“Picking Up Sticks”

Acts 28:2

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

1. Meet needs through acts of unusual kindness.

vs. 3–6

³Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

1. What do we do?

   vs. 3a

   Paul gathered a pile of brushwood …

   1. Simple!
   2. Just pick up sticks!
      1. _______________________
      2. _______________________
      3. _______________________
      4. _______________________
2. Dangers of “Picking Up Sticks”

   vs. 3b–4

   ³ … as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

   1. You might get bit by:
      1. Criticism
      2. Lack of appreciation
      3. Judgment
3. How do we handle judgment?
   1. Shake it off.
   2. Then people will change their minds.

1. Let’s keep the fire of God’s love burning at Tempe Nazarene Church!
2. Let’s all commit to be used by God by picking up sticks for the kingdom!