July 27, 2020
Show Up, Add Value, No Drama
Acts 28:1–10
Amy Pressley
Central Truth
Knowing whose you are and that you are valued equips you to add value wherever you are, in any opportunity.
Key Verse | Acts 28:3
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.
Acts 28:1–10
Paul on Malta
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people 1 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, nonGreek speakers); also verse 4 showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 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. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice 2 28:4 Or justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 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 minds and said that he was a god.
7 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. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, 3 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Dive Deeper | Acts 28:1–10
Any Poldark fans here? In this PBS Masterpiece series, the protagonist (Ross Poldark) is a man of exceptional kindness and humility. He seems to show up on the scene of conflict and add value, with no drama. When I read through this passage, I can't help but see many similarities between Poldark and Paul.
We see Paul, a cold, exhausted, and shipwrecked prisoner, who is treated with kindness, bitten by a snake, given an opportunity to heal a sick man and then an entire sick community. In spite of his status (prisoner) or situation (exhausted, wet, and cold), he collects wood for the fire and in doing so is bitten by a snake. Rather than causing a scene, Paul simply shook off the snake into the fire (Acts 28:5). No drama! I don't know about you, but a snake bite for me would cause a lot of hysteria and drama! Those can be quite serious—not so for Paul! He just shakes off the snake, and from the context we can infer that he continues with what he is doing. He is able to do this because he knows that God intends for him to get to Rome, and he has faith that God's plans will be fulfilled. From there the scene quickly turns to him healing a sick man and then healing an entire community.
Through all this, Paul turns opposition into opportunity. When opportunity is before us, we are called to take action and do good to all people (Galatians 6:10). These opportunities gave Paul much credibility that opened doors for him to minister and share the gospel with the natives. The same way Ross Poldark helps others to the benefit of his community, Paul's ministry while in Malta found him favor among the locals that resulted in blessing to the community, his shipmates, and himself (Acts 28:10). Knowing whose you are and that you are valued equips you to add value wherever you are, in any opportunity.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you aware of situations around you? If so, do you respond to the need at hand or assume someone else will? When you do respond, is it to be noticed or as if no one is watching?
2. How can your actions help you find favor in your local community so that you can be effective for God's purposes?
3. What obstacles can you turn into opportunities now, in the near future, and in years to come?
4. When faced with opposition or a negative experience, do you respond or react? What does a response look like for you compared to a reaction? How can your response point others to Christ?