DECLARE IN FAITH!

 NO WEAPONS FORGED AGAINST US WILL PREVAIL!

GOLDEN TEXT.

“And when Paul had gathered a number of vines and put them in the fire, a viper, fleeing from the heat, took hold of his hand.” Acts 28:3.

TRUTH APPLIED.

There is no diabolic onslaught that does not reveal itself before the fire produced by the Eternal or that can stop a believer filled with the Holy Spirit.

REFERENCE TEXTS.

Acts 28:5-8

INTRODUCTION.

The shipwreck experience had been extremely traumatic and rest was all those men needed before continuing on their journey. It was dark and cold and the apostle decided to add wood to the fire to warm everyone, to bring some comfort in that difficult time.

I. A VIPER IN THE MIDDLE OF FIRE.

Much worse than the struggles and situations we live in. Paul still faced judgments by being misinterpreted. People judged that situation as judgment. Paulo had escaped from the shipwreck but “justice” would come through the bite of the snake to not let him live. Paul traveled as a prisoner, had already been wronged by the Jews, had gone through trials and accusations, faced a tremendous storm, survived yet another shipwreck and now a viper clings to his hand (Acts 28:4).

With the viper in his hand.

Paul's life goes through a chain of trials and temptations that don't seem to end. Now, in Malta, a viper clings to his hand (Acts 28:3). There are times when we must choose between mourning or acting, waiting for the screen of probation to close, or shaking our hands. In people's interpretation, some curse was under Paul's life. But he didn't let himself be carried away by the viper or by other people's opinions. There are words that paralyze us and at these times it is important not only to shake the hands, but also the mind (Rom. 12:1,2). The right attitude and hope (Rom 4.18; Col 1.23; I Thess 5.8). No matter how many vipers cling to our hand, God has not called us to be consumed by the vipers of hopelessness and doubt, but to shake them in the fire.

A viper fleeing the fire.

The barbarians were in solidarity with the survivors of the shipwreck (Acts 28.2). Because of the cold and rain, they went to warm themselves by the fire and Paulo gathered some dry sticks to throw into the existing fire. Then, to escape the “heat”, the viper revealed itself from where it was camouflaged (Acts 28:3). The text is clear: “the fire” revealed where the viper was. If we wholeheartedly desire revival in our time, we will be surprised to see Satan at work in seemingly normal places and lives. The fire has the characteristic of illuminating and everything that is covered by darkness must declare itself (Dan 2.22; I Cor 3.13; Eph 5.13).

A viper thrown into the fire.

Everyone expected Paul to die, but he simply shook the viper at the stake and acted as if nothing had happened (Acts 29:4, 5). Suddenly, they saw that Paul was no longer a curse and began to compare him with a “god” (Acts 29:6). In our life, there will always be phases that will mark us and it is up to us to let situations drown us or push us forward (Phil. 3.12, 13). Being in the hands of Jesus is always going beyond the essential (Phil. 4:12). We cannot be stopped by what they think or think of us. Many do not understand how God is acting with us and draw a profile according to what they see. For some we are cursed, for others we are gods, but what really matters is what we are to God and what He is to us.

II. THE DECLARATIONS OF FIRE.

The barbarians were polytheists and the “justice” to which they refer was personified in the goddess “Dike” who, according to their beliefs, intervened to punish evildoers (Acts 28:4). Paul was within the divine purpose and circumstances created possibilities for him to act in the name of the Lord.

Between dry sticks.

Drawing here a parallel of spiritual life, we understand that to be “dry” is to be lifeless (Ezek 37:11; Mk 11:12-14; 20:21). Note that the fire was already lit and Paul was carrying dry sticks to add them to the fire and this would increase (Acts 28:2). The viper among the dry sticks is a symbol of Satan's action in a life without fruit and without fellowship (30:19). When this life is brought into the fire of God's presence, the heat of the Holy Spirit generates discomfort, causing the enemy to manifest and retreat. The anointing that was on Paul's life was stronger than the venom of the serpent and so it is with everyone who is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 10:19; Mk 16:17; Eph 6:16).

Viper grasped in hand.

The fact that the viper bites Paul's hand teaches us how Satan tries to stop us, making useless of our work tools, which, in this case, were Paul's hands (2Co 10:4; Acts 28:3). The bite didn't just happen because the viper fled the fire, it was a retaliatory blow, a last blow before defeat. In several cases of liberation and spiritual battle, retaliation is certain, so we must be prepared like Paul, who did not care about the viper, immediately threw it into the fire, which is its place (Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10).

Wonders on the island of Malta.

Paul did not allow rejection and criticism to frustrate God's projects in his life. Publius, the chief of the island of Malta, was the main Roman representative of that island. His father was sick and Paul had the opportunity to exercise his gift of healing and bring him comfort. After being informed about the miracle, the other inhabitants of the island who were sick also came and were healed by the hands of Paul (Acts 28:9).

III. REVIVAL AND PROVISION.

Experience teaches us that great trials are signs of great wonders on the part of our God. After the battle with the viper, Paul becomes the hope of those natives and, in gratitude for the blessing achieved, they both honored and supplied the apostle's needs (Acts 28:9, 10).

The wind of the Spirit.

The Spirit propelled Paul to Malta and what for many was a great trial, for God it was an opportunity to act with his Servant. Paul would never get there if it weren't for the force of contrary winds (Acts 27:4). He wasn't in his plans to be in Malta; His target was Rome (Acts 23:11). That viper did not bite anyone other than Paul, it was his action that revealed it and because of this incident a revival and the glorification of the name of Jesus was triggered.

The divine provision.

We gain credibility when we connect with individuals and show a genuine interest in helping them. By touching the hearts of the people on that island, Paul and the entire crew were provided for their needs (Ac 28:10). Look at your hands! Shake your hands. What do you have in your hands? Nothing, because the storm took over. Shake your hands and be ready to see what God will be putting on them. More important than full hands is to see how God can use those empty and scarred hands to heal the sick, perform miracles and embrace those who need hope (Rom. 4:18).

The purpose of God's supernatural power.

The moment people saw the viper clinging to Paul's hand, they drew their own conclusions, misinterpreting that situation. If at this very moment Paul was not aware of his mission and firm in the faith, the comments could alter his situation. Why did Paul shake the viper in the fire? Because he knew who he could trust. When we trust in God and remain faithful to His Word, He turns shame into honor and scarcity into abundance (Is 61:3; Acts 28:10).

CONCLUSION.

Nothing will happen to us until God does to us what he has determined to do. What will motivate this is our attitude towards each new stage we face. Let's shake hands, throw the viper into the fire, and walk steadily into the next phase of our lives.

 

Posted by: Pb. Ademilson Braga/ Lucilene adaptations

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