日期： 11/11/2007

經文：《使徒行轉》 27-28 （ 28 ： 30-31 ）

題目：生命的迂回

主旨：因神在一切的處境中掌管 , ，所以我們的生命在不如 意時仍然能有意義與充實。

引言：

十月底，當我回家開車經過 S. Main 大街時，看到一條提示標語：“ 10 月 26 到 29 日期間需繞道而行，交通會延誤”。我的反應是：天哪，又來了 ! 停停走走的交通，浪費時間和汽油。在休斯敦，經常能看到由于施工而需要繞道而行的交通指示牌。想想 I-10 高速公路吧 ! 這使我回想起年輕時搭坐客貨兩用型輪船從香港去日本的東京求學時的旅程，通常情況下，坐船從香港去日本需要四天時間。但是，當我上船的時候，卻被告知要先前往馬尼拉。因此，本來只要四天的行程足足花了兩個星期才抵達東京。提到“繞道而行”，沒有人會喜歡它，因為繞道會破壞我們原有的計劃，令我們感覺對生命失去控制。

今天早上，我們是最後一次有糸統的讀《使徒行傳》。在我準備講道的過程中，我從 John Scott 的《使徒行傳註釋》中獲益匪淺，所以，我的這篇講道借用他的一些思想作為出發點。在 27 和 28 章，路加記錄了保羅在他最后幾年的傳道生涯中所經歷的一個主要的生命迂回和曲折。

I •  生命迂迴曲折的時刻 , 神的手仍然在掌管一切。

生命的迂回對于保羅來說已經不是第一次了。記得當初他在前往大馬士革企圖恐嚇和逮捕信徒的時候，神親自介入并向他顯現。結果，保羅成為了耶穌的追隨者和使徒。當初殘忍迫害耶穌和使徒的保羅如今卻為了耶穌遭受迫害。幾個月前我們也看到保羅多經曲折到了特羅亞 . 多年以后，保羅又經歷了一次生命的迂回。讓我們來仔細學習這段令路加花了整整兩章的篇幅所記錄的生命迂回。

保羅想去羅馬探望信徒（《羅馬書》 15 ： 25-29 ）。但是，他卻在耶路撒冷被逮捕。由于生命安全受到威脅，保羅被轉移到凱撒利亞，在那里蹲了兩年的大牢。由于保羅是羅馬公民，所以他要向羅馬皇帝上訴，當局就把他遣往羅馬。

在 27 章，我們讀到由于地中海的惡劣氣候，保羅一行的旅程受到耽擱，大家只好停下等待天氣放晴。他們的船受到風暴的襲擊，士兵想把包括保羅在內的乘客都殺了，好輕裝前行。他們的船最后在馬耳他靠岸。他們生火取暖，有一條毒蛇受不住熱，跑了出來，咬了保羅的手。但是保羅卻奇跡般地活了下來。一直到六個月以后，他們才抵達意大利，然后從陸路去羅馬。保羅曾經希望以一個自由人的身份來羅馬探望信徒。但是，現在卻是一個囚犯。這真是跟他的原本計劃饒了個大圈。

當我們讀這兩章經文的時候，不禁要問為什么路加花了這么多篇幅濃墨重彩地描繪海上所發生的一切：暴風，巨浪和擱淺？水手和其它熟悉海航的人都會告誡我們千萬不要小看大海。海是充滿未知和危險。俗語說：欺山莫欺水。在舊約里，大海就被視作敵對神的邪惡力量。因此，路加所描繪的發生在地中海上的一切，不僅僅是大自然本身力量的彰顯，或者士兵們處于個人的動機企圖殺害保羅和其他的人，更是反應魔鬼的邪惡力量通過大自然和士兵之手對神的挑畔。我們可以看看聖經里的例子：

埃及王試圖溺死嬰兒時期的摩西；《以斯帖記》里哈曼圖謀滅絕猶太人的陰謀；希律王因為想殺耶穌而殺害所有耶路撒冷的嬰兒；《使徒行傳》里猶太公會竭力試圖迫害年輕的基督教會。現在，又有大風暴，士兵和毒蛇千方百計地阻止保羅前往羅馬。我們讀著讀著不禁要問：在惡勢力橫行的情況下，保羅還能抵達羅馬嗎？

但是，在《使徒行傳》 23 ： 11 ，路加已經給了我們提示：“當夜，主站在保羅旁邊，說：‘你要有勇氣 ! 你已經在耶路撒冷為我做了見證，你同樣必須在羅馬作見證。’”保羅想去羅馬，耶穌也肯定了他要在羅馬為他做見證。真是這樣嗎？保羅真能抵達羅馬嗎？

路加在這兩章里也多次給出了暗示。他詳細的描寫保羅如何從風浪 , 沉船 , 士兵的計謀和毒蛇口中被救出來 . 路加告訴我們雖然魔鬼的邪惡力量要對付保羅，但是神會最終克制這股惡勢力。所以，在經過六個月的海上漂泊以后，保羅最終抵達了羅馬。他起初想來羅馬探望信徒，耶穌也肯定他能在羅馬作見證，但是沒有提到一個小細節：那就是保羅將以囚犯的身份來羅馬。提到生命的迂回，我們學到一個功課：即使在生命的迂回中，神也是掌控一切的。他將最終戰勝一切敵對他的勢力。

我們當中也有人感到自己的生命處在迂回曲折中。心中不知道什么時候才能抵達當初所向往的目的地。令人非常困惑不安吧？但是，令人安慰的是：即使在這樣的時刻，神依然掌權。事情的結果可能和預期的不同，但是神知道什么才是真正最好的結果。

II ．保羅在生命迂迴曲折的時刻 , 他的事奉得到擴充。   

讓我們來看看在羅馬發生了什么事。當保羅抵達以后，他被軟禁了兩年。

1 •  訪客的來臨

從這些經文中我們可以了解到當地的猶太人領袖以及各個猶太社團的人都來聆聽保羅對神的國度的解釋。保羅歡迎每一個來到他住處的人。我們也可以想象到人們從各地來聆聽保羅，然后把信息帶回到他們原來的地方。如果當時保羅是自由的，那么他在一個時間只能去到一個地方。但是現在，好像全世界都來到了他的住處一樣。

2 •  保羅在羅馬皇帝前的見證

保羅在羅馬的時候與尼羅皇見過面么？聖經跟歷史資料里對此都沒有記載。但是有一些間接的證據可以證明保羅確實見過皇帝。《使徒行傳》 27 ： 24 ，“保羅，不要害怕！你必須站在皇帝面前。 …… ”神已經預示了保羅將要站在尼祿面前。我們知道尼祿往往會親耳聽到那死刑的案件。所以我們可以得出結論保羅最終確實見到了尼祿，當時西方世界的統治者。

如果沒有這段曲折，這大概不會發生。神戰勝了不利的環境和邪惡的力量，讓保羅在當時西方世界的中心做了見證，在羅馬帝國的最高統治者面前做了見證。

我想在我們當中，一部分的弟兄姐妹不是自己選擇來到這里，而是因為各種各樣的環境，經歷了不同的曲折與繞道，而來到了這里。我好像能聽見你們許多人都在抱怨這個地方。也許我們可以暫時停下來，從神的角度來看看你們現在所處的環境。你們是在神的主權下來到這里。不僅如此，神還給你們了服事的機會，這些都是以前你們沒有的。神是想通過重新拉伸和塑造你把你帶到新的高度。

III ． 在保羅迂回曲折的過程中，他的服侍更加豐富了。

在這些迂回曲折中，保羅在該薩莉亞被關在牢里兩年，經歷了六個月的海上航行，以及在羅馬被軟禁兩年。在被軟禁期間，我們知道保羅接待來訪者，并告訴他們神的國度的好消息和耶穌基督的救贖 (28:30-31) 。在那兩年里他還做了些什么呢？

他在獄中寫了三封書信：《以弗所書》，《腓利比書》，和《歌羅西書》。當他等待羅馬皇帝的判決時，保羅知道他必須服從的至高無上的掌權者不是尼祿，而是主耶穌基督。在那三封獄中的書信里，我們不止一次的讀到關于耶穌基督的至高權柄的主題。這些書信充滿了對滿足，喜樂，平安和忍耐的勸勉和鼓勵。在被軟禁的黑暗時期，基督教信仰的信心，愛，盼望的美德以及聖靈的果子清楚的顯現了出來。

德國牧師兼神學家 Bonhoeffer 在被納粹關在監獄里時，寫信鼓勵在監獄外的人。他也忠心的服侍與他一起被關在監獄的獄友。 William Cowper ， 19 世紀著名的英國 圣 詩作家，曾長時間的在沮喪的黑暗中生活。但是，他卻創作出了許多優美的 圣 詩。 比如： God Moves In A Mysterious Way, There is a Fountain Filled with Blood and O For A Closer Walk With God. 盡管經歷了黑暗的沮喪生活，他仍然能寫出神的主權，救贖，和神的顯現。

我也知道你們當中的有些人曾經經歷過或正在經歷著生命中黑暗的時期。但是這些經歷可以更加地充實你的生活，更新你與神的關系。我很少聽到你們抱怨，你們說出來的都是感恩的話。例如，如果不是因為這，我還不能認識神。如果不是因為這，我也不能經歷這么多的基督徒的愛。曲折的道路可以充實我們的生活和服侍。

IV. 保羅的苦難的經歷證實了他所傳達的信息。

在這兩章中，我們還能讀到保羅的痛苦經歷。在他給哥林多教會的書信中保羅詳細地描述了他的磨難：更多的監禁，數不清的被打，經常面臨死亡的威脅。被杖打三次，五次鞭刑，沉船三次，海上漂流一天一夜，另外還有許多危險。

我們也從新聞報道中讀到過或看到過，一些東南亞的僧人是怎么用火把自己燒死的。你們可以看到，我們信仰的真純是跟我們願為信仰受苦成正比的。

在《以賽亞書》中，我們也了解到為世界帶來光明的救主彌賽亞也必須要受苦。耶穌也曾教導我們種子在發芽繁殖前必須先死掉。保羅的一生都在為了傳福音而受苦。歷史告訴我們保羅在被軟禁兩年之后被釋放，兩年之后又被逮捕并處死。他為福音而死，他是神的福音的使者。保羅 , 造這見證者為了他的信仰而死。你知道嗎？見證者和殉道者是同一個詞。

保羅的苦難和他的死證明了他的信仰的真純和他所宣揚的信息的真實。

對我們來說也是一樣的，為了信仰受苦的意愿越高，越能顯明我們信仰的純粹和對主的忠誠。如果我對基督的信仰是嚴肅認真的，那么我就不怕因為堅定的基督信仰遭到嘲笑。我不會因為談論基督而感到羞愧。

你還記得在《使徒行傳》的第一章里，耶穌教導門徒：“可是 圣 靈臨到你們的時候，你們會充滿著能力，要在耶路撒冷、猶太、和撒瑪利亞全境，至到地極，作我的見證人。”在《使徒行傳》里，我們看到無論在順境或者逆境，無論使徒們走到哪里，他們都在為基督作見證。福音的訊息最終被傳播到羅馬帝國的首都，西方世界的中心。現在，保羅已死，他的接力棒已經傳給新一代的基督徒，在羅馬以外的世界各地繼續傳福音。一代接一代，福音從耶路撒冷和羅馬漸漸被傳揚開去。我們也因此能聽到基督的好消息。現在，我們也要擔負起這個責任，在家里，公司，和社區里作耶穌的見證。我們有責任在休斯敦和其它城市作神的見證。

結論：

保羅的旅程真是曲折迂回啊 ! 他想去羅馬，耶穌也肯定了他會抵達羅馬。但是，卻沒將一個細節告訴他 . 他 到達羅馬的路 , 卻是以一種出乎意料的方式。他以囚犯的身份到達目的地。但是，這段繞行卻更拓展和豐富了他的事工。

你還記得我跟你提過的四十年前赴日本留學時所走的彎路嗎？由于繞道航行，給我機會造訪了馬尼拉，沖繩，大阪和京都。四天的行程雖無可奈何地走了兩個星期，但是卻使我打開眼界，豐富了閱歷。

三年多以前，有一天晚上，仙霞這么說：“那引領我們走到今天這裡的路實在是曲折和迂回的。但是神是美好的，他始終掌管一切。 ” 這是一條沒人願意替自己設計的路 . 但是，當我回首的時候，我開始意識到這一切使我對于神的聖潔和人的破碎，神的主權和人的責任有了更深的認識。這段繞行也令我深切的體會到我對神的需要。沒有基督，我寸步難行。

親愛的弟兄姐妹們，你或許也正在繞道而行。你無法看清前行的方向。這令人感到恐懼和沮喪。但是，讓我們稍稍安靜片刻，沉思一番：即使在生命中最黑暗的時刻，我們的救主依然洞悉一切，明了我們的人生方向。他片刻都未曾撇下我們。不僅如此，在這樣的時刻，他要進一步地塑造和充實我們，將那做夢都想不到的事給我們秈見。讓我們祈求他，幫助我們的小信 , 使我們信靠這位偉大的神 。

Date:   11/11/2007

Text: Acts 27-28 (28:30-31)

Title:   A Major Detour

Theme: Since God is in control in all circumstances, our lives can be enriching even in those undesirable moments.

Introduction:

  While driving home on S. Main in late October, I saw a sign saying, “Major detour from 10/26 to 10/29, expect delays”. My reaction was: not again ; the stop and go traffic, wasting time and gas. Detour due to construction is a common sight in Houston. Just think of the I-10 construction. Such detours also brought back the memory of my going to college from HK to Tokyo, Japan on a cargo-passenger ship. The trip to Japan by sea usually would take about 4 days. However, the moment we got onboard, we were told that the ship would have to go to Manila first. Therefore a 4 day journey lasted almost two weeks. Talk about a detour. No one likes detours for they upsets our plans, making us feel out of control of our life events.

  This morning we’ll conclude our study of the book of Acts. In my preparation, I have found John Stott’s commentary on Acts very helpful, thus using some of his ideas as a springboard for this message. In chapters 27 and 28, Luke recorded a major detour in Paul’s life as he approached the last few years of his ministry.

I.   God's hands are in life’s detour moments.

  Certainly, Paul was not unfamiliar with detours in life. Remember early on, he wanted to go to Damascus to threaten and arrest the believers. On the way there, God intervened and appeared to him. As a result of this, Paul became a follower and apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul the persecutor of Jesus and his disciples, is now being persecuted for Jesus. Then there was Paul journey to Troas which we studied few months back. Many years later, another major detour which Luke devoted almost two chapters to.

  Paul had wanted to go to Rome to visit the believers (Romans 15:25-29). However, he was arrested in Jerusalem. Because there was a threat on his life, he was transferred to Caesarea and imprisoned there for two years. Since Paul was a Roman citizen who wanted to appeal to Caesar, the Roman authorities began the journey to transfer him to Rome.

  In chapter 27 we read about the bad weather in the Mediterranean Sea, the journey was delayed as they waited for the weather to clear up. They experienced a ship wreck and the soldiers attempted to kill Paul and other prisoners so they could sail away. The ship finally landed on the island of Malta. They set up a fire to keep themselves warm. Then out of the sticks, came a poisonous snake and bit Paul. Miraculously he did not die. Eventually 6 months later, they arrived at Italy and then travelled by land to Rome. Paul had wanted to go to Rome as a free man to visit the believers there. Instead, he arrived at Rome as a prisoner. This was quite a detour from his original plan.

  As we follow the events, we also noticed Luke going into great lengths to describ what happened at Sea: the weather, waves and the shipwreck. Have you wondered why? Sailors and those familiar with sea warn us that we are not to take the sea lightly. It is often unpredictable and can be dangerous. Chinese have a saying: 欺山莫欺水 . In the OT, the sea is seen as an evil power in opposition to God. Therefore what Luke described happened in the Mediterranean Sea was not just nature at work, or the soldiers’ plot to kill Paul and other prisoners as human schemes, but evil forces working through Nature and the soldiers in opposition to God. We can think of some examples in the Bible:

  Pharaoh tried to drown baby Moses. In the book of Esther, Haman plotted to annihilate the Jewish people. King Herod wanted to kill Jesus by killing all the babies in Jerusalem. In the book of Acts, the Sanhedrin was doing their utmost to destroy the young church. And now the storm, the soldiers and the poisonous snake all working to stop Paul from arriving in Rome. As we follow the story, we can’t help but ask, will the evil forces prevail? Will Paul be able to arrive at Rome?

  However, in Acts 23:11, Luke did give us a hint, “ 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "“Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Yes, Paul wanted to go to Rome and Jesus also affirmed that he will be his witness in Rome. Really? Will Paul really be able to get to Rome?

  Luke also gave us plenty of hints in these two chapters. He described in great detail how Paul was rescued from the storm, shipwreck, sailors’ plot to kill him and the snake bite. He is telling us that in the midst of these evil forces working against Paul, God will eventually over-rule them. So finally, after almost 6 months at Sea, Paul arrived at Rome. He wanted to come to Rome to visit the believers, Jesus also affirmed him that he will be in Rome, except with the omission of a minor detail. That Paul would arrive there as a prisoner. Talking about a detour in life. Yet from this, we also learn how God is in control in those detour moments. He overrules the evil forces that are against him.

  Some of us may find ourselves in such detour moments. We are not sure when we will get to what we have set out to go or do. It is very unsettling, right? But the comforting thought is that even in such moments, God is in control. It may turn out very radically from your original plan, but take heart, he knows the best.

II.   In Paul’s detour moments, his ministry was expanded.

  Let’s now take a look and see what happened in Rome. After his arrival, Paul was placed under house arrest for two years.

1 •  Influx of visitors (28:17, 23, 30)

We learn from these verses that local Jewish leaders, the Jewish community came and listened to Paul’s explanation of the kingdom of God. He welcomed everyone that came to his house. We can also assume that people from all places had come and listened to him. then they would bring the message back to where they came from. If Paul was a freeman, he could only go to one place at a time. But now, it’s like the world has come to him.

2 •  Paul’s witness before Caesar.

Paul is in Rome, but did he appear before Caesar? There is no biblical or historical record on this. However, circumstantial evidence suggests that he did. In Acts 27:24, “ 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar….” God promised Paul that he would stand before Nero. We also know that Nero would personally hear the capital offense. So we could conclude that Paul did eventually appear before Caesar, the ruler of the then western world.

Without this long detour, this would not have happened. God over ruled those adverse situations and evil forces so that Paul would be a witness in the capitol of the western world, and finally, before the supreme ruler of the Roman empire.

I think that some of us are here, not by choice, but due to different circumstances or detours, you ended up here. I can almost hear many of your complaints about this place. May be we need to pause and look at your situation from God's perspective. It is under his sovereignty you are here. Not only this, he had also shown you ministry opportunities that you did not have before. He wants to stretch and expand you, thus bringing you to new heights.

III.   In Paul’s detour moments, his ministry was further enriched.

In this detour, Paul was imprisoned for 2 years in Caesarea, 6 months of sea travel, and 2 years of house arrest in Rome. While under house arrest, we learn that he received visitors and told them about the good news of God's kingdom and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. What else did he do during those two years?

He wrote the three prison letters: Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. When he was awaiting trial by Caesar, waiting for his thumbs up or down judgment, Paul also recognized that the supreme authority to which he must bow to was not Nero, but the lord Jesus Christ. In those 3 prison letters, we repeatedly read the themes of the supremacy of Jesus Christ. These letters are full of exhortations and encouragement on contentment, joy, peace and patience. In the dark hours of his house arrest, the Christian virtues of faith, love, hope, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit clearly radiated.

The German pastor and theologian, Bonhoeffer, during the dark hours of imprisonment by the Nazis, wrote letters to encourage those outside the prison. He faithfully ministered to the fellow prisoners. William Cowper, a well known British hymn writer of the 19 th century, was constantly in the dark chambers of depression. Yet out of his pen, flowed some of the most beautiful hymns. Such as: God Moves In A Mysterious Way, There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood and O For A Closer Walk with God. Out of those dark dungeon experiences, he was moved to write about God's sovereignty, forgiveness and his ever presence.

I also know that many of you have experienced or are still in some of the darkest hours in life. Yet these experiences have deeply enriched your life and relationship with God. Seldom did I hear you complain, but your mouth is full of thanksgiving. For example: if not for this, I would not have known God. if not for this, I would not have experienced the love of so many believers. Detours can enrich our lives and ministry.

IV.   In Paul’s suffering, his message was authenticated.

  In these 2 chapters, we also read about Paul’s suffering. Later in his letter to the Corinthians he wrote in greater detail of his sufferings: more imprisonments, countless beatings, often near death. Beaten 3 times with rods, 5 times of 39 lashes, shipwrecked 3 times, a day and night drifting at sea, plus other dangers.

  We have certainly read or seen news reports of how some monks in SE Asia set fires and burned themselves to death. You see, the sincerity of our belief is directly proportional to our willingness to suffer.

  In the book of Isaiah, we learned that the servant Messiah who would bring light to the nation must suffer. Jesus taught that the seed must die before it would multiply. Paul’s life was full of suffering for the gospel. History told us that after 2 years of house arrest, he was freed for 2 years. He was then rearrested and executed. He died for the gospel message for which he was a messenger. Paul, the witness was martyred for his belief. And you know what? The word Witness is the same as the word Martyr.

  His suffering and death show both the sincerity of his belief and the truth of the message he proclaimed.

  The same is true with us. the more willing we are to suffer for the gospel, demonstrate our sincerity and loyalty to the lord we follow. If I am serious about following Christ, then I will be willing to be ridiculed by others because of my stand for the Christian faith. I will not be ashamed of talking about Christ at the appropriate time.

  You remember in the 1 st chapter of Acts, we heard Jesus instruction to his disciples: “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Throughout the book of Acts, we see how the disciples, in good and bad times, wherever they go, they were witnesses of Jesus Christ. This gospel message eventually reached the capital of the Roman Empire; the center of the western world. And now, with Paul’s death, this gospel torch was passed onto the next generation of believers to carry it to other parts of the world. So one generation followed another generation, bringing the gospel message further and further away from Jerusalem and Rome. This is how this message had come to each one of us. It is now our responsibility to be his witness at home, work, school and in our community. It is our responsibility to be His witness both in Houston and other cities.

Conclusion:

  What a detour Paul experienced. He wanted to go to Rome and Jesus also assured him that he would go to Rome, except for a minor detail. But the way he arrived there was beyond his imagination. He arrived at Rome as a prisoner. However, this detour expanded and enriched his ministry.

  You remember the detour I had when I went to Tokyo, Japan over 40 years ago. You see, because of the detour I got to visit Manila, Okinawa, Osaka and Kyoto. It was frustrating that a 4 day journey turned into two weeks, but it had certainly enriched my life.

  About 3 years ago, one evening Cynthia made this comment: “The road that took us to where we are today was very crooked indeed. But God was good and in control.” It was a detour that none would have planned. Yet as I reflect, I begin to realize how this has deepened my understanding of God's holiness and human brokenness, His sovereignty and human responsibility. This detour has also enriched my life by reminding me how much I need him. Without Christ, I can do nothing.

  Dear brothers and sisters, you may be in the midst of a detour. You can’t see clearly where you are or where you are heading. Scary and frustrating, right? Yet, why not just pause for a moment and think: even in the darkest moment in life, our Savior sees clearly where we are and where we are heading toward. He has never left us alone for one moment. Moreover, in such moments, He wants to further enrich and stretch us, showing us things that we have not even dreamed of. And now, shall we just simply ask him to help our little faith and trust in this great God.