The Storms Of Life Series

Acts 27:21-44 THE STORMS OF LIFE

1. THE FACT OF THE STORM IS TO BE EXPECTED - 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. Paul suffered Physically, Materially, Emotionally, Spiritually.

John Newton : "Be gone, unbelief, My Saviour is near,

And for my relief will surely appear.

By prayer let me wrestle and He will perform,

With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.

2. THE FORCE OF THE STORM IS TO BE ENDURED.

It's SEDUCTION - 13 when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after

It's SEVERITY - 14 a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

It's STRUGGLE - Their Heedlessness, Helplessness; and Hopelessness.

It's STRAIN - 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared,

and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

3. THE FAITH IN THE STORM IS TO BE EXPRESSED.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me

GOD'S PRECEPTS - Bring Protection - 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. We are immortal in the will of God

GOD'S PRESENCE - Brings Peace - 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

GOD'S PROMISE - Brings Persuasion - 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

A. God's Person - lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee

B. God's Position - 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

C. God's Proclamation - 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul

D. God's Plan - 24 thou must be brought before Caesar:

GOD'S POWER - Brings Proclamation - 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

I believe God - Regardless of The Wind, The Waves, The Weather.

GOD'S PEACE - Brings Purpose - 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

GOD'S PRAISE - Brings Profit -

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

GOD'S PURPOSE - Brings Preservation - 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

4. THE FAILURE OF THE STORM IS TO BE EXPERIENCED

44 And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Three Christian brothers met one day, To speak of things divine;

They had so much of Christ to say, With joy their faces shine.

The first one said, `My brothers dear, By virtue of Christ's blood,

My heart retains no guilty fear, I now have "Peace with God".'

The second brother answered bold, `You lag on heaven's road;

I grasp the truth with higher hold, I have the "peace of God".'

The third dear brother drew up tall; He laughed and scarce could cease:

`My brothers dear, I beat you all— I have the "God of Peace.”

They all had peace, they all were right,

But peace in diverse measure; The third had scaled the highest height

Of Heaven's exalted pleasure. - T. Baird

Till the storm passes over, Till the thunder sounds no more,

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;

Hold me fast; let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.