Acts 27:13-44

OUTLASTING THE STORMS OF LIFE

 

Intro:  Someone said, “Tough times do not last, but tough people do!”  I don’t know about the last part of that statement, but I am certain about the first past.  Tough times do not last, but people with faith in the Lord do! You can outlast the storms of life and this passage gives us a little insight into how to do just that!

      Ill. Paul’s journey to Rome was filled with danger and the potential for destruction.  As they sailed toward Rome, their ship was engulfed in a tremendous storm and they all expected to die at sea.  Paul’s experiences at sea stand as an example for you and me.  As we journey toward Heaven, we sometimes must sail over stormy seas.  Sometimes, the sailing is smooth, v.13.  Most of the time, it is not, v.14!  Often the storms that rock our lives seem to threaten the very foundations that we stand upon.  Many times, these storms cause us to become discouraged and to want to give up.  I believe there is help here for everyone who is sailing one of life’s stormy seas tonight.  Let’s look into these verses and find the help we need as I preach on Outlasting The Storms Of Life.

 

  I.  v.13-20   STORMY TIMES ARE TIMES OF DESPAIR

A.  v.13  Deception - Calm seas fool us into believing that the storms will not come.  But, the Bible says they will - Job. 14:1; 5:7; John 16:33; Eccl. 5:15-17.)

B.  v.14-17  Disaster - When the severe storms come our way, we often feel as if events are out of our control, v.15, 17.  Many fall into discouragement and despair.  (Ill. Some of life’s disasters)

C.  v.18-19  Decision - The storm ought to make us take an inventory of our life and discard anything we do not need.  Ill. Nothing happens to a child of God that He has not allowed to grow us up in Him - Rom. 8:28, 2 Cor. 4:17.

D.  v.20  Desperation - (Ill. Even Luke gave up!)  When there is no daylight in your darkness, you may get to the place where you want to lay down and die.

 

 II.  v.29a         STORMY TIMES ARE TIMES OF DANGER

A.  The stormy times that we encounter in life have the potential to either make us break us.  They will either drive us to seek the Lord, or they will drive us away from Him.  What happens in your life is your decision!

B.  Ill. Job.  His example is a good one for us.  When he was squeezed by Satan, he shouted in the devils face - Job 1:20-22.

C.  Simon Peter gave us an example that is to be avoided.  When he was squeezed by life, he crumbled - Luke 22:31-32; Matt. 26:69-75.

D. You will either grow stronger, or be dashed upon the rocks of bitterness and unbelief.  It all comes down to who or what you look to in times of trouble!  (Ill. Man - any man - will fail you; you must put your faith in God and Him alone!)

 

III.  v.21-44   STORMY TIMES ARE TIMES OF DELIVERANCE

        Here is some positive help and hope for your storm!

A.  v.29b  Get Anchored - Paul tells us they cast out four anchors to secure the ship. They anchored their ship and were still terrified, Paul was not afraid.  The reason?  He was anchored deeper and he was anchored higher.  Notice four anchors that will hold you in any storm:

1.  v.23  The Presence Of God - Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5  (Ill. The Disciples - John 6:16-21.)

2.  v.24-25  The Promises Of God - His promises are steadfast and true - Rom. 4:21.  Notice some of the promises we have to assure us of total security.

                  a.  Brighter Days - Psa. 30:5

                  b.  Deliverance - Psa. 34:19

c.  Everything is for our Good - Rom. 8:18; 28; 32 Cor. 4:17

                  d.  Divine Grace - 2 Cor. 12:9

                  e.  Ultimate Glory - Rev. 21:4

(Ill. His promises are based in and on His Word.  It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, Psa. 119:89!)

3.  v. 24  The Providence Of God - God was working out His plan in Paul’s life and He is doing the same in yours!  It may be simple faith, but I still believe that God is Sovereign!  Psa. 57:1; Isa. 25:4. (Ill. Rom. 8:28; Jer. 29:11)

4.  v.44  The Performance Of God - Ill. Everyone made it safely to the shore.  Ill. God is able to work it all out!  He will get you through your storm and land you safely beyond it!

B.  v.30-40  Accept The Storm - Ill. These sailors listened to Paul and ate and went on with life.  There comes a time when we have to surrender to the Lord’s will and allow Him to have His way in us.  We can either bend under His hand, or he can break us.  The choice is entirely ours! (Ill. If a vine grows against a tree, either the winds will force the vine closer to the trunk; or the tree will shelter the vine from the wind.) (Ill. You don’t have to like it, but you do need to submit to God in it - 1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:10.)

C.  v.41-44  Await Your Deliverance - Their storm ended, yours will too!  Somewhere whether on this shore or on that shore, your storm will end.  Until it does, submit to the Lord, serve the Lord and know that you are going to make it, 1 Cor. 15:58!  God has never and never will lose even one of His little children!

 

Conc:  If your sea is rough tonight, I encourage you to cast your anchor upon the solid Rock and tie yourself up to Jesus right now.  He already knows about what you face, but He wants you to depend on Him for your need.  In His presence is the place where storms are conquered.