The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-25

able to keep that which have committed
unto him against that day.-I1 Tim. l:l2
REFERENCE MATERIAL II Cor.
Il 1928; Phil. 4:l2. 1a.
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. 1-2OD.
l. The ship. A ship Of Alexandria
sailing from Myra to Italy.
.. The company. Two of Paufs
friends, Aristarchus and Luke, are
permitted to go with him. Besides
these three there were 273 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 wv. 9-12), 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 b3at 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-
erything that was superfluous; 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.
It 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. Paups Serene Faith wv. 21-26)
| To 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. Goo
is just as near to His own In the midst
of stormy sea as in their quiet homes
Note Paul's behavior:
l. His rebuke for their failure tt
heed his advice at Fair Havens "
21). This was not a mere taunt. but
mer advice urging them to give him
a more respectable hearing.
.. Bids them be of good cheer "
22). He inspired them with hope.
B. He promises them safety ". 22)
| Though the ship would go to pieces
| every mans life Eould be saved.
4. The source of his information
| wv. %, 24). The angel of God had
revealed 1t unto him.
5. The reason of Paul's calm faltf
| ". 23). "Whose / am and whom
serve"
III. The Ships Crew All Safe or
Land (vv 27-4N.
said We can rest assured that al
God has spoken shall come to pass
even though there be a broken ship
brutal soldiers and perfidious crew
Aside from the fulfillment of God,
promise, the most important part o
this section is the splendid SAINT.
which characterizes Paul's action OF
the way. Two things especially mari
his sanctified common sense
/. His vigilance had detected thai
the sailors had planned to escape. Hs
knew how much they would be need
ed presently, and at once took step.
TO prevent their escape. He weni
straight to the man in charge and said
Except these abide In the ship ye
cannot be saved" He practiced the
truth that genuine reliance upon Goo
is the all-powerful incentive to human
action. Gods decrees always include
the means for their accomplishment
2. He knew that the famishing con
dition 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 a substantial breakfast
He had the good sense to look aftel
that which was necessary. Ii was n,
time to talk to these men about theil
souls, for their bodies needed the mair
attention. His prayer for that mea
4 had more effect upon the people thar
his preaching would have had. Lei
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