SERIES: The Book of Acts (Finishing Well)
TEXT: Acts 27:13-36
MESSAGE: “Weathering the Storm”
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Acts 26:29 he says, “…I pray to God…all who are listening to me today may become what I am…”
TEXT: Acts 27:13-32
“Greek literature…was filled with stories of shipwrecks and voyages…in the Greek imagination, the voyage was a metaphor for your life’s journey, and a storm was a metaphor for the evil and suffering and tragedies that come upon us. How you handle yourself in the storm is crucial to knowing who you are, to seeing what your character is, and to recognizing how you are going to address and navigate life itself.” — Timothy Keller
1. Face the storm (v. 20-26)
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”
2. Endure the storm (v. 27-32)
“When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.”
3. Above the storm (v. 33-36; 44)
“As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves…44 so it was that all were brought safely to land.”
TAKEAWAYS:
- Admit the reality of the storm
- Determine to hold tightly to God
“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” — Charles Spurgeon
- Remember God’s grip on you
“You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.” — Luke 21:17-19