Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-11-24
IMPR0VD USlF0RM INTERNATIONAL
SllIldaySclool
\ Lesson '
tBy INV. P. B. FITzwATER. p. D.
Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago.)
Copyright. 1891. western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER II
pAuL's VOYAGE AND sAlPwREcK

| ~.
LESSON TExT-Acts Z:1-A
GOLDEN TEXT know whom have
| believed, and am persuaded that he 10
| able to keep that which have committed
unto him against that day.-II Tim. 1il2.
| REFERENCE MATERIAL = II Cor.
| 1898; Phil. ALP. 1s.
| PRIMARY TOPIC-The Story Of Ship
| wreck.
| JUNIOR ToPIC-Paul in shipwreck.
| INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Storm and shipwreck.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Pauls Power Over Men.
!. A Stormy Voyage wv. 1-2O).
/. The ship. A ship Of Alexandria
sailing from Myra to Italy.
2. The company. Two Of Paui's
friends, Arlstarchus and Luke, are
permitted to 20 with him. Besides
/ these three there were 27s in the ship
". ~.
8. The storm. The ship made little
Roadway on account Of unfayorable
winds. Paul advised that they winter
in Fair Ravens Wv. 9-12), but his adj
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-
efything that was superfu0us; and
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 we're
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
enee Of storms does not prove that we
are going the wrong way.
u. P.lAl's Serene Faith wv. 21-26).
TOY 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 ",
~. This was not mere taunt, but
reference 10 the wisdom Of his for-
ner advice urging them to give him
more respectable hearing.
.. R:ls them he of good cheer ".
~. He inspired them with hope.
3. lie promises them safety ". 22).
Though the ship would so to pieces,
very mans life would be saved.
4. The source OF his information
| wv. %, 24). The angel of God had
revealed 1t unto him.
| 8. The reason of Paul's calm faith
| ". 23l. Whose i am and whom I
;erye."
M. The Ships Crew All safe on
Land tvv. 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 broken ship,
brutal soldiers and perfidious crew.
Aside from the fulfillment of Gods
promise, the most important part Of
this section Is the splendid sanity
which characterizes Pauls action on
The way. Two things especially mark
his sanctitied common sense.
/. His vigilance had detected. that
the sailors had planned to escape. He
knew how much they would be need
ed presently, and ct once took steps
to prevent their escape. He went
straight to the man In charge and said.
Except these abide In the ship, We.
cannot be- saved" He practiced the.
truth that genuine reliance upon God
| 10 tAiC uH-pVNcLlui iuCeuklNe u uuIuhIl
action. Gods DEGREES always include
the means for their accomplishment.
2. He knew that the furnishing con-
dition Of the people was not the most
favorable for the physical struggle
which was soon to be undergone by
them when they must struggle through
the water to the shore. So he gets
them to take substantial breakfast.
He had the good sense to look after
that which was necessary, It was no
time to talk to these men about their
souls, for their bodies needed the main
attention. His prayer for that meal
had more effect upon the people than
his preaching would have had. Let
us learn from this the divine method
of administration, namely, God over
ruling while man trusts Him and acts.
A vigorous faith manifests itself In
reasonable action.
1