Storms

STORMS

INTRODUCTION

The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She’d barely said "hello" when "ssssopp!" Chippie got sucked in. The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie -- still alive, but stunned. Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him. A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’d initially written about the event contacted Chippie’s owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."

If we are not careful how we deal with storms, we will be left sitting and staring out in space.

I. STORMS

A. They Come

1. They Come to us all.

Matthew 5:45 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth

rain on the just and on the unjust.”

2. They Come suddenly and unexpectedly.

Acts 27:13 “And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.”

3. They Come from different and often unsuspecting directions.

B. Worldwide

1. On the land.

2. On the sea.

3. In the desert.

4. In the valley.

5. In the mountains.

C. They Can Make Our Living Conditions Uncomfortable

1. Power outages.

2. Road blockage.

D. They Can Do Considerable Damage

More than one unsuspecting individual has even lost their lives due to storms.

E. Natural Storms vs. Spiritual Storms

II. STORM WARNINGS

A. Warning Signs

1. Darkening clouds

2. Distant thunder

3. Stirring in the wind.

B. Warnings Sounded

1. Speaking From Experience Or By Inspiration (Paul had experienced 3 shipwrecks.)

Acts 27:9 “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 27:10 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.”

2. By the “fast” here is evidently intended the fast which occurred among the Jews on the great day of atonement. That was on the tenth of the month Tisri, which answers to a part of September and part of October. It was, therefore, the time of the autumnal equinox, and when the navigation of the Mediterranean was esteemed to be particularly dangerous, from the storms which usually occurred about that time. The ancients regarded this as a dangerous time to navigate the Mediterranean. Barnes’ Notes

3. Paul exhorted, entreated, or persuaded them. He was somewhat accustomed to the navigation of that sea, and endeavored to persuade them not to risk the danger of sailing at that season of the year. Barnes’ Notes

C. Who Will You Believe?

Acts 27:11 “Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”

D. Sometimes You Don’t Have A Choice

Acts 27:1 “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.”

III. SAILING IN THE STORM

A. Friends In The Storm.

The first way God works in our lives in stormy times is by putting the right people in the right places at the right time. Matt Condon @sermoncentral

1. Luke (v.1) “we”-- Possible that Luke was allowed to go as Paul’s physician.

Wiersbe

--- Perhaps traveling as the ship doctor. David Guzik

2. Aristarchus (v. 2) --- Paul’s personal attendant.

a. Acts 27:2 “And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.”

b. He [Aristarchus] now appears to have attended him, not as a prisoner, but as a voluntary companion, choosing to share with him his dangers, and to enjoy the benefit of his society and friendship. He went with him to Rome, and was a fellow-prisoner with him there (Colossians 4:10), and is mentioned

(Philem.1:24) as Paul’s fellow-laborer. Barnes’ Notes

c. Some believe that in order for Aristarchus to travel with Paul on this journey, he had to become Paul’s personal slave! Matt Condon