HOW TO HANDLE A CRISIS!
INTRO:
There are three kinds of storms in life.
Storms that we bring on ourselves: Crisis that come as a result of our own decisions and actions
Storms that God causes: Like the flood the God created because of mans wickedness
Storms that other people cause: When you are the innocent party in a crisis that kind of storm is especially difficult to handle.
The question is, how do you deal with these crisis? How can you stay calm and maintain your confidence and courage, regardless of what happens.
Lets take a look at a Crisis. Acts 27:9-12
Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast.[a] So Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.
Paul has a tremendous desire to preach the Gospel in Rome, however I am sure he did not think he would be going as a prisoner aboard a ship.
The ship is headed from Palestine to Rome. The ship travels through the Mediterranean Sea and docks at the island of Crete. It is here that that God told Paul to advice the crew not to leave the harbor because there was going to be a great storm.
However, the sailors were impatient and wanted to get to a better harbor, so they ignored Paul’s warning and set sail anyway.
Impatience often gets us in the ship called trouble
I want this car, now,
I want this new house
I want this new furniture now.
I want to get married now.
I have spoken to many impatient people who end up in a crisis because they sailed right off pursuing their wants end ended up in a storm called crisis
The story is told of two little boys who were waiting for breakfast one morning. As their mother was preparing some pancakes, the boys began to argue loudly over who would get the first one
from the griddle. Their mother saw an opportunity to teach a lesson. She said, “If Jesus were sitting here, he would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’ The older of the two boys turned to the other and said, “Okay, I’ll let you be
Jesus this morning.”
Paul told those on the ship, Gentlemen, This voyage is going to be dangerous and if we travel it will bring great loss to this ship and the cargo and to our own lives (Acts 27:10)
But they sailed into the storm anyway. We get in a ship called “I wont listen to wisdom” and we set sail without listening to good ole mom or dad. I know everyone says I should not be
dating that girl or guy but I am going to do what I want to do. These people end up in a crisis then wander what is happening to me. Lets explore some ways we get into a crisis.
I. WE GULLIBLY FOLLOW THE WRONG PEOPLE!
You have Paul saying don’t go. Here you have others saying, come on lets go. Acts 27:11 states But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot
and of the owner of the ship.
When the titanic first hit the ice berg, many would not get into the life boats. They thought, I am safe in this big ship.Needless to say, when the ship started going down, many stated stampeding for the lifeboats. Many of the lifeboats left half empty. Many thought, I am much safer in this big ship than in one of those tiny little life boats out in the rough sea.
Why look at this vast world. Look at all the experts. Look at all this knowledge. What do you mean get in this little old church and get your bible out and follow God. Why I am safer in this big world than I am in this lifeboat called the church.
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in
himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
If you belong to Him… You ought to heed His Word…
If you belong to Him… You ought to do His Will…
If you belong to Him… You ought to obey His commands…
If you belong to Him… You ought to welcome His presence…
If you belong to Him… You ought to worship His Name…
If you belong to Him… You ought to lift Him up…
II. WE GET IN A CRISIS WHEN WE FOLLOW THE MAJORITY
Acts 27-12 informs us: Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on,hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.
We get into trouble when we follow the majority.
Remember when Moses was leading the children of Israel toward the promise land? The Majority wanted to turn back to Egypt. They were wrong!
We get ourselves in a mess when we are more concerned about the prevailing opinion or the most popular idea, or the latest trend then listening to the word of God.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. If they persecute me, they will persecute you also." (Jn. 15:19,20
People, a worldly consensus often means a deterioration in God’s holy standards of righteousness and truth.
During the boxer revolution: 10 girls were marched before a Chinese firing squad. They were told to walk over the cross and deny their faith in Jesus and they would be set free. The first three girls stepped up on the cross, walked all over it and denied Jesus. The next girl would not they killed her. The six remaining all trusted Jesus and did not follow the crowd and died for their faith.
III. WHEN WE FOLLOW OUR FEELINGS WE CAN END UP IN A
CRISIS.
Acts 27: 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
Notice they felt that gentle south wind blowing. I mean what could be better for a nice breeze blowing for a pleasant cruise.
The circumstance just seemed so favorable! If God says No, you will end up in a crisis when you go on the feelings of the gentle south wind.
When You decide what is in your best interest based on circumstances and how you feel rather than on the will of God, you are going to end up ship wreck.
Thing may appear ok right now. But I can assure you that our desire for instant gratification will lead you in a direction you will later regret.
Feelings can be deceiving.
Illustrate about man and women wanting a good night sleep.
I have heard people say, it must be ok, I feel so good about it.
Remember in the 1970’s the song that said, It can’t be so wrong when it feels so right.
People develop a hunger for things and feeling for things they have not right to have.
Follow God over feelings Faith comes by hearing his word not by feelings.
I have counseled many who thought they had obtained what they wanted only to be cast out into the sea of despair.
IV. WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN IN A CRISIS:
1. DON’T DRIFT:
Acts 27:14-15 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. 15The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along
The first thing we do when we are caught in storm is drift. We get caught letting goal of our dreams, our directions, our goals. We forget our values and start drifting.
The waves beat you back and forth and you drift aimlessly The strong currents of life make you feel hopeless and you ask whey keep on trying? So you find yourself going with the flow.
2. DON’T DISCARD:
Acts 27:18-19 1We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.
When a crisis emerges, we first start to drift, then we start discarding things from our lives.
In Acts 27:38 They then throw their food overboard, then they finally throw themselves overboard and started swimming to shore V.43-44)
We are under pressure and we throw off the ship of our life’s those things that we really need. Like prayer, church, relationships dreams, and we throw away the values we learned as a child
3. DON’T DISPAIR
Acts 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved
They despaired. You have thrown things out and now you are ready to throw in the towel in desperation. And despair. People that lose hope forget that God is in control.
V. ANCHORS FOR A CRISIS
:
Why was Paul so confident on board a ship headed in a storm destined for disaster?
Notice what they finally did? Acts 27:29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight
There are three anchors that can lift you up on the rock of stability.
1.GODS PRESENCE; Acts 17:23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid,
2.GODS PURPOSE: Acts 17:24 God said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you God had a plan for Paul and that temporary storm a sea was not going to keep God from completing his plan for
Paul
3.GOD’S PROMISES Acts 27:25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me
Conclusion:
Some of you are are going thru devastating crisis.
Your problems are overwhelming. You may think you are going down for the last time.
God says to you: You may lose the cargo, you may lose the tackle, you may lose the ship. You may even get wet. BUT YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT!
· Drop your anchor down right now on the presence of God
· You drop your anchor down right now on the purpose of God.
· You drop your anchor down right now on the promises of God.
By the way, what every happen to Paul and all the men on the ship?When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground. All 276 people jumped overboard and got safely to LandAnd by the way: You are going to make it safely to Land too!!
