Paul had been arrested. He had been tried in a false trial and he appeals unto Caesar as a Roman citizen. He was commanded to stand trial before Caesar. Troubles that place us in a no hope situation do come. From Paul’s life, we can see them come as a result of things that Paul had no control over. Paul had no choice in sailing on this ship at this time. And that leads me to believe that not all Christians whose lives end up shipwrecked could have avoided it.
The real truth is that some Christians lives are in a storm that is about to tear them apart, and they did not ask for it. This is why I can say, “Some steps into trouble, lead to no hope.” In verse 11, the centurion, the master, the owner could be called the experts and they all disagreed with Paul. The south wind blew softly which carried them across the water, in other words the circumstances we all go through. At times, our life is affected by the experts, by the majority, and by circumstances. The truth of the matter is trouble does come to Christian people. Those tempestuous winds come, and you never know when or where trouble will come. Job 5:7, “…man is born unto trouble.” 2 Corinthians 4:8, “we are troubled on every side.” Philippians 1:29, “but also to suffer for His sake.” Paul expressed a longing to know the fellowship of his suffering.
The subject matter today is what to do when trouble comes. How to find hope in the midst of trouble.
I. Get Alone with God
1. Acts 27:21-23
2. While others were stricken with fear and frustration, Paul was discussing the situation with God.
3. How else can you understand the why? What is God’s purpose for you being there?
a. You don’t need to talk about your trouble with man, why?
b. You and God discuss face to face your problem you’re in.
4. After long abstinence, verse 21. Paul said where he was with God, verse 23
5. He got alone with God, and he stayed there until he got an answer.
6. You stay with God until God gives you an answer and a reason and a purpose for what you are going through.
a. Paul said the next day, the storm still blowing, “…everything is going to be okay.” Verse 25.
b. Isaiah 40:31
c. You see, God could still the storm, God could have altered this boat trip. God was saying, “It is all right for you to be here.”
II. Trust His Presence
1. God is with me, even in the midst of the storm, verse 23.
2. How often does the bible tells us that God is with us? How often do we believe this when things are good? We only believe God is with us when times are good.
3. We see it in the sports game, is God only with the winners?
4. You see it in business. Is God only with the successful?
5. God said to Moses, “My presence shall go with thee.” Exodus 33:14
6. Yes, though I walk through the valley, thou are with me. Psalm 23
7. “I will never leave thee.” Hebrews 13:5
8. Where do we get the idea God is only with the winners on top, and not those on the bottom.
9. Seems we get the idea all the blessings are with winning and no blessings with losing.
10. Seems we have the idea God is only with the healthy and not with the sick.
11. Where do we get the idea that going to heaven is so bad?
12. As you read the Bible and find a Christian in trouble, God is with them.
a. Three Hebrew children
b. Daniel
III. Believe the Promises
1. Grab onto a promise of God and hold on tight.
2. Do you know most of the promises of God given to men were given to men who are in trouble?
3. Your future is just as bright as the promises of God.
a. Troubles cannot change one promise of God.
b. I don't care where I am, the promise of God for grant Adams are always the same.
c. His promise to be with me is just as true whether the sun is shining or not.
1) Whether in the tempestuous winds or in the calm of the night.
2) Whether in life or in death.
3) When I have money or when I'm broke.
4) When I feel good or when I feel bad.
5) The promises of God are true when I make the biggest, and most foolish mistakes.
4. Paul believed the promise that God said everything was going to be OK, verses 23-25
IV. Count Your Blessings
1. It is easy to believe the promise when there is no storm.
2. Paul believed and rejoiced in the middle of the storm.
a. Doctors come out, “I’m sorry, it is not what we thought.”
b. Nothing we can do about it.
c. God is still on your side.
3. Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name, Acts 5:40-42
4. What did Paul pray when he gave thanks?
a. Lord I am thankful I am still alive.
b. Lord I am thankful these other men are still alive.
c. Thankful we have some food to eat.
d. Thankful we have your promise everything is going to be okay.
e. Thank you Lord I have your promise and will be able to witness to Caesar.
5. Even in the deepest trouble there are things we can be thankful for. If you’re looking for it.
a. At times we major on minors.
b. We go through life with a spiritual gall bladder attack.
c. Faces so long, attitude so bad.
d. We never see the good things God has done.
e. We never stop to count our blessings.
V. Get Rid of the Excess Baggage
1. There are times in our life when trouble comes, we need to look deep in our heart and throw away the excess baggage.
2. It may be trouble does come from the way we live and the way we act.
3. Times trouble is God taking us to His woodshed.
4. Some of you are carrying too heavy of a load.
a. Some cannot be faithful to church.
b. So much to do you can’t read your Bible.
c. Don’t have time to pray.
d. Talking about everything except our Lord.
5. Some today need to lighten your load.
a. Need to throw some things overboard.
b. Helps sailing a little faster, helps to hold the right direction.
6. Many have so much aboard, they’re about to sink the ship.
7. If there is any wicked thing in me, let me lighten the load, Psalm 139:23-24
8. Trouble comes, but if you are saved, what trouble could possibly come, big enough to sink your ship?
9. What is the worst thing that can happen to you as a Christian?
a. I could die. What happens to Christians when they die? Heaven.
b. I could lose my health; Paul had a thorn in his flesh.
10. Some of you are going through troubles and you’re asking God will daylight never come? Is there any hope?
11. Do what Paul did.
a. Get alone with God.
b. Trust His presence.
c. Believe His promise.
d. Give thanks.
e. If you need to lighten the load, do so.
f. There is no trouble so big that a Christian can get into but what God can take care of. Yes, there is hope. To be lost, God cannot help you in your trouble, only to save you.
