Magna Cum Laude, Daniel 1:8-21

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel purposed in his heart, that's where defilement begins and ends, in the heart.

King David prayed in Psalm 51:10-12, God create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit within me.

Daniel purposed not to defile himself. Daniel knew that no matter what was done to him, it could not defile him.

Daniel was made into a eunuch.

His name was changed from a God honoring name, to a God dishonoring name.

He was drafted into a three-year indoctrination of Babylonian ways and culture and customs. Let’s call it Babylon University.

Yet, he knew, none of those things defiled him.

However, when they tried to change his diet, he drew the line, lest he be defiled.

What’s so defiling about the king’s food and drink?

They already had one of their appetites, cut off, so, don’t they deserve a little indulgence in the other? Eat, drink and be merry.

Well, some say, it was wrong because the food had been offered to idols.

And, or, it wasn’t kosher; it wasn’t prepared properly; therefore, it was unclean.

Or, according to God’s law, it was unclean, like shrimp and lobster, or pork chops or bacon. Leviticus 11:4-20.

Then again, perhaps there was another reason that outweighed all the others.

After all, Jesus said: “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” ...  ^18...But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile a man.” Matthew 15:11, 18-20.

Paul said, the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17.

Of course they hadn't heard those words from Jesus, or Paul, but they were familiar with Proverbs 23:1-3. When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.

Perhaps, the greatest defilement they were concerned with was not so much what they put in their stomach, but what they put in their heart. Perhaps it was more of a heart issue, than a food issue, or a law issue.

The letter kills; the Spirit gives Life. 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Perhaps Daniel and friends understood the reason behind the king crab leg gourmet dinners. 

Remember the Babylonian plan was domination by indoctrination (programming, propaganda, brainwashing).

They’d seduce you little by little with the beauty of Babylon. It's just a little cartoon with 2 married mommies, a little song about sleeping around, just a little storybook (read by a man in a dress), only a little video game about slaughtering people, just a little revision of HIStory books.

It's the little foxes that spoil the vine... Song of Solomon 2:15. 

All of this with Daniel and friends comes down to a little heart test and reveals the secret ingredient to victory in big battles.

If by wining and dining, eating and drinking and being merry at the king's table tempts us to compromise our convictions, we won’t have any part of it.

If I can’t honor God in it, I won’t do it. If I can’t honor God partying with those people, drinking this, smoking that, reading this, watching that, doing this... whatever it is, if I can’t honor God in it, I won’t do it.

I will put no unclean thing before my eyes, so I can walk through my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101:2-3.

Evil can change your body, change your name, but no matter what it does to you, it cannot defile you. But evil keeps pressing, trying, tempting you to take one bite from the tree, good for food, pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise...

c'mon man, eat this, drink that.... cave in, bake that cake, marry this couple, pay for the abortion, say this pronoun, take this pill, this shot, this mark - of the beast.

The goal has nothing to do with what they're pushing and everything to do with compromising your conviction, which leads to sin, sin, sin. The serpent's favorite fruit. 

It doesn’t matter that their manhood was taken from them, this was the moment those boys became men. This is when they drew the line in the sand and said, NO COMPROMISE. We will not partake of your forbidden fruit.

They controlled their appetite in the little things, which built spiritual muscles to have victory in the big things, like the Lion’s den, and the fiery furnace.

Jesus puts it like this:

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10.

So, they put down the fork, pushed back the plate, stood up from the table, and said, no thanks.

9 now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

Daniel and friends honored God and stood in faith with God, against all odds.

God knew Daniel and crew would exercise this God honoring faith before they did it.

So, before they needed it, He granted them favor and goodwill with the chief of the eunuchs, aka: Coach Ashpenaz.

Favor is fabulous!

Proverbs 16:7, When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

LORD, You know the future, You know what we'll do before we do it, say before we say it, think before we think it. So, Lord, we purpose in our hearts, that no matter the circumstance, no matter the consequence, we will stand in faith with You, in everything, especially the little things, because we know we can't stand with You in big things, if we don't in the little.

10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

Even with favor, we still have obstacles.

Coach Ashpenaz says, dudes, I like you, but, not that much, not enough to lose my head.  

11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

Vegetables: zeroa': Derived from the root meaning "to sow" or "to scatter seed." This was food that was sown and grown. Vegetables, sprouted grains, legumes, beans, etc.

Note: this is not advocating for a vegetarian lifestyle. Before this, they ate meat. Every Passover they were commanded to eat lamb.

Now notice, Dan was a man with a plan. As soon as the chief declined their request, they had an immediate response.

They didn't just point to a problem but had a plan to remedy it.

Let's follow this example.  If we put in our two-cents worth, let's do so with our sleeves rolled up, a shovel in one hand and a plan in the other.

They are so GOD-fident {God-fidence is knowing I can't, but God can}. They don’t stress, they don't consider the consequences, they don’t say, “What if he says no, then, what'll we do? Then, we'll have to eat the king's food or starve. Then, we'll blow our testimony. They'll mock God's law. It's probably best we keep quiet. Don't rock the boat. Don't talk about Jesus or we might get fired or lose friends. Then we won't be able to be a light at work, or play, then, we'll starve.”

When it comes to obeying God's Word, considering consequences only causes confusion.

They simply requested a test, and left the rest, to God. An awesome, exciting, amazing way to live. Friends of faith, we’re fighting a battle we’ve already won.

Sounds simple enough. But standing up to most powerful person on the planet took guts, or more accurately, faith.

The just shall live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38.

Faith pleases God.

Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

So, sure enough God was faithful and rewarded the fabulous four with favor, so Coach Ashpenaz consented to their plan.

Stand faithfully by God and God will stand faithfully by you.

Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you... James 4:8.

How do I get that kind of faith?

You’re doing it.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. Romans 10:17.

(So far, not including our Scripture from Daniel, you've already heard over a dozen additional Bible Verses. This is Faith Building Seeds. Spiritual Multivitamins to make you strong in the Lord and the power of His Might. Eph. 6:10.

15 and at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

They passed the ten day test

Now, on to three years of Babylon U.

17 as for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

They honored God and God honored them right back, in abundance.

Consider Daniel and Joseph.

Both taken from good lives to captivity. 

Both purposed in their heart to remain faithful to God in the little things.

Both prepared and promoted by way of trials.

Both given Divine Connections and the awesome honor of God interpreting world changing dreams through them. 

18 now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

They served “before the king” small “k” but really, they were serving the King (capital K) of kings.

And all because they had purposed in their hearts to be faithful in the little things.

20 and in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

Their final exam was an oral exam given by the king himself, he interviewed them, and examined them and found them ten times better than all the students who ever went through Babylon U.

Remember they started with a little 10-day test and wound up 10 times better than all the rest.

By passing the little test in their heart, God graduated them magna cum laude.

They were promoted from misery to Ministry.

21 thus Daniel continued until the first year of king Cyrus.

God not only prepares and promotes, He also plants.

Daniel would've been familiar with Psalm 1:3. He was a living breathing example of it: He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

After Nebuchadnezzar’s 43-year reign, Daniel was still standing.

King after king came and went, but Danny was still standing.

Year after year for 70 years all the way to king Cyrus, Dan the man was still standing.

All the way to the year prophesied in Jeremiah 25:11 that the exile would finally come to an end after 70 years.

Daniel, like that tree, was still standing, still bearing fruit, still making a difference well into his 80s.

Daniel was like a lighthouse that delivers many from storms and darkness, not by chasing and shouting, but by staying, standing, shining.

Victories come by standing in faith, unflinching, uncompromising.

Eph. 6:12-14. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore...

And that's how Daniel chapter on ends, with Daniel standing.

We could almost say, and they all lived happily ever after.

But when we turn the page to chapter two we see they don't even get a summer vacation even after graduating with honors.

They are immediately given a big test.

Their first test?

Do the impossible or "be cut to pieces and have your houses turned into an ash heap."

It never gets boring with Danny and crew.

Of all the amazing events of this book, one thing that rises to the top is Daniel's unflinching, uncompromising faith, no matter what challenges or opportunities come his way.

And it all builds from staying pure, undefiled, in the little things of the heart.

Lord, help us to do the same.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus thank You for Your Word that works faith in us, teaching us and growing us into people that honor You. Please convict us in the small tests so we can pass the big ones, magna cum laude. Plant us to stand, not wither, but bear fruit, nourishing others to grow strong in You. So that of all those You’ve given us, none fail the ultimate test of knowing You as Lord and Savior.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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Introduction to Hebrews, Jesus is Best, Hebrews 1:1-4

What's the best thing you can think of?

Winning the lottery, that’d be the best.

Spending time with family, that’s the best.

Hitting a hole in one is the best.

If only I had enough money to pay the bills, that would be the best.

A good night’s rest, that’d be the best.

Oh, to be healthy again, would be the best.

If only all my kids were saved, that’d certainly be the best.

Of all those things...

Jesus is better.

Jesus is Best.

Jesus is so sure that He is the best, He offers a guarantee in Matthew 6:33.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

Seeking the best. That's what Hebrews is about.  

They’re about to abandon Jesus because persecution is rising.

Hebrews says hang on, don’t turn back, you have no place to go but down, because Jesus is the very best.  

TITLE:

Hebrews.

The title reveals that God makes...

Coffee. He brews. 😊

Sometime after the 1^st century, the N.T. writings were gathered, and given titles for convenience.

Hebrews doesn’t say it’s to the Hebrews. It doesn’t open with a greeting like the other epistles. It doesn’t say: From Paul, or Barnabus, or Whoever, to the Hebrews.

It just launches straight into the message and can be read in under an hour. It looks more like a sermon than a letter.

Since the subject matter revolves around Israel’s history and the Hebrew religious system of sacrifices and offerings, the title, Hebrews is fitting. 

(BTW: It wasn’t until the 13th century when chapters were added, and the 15-16th century verses were added).  

DATE:

Since the text implies that the temple sacrifices were still in operation, it must have been prior to AD 70, when the temple was destroyed by General Titus, who later became the emperor, after his dad, Vespasian, died in 79.

Additionally, in chapters 10 and 12 we’re told persecution was growing and then chapter 13 reveals that Timothy had just been released from prison, thus, it was probably somewhere between AD 67–69.

WRITER:

Unknown. Some say, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Luke, Philip, Priscilla, Aquila, or Clement of Rome.

Hebrews 2:3 says the writer was taught by those who heard Jesus. That seems to eliminate Paul as the writer, since Galatians 1:12 says he was not taught the gospel by any man, but direct revelation from Jesus.

We do know the Author is the Holy Spirit. If He wanted us to know the writer, then we would.

PURPOSE:

To show the divinity and supremacy of Jesus, thereby encouraging believers to hold fast and press on with faith and patience.   

Hebrews 1:1,
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

God spoke... Thank You Father for initiating the conversation.

In the beginning God spoke the worlds into existence, “Let there be...”

And there was.

Then, He created man and said, “Don’t...”

And we did.

We disobeyed His one command and rather than calling out to Him, we hid from Him.

Nevertheless, rather than crushing us back into the clay from which we came, He came calling for us.

He carried the conversation.

For thousands of years, He spoke through various times, cultures, places and peoples, in various ways by visions and dreams and prophets and priests.

Pause and think about this.

Nothing compares to what God has done. Nothing comes close. No religion. No alleged revelation to any one person, Mohammed, Joseph Smith, Budda or whoever, can hold a candle to what God has done.

2 Peter 1:20, Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.

There's nothing else like it. No one. No thing. Christ is king! To serve him and love him is the greatest offer, the greatest honor you'll ever get. Nothing else even comes close.

Jesus is best. Period.

Then, He had His Words, meticulously, flawlessly, jot by jot, tittle by tittle, documented and miraculously preserved, providing undeniable proof for the world to see that His Word is absolute Truth and endures forever. 

Nevertheless, we didn’t listen.

The OT ends with our words being stout against the Lord. We said, “What good does it do to serve the Lord? The heathen are happy, the wicked are blessed.” (Malachi 3:13-15).

So, God paused the conversation.  But that doesn’t mean He stopped listening.

There was a remnant who feared the Lord and did not forsake the assembling together of themselves and they spoke often one to another about the Lord. He hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written about it (Mal. 3:16).

Then, He closed the OT, and the conversation, with one last Word. It was a promise. I will come to You.

A comfort for some, a warning to others.

Then, all went silent. 400 years between Old Testament and New, not another recorded Word from God.

Until the fulness of time had come God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal. 4:4-7).

Once again, God initiated the conversation, this time, in Person. It started as a cry, on a silent holy night, from a Babe, in a manger.

² has in these last days...

The Jews long understood the “last days” would begin with the coming of the Messiah.

However, what most didn’t understand was that their Messiah had come, in a Baby who grew to be a Carpenter by the name of Jesus in a despised little village called Nazareth.

He came, just as He said 1000s of times, in 1000s of ways, over 1000s of years.

Now pause and consider, for 1000s of years, it’s been the last days, and just as He closed the OT saying, I will come to You, He ended the NT saying, "Surely, I AM coming quickly."  Rev. 22:20.

 He's been saying it 1000s of times, in 1000s of ways. Have you been listening? Are you ready?

²...spoken to us by His Son,

Now we're going to hear 7 descriptions of Christ’s divinity and supremacy.

1. The Word became flesh.

The prophets of old spoke the word of God, however, Jesus, The Prophet, is the Word of God. John 1:14, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Revealing that the old form of communication through a man, through a prophet, wasn’t enough.

God never wanted that separation caused by sin. Separation of Church and state was not something God or the Godly would ever pen. God hates separation. He hates divorce.

When He pierced that silent night 2,000 year ago, the very nature of His heart was revealed through the pen of the prophet who said, He shall be called Immanuel, meaning God with us. Isaiah 7:14. Matt. 1:23.

So, after 400 years of silence He picked up the conversation again with a better Mediator, the Son of God, the very living breathing Word of God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ...14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

It’s like, God was saying texting is not enough. We’ve got to meet face to face.

For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son...the Word became flesh

²...whom He has appointed heir of all things

2. Heir of all.

Heir of all things shows the full extension of authority from Father to Son.

The Son and the Father are One in possession, position and power.

²... through whom also He made the worlds;

3. Creator of all.

The Father is the Source of creation, the Son is the agent.

By the Word of God, the world was created. The Son is the Word.

Like, me saying I built this house with my own bare hands. My hands are not separate or inferior to me, they are part of me, at one with me.

(Disclaimer: if I built it, enter at your own risk 😊. 

³ who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person,

4. Exact radiance of God

Jesus is, the Word became flesh, the heir of all, the Creator of all, the brightness of His glory, the express image of His person.

Brightness, only time used. Jesus illuminates, radiates, is the Light of God’s glory.  Light of the world.

The exact image of God.

He does not reflect God, like the moon reflects the sun. He is the Son. S.o.n. He is God.  Jesus said: If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father. John 14:9.

He radiates the exact image of God.

³...and upholding all things by the word of His power,

5. All powerful.

Omnipotent.

His Word holds the Power of God.

The same Word in the beginning that created all things, now holds all things together, and moving toward His sovereign conclusion, when all these things will end, and He by His Word will make all things new. Isaiah 65:17, Rev. 21:5.

³...when He had by Himself purged our sins,

6. Perfect Sacrifice for sin.

Up till now we were seeing the Son, Jesus, as The Prophet, the Word of God.

Now we see Him as our Great High Priest. The Perfect Sacrifice for sin.

The priests of old purged our sins by offering sacrifices, continually. But now we see Jesus, our Great High Priest, willingly become the Perfect Sacrifice for sin.

He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12.

³...sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

7. King of kings, Lord of lords.

Jesus, our Prophet, our Priest, finished His work and sat down at the right hand (that’s the place of honor, authority and power), as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Jesus the Prophet is God’s Word to us.

Jesus the Great High Priest sacrificed Himself for us.

Jesus the One who conquered all, reigns supreme, and has prepared a kingdom for those who love Him, is King of kings, Lord of lords

We’ve just witnessed 7 descriptions of Christ’s divinity and supremacy.

1.    The Word became flesh

2.    Heir of all

3.    Creator of all

4.    Exact radiance of God

5.    All powerful

6.    Perfect Sacrifice for sin

7.    King of kings, Lord of lords 

 

⁴ having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Why after establishing the divinity and supremacy of Christ did we bring angels into the conversation?

Well, we’ve already addressed how God spoke through the prophets. Now we look at another vessel God uses to relay messages.

Angels, the word means messenger.  

Angels are spirit beings created to minister. Heb. 1:14.

The Jews of that time esteemed angels as the highest beings next to God. There’s even talk that some drifted way out in left field far from sound Biblical teaching and claimed that the archangel Michael’s authority was equal to or surpassing that of the Messiah.

So, here and now, the preacher to the Hebrews sets the record straight. Jesus is “so much better than angels.”

Today two religions claim Jesus is equal to angels. Mormons (Latter Day Saints) and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Mormons, believe lucifer and Jesus are spirit brothers. According to Scripture, that’s nonsense. lucifer was a created being, that rebelled and was expelled from heaven. Mormons believe they are equal. I don’t recommend it, but you can read more at: LDS.org. 

Jehovah’s Witnesses at Watchtower.org claim Jesus is Archangel Michael. Joseph Smith alleged an angel named Moroni showed him golden plates that told him how the Christians had messed up and he was sent to straighten them out.

1 Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

Galatians 1:8, But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Lord, give us discernment. Keep us clinging to Your Word, listening to Your Voice. None other.

Now the preacher of Hebrews drives home his angelic point that Jesus is superior to angels by quoting 7 Scriptures that they all knew. Lord willing we will look at that next time.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your powerful Word. We pray Your Seed planted in our hearts today will bear much fruit to the changing of eternal destinies, that of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

Thank You, Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.  

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

 

 

Smooth Sailing After the Storm, Acts 28

 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

After two weeks tossed at sea they finally ran aground and escaped to the shores of of Malta. You can go there today and see where they landed, at St. Paul’s Bay on the north side of Malta.

The island is twenty miles long, and twelve wide. It’s between Sicily and Africa, furthest from the continent of any island in the Mediterranean; about sixty miles south of Sicily.

It became famous for the knights of Malta, who stood against the Turkish rampage against Christendom.

Malta means honey, or sweetness, fitting since the island is long known for beekeeping, and even to this day, the folks of Malta are known for their hospitality.

Another claim to fame is noted right here in the U.S. The American Kennel Club states that the Maltese breed of dog originated on the island of Malta. 

   Notice, only after they escaped the storm did they find out where they were.

But God knew all the while. He knows, dear child of God, where you’re at, in your storm. Even when you don’t. He knows and is right there with you walking on the water, like Peter, or in the belly of the fish like Jonah, or the lion’s den, like Daniel, or the fiery furnace like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

No matter the storm, there is a place of quiet rest just for you.

Where?

In His will, in His Presence, is the safest, most peaceful, most joyful place to be—no matter the storm. Psalm 91:1-2, Phil. 4:7, Psalm 16:11.

In all probability, they never would’ve come to this island, had it not been for the storm, yet we’re about to see God has work for them to do here.

 ² And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

It was somewhere around November. They were soaked to the skin and cold to the bone.

So, the sweet folks of Malta have the survivors huddled around a fire, perhaps, sipping hot Malta tea with honey, petting cute, cuddly, little Maltese puppies.

An example for us to remember those around us exposed to the elements. Have pity on them, pray for them, and show them unusual kindness.

We mustn’t just say, “be ye warmed and filled” but must give those things that are needful. James 2:16.

Picture the shipwrecked, weathered, worn, weary, wrecked...  but smiling at the kindness of the islanders.

If this were a movie, this would be the perfect ending.

Rome drops all charges against Paul. He retires to Malta, becomes a beekeeper, has a Maltese pup named Grace, and lives happily ever after.

But the Bible isn’t a movie or a fairytale. Although it does end with a, happily ever after.

Just not yet.

Not until the villain, that ol’ serpent, and all those with him, are rounded up and thrown into the lake of fire.

Speaking of which...

 ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 

We should never think ourselves above any task that needs doing.

Paul was wet and cold and tired, nevertheless, he pitched in.

Whoever enjoys the warmth of a fire should lend to the fueling of it.

But serpents and evil have no conscience, show no mercy.

The battle that rages.

Thus, we must be wary, vigilant, taking no time to be lazy or complacent.

We should be busy gathering branches (John 15:5), not for the fires of hell, but to be planted and fruitful for the Kingdom of God.

⁴ So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”

In the beginning God created man in His own image, male and female created He them. With God as our Creator, we all have built into their spiritual DNA a God compass, a sense of right and wrong and a desire for justice.

The Lord calls it the law of sowing and reaping.

The world calls it karma.

But they don’t see the big picture, so they make a snap judgement by only seeing a snapshot, of the circumstances.

This man must be a murderer. He escaped the sea, but Divine Justice will not allow him to live.

We must not  judge the content of one’s character by the color of their circumstance.

God specializes in taking what the enemy meant for harm and turning it around for good. He will use this snakebite to spark their faith and help many in Malta both physically and spiritually.

If you let Him, He will take your shipwreck, your snakebite, your imprisonment, your tragedy, and use it for good.

 ⁵ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 

It is reported even to this day that after this no venomous snake ever lived on the island of Malta.

Pause and look at Paul standing there in front of the fire. A small man, bow legged, his baldhead still wet and shiny. Not too impressive on the outside, but what you’ve just witnessed is the actions of a seasoned spiritual warrior.

It’s as if Paul expected the strike from the serpent.

After so long in the battle you come to know the wiles of the enemy.

After a major victory, when you’re spent and ready to rest, after escaping the sea, after Jesus fasted 40 days and nights, when you’re weak, that’s when the serpent strikes.

Paul saw the viper hanging from his hand, and with no panic or shriek or fear, he calmly took the time to send the serpent to its demise where it would never harm anyone ever again.

A foreshadow of where the serpent of serpent’s will one day be sent.

Paul had already penned the following words:

2 Cor. 11:24-27, From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness...

After all of that, plus this newest shipwreck, he learned through faith and patience to shake off trial and temptation and say, “Get thee behind me satan, the Lord rebuke you!”

Dear saint, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you (1 Peter 4:12). Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (James 1:2).

Expect tests. Face them. Take them. They produce the spiritual muscle of faith and patience that you need to shake off the sin which so easily besets you, shake off the temptations that trip you, shake off the serpent that wants to kill, steal and destroy you.

Look at Paul standing there in front of the fire. The small man, bow legged, baldhead, shipwrecked, worn, weathered, weary, snakebit...

But still standing... perhaps smiling, petting a Maltese pup.

⁶ However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

They vilified him, then they magnified him. Don’t give popular opinion a second thought, it turns with the wind, to one extreme, then the other.

You must stay the course dear saint, not only for yourself, but also for others.

They’re watching to see if you fall.

Stay the course. Leave the results to God.

⁷ In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

Since he’s not a murderer, but a god, let’s have him and his friends over for dinner.

 ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.  ¹⁰ They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

To this day there’s something in that area called Malta Fever from a microbe in goats’ milk, with symptoms of fever and a bloody diarrhea.

The Lord blessed the islanders with healings, and we can be sure that Jesus was preached to them and many believed, as evidenced by how they blessed and honored and provided for Paul and the crew.

¹¹ After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

They wintered at the island then boarded a ship with the twin sons of zeus from Greek mythology, mounted on the bow as a figurehead.

 ¹² And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. ¹³ From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, ¹⁴ where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

They sailed about 85 miles to Syracuse, then another 85 to Rhegium and then, around 200 miles to Puteoli.

Paul was given a lot of freedom.

 ¹⁵ And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

Some Christians traveled 40 miles from Rome to meet Paul at Appii Forum, others traveled 30 to Three Inns.

Wow! Talk about a welcoming committee. They didn’t just meet him at the door, or the edge of the city, they took a day or two journey to meet him.

That love, that commitment, had to impress everybody in that traveling party.

Jesus says it like this: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35.

Does our community see His love, by our love toward each other?

¹⁶ Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

He was under house arrest.

¹⁷ And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together.

These are Jews that are not Christians.

 So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. ²⁰ For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

The hope of Israel is the Messiah. They all agreed on that.

The Messiah is Jesus—they did not all agree on that.

²¹ Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

So, the Jerusalem Jews evidently didn’t think it was worth pursuing the issue against Paul any longer since he was long gone.

Which makes sense, since they knew they didn’t have a case against him anyway.

²³ So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 

The whole Bible, points to Jesus. All the Law of Moses and the Prophets, the Scripture they read, and said they believed, it all points to Jesus.

Paul laid it all out for them.

²⁴ And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵ So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶ saying,

‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
²⁷ For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” ’

Isaiah 6:9-10, and Jesus referred to it in Matthew 13:15.

²⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 

²⁹ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

³⁰ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

 

The end of the book of Acts.

But just the beginning of the Acts of the Holy Spirit through His Ekklésia... that’s you, if you are in Christ.

But what happened to Paul?

There’s no Biblical record, which is appropriate because it’s not about Paul, it’s about Jesus, and the Acts of His Holy Spirit.

However, for the inquiring minds who want to know. Tradition says during Paul’s house arrest (somewhere around 60-62 AD) he wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. In that order.

Then, he was released and went on a fourth missionary journey, perhaps to Spain, where he said he’d like to go. Romans 15:24, 28.

It’s believed around 64 AD Paul was arrested again when Emperor Nero raged against Christians.

Paul was put in prison—not house arrest.

Church historian Eusebius, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs records that Paul was led by Nero’s soldiers “out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword” (chapter 1, section X).

When Paul knew his departure was at hand, he penned his final letter to his protégé Timothy: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6–8).

One last time picture Paul, the small, bowlegged, baldhead, shipwrecked, worn, weathered, weary, snakebit, prisoner—no more.

Now, he’s standing, tall and strong and smiling... wearing a crown of righteousness.

The mighty Emperor Nero, he’s hardly spoken of.

However, Jesus, through the writings of Paul, is still changing the world.

Let's pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing that we are indeed in a battle, help us to stay the course, fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith, shake off sin, and show unusual kindness, so all will know we are Your disciples by Your love shining through us. Keep us busy gathering in Your Presence, the safest, most peaceful, joyful, place to be, now and always. We love and long for your appearing.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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