Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-11-24
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 27
PAUL's VOYAGE AND sHIPWREcE

LESSON TEXT-Acts 27:1-44
GOLDEN TEXT know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which l have committed
unto him against that day.-II Tim. 1:l2.
REFERENCE MATERIAL - II Cor.
n:23-2S; Phil. 4:12, 13
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Story of Ship
wreck.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul in a Shipwreck.
INTERMEDIATE AND sen IOR TOPIC
Storm and Shipwreck.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-PauPs Power over Men.
|. A Stormy Voyage wv. 1-20).
1. The ship. A ship of Alexandria
sailing from Myra to Italy.
.. The company. Two of Paul's
friends, Aristarchus ami Luke, are
permitted to go with him. Besides
these three there were 213 in the ship
". y.
3. The storm. The ship made little
headway on account of unfavorable
winds. Paul advised that they winter
in Fair Havens (vv. S-l2), but his ad-
vice was unheeded. The gentle south
wind deceived them, so they loosed
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 lightened the ship by bringing
down from the masts and rigging ev-
hi ths,f nrH11O
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.
1t 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 breezes,
await Gods faithful ones. . The pres
ence of storms does not prove that we
are going the wrong way.
II. Pau's Serene Faith wv. 21-26).
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 a stormy sea as in their quiet homes.
Note PauPs behavior:
l. His rebuke for their failure to
heed his advice at Fair Havens ".
| 21). This was not mere taunt, but
reference to the wisdom of his for
mer advice urging them to give him
more respectable hearing.
2. 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.
A. The source of his information
wv. %, 24). The angel of God had
revealed it unto him. There is nc
darkness of storm that can shut ou
the angels, Gods ministering serv
ants, from those who believe and obey
5. The reason of Paurs calm faitt
". 23). Whose l am and whom
serve"
III. The Ships Crew All Safe or
Land wv. 27-4D.
This was exactly as the Lord haC
said. We can rest assured that al
God has spoken shall come to pass
even though there be a broken ship
brutal soldiers and perfdious crew
Aside from the fulfillment of Cod
promise, the most important part O
this section is the splendid SAINT.
which characteriZes Paul's action ol
the way. Two things especially mari
his sanctified common sense
l. His vigilance had detected tina
the sailors had planned to escape. HI
knew how much they would be need
ed presently, and at once took step
to prevent their escape. He wen
straight to the man in charge and said
Except these abide in the ship, v
cannot be saved" He practiced tn
truth that genuine reliance upon Co
is the all-powerful incentive to human
action Gods DEGREES always includ
the means for their accomplishment
2. He knew that the famishing con
dition of the people was not the mos
favorable for the physical struggl
which was soon to be undergone b.
them when they must struggle throug
the water to the shore. So he get
them to take a substantial breakfast
He had the good sense to look afte
that which was necessary. 1t was II
time to talk to these men about thei
souls, for their bodies needed the mai
attention. His prayer for that mea
! had more effect upon the people tha
. his preaching would have had. LIE
! us learn from this the divine methO
of administration, namely, God ovel
ruling while man trusts Him and act.
vigorous faith manifests itself i
reasonable action.