I. INTRODUCTION
A. Three instances of Divine encouragement:
1. Approaching Corinth, (Acts 17:9,10);
2. In the castle at Jerusalem, (Acts 23:11);
3. On the voyage to Rome, (Acts 27:23,24).
B. Can we as Christians expect the same kind of encouragement? What difficulties and dangers surrounded Paul at the time of his imprisonment in the castle? What can we learn from God's assurance that Paul would be protected and permitted to carry the Gospel to Rome?
II. DISCUSSION
A. The difficulties and dangers which surrounded Paul.
1. The conspiracy against his life, (Acts 23:12-15):
a. was real and was strong the conspirators had put themselves under a death-pact,
b. their plan was logical Lysias would probably fall for their deception,
c. given that their request would have been granted, the likelihood of their plan being successful was high,
d. the conspiracy thwarted by Paul's nephew, (Acts 23:16-24).
2. The trials before the Roman governors His safe delivery to Caesarea did not insure his continued safety. The Roman governors had the power to release him or turn him over to his enemies.
a. Felix, (Acts 24:22-27) A corrupt man, ready to take a bribe, unfamiliar with the Jewish customs, and willing to do anything within Roman law to placate the Jews.
b. Festus, (Acts 25:9) As willing to conciliate the Jews as his predecessor (Felix), he planned to send Paul back to Jerusalem. This plan caused Paul to appeal to Rome and thus guarantee his journey there.
3. Further circumstances would come Paul's way where the recollection of the promise of safety could comfort him. On the voyage to Rome, his life would be in danger from storm, shipwreck, serpent, and man. Yet, Paul had his promise from the Lord that he must testify in Rome.
B. The assurance that Paul received in the vision, could be an illustration of what may occur in our lives. We are not given our assurances in a direct vision, but through God's Word we see a hope of success as we practice our Christianity in this life. If God had not made some arrangements for us here on earth, we would certainly become despondent amid the evil of this world. Consider the following three things which give hope to men:
1. The past record troubles, conflicts, and persecutions have been overcome before, by others as well as ourselves. We have as our example all of those who have gone before us both in the physical battles of this world and in the spiritual battles. Those that have struggled and succeeded stand behind us as part of our assurance.
2. Promises of God's Word as regards both temporal and spiritual matters. The promises made for us concerning temporal things are neither absolute nor specific, but the promises concerning our salvation and the eternal life are both.
a. general promises regarding this life, (Isa. 33:15,16; Ps. 23:1;37:25; 1 Tim. 4:8; Phil. 4:19; Heb. 13:5).
b. specific promises regarding the future life, (Mt. 7:7,8; Mk. 16:16; Jn. 7:37; Rev. 22:17).
c. We know that enemies will stand in the way of our salvation. We will have to contend with the corruptions of our own heart. However, God's promise of victory in these matters is positive "seek and you shall find."
3. God has given us an internal confidence; a buoyant, elastic spirit. "He has made us capable of being stimulated by hope; of looking forward to brighter things." This elastic spirit is made manifest in man's general optimism concerning his life. Imagine if God had made man without this spirit of optimism. Examples of this spirit can be seen in:
a. the imagination of youth who does not dwell on the negative, but looks towards the future and fixes itself on the hope of success; on health, happiness, prosperity; on things that bring a smile to their faces and moves them to action.
b. the faith of the sailor (explorer, astronaut, etc.) who does not dwell on any horrible things that have happened to sailors in the past, but instead thinks about favorable seas and a prosperous voyage with rich returns.
c. the case of the businessman who cannot begin his business thinking only about the number of failures in like enterprises, the hazards of trade, or the possibility of bankruptcy. His mind is stimulated by the hope of success.
d. the case of the man trying to do good (farmers, soldiers, preachers, etc.) they cannot allow their minds to dwell on the hardships that their chosen vocation presents, but instead must consider the good that they can do for man's physical nourishment, physical safety, or spiritual sustenance.
e. the instance of the physically sick and the sin-sick neither of these must occupy their minds with the pain of their condition, but must look ahead to a possible cure for their condition. While the former has the hope of modern medicine and the prayers of the righteous on their behalf; the latter have the direct promises of God, the cross of Christ, the plan of salvation, and the example of the saints gone before. God has made man a hopeful creature, thinking first of recovery and success rather than anticipating disaster and defeat. Through his Gospel the Lord has told us all, "Be you of good cheer!"
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Find scriptures that reflect the tone of this lesson, that is, that man should be optimistic, based on what God and His Son have done for us. How does God encourage us today? Directly, through others, through His Word? How?