Good morning, everyone!
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
Stressed - Finding Encouragement in the Storm
Acts 27 vividly captures the perilous journey of Paul and his fellow passengers who endured a relentless storm at sea. For two harrowing weeks, they battled sickness and despair, losing all hope of survival. Today, many people feel similarly overwhelmed by the storms in their lives, losing hope amidst the chaos of the world. However, the Apostle Paul's story offers a powerful lesson in finding and sharing encouragement.
I. The Despair in the Storm (Acts 27:20):
Paul's fellow travelers were not only physically sick but also mentally exhausted and hopeless. In our lives, severe storms can make us lose sight of hope, just as these passengers lost sight of the sun and stars. With the myriad challenges in our world today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
II. The Ray of Encouragement (Acts 27:22-25, 33, 36):
Despite the bleak situation, Paul stands out as a beacon of encouragement:
Verse 22: Paul urges everyone to keep up their courage, promising that no lives will be lost.
Verse 25: Paul’s faith shines through, “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.”
Verse 33: Paul encourages them to take some food, which they do, leading to a collective boost in morale (verse 36).
III. The Need for Encouragement:
Everyone we meet is fighting a hard battle. Those without Christ are described as having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). They desperately need the hope that only Christ can provide. Additionally, Christians, too, need encouragement to avoid falling into discouragement, a powerful tool Satan uses to derail believers.
IV. Becoming Encouragers:
Paul’s experience teaches us two vital lessons:
Receiving Encouragement from God: To pass on encouragement, we must first experience it ourselves.
Passing on God’s Encouragement: Once encouraged, we should share it with others.
V. Seven Ways to Receive God’s Encouragement:
Being with God’s People:
Paul wasn’t alone; he had faithful companions like Aristarchus and Luke. Their presence provided significant encouragement (Acts 27:4; 19:29; 20:4; Col. 4:10).
We are part of the body of Christ, where mutual care and support are vital (1 Cor. 12:12-27).
Remembering God’s Presence:
Paul was reminded of God’s presence through an angel (Acts 27:23).
We have Christ’s promise of His continual presence (Matt. 28:20).
Knowing We Are God’s Possession:
Paul belonged to God, who cares for His valuable possessions (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Understanding We Are God’s Servants:
Viewing ourselves as God’s servants helps us stay encouraged, knowing He looks out for His own (Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 13:15-16).
Remembering God’s Promises:
Paul was assured by God’s promise that he would stand before Caesar (Acts 23:11; 27:24).
God's promises are reliable and offer immense encouragement (Isa. 43:1-3).
Believing in God’s Answer to Prayer:
God granted Paul’s prayer for the safety of everyone on board (Acts 27:24).
Praying for others, especially during storms, can lead to their salvation and our encouragement.
Having Faith in God:
Paul’s faith in God’s word kept his courage intact (Acts 27:25).
Believing in God’s promises, despite our circumstances, brings encouragement (Mark 4:39-41; Heb. 11).
Consider the story of Florence Chadwick, a long-distance swimmer.
In 1952, she attempted to swim the 26 miles between the California coastline and Catalina Island. After about 15 hours, a thick fog set in, and Florence began to doubt her ability. She gave up, only to find out that she was just one mile from her destination.
Two months later, she tried again. This time, despite the fog, she succeeded because she kept a mental image of the shoreline in her mind.
Similarly, we need to keep our eyes on the promises of God, even when we can't see the way ahead. His presence and His promises are like that distant shoreline, guiding and encouraging us to keep going.
Altar Call:
As we close, I want to extend an invitation. If you find yourself in the midst of a storm today, feeling hopeless and stressed, know that God offers encouragement and hope. Jesus Christ is the anchor that holds firm in every storm. If you haven't yet placed your trust in Him, today is the day to do so. He is ready to offer you peace, hope, and encouragement.
For those who already know Christ, but feel overwhelmed by life's storms, come forward. Let’s pray together, seeking God’s presence, remembering His promises, and renewing our commitment to be His servants.
Closing Prayer
Let’s bow our heads and pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the encouragement that comes from Your Word and Your presence. We ask for Your strength and comfort for those who are struggling today. Help us to fix our eyes on You, to remember Your promises, and to trust in Your unfailing love. May we become beacons of Your encouragement to others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
