1. A dream realised – Acts 27:1-28:16 Paul’s dream – Preach the Gospel in Rome & out from Rome - Acts 19:21 – in Ephesus (3 rd journey) - Rom.15:23-25 ( written from Corinth ) - Acts 23:11 – encouraged by God A third of Acts (19:21-28:31) deals with Paul’s journey from Jerusalem to Rome

2. 1. The stormy way Paul travels as a prisoner & experiences:- a. His wisdom ignored – 27:9-11 b. A hurricane wind – 27:14-20 c. Desperate people on the ship – 27:28 d. The sailors endangering lives – 27:39-41 e. Soldiers preparing to kill him – 27:42,43 f. Shipwreck – 27:41-44 g. A poisonous snake-bite – 28:3-5 cf. Paul’s Gospel journey – 2 Cor.11:23-27 cf. Paul’s Gospel journey – 2 Cor.11:23-27

3. 2. God’s plans succeed God’s plans cannot be stopped – Pr.21:30 a. By human sinfulness - Jewish hatred – Acts 21-25 - Jewish hatred – Acts 21-25 - Roman greed, weakness – Acts 24-26 - Roman greed, weakness – Acts 24-26 - Our own sinful attitudes – Jonah - Our own sinful attitudes – Jonah b. By human folly – 27:9-12 c. By circumstances - a great storm – ch.27 - a great storm – ch.27 - a deadly snake – ch.28 - a deadly snake – ch.28

4. 3. God’s plans surprise us a. Paul coming as a prisoner to Rome God encourages him – 23:11; 27:23,24 God encourages him – 23:11; 27:23,24 Paul knew struggles – 2Cor.4:7-9; 12:7-10 Paul knew struggles – 2Cor.4:7-9; 12:7-10 b. Joseph’s dreams realized – Gen.37-47 c. The Cross of Christ – 1Cor.1:23 - God uses people’s evil plans – Acts 4:27,28 - God uses people’s evil plans – Acts 4:27,28 - The great exchange is possible – 2Cor.5:21 - The great exchange is possible – 2Cor.5:21 Jesus went through storms to carry out God’s plan –Heb.12:2,3 Jesus went through storms to carry out God’s plan –Heb.12:2,3

5. 4. What is your dream? a. ACC being a Gospel centre - building project - building project - community outreach - community outreach - world mission - world mission - faithful witnesses where we are - faithful witnesses where we are b. Are you ready for troubles & storms? Ready to be surprised by God?