Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-11-25

!. A Stormy Voyage wv. 1-20).
1. The ship. A ship Of Alexandria
sailing from Myra to Italy.
9. The company. Two of PauFs
friends, Aristarchus and Luke, are
permitted to 60 with him. Besides
these three there we're 273 In the ship
". y.
3. The storm. The ship made little
Roadway on account of unfavorable
winds. Paul advised that they winter
In Fair Ravens wv. 9-12), but his ad-
vice was unheeded. The gentle sonth
wind deceived them, so they looied
from Crete, only to be soon overtaken
by the tempestuous wind, called Eu-
roclydon. They did everything pos
sible TO save the ship. They took up
the boat which was towed behind;
they bound great cables around the
ship to strengthen It for the storm;
they llghtened the ship by bringing
down from the masts and rigging ev-
erything thut was supertluous; ana
finally, the cargo and tackling OF the
ship itself were thrown overheard. All
this seemed to be of no avail, so that
all hope Of being saved was removed.
II seemed that wicked men and ma
terial forces were combined TO pre-
vent the great apostle from reaching
Rome. However, this Is only appar-
ent, for these very experiences were
overruled by God to bring good cheer
and salvation to many on the way.
We should remember that tempestu-
GUS winds, as well as the soft breezos.
await Gods faithful ones. The pres
ence OF storms does not prove that we
are going the wrong way.
II. Paul's Serene Faith wv. 2l-2e).
To a man who did not know God,
the failure of the sun and stars to
shine for many days, the fading Of all
hope, was natural; but to the man OF
faith, hope still burns brightly God
is Just as near to His own In the midst
Of stormy sea as In their quiet homes.
Note Paul's behavior:
/. His rebuke for their failure to
heed his advice at Fair Ravens ".
21). This was not a mere taunt, but
reference to the wisdom Of his for
mer advice urging them to give him
a more respectable hearing.
.. Bids them be of good cheer ".
22). He Inspired them with hope.
3. He promises them safety ". 22).
Though the ship would go to pieces,
every mans life would be saved.
4. The source Of his information
| wv. %, 24). The angel of God had
revealed II unto him. There Is no
darkness of storm that can shut out
the angels, Gods ministering serv-
ants, from those who believe and obey.
8. The reason of Paul's calm faith
". 23). "Whose | am and whom l
serve"
III. The Ships Crew All Safe on
Land wv. 27-44).
This was exactly as the Lord had
said. We can rest assured that all
God has spoken shall come to pass,
even though there be q broken ship.
brutal soldiers and perfidious crew.
Aside from the fulfllment Of Gods
promise, the most important part of
this section Is the splendid sanity
which characterlzes Paul's action on
the way. Two things especially mark
his sanctifed common sense.
!. His vigilance lad detected that
the sailors had planned to escape. He
knew how much they would be need.
ed presently. and at once took steps
to prevent their escape. He went
straight to the man in charge and said
Except these abide In the ship, ye
cannot be saved" He practiced ths
truth that genuine reliance upon Goo
Is the all-powerful incentive to human
action. Gods DEGREES always include
the means for their accomplishment
2. He knew that the furnishing con
dltion Of the people was not the mos
favorable for the physical struggle
which was soon to be undergone b!
them when they must struggle through
the water to the shore. SO he get
them to take substantial breakfast
He had the good sense to look afte
that which was necessary. It was nj
time to talk to these men about thei
souls, for their bodies needed the mali
attention. His prayer for that mea
had more effect upon the people thai
his preaching would have had. lie
US learn from this the divine metho'
Of administration, namely, God over
ruling while man trusts Him and actl
Il A vigorous faith manifests itself 1