6 Pictures Of God’s Provision (Part 2) Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 40

6 Pictures of God’s Provision (Part 2)

Acts 27:27-44

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Last week we began our examination of chapter 27 with three pictures

• A picture of the journey to Rome (Paul’s final journey)

• A picture of greed and Godly counsel (man’s choices vs. God’s way)

• A picture of a deceptive calm and great courage (Paul’s boldness in a storm)

- KEY: The testimony of faith in God is enduring to the end; through the trials!

-- Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-13, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

- Paul’s declaration was that he knew (intimate) God’s faithfulness!

• Even in the midst of this pending trial in Rome, God would be faithful

• Even in this disastrous storm, with a shipwreck ahead, God is (still) good

• Even in face of a no-win situation, God still wins if you belong to Him!

- Today we will finish this dramatic story with what I hope will be two things:

-- An understanding of who God is and a strengthening of our faith in Him

-- Truly, if we will lean into this I believe it will help us this week …

- Read Acts 27:27-44 / Pray

Point 1 – A picture of man’s way vs. God’s way of salvation

- 14 days have passed since Paul told them they should not have left Fair Haven

-- Lost somewhere in the Med, they figured (sensed) they were near land (v27)

-- Logical conclusion: “We’ve got to be close to someplace by now!”

- These men would have been terrified of crashing on the rocky shore

-- A shipwreck in the middle of the night would mean certain death!

-- They even knew (by measuring the depth) they were approaching land (v28)

-- So they dropped anchor and prayed for daylight – simply hoped for the best

- But don’t miss this, these men then decide that waiting was not worth it! (v30)

-- They plot their own rescue, thinking they could solve this by themselves

-- But they forgot about Paul’s declaration of God’s promise (re-read v22-26)

-- When Paul learned of this, he spoke a word to them of warning (re-read v31)

- Understand: Mankind has been scheming our own way of rescue since Genesis

-- Worse: We have trying to figure out how to be our own master’s since birth

- EX: Think good things – attempt good deeds – be good to others – etc.

-- These are all “ok” things – but they will never rescue us from our sins!

-- The only rescue that brings hope is what has been promised/provided by God

-- John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

- So the commanders agreed to trust in Paul’s hope, and waited for daylight

-- They even released their way of escape (the lifeboat) and trusted in Paul’s faith

- TR/APP: We must never miss the application for us right now …

-- Today, we will celebrate the baptism of someone who has trusted in the Lord

-- That trust BEGAN with God’s promise to rescue, but we have to accept it

-- This is where the tie into the story must be focused … it is all God’s work!

Point 2 – A picture of fear (or hunger) vs. Godly trust

- The enslavement that fear can have on people can be ruthless and unrelenting

-- For 14 days they have been lost at sea, battered by a storm that will not let up

-- But, despite these terrible conditions – do you see who is not phased?

-- Paul! Why? Because He has the promise of God – his trust is unwavering

- Let’s chat … What does this look like?

-- When the storms of life are raging, we must hold to the promises of God

-- Personal: Been without a job for going on 2 months … God is still able!

-- Why? Because He promised to finish what He started … despite my efforts!

-- Is it frustrating? ABSOLUTELY! Scary? 100%! But … where is my trust?

- Here, Paul extends an invitation to these men to eat – to physically trust God

-- See this: Paul invites them to enjoy (read: use supplies) a basic necessity of life

-- Paul’s confidence is in God delivering, and even blesses them specifically

-- Note even the blessing (v35) – it is the preparation of the Lord’s Supper!