Opening Remarks and Context
Let me take this opportunity again to sincerely thank you all as a church and thank the leaders of this church. And as a, honestly, I think of just the fellowship we have had, the relationship we have enjoyed together, and just the outcome of that relationship. It's beyond what I can describe. Once again, just to say how you have helped us to put up the structure that we have back in Kenya.
I keep saying that this standard of that structure is so high May the Lord help us that the gospel stays no lower. In other words, may the gospel be indeed even higher than that structure. It would be terrible if the structure is so high, but the gospel be diluted. It's our prayer that that would not be the case, but that the Lord will honor the word that is preached there, even when I am away from that place like right now.
So the passage that was read is a fairly long passage, and you may wonder, is this man from Kenya going to put us here to listen to all that passage opened up? No, it's not the whole passage that I'm going to preach from, and therefore I'll not keep you for too long. But the reading of that passage is helpful, was helpful, so that we have a broader perspective of what I have to say.
Introduction
I'm calling my preaching this morning kept by the power of God. Now, I have been, you may ask, why have you chosen to bring this preaching to us? I have been preaching through the Gospel, through the Book of Acts, after previously, a number of years back, preaching through the Gospel of Matthew. But I've been preaching through the Book of Acts.
And my last sermon back home was indeed a part of the passage that we've read this morning, and that is chapter 27 from verse 39. to 28 verse 16. And so I thought, instead of manufacturing something new just because I'm coming among you, I thought, honestly, why don't I bring God's Word that I did bring to my own people back in Eldoret. And not just because I was too busy to prepare something new. Indeed, I was busy to the last moment.
However, The passage holds some great teachings for us today. And as it was, I trust, of help to our own church back in Eldoret, dear friends, I trust as we look at portions of this scripture, you will be able to say, oh, okay, one, that is God's Word, but two, yes, it is relevant. kept by the power of God. You see, Dr. Luke took it upon himself to give us the record that we have here in the book of Acts.
And he has traced, ever so faithfully led by the Holy Spirit, of course, the journey of the Apostle Paul. Indeed, his ministry, of course, he began right from chapter 1 of Acts, verse 1, all through. But then when it reached the stage that the Apostle Paul was introduced, Then, Dr. Luke then concentrates upon the apostle Paul, and he's done certainly a great faithful work.
But as you come to the end now, nearer the end of the book of Acts, Luke has concentrated quite a bit in telling us, giving us details regarding the journey that Paul had for Rome. And within this journey, surely we are going to learn something. But it is a journey that was fraught with ever so many experiences, many challenges. Because as we read it, we saw that it was a very stormy journey.
They experienced a shipwreck, you know, a very severe one. And Paul's life and the life, of course, of the others who were with him were in danger. It just goes on. When they finally found themselves in this beach called Malta, it was a strange place.
They didn't even know the name of the place. And then, amazingly, these strange people showed them hostility. They were total strangers to each other, but then they were shown great hospitality. But then, as we see also, the experience that Paul himself went through is highlighted where he's bitten by a viper, a snake, yet he was not injured.
But then that led the community there, the people of Malta, call him a murderer. And then when he didn't die as they were expecting he would die, they changed and called him a god. It's just a whole mix of, you know, one thing upon another. One could ask this question.
Please remember Paul was such a faithful servant of God. And God had told him, indeed, standing you must stand. For example, chapter 27, verse 24. Do not be afraid, Paul.
You must stand before Caesar. In other words, you must reach Rome. Your intention of going to Rome must be fulfilled. And yet he's going through these challenges. life-threatening challenges, mistaken by the people who saw him.
And then someone really can wonder, and we are right to wonder, is God's word true? The God who had promised him that you must stand before Caesar? The God who had said all this was traveling with you? They will be safe as it were, but here are situations that are genuinely threatening.
Does God keep his promise? Does God keep his promise? You can turn those set of questions just a little around and you can ask, what do you say when believers suffer? What do you say?
How do you respond to that? If Paul has been promised to reach home, and a true believer for that matter, but he's suffering like that, what do you say? You know, friends, for Paul to reach Rome and carry out the unfinished work, surely it could only be that he was kept by the power of God, of course, through faith. Now, that point is important.
And you may be wondering, you're talking about Paul. He lived many years ago. And obviously, you're setting before us the book of Acts. But that's just a history, and it's past.
We're living here today. You see the same set of questions are proper for us to ask. Can God be trusted? When God says something, is his word true?
Will his promises come to pass? What of us a believer if you should suffer? whether in terms of your business not being successful, or falling sick, and such sickness that you do not see an end to it all, and you wonder, does he care? Will I pull through? and things like that, even to the extreme. What of when there are calamities?
What of when something happens and not only non-believers, but believers, people you know, become a part of the victims in that, you know, an accident happens, and someone you know A relative, a close friend, but a believer, what do you say? Back in Kenya, yesterday was Saturday, a community, relatives from a given area, buried 26 people who had hired a vehicle, a bus, to go and bury their relative in another area. But in the process, then the bus plunged in and killed 26. And so they thought the best they could do is to have a mass burial.
And it was a very moving scenario. What do you say when that happens? And of course, believers among them. And shortly before that, there was another bus accident carrying, ferrying people from the place of work and as they were crossing the railway line, then the train caught up with the bus and over six people died.
And shortly before that, just in one week, shortly before that, an aeroplane, a light aeroplane with six people on board, as they took off, and they didn't fly for five minutes, and then it all caught fire. and fell in a community, in an estate, and the housing in that area were completely burnt up, and people living in that area and some in their houses were burnt beyond recognition. And it's like, where is God? What has happened? Often people would say, For that to have happened, then there is a reason behind it.
Often, as even in this passage, we are going to see people begin to say, wow, there must have been great sinners or something like that. So what do we say when difficulties come upon believers? And so I trust, dear friends, that this passage will help us to think of those issues which we can only respond to that, kept by God's power, then we will be able to reach the end. And indeed, Paul experienced that.
So this passage then, and specifically we look at verses Acts 27 from verse 39 to 28 verse 16. Something interesting though as we look at this passage is this. These people, when they found themselves in this island called Malta, and they were complete strangers to that place, we are not told. They stayed there a total of three months, because obviously, Paul and the rest, their aim was to reach Rome as prisoners.
But there was no ship that could then take them because their own had indeed experienced a shipwreck. So they had to stay there till such time when there was one. And indeed, finally there was one three months later. The three months we are not told much about.
In fact, we are hardly told anything about their stay there in three months, but two. We can get two helpful things that happened in Malta. and then draw a conclusion. So I have three points here. The viper on the beach, and then the healing of the sick there in that beach of Malta, and then finally in their arrival in Rome, we can say nothing but The God who keeps his promise.
So, just three things that will, I trust, help us. And I trust it will be relevant.
The Viper on the Beach
Now, the first is this. The viper or the snake on the beach, verses 1 to 6. We had read it, but we will be reading some portions of it, that when they came to find the name of this place and gotten to talk with the people, these people showed them kindness beyond measure. Remember, the number was quite high, 276 people.
And so these people in Malta set fire for them and they were able to warm themselves. And at some stage, then we are told that Paul, of course, went to fetch firewood so that fire could keep burning and they get heat. And then we are told what happened there in verse 3. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
That's quite a sight. And Luke records that very clearly for us. I don't like snakes, even a green one. I don't trust them.
Of course, when they're behind the thick glass wall, yeah, that's fine. I can go close and marvel at God's creation. But ordinarily, I don't trust them. Maybe many of you here, my son, when he was young, didn't think he could actually hold and put them on his hands, but I'm sure as he has grown big, he's got other things to care for, not snakes.
But here then, Paul is bitten. just at that moment when he has gone to fetch more fire to bring, more timber, more sticks to put into the fire. then he's beaten. Well, quickly we are told then what happened, how people react in situations of accident, situations of calamity. Because in verse 4 we are told,
Misreading Calamity as Divine Judgment
when the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, no doubt this man is a murderer. Though, it goes on, though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live. Wow. And ordinarily, that's the way many of us would have thought so.
And that's the way many today think. Some calamity happens to anyone, and it's like, that must be a sinner. He must have been doing something bad, and now justice has caught up with him. And in Paul's case, they say, well, he escaped the sea, but justice has caught up with him.
Obviously, there are moments there they must have told their story. It must have been said that, yes, we have these people. They are prisoners. We are taking them to Rome to stand trial.
And so the villagers knew. And their rating of Paul is a murderer. And you know, any and every calamity instead of us making our own judgment honestly should cause us certainly to have a reflection upon God. He's the creator and therefore He's the one who allows any and everything to take place.
And so any calamity should certainly cause us to reflect upon our relationship with God. God is holy, God is just. And so, friends, that needs to be understood. This God certainly hates sin, hates evil activities.
And there are of course some wickedness, some sinfulness that when we live in, when we give ourselves to such sinful activities, of course the outcome would be disastrous. The outcome would bring harm to us. A young person who gives himself or herself to a life of fornication, of course, then, and only by God's grace, but by and large, STD, sexually transmitted diseases, that could very easily be the outcome of a life of fornication. Someone who gives themselves to alcohol, and continues to so live under the influence of that, are exposing themselves and what would happen?
Their liver would be damaged. Someone who gives themselves to a life of gambling, whatever money he gets, he immediately thinks of, let me hope that I will get, and so they plunge their money in gambling. And I think you really would have heard of people who, that being their lifestyle, they've ruined their futures, their family, and things like that because of life of gambling. There are Lifestyles and things that when we give ourselves to, the outcome is undesirable.
The outcome is almost obvious. But, oh, friends, we go wrong. We go wrong like these people in Malta. These people had made one-to-one connection where This man is suffering this, is experiencing this calamity, ah, then we know his sin has caught up with him.
They just see any calamity and they make a conclusion that personal sin is involved. Oh, friends, that is wrong. That is wrong. God does not deal with us always like that.
And therefore, we are not qualified ourselves to make that conclusion. People just think, should you be suffering? Then it's because of this sin. And therefore, You are receiving this punishment because of that suffering.
That is wrong. I have said there are situations where that can happen, but it's not a blanket statement. You know, friends, suffering in life, as someone has said, is like rain that falls on all kinds of people. When I arrived in your country on Friday, it rained for the first time after a long dry spell. but portions of homes were not, you know, left without rain so that people could say, aha, why is that homestead having no rain when everyone else is enjoying this long-awaited blessing?
Oh, well, it's because they are sinners. Often we want to think like that, but that is wrong. When we look at the scriptures in the book of Ecclesiastes, we see that indeed challenges like calamities would fall upon any and all. without distinction, Ecclesiastes chapter 9. And this is what we read.
Ecclesiastes chapter 9. Just listen to these few verses. Chapter 9 from verse 1.
Calamity Falls on All Without Distinction
But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, Men does not know, both are before him. And then verse two puts it this way. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
So there we are learning that calamities or sufferings would come upon all like rain that falls on all kinds of people. You see, of course, when a believer, when a godly person, when a Christian suffers, the ultimate purpose of a Christian suffering is to the end that their faith may be made better, that they would be more like Christ himself. Sanctification would go a notch higher as it were. Any either unexplainable or any calamity that I just call them calamity or suffering that falls upon a person should cause us to think of and see God's glory in it.
And friends, maybe even a much clearer passage is in the gospel of John, John chapter 9. We find this incident. I trust you will agree that indeed that explains it. But John chapter 9, there in verses 2 and 3, if I begin from verse 1 for the purpose of context, we see this.
God's Glory Displayed in Suffering
As he passed, that's the Lord Jesus, as he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. So here is a situation, a man born blind from birth. Listen to the thinking of the disciples. Verse 2, And his disciples asked him, Rabbi, Rabbi, who sinned?
Do you see that? Who sinned? This man or his parents? Why are they asking that question?
Who sinned? This man or his parents? That he was born blind. Oh.
Men see a calamity and immediately they think God's judgment was here. God's displeasure was here. And therefore, instead of saying, God, what are you teaching us here? It's like, what sin did they do?
Verse three, Jesus answered, it was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. That the works of God might be displayed in him. Oh friends, let this be a teaching for us. Our immediate response or reaction when we see something that we can't immediately explain, we should not see.
Who sinned? I wonder what sin this person did. But that it should lift our thoughts towards God. You see, and there are other passages, of course, 2 Corinthians chapter 4.
Verse 7, any of the things we go through today in life as believers should cause us to realize that there is something far higher, something much better for us in glory. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 17. And so, don't judge God's relationship with people. based on an individual's suffering. We do that so often, but that is wrong. That is wrong, dear friends.
And we do it even among, you know, those who profess faith. But we must not do so. Now, there is a passage in the book of Luke that I think captures this ever so well. Luke 13.
Listen to the first five verses. I trust familiar to many of you, but it's really fitting in this particular incident. Remember, we are still trying to understand the reasoning of the people in Malta where they see something happen to Paul and their conclusion is like, aha, sin is involved. Chapter 13, verses 1 to 5, this is what we read.
Calamity as a Call to Repentance
There was some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. That was bad. People engaged in offering sacrifices, and Pilate came and ordered their slaughter, as it were. And so, verse two, and he answered them, do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way?
No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Verse four. and those 18 on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them. Do you think that they were worse sinners, worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
You know, clearly from what we have seen in these passages, all calamities, all difficult experiences honestly should lead us to think about repentance, to think and reflect about turning from our own way to the living God. And that is what the Lord Jesus Christ is putting His thumb upon. And these people bring an illustration or an example saying, just think. What would you say to this situation?
And the Lord Jesus knows their thinking and He says, come on, think right. Think right. Unless you repent, it will happen to you. In other words, unless someone repents, they will perish.
Calamity may come either on the godly or the ungodly, but then the bottom line is repentance. So back to our passage, I know we have appeared to have wandered away, but here are people who see what has happened to Paul, and their conclusion is he's a murderer. They have had a rough experience in the sea, but coming to the land, justice is continuing, chasing after him, and there we are. Well, look at verse five.
Verse 5, He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for Him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to Him, they changed their mind and said that He was a God. What are people?
So the story changes here. Paul didn't collapse. Paul was not hurt. And so their story changes from this is a murderer to this is a God.
This is a person with unique abilities that only some God must be behind it. Of course, God, the true God was behind it, but they had no idea of this God. Our point, though, remains, our point here remains, dear friends, that we must not read God's dealings with people through calamities. And this is where, of course, those who are called the prosperity gospel preachers, the health and wealth gospel preachers, they go wrong in this matter.
They think or they say the evidence that God's blessing is upon you, that you are a true believer, that you are in good relationship with God, is that blessings follow you. Blessing of health, blessing of wealth. And in the absence of any of those, then it's like, aha, something is wrong with you. And it's never, wait a minute, is God going to be glorified in this or that?
No! It's like something is wrong with you. And that is where they catch the unsuspecting, where they say, come, we'll pray for you. Come, we'll get from you the demon of this and the demon of the other.
And of course, as you know, I don't think it's any different in your country. They want money from the people who they pray for. And people are bound under these things. Well,
The Prosperity Gospel Rejected
these things must not be the case. Let's remember the Lord Jesus Christ Himself teaches us so clearly. In Acts 15, of course, we are told, of course, that there will be, John 16, excuse me, there will be trouble. There will be trouble in the world.
And then the Lord Jesus Christ himself again says, take up your cross. And cross is an object of suffering. Take up your cross and follow me. But the gospel preachers, the health and wealth gospel preachers in our area and certainly just across the road, the noisy neighbors.
They have nothing. They call the name Jesus too many times, but their Jesus is that of convenience and making sure they sway the people their own way. But note what the true biblical Jesus demands, a life of faithful obedience following after him. If God provides anything for any of us, Oh dear friends, it is to the end that we may be more committed to Him, that we may be given to pursue holiness so that we can live a life that pleases Him.
I've taken long but I wanted us to see These things happened to Paul. This viper experienced this snake bite in the beach. And from it we learn Paul was after God's own ministry God had sent him, and God has promised him that he must stand in Rome before Caesar, and yet he's going through these experiences. Just before we get some areas of application,
The Healing of the Sick at Malta
There is a little bit of information we are having in the second part now, the healing of the sick in Malta. The healing of the sick in Malta, verses 7 to 10 in this Acts passage of chapter 28. So we see surely it's not only Paul, but others too were preserved from situation that could easily have brought their death. That bite of a viper could have led to his death.
He was spared by God's grace. But now we are told in verse 7, chapter 28, verse 7, this truth,
Signs Confirming Paul's Apostolic Ministry
now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island named Publius who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery and Paul visited him and prayed and putting his hand on him healed him and this is a very gracious work that Paul did. a work of mercy, and so Paul healed him. But that was not the only thing, because then immediately after his healing, then verse 9, and when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. Now this is a very unique turn of events.
Remember they had called him a murderer, they call him a god, and now one who certainly does them good. What is happening here? But Paul surely is demonstrating in this island that he is a true apostle. Now what is captured by Luke in those verses is the aspect or the perspective of the signs that follow an apostle.
They are the signs of miracles, you know, mighty works. but an apostle certainly is one known to be bringing God's Word to the people. And so, he did not just, surely now, arguing from silence, but Paul did not just wholesale, you know, just provide healing right, left, and center without explaining from whom is this authority or this power coming? Knowing Paul surely, even in the sea, you know, and in the terrible shipwreck, Paul was always quick to explain about the God whom he served. And now, though Luke does not tell us, surely Paul must have told them, listen, I'm a preacher of the gospel, and I tell people about the God who created the world, the God to whom you are responsible, and the God, therefore, who also is in church and controls every situation that would take place in one's life.
And because of that, then, this God brings healing upon you. That surely could have happened. But again, it's arguing from silence. But another element is just the way these people responded, how they reacted in verse 10.
They had been cured, and we praise God for that. Verse 10, they also honored us greatly. And when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. And again, it's something small, but it's really a demonstration.
We are not told how many people would have been saved, but we are seeing here A life that must have been touched by the gospel and demonstrated by the power of the Holy Spirit in healing these people that their hearts were warmed towards Paul and his other people. So they supplied them with all that they needed. So in this healing we see God is at work. The Word is not mentioned, but God is at work through His Apostle, always working, doing the will of His Father.
Well, quickly, friends,
Arrival in Rome: God Keeps His Promise
let's conclude with what conclusion do we draw? The conclusion we draw is they arrive in Rome, in the third place, arrival in Rome. In a nutshell, God has kept his promise. God has kept his promise there in verses 11 to 16.
After three months, we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria with a twin, God's figurehead, putting in at Sayrakas, we sailed there, stayed there for three days and from there we made a circuit and arrived at Regium. And after one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day, we came to Puteleon. There, we found brothers like that. We found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days.
And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the forum and our peers and three taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. This really is a wonderful conclusion of what has happened.
Paul is finally in Rome. And there in Rome, the brothers came from far distant lands. They had heard about Paul. They had received the letter that he had earlier written to them, and for them just to hear that Paul has come.
They came from a long way. And it ends beautifully by saying at the end of verse 15, Paul thanked God and took courage. A little phrase, but really, or a little sentence, but powerful.
Nothing Thwarts God's Purpose
Paul reflects on all that has happened. Look, for example, in chapter 27 verse 24. where it is written, do not be afraid, Paul, you must stand before Caesar. In fact, even much earlier, in chapter 23, I believe, verse 11, the same truth had been given to him. The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, take courage, for as you have testified to the fact about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.
And between that time or those times to the time he's in Rome, think of what Paul has gone through, dear friends. Think. And what do we make of it? There were loads of challenges.
Challenges upon challenges. But this truth, that Paul was kept by the power of God. So what lesson do we draw when we think of Paul in this matter? Surely we learn this.
Whatever happens to one in life, and here we are thinking of Paul. These things fall within the purpose or purposes of God. Everything you can imagine. In the case of Paul, there is the storm, there is the shipwreck, there is the viper.
Think back in Jerusalem before he moved to Caesarea. There is the Jewish leaders breathing fire against him, who caused him to languish in Caesarea for two years and even more. Think of the riots back there in Jerusalem. Nothing. will separate Paul from God's love.
Nothing will cancel, will thwart, will frustrate God's purpose for him. And that should encourage. How should it encourage you and me, believers in this worship today? How should that encourage us?
Kept by the Power of God
Peter puts it exactly, and that is where this idea of kept by the power of God, 1 Peter 1 verse 5, that we are kept by the power of God through faith. And that faith is honestly humbling ourselves in God's hand, humbling ourselves in God's hand for his will to be done. Dear brother, dear sister, think about your life and what you have gone through in the past and what you are going through right now and you do not know tomorrow. This that Paul drew and which caused him to draw encouragement needs to be ours. that whatever we are going through, and remember, the emphasis on the difficulties, the challenges, the frustrations, the failures, the disappointments, we may extend it, the calamities, the sufferings, illness or illnesses that doesn't just seem to get any better.
If you are a believer, then you are kept by the power of God. and God will bring his purposes to come to pass. He did it for Paul and he is a God who has not changed. This God is powerful. I said it earlier, this point when I arrived here on Friday. there was the rain and so that was quite a welcome experience from, you know, for you dear ones here.
I also came from Eldoret and there is rain there. I could take some little pride that I have brought rain from Eldoret to you because I came and you got your rain and it is raining in Eldoret. But that's just a little pride. I don't have the power to make the rain.
And if I claimed any power, then last night my power was tested and found wanting because last night there was just one mosquito in my bedroom. And that one mosquito spoiled my night terribly. So here is a rainmaker from Eldoret but cannot handle just one mosquito to enjoy his sleep. We are talking about a God who is in full control of everything for the good of his people and for his glory.
Dear brethren, whatever be your challenge at the moment, be like Paul and take courage. And of course, when you are with your brethren, I think when you're a loner, then that's a challenge. Please, let's not be loners. But here, Paul coming into contact with these believers, Most of them, maybe all of them he had never seen before.
They only heard about him and read his letter. But coming among them, like you people have so graciously welcomed, what an opportunity for me to be encouraged. We need one another to be encouraged, please. bear that, take courage. Our God is powerful and is able.
Application
And let me close by saying this to those you are hearing God's Word But deep in your heart, you know you're not a believer. You come, you love to come here, you love to hear the gospel preached here. Maybe someone has told you about this place, and you come here maybe week by week, or you're visiting like me today, though I was here a couple of years back. But here you are, you have listened to God's Word.
Paul's journey, as Luke wraps up Paul's journey, this journey of Paul, dear friend, who you know you are not saved, you know what should curse you? As an unbeliever, this is an encouragement to curse you, to cast yourself upon this God Cast yourself upon this God. He's able. You can trust him.
Paul trusted him every bit of the way. And Paul was a human being like us. Of course, Paul was with other people, apart from Luke and the other brothers that he was with. The rest were not believers.
They had the opportunity to see Paul live a Christian life before them. Luke does not tell us that just by the experience of this journey, some of them came to faith. But I'm pleading with you, pleading with you. If you're not saved, here is opportunity.
See what God does in the life of believers around you, with you, and trust this God. Often, when we talk with people, they say, I don't know, I don't want to take a step of faith because I don't know whether I can make it to the end. It's not by your strength. You would be kept by the power of God.
Know that place, and when you trust this God, He will deliver you. Oh, everyone here, there is encouragement for us to think of this God who is able and who calls. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, put your trust in Him, and you will not be put to shame. Let's pray.
Closing Prayer
Lord, our God, The Apostle Paul is showing us that you are in full and genuine control. He trusted you. Luke reports that. And wherever Paul and every opportunity he came, every experience he went through, he wanted you to be glorified.
This morning, Lord, we are glorifying you. And you treat us, you deal with us through your Son, the Lord Jesus, in whom we find acceptance. And therefore, Lord, do forgive us, us believers, where we have doubted you, where we have stood back or made our way back when you were telling us, no, trust me, go on, trust me, come on, move on. And yet we have stalled, we have stopped, we have turned back.
Lord, have mercy upon us. And then for those of our friends here who are not saved, but they see your word, what indeed you have done to your people, the Apostle Paul and those who believe, and they can see the lives of the people in this church, not perfect, People are not perfect here, but there are people here who truly love you. So we pray for the unbelievers that they can trust you. Oh God, work, please work so that your name is glorified.
Do hear our prayer. Even children among us, may they know this is a God who can be trusted. Hear our prayer. For these things we pray in Jesus' name, amen.