BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday Morning
January 28, 2001
11:00 A. M.
Intro: Storms come into our lives for several reasons, how we react in those situations reveals our faith and level of spiritual maturity.
Core: In the book of acts we see how Paul reacts in a storm. He knows God’s will and tries to warn those around of impending danger. Just as we warn those around us of the danger of not trusting Christ as savior.
Body I. 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." (11) "Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul."
A. Paul warns that the ship will be in peril if they set sail.
1. The Centurion listens to the ships’ captain.
2. Just as the world listens to those in it.
B. Paul has heard the Lord.
1. He is going through a real test.
2. He stands out from the crowd.
3. He gives a warning, which they wish later they, had heeded.
C. The Spiritual superiority of Paul is evident.
1. There is no confusion in Paul’s life.
2. No uncertainty,
3. No frustration.
4. He is balanced in his personality.
D. Paul knew the way he was going.
1. Paul’s message when arriving in Rome, was "this one thing I do,"
2. These things are evident in his behavior, throughout the voyage.
3. Paul lived his life as a man in touch with God.
II. The captain like all mankind was depending on self and the wisdom of man.
A. People with years of experience like himself had sailed these waters for years.
1. Paul was looking to God.
2. Later in this crisis Paul would confess, "I believe God."
3. This seen in (v. 25) notice he didn’t say "I believe in God" but that "I believe God."
B. Life is a great sea and our lives are like little boats.
1. We can sail our boats in many situations by human suppositions and wisdom, if we choose too.
2. But keep in mind there is a storm looming.
3. The tragic thing, which occurs, is that, amid confusion, world chaos, and darkness, most men are still guessing.
4. There are thousands of human plans out there for world peace, solving hunger, ending poverty, helping all mankind to have a better life.
5. Yet everyone, of man’s plans is failing.
6. While if we look to God, "All things work together for good."
III. Then as we see in verse 14 the great storm hits.
A. A great Northeast wind began to blow.
1. It was a "tempestuous wind"
2. It was in this storm that Paul’s warning, which went unheeded, is realized.
B. Paul and all those with him are caught.
1. Sometimes the righteous, suffer with the sinner.
2. Sometimes our prayers are answered through storms. Romans 1:10 - 12, " Making request, if by any means now at length I might have prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you." (11), For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; (12) That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
3. With great desire to do God’s will storms come. Acts 19:21, "After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
4. The greatest trial Paul had faced came in Jerusalem, which lead to this journey.
C. It was in that time of darkness, despair and seeming defeat that God spoke in a mighty way to Paul.
1. Giving him great assurance that he would attain his goal and desire, to arrive in Rome.
2. We see this in Acts 23:11 which states, "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
3. The Lord assured him that he would reach Rome.
4. Not only would he reach Rome but also, he would preach the gospel message to them.
IV. Then in acts 27:15 - 18 we see the intensity of the storm grow.
A. The people were afraid on board that ship.
1. They knew they were going down.
2. They began to throw it all in.
3. They were ready to quit.
4. That is how some believers get when hard times come.
B. Dependence on the world or what is seen weighs more to some than God’s word.
1. Believers see the bleakness of the situation and heed the doubt that comes.
2. But, take Paul’s advice and be of good cheer. (v.22)
C. God is always in control of the situation.
1. Giving up for the believer should never be an option.
2. These words of Paul should be a great encouragement to all on board.
D. The ship is sinking but not one life will be lost.
1. God revealed that they would end up on an island.
2. Paul believed God for he had been told, he would preach in Rome, therefore he would make it.
3. God saw them through this great storm.
4. The ship was tossed and broken but all the souls were saved.
E. But note in verse 31 all had to stay the course.
1. For all to survive all had to stick together.
2. For believers to survive we need to stick together.
3. We should never be ready to give up on doing God’s work.
4. Never giving up the ship, never abandoning her in her greatest time of storm.
F. The crew of that ship was abounding her.
1. They were doing something they never should have done.
2. Believers do the same thing.
3. Only in unity can we make it.
4. Only in unity can we survive.
5. Only by pulling together can we hope to keep going.
6. Yes the ship may be sinking but, God doesn’t want believers to abandon it.
G. Only when we follow God’s way can we have salvation.
1. If we want to be safe through the storm we must all stay on board.
2. Paul tells them to gain strength for the battle ahead in verse 34.
3. We need to be strengthened for the battle.
4. The ship sank but the battle for souls was still just beginning.
V. In Christian work we need to use good common sanctified sense.
A. More than any other area of our life.
1. How truly foolish believers are when they say they trust God and yet are ready to abandon the ship.
2. The Lord expects us to use some common sense.
B. Paul gave thanks and broke bread.
1. Then he began to eat.
2. In those great times of struggle we as believers need to seek spiritual nourishment.
3. We can be in the middle of a storm and still be in God’s will.
4. But at the same time He will provide a safe harbor for us in those difficult times.
Conc. When God starts a work only He can finish it. We don’t have that right; we can’t stop God’s work because things seem bleak. We can only continue the battle, continue the goal of seeking souls. Even when the ship sinks and is torn asunder God can keep His work going. We are never to submit to temptation, never are we to let fatigue, frustration or fear discourage our work for God. We must Reorganize our prayer life and spiritual walk, Remembering God is on our side and He is our strength and finally we must resist the temptation to abandon God’s work short of His will being accomplished.
