The document describes Paul's experience after being shipwrecked on the island of Malta. The natives showed Paul and his companions kindness by building a fire to warm them. Later, Paul was bitten by a viper but remained unharmed. This led the natives to believe Paul was a god. Paul later continued his journey to Rome where he encountered believers who welcomed and encouraged him. In Rome, Paul preached to the Jews but some disagreed with his message and departed with closed hearts despite Paul urging them to turn to God for healing.

2. “Experiencing God”
The crisis of belief:
• An encounter with God requires faith.
• Encounters with God are God-­‐sized.
• What you do in response to God's revela=on
(invita=on to the task) reveals what you
believe about God.
• True faith requires ac=on.
-­‐Henry Blackaby

3. A8er we were brought safely through, we then
learned that the island was called Malta. The
naAve people showed us unusual kindness, for
they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because
it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul
had gathered a bundle of sAcks and put them on
the fire, a viper came out because of the heat
and fastened on his hand. When the naAve
people saw the creature hanging from his hand,
they said to one another, “No doubt this man is
a murderer.

4. Though he has escaped from the sea, JusAce has
not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off
the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
They were waiAng for him to swell up or
suddenly fall down dead. But when they had
waited a long Ame and saw no misfortune come
to him, they changed their minds and said that
he was a god.
Acts 28:1-­‐6 (ESV)

5. 1. Powerful Hospitality
Acts 28:2 (ESV)
The naAve people showed us unusual kindness, for
they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it
had begun to rain and was cold.
Acts 28:7 (ESV)
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.

6. 1. Powerful Hospitality
Acts 28:14 (ESV)
There we found brothers and were invited to stay
with them for seven days. And so we came to
Rome.
Acts 28:15 (ESV)
And the brothers there, when they heard about us,
came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three
Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked
God and took courage.

7. “…On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took
courage.”

8. And they devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every
soul, and many wonders and signs were being done
through the apostles. And all who believed were
together and had all things in common. And they
were selling their possessions and belongings and
distribuAng the proceeds to all, as any had need.
And day by day, aQending the temple together and
breaking bread in their homes, they received their
food with glad and generous hearts, praising God
and having favor with all the people. And the Lord
added to their number day by day those who were
being saved.
Acts 2:42-­‐47 (ESV)

9. 2. Open Ears
A8er three days he called together the local leaders
of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to
them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against
our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was
delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the
hands of the Romans. When they had examined
me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there
was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But
because the Jews objected, I was compelled to
appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring
against my naAon.

10. 2. Open Ears
For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you
and speak with you, since it is because of the hope
of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” And they said
to him, “We have received no leQers from Judea
about you, and none of the brothers coming here
has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we
desire to hear from you what your views are, for
with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it
is spoken against.”
Acts 28:17-­‐22 (ESV)

11. 3. CLOSED Hearts
And disagreeing among themselves, they
departed a8er Paul had made one statement:
“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your
fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

12. 3. CLOSED Hearts
For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
Acts 28:25-­‐27 (ESV)

13. WHERE ARE WE?
1. POWERFUL HOSPITALITY
2. OPEN EARS
3. CLOSED HEARTS
“TURN, and God will heal us!”