The document summarizes events from Acts 28 where Paul and others were shipwrecked on the island of Malta. It discusses how the natives showed the travelers kindness despite Paul being bitten by a venomous viper. Paul was unharmed, astonishing the natives. The leader of the island, Publius, welcomed Paul and the others. Paul healed Publius' sick father. The rest of the island's sick were also healed. The document suggests these events show God's providence and care over Paul as he continued preaching the gospel.

1. An Island of Snakes and Dysentery
Acts 28:1-10
Maud church of Christ
by Jim Bradshaw
Sunday Evening, August 11, 2013

2. Read Acts 28:1-10

3. Act 28:1-2 NKJV Now when they had escaped, they then found
out that the island was called Malta. (2) And the natives showed us
unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all
welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the
cold.Gal 5:22-23 NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
(23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Kindness – chrēstotēs : moral goodness or kindness (Thayer);
According to Webster 1828, Kindness Act of good will; beneficence; any
act of benevolence which promotes the happiness or welfare of others.
Charity, hospitality, attentions to the wants of others, &c., are deemed
acts of kindness, or kindnesses. Acts 28.

4. Snakes!!!
Act 28:3-6 NKJV But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and
laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened
on his hand. (4) So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his
hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom,
though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." (5)
But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (6)
However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall
down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm
come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

5. Snakes!!!
Mar 16:15-18 NKJV And He said to them, "Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
(17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they
will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will
take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means
hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Mar 16:19-20 NKJV So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was
received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20)
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with
them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

6. Dysentery
Act 28:7-10 NKJV In that region there was an estate of the leading
citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and
entertained us courteously for three days. (8) And it happened that the
father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him
and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. (9) So when
this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came
and were healed. (10) They also honored us in many ways; and when
we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

7. God’s Providence
In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercises over
his creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a
providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the
same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue
its existence. Some persons admit a general providence,but deny a
particular providence, not considering that a general providence
consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of
great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often
understood God himself.
A miracle is something that goes beyone the Law of Science or nature.
Only a supernatural occurrence can explain the results.

8. God’s Providence
Act 23:11-14 NKJV But the following night the Lord stood by him
and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me
in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." (12) And
when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound
themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor
drink till they had killed Paul. (13) Now there were more than
forty who had formed this conspiracy. (14) They came to the chief
priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great
oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
Act 23:16-17 NKJV So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush,
he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. (17) Then Paul called
one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the
commander, for he has something to tell him."

9. God’s Providence
God’s Providence still at work today, however, the miraculous age
has ended; Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
Col 4:2-4 NKJV Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving; (3) meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open
to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am
also in chains, (4) that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

10. God’s Providence
What opportunity lies ahead of us here at Maud