, but only in terms of practical and proven ability and knowledge. We're sorry, an error occurred. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. By the end of this time, all hope had been lost, either of the storm abating, or of any rescue. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. Paul tells the soldiers that the sailors must remain on board ship, if they themselves are to be saved. As time went on, as Paul was better known, and as the crises on board the ship became more pronounced, Paul stepped forward, giving both direction and hope to all the others on ship. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal. Susan Ward. The seas were closed to sailing until the beginning of February at the earliest; the three months spent in Malta must therefore have corresponded roughly to November, December, and January, so they must have left Fair Havens not much before mid-October. What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. They all waited for the morning light. Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. You can learn valuable and unique lessons on leading the church and furthering the gospel from these men of the Bible. There are many different styles and forms of leadership. It was, I believe, for the sake of the gospel that Paul and these passengers were saved. In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. Gods mission for Paul was to go to Rome and there to preach the gospel. Pauls execution was sought by the Sanhedrin, which first tried to execute him legally (like Stephen) and then by assassination, but God used Roman soldiers once again to spare His servant. A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. In A.D. 59 it fell on October 5, but in all the neighboring years from 57 to 62 it fell earlier. Pauls leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. The otherstwo hundred and seventy-six in allfollowed his example. When you study closely, you will discover these examples of leadership in the Bible can help you address all of lifes situations. Had they heeded his warnings, this would not have happened. When you are walking in accordance with Gods purposes, whatever obstacles to the accomplishing of His will are encountered, He will overcome. There would be no one left who was an experienced sailor, who could help land the crippled ship. When the ship is grounded and the passengers must swim for their lives, the soldiers plan to kill Paul, along with the other prisoners, to prevent any from escaping. I could talk about David, Moses, or Nehemiah, but I want to talk about three lesser-known leaders who make great examples of Godly leadership in the Bible. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:12-14). And Joshua did so.". (This also required a small boat, which was going to be taken by those abandoning the ship.) We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. If the relative safety of the passengers was in being on board ship, with Paul, our certain safety is in being in Christ. He has weathered the storm of Gods wrath on the sinner. Let us consider just a few: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The doctrine of Gods sovereignty is multi-faceted, something which careless and thoughtless Christians often forget or set aside. The solar date of the day of atonement in A.D. 59 thus accords well with Lukes implication that the Fast took place while they waited at Fair Havens. Bruce, p. 481. The dangerous season for sailing began about September 14 and lasted until November 11; after the latter date all navigation on the open sea came to an end until winter was over. There was some level of favoritism going on. There are also plenty of real-life examples of leadership in action. Consider these two things: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home (Titus 1:8). Then the passengers would have a better chance to reach shore. Peter, the most well-known disciple of Jesus, denies even . Let me suggest a few characteristics of Pauls leadership in this crisis, which may provide fuel for future thought. I do not believe that Lukes central purpose in Acts 27 is to teach us about leadership, but I do think that Pauls leadership is very apparent in our text. Here is one passage that talks about the qualifications of a leader. I do not agree. Read Chapter All Versions. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. It was still late at night, too dark to try to make shore until it was light. Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. They were not going to get to Rome until after winter was over anyway, and they could stay right where they were, with no real problems. His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. This centurion was to develop a deep respect for Paul, so that he would extend considerable liberties to him, take seriously his advice, and make every effort to protect him. After all, a number of the passengers could not even swim (see verses 43-44). You may be familiar with the story of Esther. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath {of God} through Him. At the beginning of the chapter, Paul is the object, the one who is acted upon. The prisoners (at least the dangerous or violent ones) may have been in chains. Flee to safety today. He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. It is only when all hope is lost that Paul addresses his fellow shipmates.557 Much time had passed, the storm had not diminished, the ship was being constantly mauled by the storm, and the passengers had gone a long time without food. They were not in control of the ship. They planned to slip away, on the pretext of laying out anchors, but they were going to take the lifeboat (as it were) and leave the people to fend for themselves in the ravaging storm, in a ship drifting ever near the rocks of the approaching shore. The final verses (42-44) tell of the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners, of the intervention of the centurion, and the safe arrival on land of all 276 passengers. Paul and a number of other prisoners were put aboard an Adramyttian ship,542 which was setting sail for ports along the coast of Asia. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. They just happened to run aground at the place where two seas met.562 It seems that the action of the water created some kind of sandbar or shallows, on which the ship stuck fast. A theophany had taken place in Joshua 5:15: "The commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." Now, no one had the use of this boat. Peter: Leaders recover from failure. Pauls circumstances certainly do no give him any status, any clout, with anyone on board that ship. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. 72-73, p. 480. He was nicknamed "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). I confess, I am distressed at the ways in which Christians are trying to take control of the political and governmental positions of authority. While Paul had not lost hope, as had his shipmates, he must have been afraid. You are the devil's advocate. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. Too often, I hear leadership spoken of as a place of status, rather than a place of service. Here are some examples of their leadership. Time would prove Paul right. They want to use numbers and influence decisions based upon voting power. 4. Not the Adriatic Sea as we now call the sea between Italy and the mainland of Illyricum, but all the lower Mediterranean between Italy and Greece. Robertson, p. 469. God used the centurion, who had come to deeply respect and admire Paul, to spare him, along with the rest. The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? The sovereignty of God will then result in the overthrow of His enemies and in the judgment of the wicked. Handling the ship in this storm was almost impossible, and any attempt would require an expert crew. Paul was a leader here because people followed him. Nelson Mandela (1918-2013).South African political leader victim of the racial policies of Apartheid that segregated black and white, in favor of the former. The short version is that there was a plot to destroy the Jews, and Mordecai got wind of the plot. The time which had been lost, due to unfavorable winds, made it evident that they would not be able to reach Rome, not without wintering at some port, and finishing the journey in the Spring.550 The only question now was where they would winter, and whether or not they would press on to some more favorable port. An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude, 10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others. When the ship was far out at sea, and no one knowing how far they might be from land, abandoning ship was no temptation. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for us not to work, but the assurance that our work is not in vain, in the Lord. When Esthers words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the Jews will escape. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. There is no place safer than the place of obedience to the Word of God. The Fast is the day of atonement (Yom Kippur), which falls on Tishri 10. Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. The point was, before you can lead others you have to learn how to lead yourself. They were so sure of the wisdom of their decision that they did not even draw up the small boat attached by a rope to the vessels stern (verse 16). He refused to bow to the king and ended up in the lion's den. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. It was Paul who showed caution, warning those in charge of the dangers ahead. As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. The centurion commanded that all should make it to land if they could. I would say that is a great example of Godly leadership. But Pauls concern here was not for himself, but for others. This journey began on an Adramyttian ship, which took them as far as Myra, where they boarded an Alexandrian ship, headed for Italy. Indeed, the fate of the ship was not exactly as Paul had warned, for there was no loss of life.551 He simply spoke as a seasoned traveler, an astute observer, and one who had experienced dangers at sea. Thus, the sailors continually took soundings, measuring the depth below them, so that they could discern, far in advance, their approach to land (which would be indicated by progressively diminishing depths). With renewed strength, the passengers set about lightening the ship by throwing the remainder of the cargo the cargo of wheat overboard. For some, your leadership responsibilities are limited to yourself and your home. Everyone speaks their minds in team meetings. I think not. If you want to be a godly leader, I encourage you to focus on the qualities that God identifies as necessary in a leader. The centurion did not seem to be concerned with any of the prisoners, except one Paul. Because it was a part of Gods sovereign plan, God did purpose to spare Paul and the ships passengers, but in a way that would to some seem only like good luck. The miraculous aspect is seen in Pauls prediction of what happened in complete agreement with all that did happen, even to the minute details. His leadership was built not so much on ancestry from the Jewish lineage as by faithfulness. Paul need no longer fear, because he knew the outcome of this storm. 1. The death penalty is certainly one possibility. Not one soul was lost. Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. It was his responsibility to persuade her to use the position she had to make a difference. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Remember this applies whether you are leading one or many. The ship ran aground on a reef, where it would be broken up by the action of the still raging waves. They boarded this ship and set sail. Here are some examples of their leadership. But he was wrong about the loss of passengers. Remember, he struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. He spoke prophetically of the fate of the ship and its passengers. Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership, Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. (1) A look at leadership. 553 The storm was now heavy upon the lumbering vessel, as it came roaring out of the north-east. Allow me to make one last observation here. God used this two-year delay of Felix and the bungling of Festus to bring Paul to the point where he would appeal to Caesar. Where is your God, he asked. Verses 9-13 describe a crucial decision that was made. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. Finally, in the following chapter, there will be the snake bite, from which Paul will be spared as well. It has become an untenable situation, a burden no man can bear. Doing so would be certain death, for the larger vessel offered more protection, so long as it held together. Moses. These are questions that we shall seek to answer in our study of Acts chapter 27. They were not men who manipulated people or their circumstances in order to further their own power or position. He only said that their remaining on ship was necessary if these soldiers wanted to survive. Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. What is the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular leadership? The precise status of Julius is difficult to determine: from the authority which he assumed when once (from Myra onward) he found himself on board a ship of the Alexandrian grain fleet, it might be inferred that he was a frumentarius, an officer charged with supervising the transport of grain (frumentum) to Rome. Bruce p. 477. The stern of the ship began to break up. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. If they were to have the strength necessary to make it to shore, they would need to start the day with a good meal. I know it sounds more like mother or a TV commercial, but Paul was dealing with a very practical necessity.
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