YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Opening Hymn: # 546 Closing Hymn: # 357/ #375
Offering Hymn: it 367 Scripture Reading: Jam.4:17; 1 Cor.9:19,20
Let us take a journey into the book of Acts chapter 27 and verse 10 where we will meet Paul the prisoner at Fair Havens giving advice to the centurion, the captain of the ship and the owner of the ship.
[Acts 27:10,11 ] And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the ship master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul
Paul was particularly pessimistic about leaving the confines of the port in Fair Haven. He saw nothing but destruction for the ship and the crew. But what could an old prisoner know compared with the old sea hands like the owner of the ship and the captain. These men were the doctors of the sea, and Paul a mere novice. Besides as far as the centurion was concerned Paul was merely making an attempt to delay his arrival in Rome. So often the men of the world place evil motives to the actions or statements of Godly men. In ordinary circumstances anyone would go with the professionals, but Paul was not an ordinary man. He was a man in touch with God. The centurion did not know Paul and he did not know the God with whom Paul communicated but this will not last for long. The centurion sided with what his rational mind told him. Indeed, the carnal mind cannot understand the things of God.
He never gave two thoughts to Paul’s advice rather he took the advice of those he thought were more knowledgeable. But God has said in 1 Cor 1:27
[1Cor 1:27 ]But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Paul may not have gone to the School of the seamen but he was in touch with the One who made seas. He was in touch with the One whom the Psalmist declares causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; maketh lightnings for the rain; and bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Ps. 135: 7
The Centurion obviously did not understand this!!
Brothers and sister we need not lack for any knowledge or wisdom for any task that God has given us to do James tells us in Chp.1 : 5
If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Paul did not count himself inferior to the more able and knowledgeable seamen but as God gave him knowledge, he declared it with confidence. Paul did not focus on the lack of seaman credentials. Rather he trusted in the information God had given him. We must not focus on what we lack; rather we must focus on the task and leave the rest to God.
For any problem that we may perceive he will have the answer.
For any difficulty he will have the solution.
All we need to do is trust Him.
All the pointers seem to go against Paul’s advice:
Fair Haven was not the best port to winter in-Phoenix was just a few miles further down.
There was a gentle breeze blowing.
And so, they set out:
But as happens so often when men choose their own way rather than God's trouble sets in verses 14-20 tells us.
[Acts 27: 14 - 20] But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksand, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
These men had become hopeless. They had now found themselves in a situation that they could not handle. Thoughts of seeing they loved ones again had completely vanished. To be in a position of complete helplessness is a very, very depressing experience. They had done everything that could be done; now they could do no more.
Now there was nothing more to be done but to wait on the inevitable. A feeling of total despair enveloped the ship as men look forward to the grim reaper of souls.
And so it was that the centurion who had listened to the wisdom of the world awaited his fate. The story could have ended here but it did not.
The bible tells us in verse 21 amidst all this Paul stood up!! Paul stood up!! Brothers and sister God is looking for men and women to stand up today!! In a world people are living in fear, many are living in despair and without hope God is looking for his people to stand up and make a difference. The bible says Paul stood up. When God calls on us to stand up, we stand.
In the work place;
In the church;
In the community;
In the classroom
No matter where we may find ourselves, we must respond to God’s message to stand and make a difference.
He declared in verse 22 Be of good cheer!!for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. Don’t be afraid, you will not die. What comforting words. Paul hits right home to the men’s fears. Don’t be afraid, you will live to see home again, to greet your wives and hug your children, to say hello to your neighbours and tell them about your adventure and about the God who saved you. Don’t worry!!
? Thank God, he had a man of God on board.
? One who knew the God who made the waves and the wind.
? The God who spoke and it was done and commanded and it stood fast.
? He had a man on board who knew the power of pray. James tells us in James 5:16
[Jms 5:16] The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Paul was the righteous man in this case. Brothers and sisters we have an awesome responsibility. Over and over again we witness the man of God saves the day.
Daniel and his friends save the Babylonian wise men
Joseph save Egypt and his family
Abraham saved his nephew Lot and his family.
In our hands lies the power of life or death. We can make a difference in people’s lives!!
? We can be the ears they will talk to!
? We can be the shoulder for them to cry on
? We can be the help that they need so desperately.
? We can bring encouragement into their lives.
? We can bring a feeling of acceptance and wellbeing where there was loneliness and most of all
? We can lead them to our friend Jesus Christ.
When Paul stood up all attention was focused on him. And then he pointed them to God!! The glory is not for us, the glory of our good works belongs to God. Oh yes, he had an attentive audience now!! Those who did not want to listen to him before were listening now He continued in verse 23-26:
[Acts 27:23-261 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
There was nothing special about Paul. Just as God answered him, he is willing to answer each of us. When the sailors thought that all was lost, when all hope was gone, God sent a message through his servant. Jesus was very serious when he said that we are the salt of the earth. Through us God is looking to bring cheer and happiness where there is sadness and gloom. He is looking to bring hope and joy where there is hopelessness and despair. But we must be willing vessels ready to go where we are most needed and perform which we would not ordinarily do rather than be willing to just sit where it is comfortable and convenient. Let me share a story with you about the impact one woman had on her family and a host of onlookers:
I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up.
inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around, I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky-blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.
He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.
I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."
We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. Author unknown
She didn’t do much but she made a tremendous difference in the lives of those two men and on-lookers.
Paul made an impact on everyone on that ship as well. A new resolve passed over them. Men whose arms were just weak became strong and they started all over again. They had a new lease on life, new possibilities were open to them and life was worth living after all. This is the sort of impact we can have on others if we get involve. If we allow God to use us to reach those that he wants to reach. Make a difference! Touch a life!
Paul was not a sailor, he was not a seaman but it was now left to him to inspire the people and renew their hopes. Paul's calmness and assurance arrested the attention of those on board; God's people must be ready to rise to the challenge in any situation: Ready to fill the breach and bring hope and courage to those who are lost, desperate and hopeless. We cannot be unionized workers thinking only of our job description. Our Job description comes from God only!! Paul chose to fill the breach. It was not his job to encourage, the captain should do that, it was not his job to save the ship, the captain should do that, but none of this matter when we are on God's work list. Acts 27:33-38
[Acts 27:33- 38] And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
So while those responsible for the safety of the ship and the passengers were trying save their own lives Paul was seeking to bring peace and good cheer to the hearts of everyone. The fact was that the people needed what he had to give and he seize the opportunity to present the God of heaven to them. I know that those ruffians, soldiers and sailors would never forget that journey and the role Paul played. They will never forget the God whom he called upon. And if they are lost it would be of their own doing and not Paul's. He did all that was in his power to do with the help of the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters yesterday is passed and the present is all we have. Take it in your hands and use it wisely for God would have placed you here for a reason only the future can tell. You can make a difference!! In every situation we must look to see how we can make a difference and bring glory to God. Things don't just happen:
Things Don't just Happen
Things don't just happen to us who love God;
They're planned by His own dear hand.
Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock.
Things don't just happen; they're planned.
We don't just guess on the issues of life,
We Christians just rest in our Lord.
We are directed by His sovereign will
In the light of His holy word.makes
We who love Jesus are walking by faith,
Not seeing one step that's ahead,
Not doubting one moment what our lot might be,
But looking to Jesus instead.
We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so,
For planning each care of our life,
Then giving us faith to trust Him for all,
The blessings as well as the strife.
Things don't just happen to us who love God,
To us who have taken our stand.
No matter the lot, the course, or the price,
Things don't just happen; they're planned
By Ester L Fields(before 1944)
