Shaking Off The Vipers

Acts 28:1-6

 

INTRODUCTION:

Follow Paul on His Journey to Rome.

  1. Paul was going to Rome as a prisoner.
  2. Many trials awaited him in Rome.

 

Recall the Storm and the Shipwreck.

  1. Paul was comforted by an angel in the storm (Acts 27:22-25)
  2. They were shipwrecked and stranded on an island, but all were alive.
  3. They were met by kind natives, a warm fire and trouble ahead.

 

A viper, coming out of the fire, attacks Paul.

  1. Vipers often appear out of the fires of life.
    1. Times of trouble make us vulnerable.
    2. God has a promise for the fiery times (Isa. 43:2)
  2. Paul shook off the viper when attacked, and so should we.

 

  1. SHAKE OFF THE VIPER OF DISCOURAGEMENT  (v. 3)
    1. Paul was attacked while helping…doing good.

                                                              i.      He was gathering a bundle of sticks for the fire.

                                                            ii.      Vipers often appear when we’re trying to do right.

    1. Paul could have allowed this attack to make him doubt.
    2. Instead, he shook off the viper, remembering the promise of God’s safety.
    3. Let God’s promises deliver you; shake off discouragement.

 

  1. SHAKE OFF THE VIPER OF CRITICISM  (v. 4)
    1. The reaction of the critics: “No doubt this man is a murder.”
    2. Many are quick to judge and falsely accuse.

                                                              i.      Are you being wrongly judged, falsely accused?

                                                            ii.      You are not the first to endure this kind of trial.

    1. Jesus wad constantly criticized.

                                                              i.      He was called a blasphemer  (Matt. 9:3)

                                                            ii.      He wad accused of being in league with Satan.  (Matt. 9:4)

    1. Remember how Jesus responded to His critics.  (1 Peter 2:23)
    2. Shake off the viper of criticism by looking to Jesus.  (Heb. 12:1-2)

 

  1. SHAKE OFF THE VIPER OF LOW EXPECTATIONS  (v. 6)

 

    1. The natives expected Paul to swell up and die.
    2. Some have low expectations of you as a Christian.

                                                              i.      They think you’ll stumble and fall.

                                                            ii.      They’re waiting for you to backslide.

    1. Shake off the faithless conclusions of others.
    2. Prove them wrong by being faithful to your Lord.

CONCLUSION:

 

Jesus came to give us abundant life.  (John 10:10)

1.      We can have daily victory in spite of the opposition.

2.      The Holy Spirit has equipped us to win.

 

Shake off those vipers and experience the joy of the Lord in a Spirit filled life.