A Profitable Shipwreck • Acts 27.13-28.10

Paul and his shipmates would have been thankful just for surviving the sea storm. But there was a practical divine plan behind the shipwreck on Malta. Governor Publius and his family were God's target for salvation. With Publius' cooperation, Paul was the instrument for bringing the gospel to the whole population. To this day the unexpected visit of Paul and his party to Malta is celebrated by memorials and relics of that time.


Don't be upset when your plans are interrupted. God always has a good reason (Romans 8:28).




The Storm at Sea

 13When a gentle wind from the south started blowing, the men thought it was a good time to do what they had planned. So they pulled up the anchor, and we sailed along the coast of Crete. 14But soon a strong wind called "The Northeaster" blew against us from the island. 15The wind struck the ship, and we could not sail against it. So we let the wind carry the ship.
    16We went along the island of Cauda on the side that was protected from the wind. We had a hard time holding the lifeboat in place, 17but finally we got it where it belonged. Then the sailors wrapped ropes around the ship to hold it together. They lowered the sail and let the ship drift along, because they were afraid it might hit the sandbanks in the gulf of Syrtis.

    18The storm was so fierce that the next day they threw some of the ship's cargo overboard. 19Then on the third day, with their bare hands they threw overboard some of the ship's gear. 20For several days we could not see either the sun or the stars. A strong wind kept blowing, and we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

    21Since none of us had eaten anything for a long time, Paul stood up and told the men:

   You should have listened to me! If you had stayed on in Crete, you would not have had this damage and loss. 22But now I beg you to cheer up, because you will be safe. Only the ship will be lost.

    23I belong to God, and I worship him. Last night he sent an angel 24to tell me, "Paul, don't be afraid! You will stand trial before the Emperor. And because of you, God will save the lives of everyone on the ship." 25Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what he promised. 26But we will first be shipwrecked on some island.

    27For fourteen days and nights we had been blown around over the Mediterranean Sea. But about midnight the sailors realized that we were getting near land. 28They measured and found that the water was about one hundred twenty feet deep. A little later they measured again and found it was only about ninety feet. 29The sailors were afraid that we might hit some rocks, and they let down four anchors from the back of the ship. Then they prayed for daylight.

    30The sailors wanted to escape from the ship. So they lowered the lifeboat into the water, pretending that they were letting down an anchor from the front of the ship. 31But Paul said to Captain Julius and the soldiers, "If the sailors don't stay on the ship, you won't have any chance to save your lives." 32The soldiers then cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall into the sea.

    33Just before daylight Paul begged the people to eat something. He told them, "For fourteen days you have been so worried that you haven't eaten a thing. 34I beg you to eat something. Your lives depend on it. Do this and not one of you will be hurt."

    35After Paul had said this, he took a piece of bread and gave thanks to God. Then in front of everyone, he broke the bread and ate some. 36They all felt encouraged, and each of them ate something. 37There were 276 people on the ship, 38and after everyone had eaten, they threw the cargo of wheat into the sea to make the ship lighter.

   

The Shipwreck

 39Morning came, and the ship's crew saw a coast that they did not recognize. But they did see a cove with a beach. So they decided to try to run the ship aground on the beach. 40They cut the anchors loose and let them sink into the sea. At the same time they untied the ropes that were holding the rudders. Next, they raised the sail at the front of the ship and let the wind carry the ship toward the beach. 41But it ran aground on a sandbank. The front of the ship stuck firmly in the sand, and the rear was being smashed by the force of the waves.
    42The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming away and escaping. 43But Captain Julius wanted to save Paul's life, and he did not let the soldiers do what they had planned. Instead, he ordered everyone who could swim to dive into the water and head for shore. 44Then he told the others to hold on to planks of wood or parts of the ship. At last, everyone safely reached shore.

   

Acts 28

On the Island of Malta

 1When we came ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2The local people were very friendly, and they welcomed us by building a fire, because it was rainy and cold.
    3After Paul had gathered some wood and had put it on the fire, the heat caused a snake to crawl out, and it bit him on the hand. 4When the local people saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He didn't drown in the sea, but the goddess of justice will kill him anyway."

    5Paul shook the snake off into the fire and wasn't harmed. 6The people kept thinking that Paul would either swell up or suddenly drop dead. They watched him for a long time, and when nothing happened to him, they changed their minds and said, "This man is a god."

    7The governor of the island was named Publius, and he owned some of the land around there. Publius was very friendly and welcomed us into his home for three days. 8His father was in bed, sick with fever and stomach trouble, and Paul went to visit him. Paul healed the man by praying and placing his hands on him.

    9After this happened, everyone on the island brought their sick people to Paul, and they were all healed. 10The people were very respectful to us, and when we sailed, they gave us everything we needed.

   

Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Song notes on Teleportation - #TimeCapsule

Here are the notes and some lyrics for a song on my concept album . The topic I chose is Teleportation based on John 6.16-59; Matthew 14.22-27; Mark 6.45-52


THANK YOU DAMON DUGGAR FOR THE INSPIRATION!

Teleportation might explain various allegedly paranormal phenomena
I see inadequacy of mainstream science to account for strange phenomena
one means of teleportation is the transmission of data
used to precisely reconstruct an object or organism at its destination (beta)
To travel instantaneously is as of today believed to be impossible
from one point to another I beg to argue is plausible
transporting humans faster than light has a technical issue
it's considerably unresolved with sufficient accuracy and unofficial
To allow reproduction elsewhere sounds like an uncertain principle
quantum mechanics is a philosophical issue basically unreasonable
do you destroy a human in one place and recreate a copy elsewhere in beauty
and would that provide a sufficient experience of existential continuity
The reassembled human might be considered a different sentience
with the same memories as the original but the original would cease to exist
and could each copy constructed via this data-only method be made
of new matter already at the destination point or would it all fade

A wormhole is fundamentally a shortcut, in physics and fiction
it's a hypothetical feature of space time, witness description
a wormhole is theory is much like a tunnel with two ends
each in separate points in space time, but don't interrupt the continuum
Like a black hole it generalizes relativity and Newton's Laws
universal gravitation, well that's the general theory of relativity after all
leave it up to Einstein to think up this idealistic bridge
although there's no observational evidence for their existence, there is
Unlike black holes, wormholes are traversible
crossing from one side to the next, not irreversible
how can you hold them, or dare to keep them open - at best
best believe they stay connected by a narrow umbilicus
Wormholes connect two points in space time like gravel
which means that they would in principle allow for time travel
as well as space, and it's proven to be more sterdier
but it's not possible to travel back to a time if it's earlier

This time - the fifth sign, walking on water - let it be
let's rewind, His disciples went down to the sea
into a boat to go across, then darkness set in
He had yet to begin to go with them
Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn
after rowing 3-4 miles, soon they'd learn
they were afraid, tell me; what did they see?
what they saw was Jesus; walking on the sea!
Approaching the boat, he said; "It is I."
"Don't be afraid." Now who is going to wonder why?
they were willing, to take Him on board
and all at once, the boat was at the shore
The next day: the crow knew there's only one boat
and they left without Him, so how did He float
some went looking for Him, He didn't disappear
He was there and they asked; "Teacher, when did you get here?"
Jesus greeted them, He was so nonchalant
He said; "Forget the signs, it's the bread that you want!"
not to flaunt, He knew the bread of life kept them fed
don't work for perishables, He'll admit; "I am the bread"
Work for the ever sustaining, that's with Dad
we will all pass, unless we're dead
teleportation, who's Doctor needs a simple explanation
explain simply a need of Dr. Who? Teleportation

Were you taken away, through time and space?
in the blink of an eye, were your atoms replaced?
are you a copy of your original state?
make no mistake, we are filled with grace!

Tele-por, teleportation
tele-por, teleportation
in the warm fall, it's time for exploration
enter a wormhole, this time no expiration

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

The Deacon's Corner



SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 135:6

“The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.”

Jeremiah 32:27

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Matthew 19:26

”..With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Its simple faith. Don’t put God in a box. He can do anything! This is reality and not science fiction.

[Memory Box] the Mixtape featuring Remixes + B-Sides *FREE DOWNLOAD*

[Memory Box] was digitally released with little press on 09.09.09.

Chris Treborn also recorded remixes and alternate versions for each of the songs featuring on the [Memory Box] LP. [MB] is a collection of lyrics and instrumentals from Chris Treborn written in 2008 and 2009. Although he never released a physical copy, Treborn is waiting for a DVD to accompany the album to release as a whole project. Until then, here is a free digital download of the lyrics featured on [Memory Box] upon some familiar beats.




Throughout Treborn's sabbatical he has been written here and there as well as making instrumentals here and there. He also recorded about a dozen of songs and intends on releasing it in the fall along with the instrumentals - all of which, but one, he produced as well.

You can also support and buy [Memory Box] for only $2. You can find the Instrumentals & Acappellas on the bandcamp website too, each are $1 a piece.

Thank you for listening and thank you for your support. 2011 will be a great year filled with new music and new collaborations.

"ALL IN" 'All In Giving' ~ Acts 4:34-5:11 Sermon: Pastor @JohnFehlen Poem: @Treborn

"All In" Trust. Try. Tell
August 14/15 2010
All In Giving

West Salem Foursquare Church
www.WSFC.org

POEM:

Let's just admit it; we're all consumed by money
Don't be an eight year old, acting like a dummy
Be honest - 99% of debt if your yearly income
Spending a buck twenty-two for every dollar you bring home
Let the American Dream go bro, it's time to sell homes
Keep it real Holmes, put down the cell phones
Watch how the time will tell, will we give to charity
3% of Christians tithe, all across the planet it's scary
2330 verses in the bible, about wallets and purses
16/38 of parables by Jesus, about money - it's worth it
1/10 verses in the Gospels, not just about worship
500 on prayer, but over 2000 on money - financial verses
We need to talk about money more often, bottom line
Many got a line, don't get it wrong, get it right
Heart. Mind. & Pocketbook - 3 conversions take place
a theological document, what and who you worship

Give God honor, a dollar bill's not a tissue
Snowball effect, it's a financial issue
God blessed you with wealth, He didn't dismiss you
Give it back to the LORD, don't misuse it too

Don't make a show, give wholeheartedly
The price that it cost, can hardly be free
Nothing we have, come from us - it's ownership
Every perfect gift comes from God - Lordship
Is it worth it to lose it, or is it like fluid
Smooth and flows free, you gotta be a good steward
Malachi 3:10, bring it in the store house, blessings pour down
but if you're stingy and picky, you'll be blessed with a poor frown
Serious about your giving, go all in, give all in
In obedience, God will call for more when your givin'
The rest will rot, understand about your giving
Feel the truth penetrate and be well and convicting
Use your training-wheels, then you can walk it out
please don't pull up, in your new Lexus... (saying;)
"Look at what Jesus did! Look at how He blessed us!"

Give God honor, a dollar bill's not a tissue
Snowball effect, it's a financial issue
God blessed you with wealth, He didn't dismiss you
Give it back to the LORD, don't misuse it too

How much does God trust you with what you get
He wants to give you more, but does He trust you yet
Faithful in little, trustworthy equals abundance
It takes two to tango, it's not just a fun dance
Similar to romance, it's a level of intimacy
God will bless your heart, say "LORD please level with me!"
He will match you, if your glass isn't half empty but half full
It'll overflow, 'cause the tree doesn't stand far from the apple

Give God honor, a dollar bill's not a tissue
Snowball effect, it's a financial issue
God blessed you with wealth, He didn't dismiss you
Give it back to the LORD, don't misuse it too

SCRIPTURE:

Acts 4:34-5:11
Malachi 3:10
2 Corinthians 8:7
Matthew 25
Luke 16
Proverbs 3:9
2 Corinthians 9:7

NOTES:

"If a person gets his attitude towards money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in life." Billy Graham

1. How we RELATE to God's money is a matter of LORDSHIP & STEWARDSHIP.

2. What we RECEIVE from God is a matter of TRUST.

3. How we RESPOND to what we receive is a matter of FAITHFULNESS.

"Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best." Proverbs 3:9

QUOTES:

"If you invest = He will will release and increase."
"I can't afford NOT to tithe and give money back to God."

AFTERTHOUGHT:

Has this poem, sermon, or scripture convicted you? Do you feel a tug on your heart to give? You can Give Online. It's safe and easy. 100% goes to the church.

http://wsfc.org/give

ADDITIONAL $ TALK:

Your crisp “dollar” comes from the word “Joachimsthaler.” Here’s what it means: http://bit.ly/b70fDS