Enlarging The Kingdom
KINGDOM LIVING
Part 4: Enlarging The Kingdom
Acts 28:1-10 NLT
Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
1. THE OPPOSITION – The Bite
“...a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand...” (v. 3)
Sometimes the greatest attacks come when you’re doing the right thing. Not because you’re out of alignment, but because you’re on assignment.
The people accused Paul, misrepresenting him and judging him, but he kept his heart connected to the Lord.
People are watching how you handle the snake bites.
Key Insight: Don’t let the snake bite become your identity. Shake it off.
Paul didn’t panic. He didn’t defend himself. He didn’t write a blog post or clap back on social media. He simply shook it off into the fire.
What you do with the bite will determine what God can do with your influence.
Lesson: Opposition is inevitable, but how you respond is optional.
Don’t internalize every attack.
Don’t become the snake that bites others.
Some things are meant to fall off, not follow you.
Shake off what’s trying to stick to your soul.
2. THE INVITATION – The Open Door
“Publius... welcomed us and treated us kindly...” (v. 7)
After the bite, Paul receives hospitality. He could’ve pulled back, licked his wounds, sat in the shadows. But instead, he stepped into the invitation of connection. He didn’t let pain isolate him, he let it position him.
Publius’s father was sick. And guess what Paul does?
He lays the same bitten hand, now healed and empowered, on the sick man.
What once hurt you, God can use to heal others.
Key Insight: In the very place where the enemy tried to poison you, God will anoint you.
Lesson: Every attack is an opportunity in disguise. Don’t retreat, receive the invitation to keep moving forward.
3. THE MOVEMENT – The Kingdom Enlarged
“All the other sick people on the island came and were healed...” (v. 9)
God usually works through progression. The faithful stewardship of one thing, usually leads to the next opportunity.
One act of obedience turned into a revival. Malta, an island nation that had no idea who Paul was, encountered the power of the Kingdom through one man’s faithfulness.
I island nation of Malta was converted and remains a Christian nation to this day.
Kingdom Living enlarges the Kingdom, not through ease, but through endurance.
Lesson: God doesn’t need perfect conditions to release Kingdom power, He needs faithful people.
The same place where Paul was bitten became a place of blessing.
APPLICATION
Is there any place in your life where you’ve been bitten, and it’s cause you to be frozen?
Will you allow God to turn the pain into purpose?
God is moving, and He wants to use you in this moment!