[사모하는교회 • 백승철 목사] 사도행전 강해 (60) 27:27-44 | 마침내 사람들이 다 상륙하여 구조되니라 #사모하는교회 #백승철목사 #사도행전 #사도행전강해 #주일예배

Preacher: Pastor Baek Seung-cheol

Date: 2026-10-05

The Apostle Paul is finally heading to Rome. He is not a free man. When Paul is heading to Rome, his status is that of a prisoner. The distance from Caesarea to Rome, when converted to current measurements, is about 2,500 miles. They travel 2,400 miles by ship and then must walk about 100 miles after reaching land. In total, it amounts to 2,500 miles. Finally, the ship encounters disaster. Read Acts chapters 27 and 28 as if you were a director. Then it will come alive vividly in your heart. Imagining filming each scene will make the words of chapters 27 and 28 feel very fresh. In each scene, Paul finally leaves Caesarea and heads to Rome, but where is their first stop? It is Fair Havens, a small harbor on the island of Crete. They arrive at a very poor harbor. At that time, Paul suggests to those on the ship, "Winter is approaching, so let’s stay here for the winter and avoid disaster." Staying there for the winter was essential because ships did not sail in winter due to the poor weather conditions at that time. This is what Paul suggests. He makes a strange statement: "If we do not stay here and move the ship, it may be damaged, and our lives may be in danger." He is not merely talking about the weather conditions of the time; he is making a very significant statement. The shipowner, the captain, and most of those on board oppose him. "Let’s go to the harbor of Phoenix." The harbor of Phoenix is about 40 miles away from Fair Havens. The reason is that Phoenix has better conditions. There is no other reason. The environment is simply better. Everything seems to be going well. There are times when our perspective on faith can fall into error. We sometimes make the mistake of viewing the concept of blessing through the same lens. We tend to classify good conditions and favorable environments as blessings given by God. However, the message Paul conveys is to stay in the harbor of Fair Havens. He tells them to remain in a poor place. And not just for a day or two, but to spend the entire winter, three or four months, in that harbor. When we read the Bible, we see that Paul’s suggestion to stay in Fair Havens is God’s intention, God’s will, God’s plan. In life, there are times when we want to escape from poor conditions. There are times when we must stay in places where the environment and conditions are not good. We keep trying to escape, but God sometimes binds us to a specific place and time. The people on the ship did not know what was to come. So they followed the majority opinion. The ship sets sail for Phoenix. Not long after, according to the Bible, they encounter a storm. What kind of storm? A hurricane of the Bible. As a powerful storm strikes them, how do they react? They do their best to survive by throwing all the furniture, equipment, cargo, and supplies overboard. The Bible records that scene like this: "They threw the cargo overboard with their own hands." They threw it overboard with their own hands. It was not swept away by the wind, nor was it stolen by someone. These were items they had purchased with their own money, prepared to sell for profit in Rome. It was cargo. They are throwing it overboard with their own hands. Yes, they are just tossing it into the sea. This is cash. They are discarding that money one by one. What was the conclusion of their struggle at sea? Look at verse 20. Acts 27:20. After trying everything, they arrive at this conclusion. Read it. "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." >> You need to read that in the Bible. Acts 27:20. "We finally gave up all hope of being saved." What does this mean? >> We have finally given up all hope. To translate it accurately, especially regarding salvation, there was no way out. There was no solution. It was not just that there was no solution; all hope of saving my life had been abandoned. When I threw my belongings, my cash, my money into the sea with my own hands, there was still a chance of survival. But even that had completely collapsed. At this moment, Paul appears for the second time. And he says this. He makes a very special statement. Yes, look at the current situation. If they had stayed in Fair Havens as Paul said, there would have been no problem, but because they moved, this happened. And they reached that conclusion. Paul says to all those on board, "Do not worry. There is a solution. There is a way." They say there is no way, but Paul says there is a way. "You will not die." There are 276 people on this ship. Not a single person on that ship will be harmed. Not one person will die. He speaks with great assurance. This is the gospel. How amazing is the gospel? All the people on that ship reached that conclusion, but Paul, with the eyes of faith, says they will not die. God is declaring that He will save us. The life of a believer must be a testimony of the gospel. This is the majestic life. No matter where you are, what environment you are in, whether a storm is raging or conditions are good, you must be a witness of faith. And finally, relying on Paul’s message, the ship is still being driven by the storm. Do you see hope? Look at verse 27. Let’s read verse 27. "On the fourteenth night, we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land." >> Interesting. Yes. >> That description is quite unique. After Paul strongly testifies that we can be restored, a way begins to appear. "On the fourteenth night" means fourteen days. Have you ever been on a ship and felt seasick? >> Yes. >> Ah. >> I have. >> Ah, that must be really tough. Imagine being tossed around for fourteen days in a storm, with the ship on the verge of capsizing. There must have been vomiting and various things happening due to the people on the ship. It is night. It is not day. They do not even know which direction the ship is going. Because it is a dark night. And they are being tossed by the storm. But the sailors sense it. How did they sense it? They realize they are getting close to land. How did they know that? Because of the sound of the waves. The sound of waves crashing in the middle of the sea is different from the sound of waves near land. >> Have you ever thought about that? The gift of sound among the things God created is truly precious. Sound. Isn’t it a wonderful thing that there is sound? Yes. God could have made it so that there was no sound, but He made it so that water makes noise when it falls, and birds chirp and make sounds. And listening to that sound, the sailors guess and act. They measure the depth. With a long rope... Yes, they lower a heavy weight into the water to measure the depth. How much experience did those sailors have? 20 fathoms is about 38 meters. When converted to modern units, they go a little further and measure again, finding 15 fathoms, which is 27 meters. Wow, isn’t that dramatic? A way to survive begins to appear. And in verse 29, it says, "Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks." The rocks mentioned here are sandbanks. Sand dunes. Would they get stuck there? From the back of the ship >> they drop four anchors. The back of the ship is called the 'stern.' They drop four anchors from the back of the ship and pray for daylight. The word "waiting" also includes the meaning of praying and hoping. What are we placing our hopes and prayers on? What are we hoping for? What are we praying for? Based on Paul’s message. They are praying and hoping that everything will happen as Paul said. They do not rely on nature. This storm has not calmed down for fourteen days. Isn’t that strange? How can there be days like this? All the people on board are waiting and praying, focusing on the events happening as Paul said. But what happens next? Look at verse 30. Another problem arises. Read it in context. The sailors want to escape and pretend to drop anchors from the front of the ship while trying to lower the lifeboat into the sea. Look, they are sailors. How cunning they are. They are people who have grown old in this profession. They have a lot of experience and know that the ship will arrive. So to escape— the front refers to the front part of the ship. They pretend to drop anchors there, but the lifeboat is tied at the back of the ship, and seeing the storm, they pull it up onto the deck. They are trying to lower that lifeboat into the sea. On one side, they are waiting for daylight. Yes. While there are those who hope there, there is another group. >> There is a group trying to escape. Now let’s read verse 31 together. Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." And he makes an impressive statement. Now look. The subject of verse 31 is Paul. What did I say Paul’s status is? He is a prisoner. >> That’s right. He is someone who cannot give orders. He is heading to Rome as a prisoner, but in verse 31, Paul does not seem like a prisoner at all. He even gives orders. This centurion, named Julius, is the soldier in charge of the ship. It is his responsibility to ensure that this ship safely reaches Rome. He gives orders to the person in charge. What instructions does Paul give to the captain and the soldiers? "If these men leave the ship, you cannot be saved." In this context. It is not wrong at all. Paul has been repeating the same message from the beginning, from when the storm arose and the situation became complicated. "If you leave this place, no one will be saved." The same goes for verse 24. In Acts 27:24, when Paul faced death in the storm, he says the same thing. Yes. God will surely save us all. And he makes a very special statement. "God has given you to me." He speaks with great assurance. The word "given" is a truly amazing term. This word "given" comes from a verb that means gift or grace. So Paul thinks of the 275 people on board, excluding himself, like this: "These people are a gift from God to me. You are the grace that God has given me. Therefore, that grace will not change." That is what it means. "You will not be saved." This is a strong expression that for God to save us, we must stay on the ship. Yes. We have lived this long. In your life. When God is with you, you will not fear even if you walk through the valley of death. >> Amen. When God is with you, you will not fear even if you pass through the valley. When God is with you, you will not fear even at the threshold of death. It is a truly unique verse. "You will not be saved." That is what it means. Let’s rely once again on God’s promise. God has spoken, so let’s hold on to this word firmly and watch it until the end. Yes. Hasn’t God said He will save us? So do not flee or act foolishly, but hold on to God’s promise and shout to watch it until the end. And the soldiers listen carefully to Paul’s words and act exactly as Paul said. The soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat and let it drift away. And the events continue to unfold. Now, after this event, daylight finally begins to break. Look at Acts 27:34. At that moment, Paul requests once again, "I urge you to take some food for the sake of your survival." He says, "Not a hair of your head will perish." This is a very specific promise. Paul continues to say that there will be no threat to their lives. Since they may not understand in verse 34, he explains it very specifically. "God will completely save you, not a hair of your head will perish. So let’s eat." They had been in an environment where they could not eat for fourteen days due to the storm. And the ship was caught in that storm. There is no other way to express it. The storm is raging, and they are sharing a meal there. This has never happened before. Are they in a storm now, or not? The typhoon is raging. They are being tossed by the relentless storm. Look at verse 35. Let’s read together. "He took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, and began to eat." Is this... >> Really possible? Yes. Is it really possible? The ship is full of unbelievers. Even Julius is an unbeliever. He gives thanks to God before sharing food in front of unbelievers. >> He gave thanks. This is... >> The meaning of "giving thanks." It is gratitude before God. Paul is praying to God before sharing food. This is completely revealed. He has faith in God. He did not do it secretly. He fully revealed that he is a Christian in front of all those present. Up to this point, Paul has said, "Do not be afraid." "Take courage." This is Paul’s expression. "Do not be afraid." "Rejoice." Even in the midst of a storm. And how does he conclude everything? He concludes with the word "thanks." At this moment. He is thanking for the future arrival on land. He is eating with hope for the future, and the total number of people on that ship was 276. Now look at verse 42. It is interesting. Another scene. Imagine we are filming a movie. After that scene ends, you might think it’s over. But another event occurs. It is quite strange. This is a very tense scene. Look at verse 42. The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to prevent them from escaping. Why did they do that? As soon as the ship reached land, they suddenly hit the rocks or sandbanks they were worried about. And as the sea and waves crashed, the force of the water became stronger. The back of the ship is damaged. It is breaking apart. That is the situation being described. If you look closely, among the 276 people, there are prisoners. Criminals. So when the ship is stuck and cannot go anywhere, the soldiers think it is better to kill all the prisoners. Because if a prisoner escapes, the soldiers guarding them will be harmed. They will be punished. In some cases, they may even be executed. So they are saying that. The soldiers thought it was better to kill them to prevent them from escaping. Look at verse 43. Read it. Amazing. Start. "But the centurion wanted to save Paul and stopped them from carrying out their plan." He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. What does this mean? The centurion, Julius, the person in charge of the ship, is an unbeliever. He is an unbeliever. This captain stops the soldiers’ actions to save Paul. Because at that moment, Paul could also die. It is a complicated situation. Before I started this sermon, I mentioned that Julius was not just the captain of the ship before chapter 27, but even though he is an unbeliever, he is a person set up for Paul. I talked about that. This centurion saves Paul’s life. An unbeliever saves Paul. Moreover, during the voyage, Julius must have remembered the message Paul preached. He must have thought, "What kind of God does Paul believe in?" He trusted him. He trusted Paul and the message Paul preached, and he respected Paul’s faith and conviction. Without that, the centurion would not have acted that way in verse 43. Ah, are you living your faith properly? Are you believing well? The world recognizes that faith. This is the truth of the Bible. If you act crookedly, the world will not leave you alone. If you act foolishly, it will not leave you alone either. But if you live your faith properly, it will surely recognize that faith. It makes people aware of God’s existence. Do not simply live as an older person. Look at the lessons of this school. This is the lesson of "Filial Love." Let’s live a respected life. It is not easy to become a respected elder of faith. Yes. Nowadays, people are smart and do not easily respect others. To be respected, there must be genuine elements. Otherwise, you will not be respected. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are about 20 students. Among these elders, there is one who is a deaconess. She has knee pain. She limps when she walks. It is hard for her to drive, so her children bought her a Tesla. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to get here. This deaconess says her children bought her a Tesla about two weeks ago, and she is now learning to drive it diligently. This deaconess is not just someone who attends the lectures. After the lecture, we have lunch together. So we eat lunch at noon. She comes at 11 o'clock and serves everything by herself. No one pays attention. Yes. And after everyone finishes eating, she perfectly cleans everything up. And there is a filial love cabinet. When you open it, she fills it with what is lacking from her own money. No one really knows. We have one, right? You know, right? There was a cabinet in our church. There were very delicious jellies, right? Those were not put in by our church members. Someone else brought them and put them in for us. At that time, I was curious about who put that in. They probably didn’t know what they were doing. So I didn’t eat it. Every week. Eventually, we became something. After a while, they brought jellies again. And finally, what was in that drawer cabinet? There were also prayers. I tried to find out about that deaconess. I thought someone related to the elderly must have left it, but I didn’t know who it was. I asked that deaconess about the situation. Looking into her eyes, I felt as if she had left it. She organizes everything and quietly disappears. Just like that. Who would do such a thing? Yes. Do people do such things just because they are instructed to? Yes. Do people do such things just because they have money? There are many wonderful people who willingly come even with painful legs. What we hope for is that as our elders grow older, they leave a legacy of respect through their faith and dedication. Thinking about today’s message, what is the result of today’s message? Yes. In verse 44, "So they all reached land safely, holding on to pieces of wood or the ship." Not a single person failed. The message Paul preached was exactly fulfilled. Yes. We are seeing and confirming through this voyage that God’s word is truly perfect and certain. Let’s hold on to God’s promise. That is the essence of today’s message. As Paul said, no matter what situation we are in, let’s hold on to the words God has spoken and continue our life journey. I pray that even when the storm is raging, we will boldly hold on to that word and live a victorious life. >> Amen.