Protecting Your Vessel by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Our scripture reading is going to come from the book of Acts. Turn to chapter 28 where we will read the first 10 verses. 

        1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

        2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

        3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

        4 And when the barbarians see the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance sufferers not to live.

        5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

        6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

        7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

        8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

        9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

        10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

        The message is about your vessel and how we need to protect it. The scripture reading is after the shipwreck Paul was in on the coast of Melita. Regardless of the danger from the approaching storm, the captain had sailed close to Crete rather than waiting the storm out. Some situations occur in your life that are not by your hand. They are there to develop your character as more closer to God or to the world.

        The barbarians were judging Paul based on one thing which they witnessed. Paul's purpose was to stand before nobles, kings, and rulers, spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

        What do we protect? Sometimes when you are in defense mode, you end up protecting the wrong things. In 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 20 Paul says, But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of the earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. Our bodies are viewed by God as a vessel for the Holy Spirit to reside in. We, too, should view our bodies as such as well. We should see our vessel as one of importance.

        Let us look back on the previous chapter of Acts, chapter 27. Look at verses 21 and 22. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 

        The vessel or the ship will be destroyed by the storm, and yet the vessels on board, or the man, will be saved. Despite being a prisoner on the ship being transported to trial, Paul would end up being in charge.

        When you have a drive within you to help other people in love, there is an element of danger. If you are not careful you could be placing blame on something or placing power over something. In verse  4 from Acts 28, the barbarians thought Paul as a murderer because of the snake bite. There are things in life that can latch onto you which may surprise you. This is why you always need to be at watch and protecting your vessel. You will encounter snakes in life. Do not be naive. God can use that snake in your life to give you an opportunity. Be the christian and hold out your hand and not point your finger at others. In moments of trial, you need to have the right attitude to handle and conquer those trials. The information for that right attitude is in the scriptures.