Let me suggest a few characteristics of Pauls leadership in this crisis, which may provide fuel for future thought. Z. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. He took Pauls warnings seriously here, too. 
Famous autocratic leaders include Napoleon Bonaparte, King Henry III, and Queen Elizabeth I. What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. {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). While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. Too often, I hear leadership spoken of as a place of status, rather than a place of service. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Some Christians are inclined to live their lives sloppily, believing that because God is sovereign He will, on demand, produce a miracle to deliver us from the fruits of our own foolishness. The soldiers who were guarding them were not as concerned about their survival as much as the possibility of an escape. Isaiah reveals a society that can be aptly described as "upside down." {For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Their troubles to this point would seem insignificant compared to what was soon to come. endobj Here is another example of Godly leadership in the Bible that sometimes gets overlooked. Pauls Bay is sheltered on the northwest by the island of Salmonetta, which is separated from the Maltese mainland by a narrow channel about a hundred yards wide. Fearing that they might drift into shallow and dangerous waters some distance to the south, 553 they put out a sea anchor of some kind, perhaps something 2 0 obj Therefore whoever resists Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. Neither Lasea nor Fair Havens is mentioned by any ancient writer, two of the hundred cities of Crete. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 460. 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. Not the Adriatic Sea as we now call the sea between Italy and the mainland of Illyricum, but all the lower Mediterranean between Italy and Greece. Robertson, p. 469. Labs Those who should be leading are not and those who should not are. Every passenger made it safely to shore. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:13-14). He must live wisely and be just. For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. We live in a time of great crisis. Indeed, the fate of the ship was not exactly as Paul had warned, for there was no loss of life.551 He simply spoke as a seasoned traveler, an astute observer, and one who had experienced dangers at sea. of Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.. Autocratic leadership is exercised by various leaders in the Bible including King Solomon and King David. Such leadership involves having the leader exercise total authority bestowed upon him or her by people. In autocratic leadership, the leader is in control over all decisions with little or no input from group members. But Pauls concern here was not for himself, but for others. The ship would be lost, but not one of the passengers would perish. There will come a time, however, when God will take His own to the full and final safety of heaven. WebTHE EXAMPLE OF JESUS. Because it was a part of Gods sovereign plan, God did purpose to spare Paul and the ships passengers, but in a way that would to some seem only like good luck. The miraculous aspect is seen in Pauls prediction of what happened in complete agreement with all that did happen, even to the minute details. To Paul, the sovereignty of God was not an excuse to avoid his human obligations or his personal responsibility; it was the motivation for him to live responsibly. Imagine this, they would have Paul to thank for their deliverance. They know when to argue and whom to argue with. . The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. Lukes remark has point only if it fell rather late in the solar calendar that year. I do not believe that Lukes central purpose in Acts 27 is to teach us about leadership, but I do think that Pauls leadership is very apparent in our text. 12 Most Inspiring Leadership Lessons from Bible Characters. Autocratic leadership is exercised by various leaders in the Bible including King Solomon and King David. Then the passengers would have a better chance to reach shore. 
Simply put, Paul warned those making the decision about whether or not to press on that continuing on was not wise. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. The smaller boat, was much more easily handled, and would have been the logical choice when trying to make shore, especially in such circumstances. The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. In all of this God protected Paul. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. Verses 33-41 report Pauls encouragement, in words and deeds, and the grounding and breaking up of the ship. They all waited for the morning light. Let us, like Paul, have a word from God for such needy times as ours. 107 Charismatic leaders also are extremely self-confident and convinced of the rightness of their own beliefs and ideals. Pauls leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. endobj This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. To sail on, therefore, was a foolish decision in Pauls opinion, and thus he discouraged it as strongly as he could, but to no avail. The centurion commanded that all should make it to land if they could. endobj uuid:3894e8f9-b4a9-11b2-0a00-c0d267010000 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Autocratic leadership is also common in professions where life-and-death decisions occur. Think ambulatory care and hospitals, police, military personnel and fire departments. The music business is often overlooked when it comes to autocratic leaders. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. G A free-wheeling, laissez faire, hedonistic, immoral, and irresponsible culture exists. Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. They hoped that daybreak would come so that they could visually navigate the ship, rather than to attempt to make port (or even to ground the ship) in the dark. Appligent AppendPDF Pro 6.3 However, this does not mean you should be satisfied with your current self and avoid growth. Some things dont change. Publisher: OpenBible.info. <>27]/P 23 0 R/Pg 42 0 R/S/Link>> Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. It would seem that they had fasted nearly two weeksthroughout the entire time the storm was raging. That sounds like leadership to me. The sovereignty of God is no excuse for us not to work, but the assurance that our work is not in vain, in the Lord. If the prisoners were to make it to land, the soldiers would have to release them. If democracies are to prevail, their leaders must do more than spotlight the autocrats shortcomings. 549 Smith observes that Fair Havens is so well protected by islands, that though not equal to Lutro [Loutron, a port some 40 miles farther west along the coast], it must be a very fair winter harbour; and that considering the suddenness, the frequency, and the violence with which gales of northerly wind spring up, and the certainty that, if such a gale sprang up in the passage from Fair Havens to Lutro, the ship must be driven off to sea, the prudence of the advice given by St. Paul may probably be supported even on nautical grounds. Bruce, pp. Thankfully if God has called you to leadership, he will take the time to help you grow into it. The Greater Syrtis was still a great distance away, but the wind might continue to blow for many days, and that was the direction in which it was blowing them. If Paul had been right before, and his words had come to pass, he had even more important words to speak now, not from his own perception or judgment, but from the God whom he served. The sovereignty of God will then result in the overthrow of His enemies and in the judgment of the wicked. B If you remember the qualifications of a leader that we looked at earlier, you will see why this is a great example of Godly leadership in the Bible. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. This was probably due to seasickness, and perhaps to the difficulty of cooking under such circumstances. The soldiers heed Pauls words and cut the ropes to the lifeboat, letting it fall away. 1 0 obj The great leaders of the Bible, men like Joseph, Moses, David, and Daniel, were men who had an impact because they were men of God, men of great skill and ability, and men who God raised up. The decision that faced these sailors is not an uncommon one, even in our day. Leadership has to do with purpose and direction. A late date for the day of atonement is required also by the time notes of the subsequent journey to Italy. Is there not a kind of parable here? His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. There are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible as God has always raised up men and women to lead others. WebIsaiah 3:5. Pauls leadership emerged in a democratic society. We are told that the majority reached the decision to sail on, rather than to winter in Fair Havens. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. They were also able to build a church that met in their home. But by the end of this chapter, it is Paul who is active, Paul who is leading, and the others are following him. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. But more than this, God had already assured Paul that he would reach Rome. . This was, I think, to cause the ship to draw less water, and thus to float higher in the water, so that it would not as easily drag bottom.560 The ship would therefore be closer to shore when it struck bottom, making it a shorter swim (or float). Thus, the safety of the ship, according to Pauls words, required the presence of the crew. In Genesis 6, God is despairing over the 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? What Went Wrong? WebGreat leaders know when to open their mouths. Paul is one of a number of prisoners, on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. I suspect so. You may be familiar with the story of Esther. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. This harbour would protect them for a time from the winds. Why We Must Prioritize Both Prayer and Scripture Reading, 3 Truths These Verses about Breastfeeding Moms Can Teach Us All, Let's Go Back to the Beginning to Find the Gospel in Genesis, The Beauty of Humility Found in the Verse "My Ways Are Not Your Ways". I think not. Others decided Paul and the other prisoners should set sail, and so Paul and they were turned over to Julius. 24 0 obj With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Do you want to go deeper in your walk with the Lord but cant seem to overcome the stuff that keeps getting in the way? Allow me to make one last observation here. 541 Lukes narrative of the voyage and shipwreck of Paul on his way to Italy is a small classic in its own right, as graphic a piece of descriptive writing as anything in the Bible. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who dont have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. D As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. Since leadership happens inside and outside the church, these examples are good wherever you 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. God used this two-year delay of Felix and the bungling of Festus to bring Paul to the point where he would appeal to Caesar. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. Paul spoke up, cautioning them about sailing on any further, and warning them that if they pressed on this would result in the loss of lives and property. Lessons in Leadership from Solomon, the Bibles Wisest and Worst Ruler. Beyond this, God is free to act or not to act in any way that He chooses. This may have been the case, and if so the calculations upon which the shipmaster (not owner as AV and RV, according to Ramsay) based his rash advice are less apparent. E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. To reinforce his words, Paul now did what he urged each of them to dohe ate. How this decision would be regretted, and soon! B. Eerdmans Publishing Company [photolithoprinted], 1966), p. 191, quoting Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen, p. 319. If you are a Christian, the same safety is yours, when you are walking in obedience to His commands, and within His purposes. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, 9. <>stream
These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. But it is here, in our text, that I see Paul as a very wise man in practical matters, a man who is a leader of men, and whose counsel is taken seriously because he knows what he is doing. application/pdf 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. 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. Pauls execution was sought by the Sanhedrin, which first tried to execute him legally (like Stephen) and then by assassination, but God used Roman soldiers once again to spare His servant. If the relative safety of the passengers was in being on board ship, with Paul, our certain safety is in being in Christ. He has weathered the storm of Gods wrath on the sinner. There is no thus saith the Lord here, but Pauls words were worth heeding. What can we learn about leadership, which can benefit others, and can promote the gospel? 560 The higher the ship floated in the water, the closer to shore they could get before the ship grounded. The broad issue is that of leadership. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. P When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. WebShaubroeck et al. <> I would say that is a great example of Godly leadership. Noah: Leaders do whats right even if they are alone. They need to make a stronger, positive case for democratic rule. Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. The sovereignty of God means that we dare not presume that God will work a miracle for us, at the time and in the way we choose, due to our foolishness, carelessness, or sin. A central factor in this is that the immature are leading. The non-swimmers could wait a little longer, perhaps for the ship to further break up, and then clinging to some piece of floating wreckage, paddle their way to shore. 36 Just as it is written, For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. The storm caught the ship in its force, and so they could do nothing but allow the ship to be driven along by it. The seas were closed to sailing until the beginning of February at the earliest; the three months spent in Malta must therefore have corresponded roughly to November, December, and January, so they must have left Fair Havens not much before mid-October. The assassination conspiracy was still the main hope of the Sanhedrin as Paul was imprisoned for two years by Felix, but God kept Paul from Jerusalem. T The precise status of Julius is difficult to determine: from the authority which he assumed when once (from Myra onward) he found himself on board a ship of the Alexandrian grain fleet, it might be inferred that he was a frumentarius, an officer charged with supervising the transport of grain (frumentum) to Rome. Bruce p. 477. Does Ecclesiastes 5:2 Mean We Cant Be Honest in Our Prayers? Just so you know, the person they are talking about in Acts 18:26 is Apollos. Is this principle of extended deliverance perhaps an explanation of Pauls comments in 1 Corinthians 7, that the unbeliever is sanctified on account of the believer? As the song goes, More secure is no one ever, than the loved ones of the Savior. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. It is only when all hope is lost that Paul addresses his fellow shipmates.557 Much time had passed, the storm had not diminished, the ship was being constantly mauled by the storm, and the passengers had gone a long time without food. The storm threatens not only the life of Paul, but also the lives of all on board his ship. Like Moses ( Ex. suggested that autocratic leadership was part of the dark, or destructive side of leadership. 543 The centurion Julius, into whose custody he was delivered, belonged (we are told) to the Augustan Cohort. 36 0 obj WebAutocratic leadership is an authoritarian leadership style. Gods mission for Paul was to go to Rome and there to preach the gospel. The solar date of the day of atonement in A.D. 59 thus accords well with Lukes implication that the Fast took place while they waited at Fair Havens. Bruce, p. 481. In studying leadership and leadership mistakes, how far back shall we go? 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