During the night, an angel of God had appeared to Paul, with a sure and certain word about the future, a word that would bring encouragement to all on board ship. Where is your God, he asked. 550 As they waited for a change of wind at Fair Havens, it soon became clear that they could not complete the voyage to Italy before the onset of winter. Here are some examples of their leadership. They also loosened the ropes which lashed down the rudders and hoisted the sail.561 They were on their way toward land. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. Obedient Daniel. With great difficulty, the dinghy was hoisted on board, and then supporting cables were used to undergird the bottom of the ship, so that it might not break up under the weight of its cargo and the stresses of the storm. In the early church there was a problem. Now, no one had the use of this boat. The time which had been lost, due to unfavorable winds, made it evident that they would not be able to reach Rome, not without wintering at some port, and finishing the journey in the Spring.550 The only question now was where they would winter, and whether or not they would press on to some more favorable port. These people saw first hand the hope of the gospel in Paul, when all hope was lost. Paul encouragement the passengers to trust God to do all that He promised. Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. He left this to God. Paul was a prisoner, on his way to stand trial before Caesar in Rome. Whether you realize it or not, we are all called to lead. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. He would later, on the island, work signs and wonders. They had to move quickly now to get off the ship and to swim to shore. Nevertheless, they decided to press on to a better harbor. Paul was told by the angel not to be afraid, because he was going to stand before Caesar. In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. One church member compliments your Sunday morning message, the next complains about your quoting Carl Jung because he is not a Christian. 542 The ship in which they embarked belonged to Adramyttium (modern Edremit), a seaport of Mysia in northwest Asia Minor, opposite the island of Lesbos. They had little to gain and much to lose. The angel of God told Paul not to be afraid, which would indicate that he was afraid. A democratic leader encourages open conversation and helps their employees set goals, evaluate their own performance and motivates them to grow. All rights reserved. 544 We know that Luke was on board ship because of the we references, and because of the great detail that he includes, as an eyewitness of the journey, the storm, and the safe landing of the passengers. He must live a devout and disciplined life. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? They did not know exactly where they were and they could not recognize anything familiar about the land, but they did resolve to run the ship aground in a bay which they could see ahead. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? A friend of mine, Jonathan Leath, wrote a book he titled You Only Lead One (YOLO). The passengers were not to lose hope, but to keep up their courage. What are we to make of this dramatic change in Pauls standing before his fellow-shipmates? Far to the south, off the African coast, lay the notorious Syrtes (17), the graveyard of many ships, as underwater archaeology has vividly revealed in recent years. Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. It was the crew of the ship who lived dangerously, foolishly risking the ship, the cargo, and the lives of all on board, just to get ahead a little. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. Paul did not have a formal position as leader, but was rather a functional leader. They had to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Julius and the others did not seem to look upon Paul in religious or spiritual terms, but only in terms of practical and proven ability and knowledge. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. (1) A look at leadership. Salem Media Group. Apparently Paul discerned that those in charge were predisposed to sailing a little further. Not once or twice the world has had to thank the great saints and mystics for providing timely help in moments of crisis when realistic, practical men of affairs were unable to supply it. Bruce, p. 475. When Esthers words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the Jews will escape. As time went on, as Paul was better known, and as the crises on board the ship became more pronounced, Paul stepped forward, giving both direction and hope to all the others on ship. "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong (Titus 1:9). How often, I wonder, are others benefited by the presence of a believer? He bridged the gaps between the Greek and Jewish worlds. 546 With the westerly winds which prevail in those seas, says James Smith, ships, particularly those of the ancients, unprovided with a compass and ill calculated to work to windward, would naturally stand to the north till they made the land of Asia Minor, which is peculiarly favourable for navigation by such vessels, because the coast is bold and safe, and the elevation of the mountains makes it visible at a great distance; it abounds in harbours, and the sinuosities of its shores and the westerly current would enable them, if the wind was at all off the land, to work to windward, at least as far as Cnidus, where these advantages ceased. Pauls skillfulness and leadership gave the gospel a credibility it would not have otherwise have had in the eyes of these people. True leaders aren't afraid to call a spade a spade. The Bible is pretty clear about what Godly leadership looks like. Proud member Mordecais words influenced Esther to take an action that she would have otherwise not taken. The encouraging news that Paul was about to tell them was that he was both right and wrong when he had warned them not to sail. The safety of the passengers, involved their actions, in eating a good meal, in lightening the ship, and in swimming to shore or in clinging to some wreckage and floating to shore. 4. Petty criticism wears on the leader. Pauls influence was not the result of his political maneuverings, but mens response to his personal competence. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. When he spoke, there was no vote taken. In other words, your leadership style should be authentic to you. . In fact, it seems that virtually everyone voted against him when the decision was made. I read in the paper the other day that when faced with the decision as to whether he should change to an alternate airport or press on to the original destination, the pilot of a commercial airliner left the choice with his passengers. 1. {I have been} on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from {my} countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:25-26). Great leaders wash their people's feet. His church was a murmuring people. I suspect so. If Gods sovereignty is the source of comfort to the Christian, it is the source of terror for the unbeliever, for God has warned of His coming judgment. 558 The fourteenth night is reckoned from the time they left Fair Havens. Your Bible study. Passing it with considerable difficulty, and apparently not being able to make port there, they finally were able to make port at a place known as Fair Havens,548 which was not far from the city of Lasea, where they could have spent the winter. Democratic leadership style fosters high job satisfaction and productivity because followers are involved in decision making. It seems that there was no protest from the sailors when the ropes to the lifeboat were cut. Flee to safety today. This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. Moses is remembered as the liberator, the leader, the law-giver, the prophet, and the intermediary in the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Some things dont change. Pauls caution is rather interesting. What are some examples of democratic leadership? 16:8, 16-20). Verses 30-32 describe the sailors attempt to abandon ship, which they aborted, due to the action taken by the soldiers, who heeded Pauls words of warning. It may not come quickly. Paul need no longer fear, because he knew the outcome of this storm. Let us consider just a few: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. It seems as though the passengers, including Luke and Paul, were needed to help carry out this operation (see verse 19).556. They may have the power, but they do not have the trust. It has long been acknowledged as one of the most instructive documents for the knowledge of ancient seamanship. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 474. The otherstwo hundred and seventy-six in allfollowed his example. We live in a time of great crisis. The death penalty is certainly one possibility. 557 This is not to suggest that Paul now emerged because he knew that this was the low-point of his fellow-passengers, but because the night before the angel of God had appeared to him. Democratic leadership is an effective leadership style but can sometimes be too slow when fast decisions are needed. Pauls leadership was not viewed as spiritual leadership by those on board the ship. Had people ceased eating, in part perhaps, because they thought they were going to die anyway?
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