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? 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. Leading others is just too big of a responsibility for us to handle without continual prayer. 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). It was only some forty miles to Lutro. Robertson, p. 461. And so they were strengthened, both in spirit and in body. If Paul had been incompetent and impotent in this time of crisis, who would have wanted to hear him tell about faith in Jesus as the Messiah? 548 This harbour is named Kalus Limeonas, a small bay two miles east of Cape Matala. Paul was not striving to be a leader here, but simply trying to be of help. If their safety was assured then let them do what they could to help themselveslet them eat. Paul strongly urged them to stay where they were, at Fair Havens. Here is another example of Godly leadership in the Bible that sometimes gets overlooked. 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. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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. Misconceptions about "Real" Leadership vs. Servant Leaders. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 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. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. It is as certain as the salvation of His own. 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. The cultural expectations on pastors are mostly unbiblical, entirely impractical, and generally downright unrealistic. 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. Your family. Romans 13:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votesNot Helpful. Accompanying Paul were Luke544 and Aristarchus, who was from Thessalonica.545. Paul accomplishes all this without any formal leadership position or authority. Some things dont change. Would any have heeded Paul or the gospel as seriously as they did, had the trip to Rome gone quickly and smoothly? Lets examine some of these, because whether you lead one, a few, or many we all have to lead. They eventually connected with Paul and became his partners in the ministry. Their actions revealed that they did not believe Pauls words of assurance, that all would be saved, though the ship would be grounded and destroyed. There are many examples of Godly leadership in the Bible as God has always raised up men and women to lead others. "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Netherlands are a few others. Paul assured them that not a hair from their head would perish (verse 34). Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to serve as a governor in the United States when she was inaugurated in Wyoming. Verse Concepts. You can learn valuable and unique lessons on leading the church and furthering the gospel from these men of the Bible. Because of his special blessing, he was appointed as one with judicial powers and responsibilities in Joshua 14:6-15. 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? When Daniel was living in captivity in Babylon, he was obedient to the point of losing his life if necessary. The passengers were not to lose hope, but to keep up their courage. A ship can be tossed about in the sea and survive much better than it can survive being dashed upon the rocks. Gods promise was fulfilled, just as Paul had said He would. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But Paul did not presume to have God on tap and thus to be able to perform some miracle any time his wished. If they were to have the strength necessary to make it to shore, they would need to start the day with a good meal. I know it sounds more like mother or a TV commercial, but Paul was dealing with a very practical necessity. He sold his land and gave it to the church treasury. 553 The storm was now heavy upon the lumbering vessel, as it came roaring out of the north-east. In doing so, he cites Romans 15:4 (NKJV), which states, "whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the . Smith suggests that the mainyard is meant; an immense spar, probably as long as the ship, which would require the united efforts of passengers and crews to launch overboard. Bruce p. 486. The following post is adapted from my personal academic coursework. My guess is that he had skills the like of which Moses himself admired, perhaps even envied. Sailing past Cilicia and Pamphylia, they landed at Myra in Lycia (verse 5).546 It was here that they had to change ships. They made port in Sidon, a city about 70 miles north of Caesarea. 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. If we are not in Christ, who has weathered the storm, then we must endure the storm ourselves, to our eternal destruction. 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. Doing so would be certain death, for the larger vessel offered more protection, so long as it held together. He was not an "out front" kind of person, but rather stayed in the background as a fan and supporter of Paul. Gods power and His sovereign control are no pretext for carelessness or recklessness. In a democracy leaders. How often, I wonder, are others benefited by the presence of a believer? Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. 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. It was, I believe, for the sake of the gospel that Paul and these passengers were saved. 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. The sovereignty of God will then result in the overthrow of His enemies and in the judgment of the wicked. Everyone speaks their minds in team meetings. 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. Few managers or politicians understand that. . The one whose fate was sure and certain, was the most cautious; those whose ultimate fate was most uncertain were those who lived most dangerously. (The term Augustan, i.e., His Imperial Majestys, was a title of honor bestowed on several cohorts of auxiliary troops.) Third, the port where they were anchored was not as ideal for wintering as some other ports, which were not that far away. He refused to bow to the king and ended up in the lion's den. Paul was frequently the instrument through which Gods power was manifested. With difficulty, they finally arrived off Cnidus, but were then forced by the winds to sail under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. What are some examples of democratic leadership? A democratic leader likes people who disagree with them and challenge their views. Pauls leadership emerged in a time of crisis, in an hour of need, when no one else seemed to have any answers.565 Functional leadership (as opposed to formal leadership) emerges in times of need. Paul was spared so that he could go to Rome, and there proclaim the gospel. Examples of delegated authority include parents and their children, masters and their servants, priests serving in the temple, and Christian leaders, as Christ's servants, with the members of a church. God does not jump through our hoops and thus Paul never presumed that he had Gods power on tap to use when and how he chose. 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. 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. 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. Pauls influence was not the result of his political maneuverings, but mens response to his personal competence. 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. He was not the captain of the ship, nor one of the soldiers. Photo Credit: Sparrowstock. About midnight on the fourteenth day, the sailors determined that land was nearing because the depth of the sea below had diminished from twenty fathoms to fifteen. Inclusive Meetings A weekly meeting provides the best illustrations of the democratic ideology. The sovereignty of God means not only that God is able to intervene supernaturally, but that He is also able to work naturally, through human instruments (like the Roman soldiers, and in our story, like the centurion, in Pauls behalf). He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. 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. 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. Here are some examples of their leadership. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Too often, I hear leadership spoken of as a place of status, rather than a place of service. Furthermore, Paul was an apostle, a man through whom God had worked many signs and wonders. The final verses (42-44) tell of the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners, of the intervention of the centurion, and the safe arrival on land of all 276 passengers. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. It opens to the East and Southeast, but is not fit to winter in. Thankfully if God has called you to leadership, he will take the time to help you grow into it. 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 gospel sustains men in the greatest storms of life. For others it extends beyond the walls of your home possibly into your community, your job, or even your ministry. Focus on who you are and allow God to develop you into the leader he has called you to be. Fourth, a moderate south wind had come up,552 which seemed to promise fair sailing to a better port. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. The God who was to rescue them was Pauls God, the God whom he served, and to whom he would bear testimony before Caesar. It was too late in the sailing season to travel on to Rome by sea. It was Paul who showed caution, warning those in charge of the dangers ahead. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company [photolithoprinted], 1966), p. 191, quoting Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen, p. 319. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. 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). Leadership Styles in 1 & 2 Kings Merida introduced his Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings by touting the relevance of the biblical text to the modern world. 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. Second, the majority of those who voted on this issue favored going further. We live in a time of great crisis. First, those who were considered the experts favored doing so. Thus, the sailors continually took soundings, measuring the depth below them, so that they could discern, far in advance, their approach to land (which would be indicated by progressively diminishing depths). They also loosened the ropes which lashed down the rudders and hoisted the sail.561 They were on their way toward land. The ship would be lost, but not one of the passengers would perish. It was a coasting vessel, which was to call at various ports of the province of Asia; at one of these Julius knew he would find a ship, preferably a grain ship, bound for Italy. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 477. The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. What can we learn about leadership, which can benefit others, and can promote the gospel? To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. Paul encourages all on board to eat, and they do. 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.