SHIPWRECK
Text: Acts 27:27-44
Introduction
1. Shipwreck
Flooded by the wind of doubt
Shipwreck
It seems there will be no way out
Stranded in a wretched place
Where is the grace that once could be found? (Shipwreck, Paul Clark).
2. So far, we have talked about God being with us in the storm. But is He with us in the shipwreck? When things don’t go the way we want them to, is God still there?
3. Read Acts 27:27-44
Transition: Let’s ride along with Paul and the others in the shipwreck
I. Gave Thanks to God
A. In the past couple of sections, we have seen Paul begin his voyage to Rome. We have seen bad weather go from bad to worse. In today’s text we see matters deteriorate. Yet Paul remained steadfast in his belief that God would save him and all of those on board with him, and that he would go to Rome and stand before Caesar.
B. In vv. 27-29 it says, “About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria, the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep. 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.”
1. Luke begins by telling us that they had been through this terrible storm, and so far, it had lasted fourteen days! Can you imagine being out at sea in a terrible storm for two straight weeks?
2. Furthermore, they were totally at the mercy of the elements. The ship was literally “being driven” across the sea.
3. Then the sailors sensed that they were near land. They dropped a weighted, marked line into the water. At first it told them the water was 120 feet deep and then later it was 90 feet deep.
4. Based on the calculations cited by Luke and proven by modern science, within two weeks they we be at what is known today as St. Paul’s Bay.
5. Then the sailors let down four anchors from the stern of the ship and prayed for daylight. Now, you might think this is a good thing that they were praying. Unfortunately, they were not praying to the same God as Paul.
C. You might think that at this point they were all in this together. Well, not everyone! In vv. 30-32, Luke tells us, “Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.”
1. The sailors wanted to abandon everyone else. They lowered the lifeboat, pretending that they were going to lower more anchors, but they were really planning to make a run for it.
2. Somehow, Paul knew about their plan, whether he heard them talking about it, or the Holy Spirit told Paul, he knew they were up to no good.
3. So, Paul went to Julius and told him what they planned to do.
4. He said that they would need their ability and experience to survive the shipwreck.
5. So, the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
D. Now look at what Paul does next. In vv. 33-37 it says, “Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—37 all 276 of us who were on board.”
1. As the morning was approaching, Paul encouraged everyone to eat.
2. They no longer had a lifeboat, so they were going to need the strength to swim to shore.
3. They hadn’t eaten in two weeks, and they were probably all weak. So, Paul said, “eat something!”
4. Now, notice how Luke phrases what Paul did next. He says, “Paul took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke a piece off and ate it.” Remind you of anything?
5. He was celebrating communion. This sounds exactly like the kind of thing Jesus would do.
6. So, everyone had their spirits lifted and began to eat — all 276 of them.
7. Some people claim that this was too large a number to be on board. But Josephus, the Jewish historian, wrote of being on a ship headed for Italy with more than 600 on board. So, ships of this size were not uncommon in those days.
E. Next Luke tells us, “After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard. 39 When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.”
1. After they ate, the crew threw the rest of the cargo overboard to make the ship as light as possible.
2. When the sun came up, they were able to see the shore and thought they could get to the shore by running the ship on the shore.
3. So, they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders by cutting off the ropes that held the rowing oars in place, and raised a small sail, and headed for the shore.
4. Unfortunately, they ran aground on a sandbar. Modern research has confirmed that there is a shallow channel that is only a couple hundred yards wide.
5. They could go no further, and the waves were hitting the exposed rear of the ship. It didn’t take long for the ship to begin to fall apart.
F. Next, Luke tells us in vv. 42-44, “The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.”
1. The Roman soldiers were responsible with their lives if the prisoners escaped. So, they wanted to kill all the prisoners.
2. However, Julius was so fond of Paul that he wouldn’t let the other soldiers go ahead with their plan.
3. He then encouraged everyone who could swim to jump overboard and head for shore.
4. Those who couldn’t swim grabbed whatever they could get their hands on that floated.
5. Everyone made it safely to shore. They all survived, which fulfilled Paul’s prophecy that they would all live.
6. For both the Greeks and the Romans, it is believed that anyone who survived a disaster at sea was proof of their innocence.
Transition: So, what does this teach us?
II. Thanking God for the Shipwreck
A. Yes, God is with us in the shipwreck!
1. What? You mean God makes us go through rough times? Yes, he does!
2. Yes, he will come like the sunrise
Proclaiming the birth of the day
Then the dark will be consumed
And peace will resume
And the shipwreck is washed away (Shipwreck, Paul Clark).
3. “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Rom. 8:35-37).
4. Trust me, Tina and I have been through more than our share of shipwrecks. But every time God was there with us to comfort, guide, direct, and teach us.
5. That last part – teach is the key. God teaches us from the shipwreck, and the lessons we learn will help us further down the road.
6. So, believe me, God is with you in the shipwreck!
B. Don’t forget to worship God in your shipwreck.
1. “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off.” (Acts 16:25-26).
2. This wasn’t the first time Paul worshipped during difficult circumstances. Now, Luke doesn’t tell us everything that Paul did when things got bad, but I think I could make a reasonable argument that it was a regular practice of his.
3. And Paul wasn’t the only one. “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.” (Acts 5:41).
4. Pastor, have you lost your mind? We’re supposed to thank God when things are bad. Well, yes! That’s what the Bible to tell us to do!
5. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4).
6. Let your shipwreck become an opportunity for GREAT JOY!
7. Worship God in the midst of your shipwreck and He will teach you and make you stronger!
Conclusion:
What’s the point preacher? Worship God in the midst of your shipwreck, thank Him for the good He is doing in your life, and allow it to be an opportunity for great joy!
