Anchor 3

Anchor

Week 3: When the Storm Comes

The storms of life are coming, and when they do, only Jesus will prevail as the firm and secure anchor.

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27, Acts 27:1-28:10

Introduction

Welcome church! Today, as we continue our Anchor series I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve already covered together. In week 1 we introduced Hebrews 6:19 and the idea of being anchored to hope. Last week we talked about the necessity of having a firm and secure hold on the anchor of hope. And today we are going to speak bluntly about the fact that we live in a world where storms will come, which highlights the necessity of having an anchor.

It’s not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. The storms are coming and there will be adversity, suffering, and pain. When we are faced with any of these we need to be prepared beforehand, ready for whatever may come our way.

I can’t imagine a ship ever leaving port without an anchor on hand… So why are so many of us just floating through life with no real direction, no greater plan for adversity, and no anchor on board? Maybe we don’t see the need for an anchor, maybe we’ve never really had to plan ahead, or maybe we’ve had a relatively easy life and we don’t think too often about hardship or suffering.

Whatever the case may be, it’s not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. When the storms come, what are you going to do?

Thankfully, Jesus had some thoughts on the matter.

Main Teaching

Last week we looked at Matthew chapter 6 and how it relates to the hope we have in the kingdom of God. This week, we’re going to take a look at Matthew chapter 7 and how it relates to having hope in the midst of a storm.

Read Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:24–27 NKJV

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

In this section of scripture, Jesus is putting an exclamation point on the previous teaching in Matthew chapters 5-7, which is called the Sermon on the Mount. There are many who believe that this is, for many reasons, the greatest sermon ever preached. For hundreds of years it has been commented on, scrutinized, picked apart, and had countless books written about it. And at the conclusion of Jesus’ greatest sermon, he gives us this short section at the end of chapter 7 which compares 2 builders.

One of whom builds on solid rock and the other who builds on sand.

Make a Choice

In both cases, the builders heard the words of Jesus. Unfortunately, only one builder acted upon them and responded to the teaching of Christ. A.T. Robertson said in Word Pictures in the New Testament, "Hearing sermons is a dangerous business if one does not put them into practice…" And I think we would all agree that it’s easy enough to listen to something, harder to really dig in and hear, and even harder to put what you’ve heard into practice.

And yet it would seem this is the exact choice Jesus lays out for us at the end of Matthew chapter 7. We’ve got to hear and respond to His teachings.

EXAMPLE OF LISTENING WITHOUT RESPONDING

Like I said, it’s easy enough to listen, harder to hear, and even more difficult to put what you’ve heard into action.

But if this resonates with you then be encouraged about this fact; even the closest disciples of Jesus, who traveled and lived with him, took years upon years to really put into practice all the things they’d learned. So, there is grace for the process and at the same time, there’s encouragement to listen and respond. Choose to be like the wise builder who built on solid rock and not like the foolish builder who built on sand.

That way, when the storms do come, which they will, you can make the most of it knowing your hope is firm and secure in Christ.

Sufficiently Supplied

This next story is a longer one, but it highlights the beauty and freedom of living life anchored on Christ. It should come as no surprise that the story comes from the missionary journey of Paul the Apostle, who said in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” For Paul, that contentment included being shipwrecked at sea and stranded for months on a strange island. Here’s how the story begins:

Read Acts 27:1-11

Acts 27:1–11 NKJV

1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. 7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. 9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

In this first part of the story, we learn Paul is a prisoner and is being transported via ship to Italy. By verse 9, after many exchanges, we learn that the journey has already been a difficult one and that they had lost “much time.” Then in verse 10 Paul says, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Paul is not saying, if disaster comes, he’s saying when disaster comes. But, as you’d imagine, they don’t listen to him and they keep going along their way.

This exchange reminds me of one of the most sobering Proverbs you’ll read which says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” - Proverbs 29:1… Why are we so stubborn to the wisdom of others? Why don't we just build our proverbial homes on solid rock? Why didn’t the centurion listen to Paul’s warning on the ship?

Read/Skim Acts 27:13-44

Acts 27:13–44 NKJV

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.” 27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 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 skiff and let it fall off. 33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

In this section we see the storm comes, the ship is wrecked, and all the people involved are terrified except for Paul who has complete faith and assurance that all will end well.

As the story transitions to Acts chapter 28 we learn the island they’ve been stranded on is Malta, “where the islander showed unusual kindness.”

Read Acts 28:1-6

Acts 28:1–6 NKJV

1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

A venomous snake darts out of the campfire and bites Paul, and still he seems unbothered by it all, shaking the snake off his hand. The people are suspicious then amazed and finally in awe.

Read Acts 28:7-10

Acts 28:7–10 NKJV

7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

As the story comes to a close, Paul meets the local Roman official and proceeds to start a healing ministry on the island of Malta where their ship has wrecked and everyone is stranded. After 3 months another ship had been secured and as the crew was ready to leave, the people of Malta “honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.”

Through this story we see what can happen when you’ve made a choice to build your home, your life, on Jesus. We see what can come from a life that is firm and secure, anchored to Jesus.

Here are a few things I saw in the story, and maybe you’d add some others:

Paul was completely content through the violent storm, the shipwreck, and being stranded. In fact, he seemed to take it all in stride and never once complained that his plans were ruined. He was very open handed through it all.

Paul took advantage of the time he had while on Malta. He preached the gospel and healed the sick. He could have pouted and moped for 3 months, but instead he made the best of the situation and treated it as an opportunity instead of a hindrance.

God supplied, through the people of Malta, everything the crew needed. They had food, a place to stay, a new ship, and the provision to continue their journey. God worked it all together for good (Romans 8:28).

Through the storms, shipwrecks, snakebites, and sufferings of life you can trust God will be faithful. He will work all things, according to His will and purpose.

So when the storms come, choose Him.

Choose His ways above all others.

Don’t stiffen your neck and reject good wisdom.

And like Paul, who knows where the journey may take you. You just might end up on a remote island somewhere for 3 months, ministering to people and growing in fellowship with others.

Conclusion

As I’ve mentioned many times today, it’s not a matter of if the storms of life come, it's a matter of when they come. Will you be ready? Will you have a firm and secure anchor for your soul?

I can’t imagine a ship ever leaving port without an anchor on hand… So why are so many of us just floating through life with no real direction, no greater plan for adversity, and no anchor on board?

Maybe that’s you today.

Maybe you don’t see the need for an anchor.

Maybe you’ve never really had to plan ahead, or maybe you’ve had a relatively easy life and you don’t think too often about hardship or suffering.

Whatever the case may be, and wherever you find yourself today, I want to encourage you to choose Jesus. Choose Him over any other thing, even if it sounds good, and sounds like a secure option. I can assure you, if it’s not Jesus, it’s not going to hold fast through the fiercest storms of life.

When the storm, or suffering, or adversity arrive, make sure you’ve got a firm grip on Christ… the solid rock.

Let’s pray together.

Invite people to commit or recommit their lives to Christ.