A late night visitation by an angel of God and Pauls words of encouragement to his shipmates is reported in verses 21-26. He had the courage to speak to the evils of his day. They could not see the sun nor the stars (verse 20) and so they were unable to navigate. By the way, Paul may not have been frightened so much for himself as for the others. She had entered the election the previous year following the death of her husband, the incumbent governor who was campaigning for a second term. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love, but also a time for courage. The sovereignty of God is the basis for our safety and security, but it is not an excuse for our sloppiness. "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). Remember this applies whether you are leading one or many. But he was wrong about the loss of passengers. 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. When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. Moses. If their safety was assured then let them do what they could to help themselveslet them eat. Paul was frequently the instrument through which Gods power was manifested. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. Please see below for details. Lukes remark has point only if it fell rather late in the solar calendar that year. They followed Paul because he knew where he was going and inspired confidence in others to follow him. The winds seem to have blown the ship away from the island of Crete. 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. The question was where the ship would make port for the winter. The storms of your life may not have been sent your way to destroy you, but to turn you to Gods salvation. The smaller boat, was much more easily handled, and would have been the logical choice when trying to make shore, especially in such circumstances. . Here are seven whose leadership played a significant role in leading the early church and furthering the gospel. God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? The potential gains were minimal, while the potential loss was great. Photo Credit: Sparrowstock. Here is one passage that talks about the qualifications of a leader. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. He did get disgusted. As the song goes, More secure is no one ever, than the loved ones of the Savior. They took down the sail, which would have been ripped to shreds by the winds, and lashed down the rudders, which would have been broken up as they were smashed against the ship by the waves. While it is great to learn from others, you dont have to try to be like others. In a storm, control of the ship is limited, and so navigating a narrow entrance to a port would be almost impossible. He had had enough. They had to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. I see leadership held out to men and women as a prize, rather than as a humbling responsibility. How often, I wonder, are others benefited by the presence of a believer? Paul's leadership emerges on board the ship, on which he was headed toward Rome. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. He was not a sailor; in fact he was not even a paying passenger. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. The otherstwo hundred and seventy-six in allfollowed his example. All rights reserved. Our world, like that ship of Pauls, was headed for destruction. I do not agree. Gods Word gives us those answers. If the leader becomes a wimp, he will lose his leadership role. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, 10 Gift Ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month, Pastor Appreciation Month: 5 Ways to Say Thanks, Why Prayer is Essential in the Life of a Leader. He bridged the gaps between the Greek and Jewish worlds. 31 What then shall we say to these things? Examples have not been reviewed. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39). Furthermore, Paul was an apostle, a man through whom God had worked many signs and wonders. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. The sovereignty of God will then result in the overthrow of His enemies and in the judgment of the wicked. Pauls circumstances certainly do no give him any status, any clout, with anyone on board that ship. 15:24; 16: 2-3). Now, in our text, Paul is again in great danger. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. Paul was overruled. The ships crew tried to hug the shore of Crete, until they could reach Phoenix, a harbor not all that distant. 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. Allow me to make one last observation here. They were so sure of the wisdom of their decision that they did not even draw up the small boat attached by a rope to the vessels stern (verse 16). 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. But Paul did not presume to have God on tap and thus to be able to perform some miracle any time his wished. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. They were also able to build a church that met in their home. What was required for this situation was Godly leadership. 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. 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. nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. Had people ceased eating, in part perhaps, because they thought they were going to die anyway? Here are some examples of their leadership. The stern of the ship began to break up. You can learn valuable and unique lessons on leading the church and furthering the gospel from these men of the Bible. He had God on his side. His God was in control of all things, including the sea. They cut loose the anchors, which set the ship free, as wind and waves propelled it toward land. They were now well into the dangerous season; as Luke notes, even the Fast had now gone by. But there was a problem. What the ships crew intended to do was a cowardly thing. The centurion respected and trusted Paul a great deal, as can be seen by his previous dealings with him (see verse 3). 7 Best Democratic Leadership Examples to Know 1. CSB Experiencing God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed. 558 The fourteenth night is reckoned from the time they left Fair Havens. If this was all that Paul said to these soldiers, he did not tell them that these men were attempting to abandon ship. Paul was spared so that he could go to Rome, and there proclaim the gospel. The short version is that there was a plot to destroy the Jews, and Mordecai got wind of the plot. Great leaders focus on serving those who follow them. He had a special place. Here, Julius, the centurion in charge of Paul and the other prisoners, allowed Paul to go to his friends and be cared for by them (verse 3). This was probably due to seasickness, and perhaps to the difficulty of cooking under such circumstances. We're sorry, an error occurred. (2) The Sovereignty of God and Mans Safety. A crucial decision had to be made at Fair Havens.549 Sailing was not safe in the winter, due to wind conditions and seasonal storms. When the outcome is known, and the One who determines it is both faithful and sovereign (in control), the danger of harm is removed, along with the need for fear. What has happened over the course of these events, so that a lowly prisoner, a man at the bottom of the ladder, so far as position and influence are concerned, is now the outstanding leader? He was most likely the envy of other young leaders. Examples of Democratic Leadership More than half of the countries in the world with populations over 500,000 people use a democratic leadership style. The ship ran aground on a reef, where it would be broken up by the action of the still raging waves. I take it that this was a form of democratic rule. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude, 10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others. The God whom Paul served was a God who was (and is) in control. And so Paul was correct, though not speaking at the moment with prophetic inspiration, authority, or inerrancy. Because of one prisoner on board that ship, all the other passengers were spared. Democratic leaders: Encourage group members to share their ideas: The leader asks for and considers employee input. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26). These are questions that we shall seek to answer in our study of Acts chapter 27. This centurion was to develop a deep respect for Paul, so that he would extend considerable liberties to him, take seriously his advice, and make every effort to protect him. Since this was not an ideal place to spend the winter, and sailing conditions looked favorable at the moment, they decided to press on to a more accommodating port. As it was the middle of the night and the storm was still fierce, the sailors put out anchors, to drag along the bottom, to slow down their drifting. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. In spite of this fact, one man, Paul, emerged as the leader. (5) The storm, and the gospel which leads to salvation. 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. It was, I believe, for the sake of the gospel that Paul and these passengers were saved. Gods mission for Paul was to go to Rome and there to preach the gospel. I do not think that Pauls words were meant as a typical I told you so so much as they were spoken to motivate his peers to listen to him now. Their safety was relative, however. In one of the more popular set of verses in the Bible, here is what Mordecai told Esther. Imagine this, they would have Paul to thank for their deliverance. As Paul had already informed them, neither the ship nor its cargo would survive, only the passengers. Examples of democratic leaders A few specific examples of leaders who have demonstrated this style of leadership include: Former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, demonstrated how much she valued her team members by writing personalized letters to their parents. With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. In other words, your leadership style should be authentic to you. No one followed Paul because he was a man of God, or even because they concluded the God was with him. It seems as thought they had left it in the sea, towed along behind, when the storm suddenly came upon them and swamped it. Paul was kept safe, and as a result, all of those with him were saved as well. Brooks Faulkner previously served as the senior pastoral ministry specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. I confess, I am distressed at the ways in which Christians are trying to take control of the political and governmental positions of authority. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. 1 Timothy 3:5. Just so you know, the person they are talking about in Acts 18:26 is Apollos. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. His previous warning did not take into account the intervention of God, resulting in the escape of every person on board the ship. He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. 554 The wind would tend to blow the ship much more quickly than the current, and so a sea anchor would reduce the force of the wind on the ship by using the sea as a brake. 4. 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? Pauls skillfulness and leadership gave the gospel a credibility it would not have otherwise have had in the eyes of these people. He was generous and that in itself bridges the gaps of selfish and greedy people if God's grace is given the opportunity to be operative. He has surrounded himself with executives that are experienced and insightful. 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 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. Jesus (Luke 5:16) Of course, one cannot talk about godly leadership without pointing to the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. With renewed strength, the passengers set about lightening the ship by throwing the remainder of the cargo the cargo of wheat overboard. The doctrine of Gods sovereignty is multi-faceted, something which careless and thoughtless Christians often forget or set aside. They were not men who manipulated people or their circumstances in order to further their own power or position. Here are 12 examples of inspiring leaders in the Bible who teach us what a great leader could and should be as well as how leaders should carry themselves. And He has come forth from death and the grave, to give us new life. They may have the power, but they do not have the trust. He was nicknamed "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). The chapter may therefore be outlined in this way: One way or the other, Festus must have found some way to explain Pauls appearance before Caesar. What is the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular leadership? Thankfully if God has called you to leadership, he will take the time to help you grow into it. The soldiers who were guarding them were not as concerned about their survival as much as the possibility of an escape. 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. The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. They intended to put all the prisoners to death,563 thus eliminating the risk of an escape. Priscilla and Aquila are an example of Godly leadership that was displayed or exhibited in a married couple. Where is your God, he asked. He left this to God. They invited Apollos into their home and spent time explaining the truth to him. Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. Silent team members are specifically asked their opinions to make sure all perspectives are heard. 551 Although there almost certainly would have been some loss of life, apart from divine intervention. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Examples of democratic leaders. Elijah had both. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself, namely, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. Nevertheless, he did not presume that God would intervene in this instance. But more than this, God had already assured Paul that he would reach Rome. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate them this year. 1. 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. It would seem that they had fasted nearly two weeksthroughout the entire time the storm was raging. The storm threatens not only the life of Paul, but also the lives of all on board his ship. He did not claim to have a certain (prophetic) knowledge of what was going to happen. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. On the third day, some of the unnecessary tackle on board the ship was thrown overboard. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? The ship would be lost, but not one of the passengers would perish. . My guess is that he had skills the like of which Moses himself admired, perhaps even envied. So, says Luke, they lowered the instrument, not being more specific perhaps because he did not know, or did not remember, the technical name for whatever it was that was lowered. Moses. His military role came at a pivotal time in world history- World War II. God has given each leader specific gifts. Now, when they knew where they wanted to go, they again began to rig the ship for sailing, to whatever degree this could be done in such a storm. A centurion of the Augustan cohort by the name of Julius543 was placed in charge of the prisoners. In verses 27-29, Luke describes the ships approach to some body of land. 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. Pauls leadership was not viewed as spiritual leadership by those on board the ship. Verse Concepts. This was a Jewish couple who were deported from Rome. "Perhaps he's sleeping and will wake up!" in 1971. 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). Related articlesHow and Why Should I Pray for Leaders?An Uncorrupted View of Godly Leadership from Jude10 Women in the Bible God Used to Save Lives and Lead Others, Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. The Fast is the day of atonement (Yom Kippur), which falls on Tishri 10. Priscilla and Aquila were hospitable. The cultural expectations on pastors are mostly unbiblical, entirely impractical, and generally downright unrealistic. Paul: "Believe in something bigger than yourself." "I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). But the storm brought men and women face to face with death, and with the truth of the gospel. At its heart, leadership for the Christian means loving God, walking in God's ways, acknowledging God's blessing, confessing personal limitations and corporate failures, doing justice, seeking peace and asking God for the gift of . Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. Sailing past Cilicia and Pamphylia, they landed at Myra in Lycia (verse 5).546 It was here that they had to change ships. It was simpler, it seems, to forbid them from killing any of them. In a democracy leaders. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. When they set sail from Fair Havens, fifty or sixty miles brought them under the lee of Cauda (v. 16); on the fourteenth night from Cauda they drew near the coast of Malta (v. 27), and the next day (v. 39) they landed on that island, where they spent three months (28:11). Paul was a leader here because people followed him. His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. The bottom line is that everyone leads in some fashion, be it great or small. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! Paul once again stepped forward, speaking out to all aboard, so as to assure and encourage them, as well as to persuade them to prepare themselves for the rigors and physical demands of the hours that were to follow. Airline pilots must constantly monitor weather conditions, and make decisions as to the route they will take, their altitude, and even their destination. He was not an "out front" kind of person, but rather stayed in the background as a fan and supporter of Paul. Looking back on these words would demonstrate that this was indeed prophecy. Paul is one of a number of prisoners, on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. The most memorable aspect of effective leadership of a pastor is when he has survived the polarities of differing opinions and modeled having each side respect the other's. Pay attention to the type of men they chose to handle this problem. This inside information was, I think, a factor in their plan to abandon ship. 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. What kind of leadership did Paul exercise, and how did this impact the gospel? 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. How can Paul, a prisoner, emerge as the leader on board a ship, while in the midst of a storm? 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 1:6-9). The wise leader will work hard at blinding his or her eyes to the pettiness of church members' criticism. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. 4. 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. Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. The most probable account is that they dropped a floating anchor or drift anchor, which was dragged astern at the end of a rope of suitable length so as to offer the maximum resistance every time the ship plunged down from the crest of a wave. Bruce, p. 486. You are the foundation. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Paul reminded his shipmates that they should have listened to him sooner. What grace was made evident in this storm! Tim Cook, for example, hires people who challenge and inspire him. Your family. He must live a devout and disciplined life. The Greek-speaking Jewish believers complained that their widows were being overlooked in the distribution of food when compared to the widows who were Hebrew-speaking. I would think that Paul would have more reason to be reckless than these seasoned seamen and the centurion, because he was a Christian. 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. Simply put, Paul warned those making the decision about whether or not to press on that continuing on was not wise. Not one soul was lost. It may not come quickly. 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. He would later, on the island, work signs and wonders. I have always looked upon the Apostle Paul as a godly man, a zealous servant of Jesus Christ, and a powerful preacher of the gospel. Nevertheless, they decided to press on to a better harbor. But today, we want to focus on a . When this happens, there will be no protection for the lost. In spite of Pauls words of encouragement, the passengers had still not eaten. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity. Pauls safety and deliverance was so certain that it was sufficient for others as well. He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. There will come a time, however, when God will take His own to the full and final safety of heaven. 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. They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Ex. 4 The United States is one. What did Paul do to bring about such a change? Paul was as secure as any man could be. Finally, in the following chapter, there will be the snake bite, from which Paul will be spared as well. 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. Whether you realize it or not, we are all called to lead.