Alex Kremer 01-21-2024 // The Kindness of Strangers; Acts 28:1-16

As the book of Acts nears its close, we find Paul finally arriving in Rome.  It has been a long journey fraught with many trials and dangers.  As the last chapter of Acts opens, we find Paul shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

To the surprise of some Christians, the pagan inhabitants of this island showed Paul and his companions extraordinary kindness.  This brings us to one lesson from this passage, the pagans are also created in the image of God and therefore they are capable of showing love and kindness to others.

But this kindness does not translate into righteousness.  And indeed, the events that unfold on this small island provide Paul with another opportunity to share the Gospel with whomever he encounters.

And when he finally arrives in Rome, he is again shown kindness by people he never met.  But in this case, these strangers are of the same faith as Paul and therefore brothers in Christ.

As we explore this passage we will draw several lessons:

1. Paul was set apart by the Lord as the apostle to the Gentiles, and nothing would keep him from doing his job.
2. Even in the most remote places we find people made in the image of God and therefore they are candidates for the Gospel.
3. We see Christians as people showing hospitality, especially among those who are of the household of faith.
4. Finally, we see the faithfulness of God in accomplishing His purposes in this world.

Thank you for listening to today's teaching.  We pray you will be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.