Assigned Survival

Introduction

Survival is not guranteed.

*Open up with Chiketa’s cancer or Chris Henson’s health story, save the survival part for the end (teliological suspension)

Focus: This text teaches that God’s purpose for our lives creates pathways for deliverance, even in the worst of circumstaces.

Function: We should be careful to always consider God’s intervention in our mess as opportunities to thank God for giving our lives meaning.

Big Idea: If God’s not done, you’re not dead!

Background

Paul headed to Rome as he’s expressed interest in doing in Acts 19:21 where he makes the decision to go get to Rome with the Spirit’s aid as poopsed to his own mission initiatives. Interesting, because Paul has desired to go places before. He’s desired to go to Asia and Bithynia in chapter 16 but the Spirit didnt allow him. Here he is, finally on an assignment that the Spirit aids and he encounters some trouble.

He’s a prisoner

He’s on a ship in a storm

God’s assignment doesn’t require the agreement of others. (v. 9-10)

What do we do when we make sense, but were silenced?

People who don’t understand the assignment can try to deter you or deflect you.

Paul was riding as an opnionated prisoner in the presence of a centurion, captain, and owner.

Who has ignored you because of your status on the ship? Who have you overlooked because of their status on the ship? *put a generational correlation here

David, was the youngest brother overlooked at the crim and in the camp but was the only one willing to go to the battleground in the name of the Lord.

Maybe youre the youngest in your family and youre tired of people overlooking you. They used to take your toys and now they’re taking your joy. Maybe youre the newest at your company and you havent “put your time in” long enough to recognize that the company isnt operating to its full capacity. Maybe youre the oldest in your tribe and people think your outdated and antiquated with nothing to contribute to things as they are now and as they’re progressing. You’re the one needing to be taken care of when you used to take care of everyone else. Maybe you’re near retrement on that job and they no longer invite you to the board meetings, people are strategizing as to how to operate when youre gone when your office isnt even packed up. Maybe youre a woman in a male-dominated industry that has to endure the mysoginy Some of us know what its like to be in the status of the silenced.

The distinction between paul’s opinion and the other’s expertise or ignorance was that Paul’s opinion was not simply informed, it was prophetic.

God’s assignment doesn’t require your fully functioning ship. (v. 22)

How can we make it to shore without our beautiful ships?

Trying to save a sinking ship can sabotage your soul.

Matthew 16:26 “For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?”

God’s assignment does require a servant determined to believe. (v. 25-26)

When we are in a storm drifting amidst the waves of the sea, what are we to believe?

“…I believe God...”

But sometimes it’s hard to believe God

Consider Mark 9 and the man with the demonic son…”Help my unbelief”

Close

Dr. AB Sutton tells the story of being in Buffalo, NY going up the elevator of the Millard Fillmore Hospital. He was riding on this elevator with a physician who is a native of India. He had on a white jacket with his name embroidered on it with the letters M.D. behind it, with a stethascope around his neck and a handful files. He looked like the real deal. He was looking at Pastor Sutton anticipating he would ask him something. Growing impatient with his lack of intregue, the physician told Pastor Sutton who he was and where he was from, where he had studied and that he was a specialist in his field. He said he was so good that he wasnt brought in until the other doctors had failed. After, examining the refined attire Pastor Sutton had on, the physician asked him “Well, who are you?” to which Dr. Sutton replied “I am a local preacher who pastors one of the local churches in the neighborhood. I represent God, and strangely enough they bring me in when you fail.”

There’s just something about believing God that makes the difference for survival.