“Finding Hope When Life Feels Out of Control"

New International Version (2011) Chapter 27

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

TEXT: Acts 27:13-20 (Focus: vv. 13-20, 27-29, 33-36)

When life feels out of control, God's presence provides the anchor we need to find hope in the storm.

INTRODUCTION (5 minutes)

Opening Question: "How many of you feel like life is out of control right now?"

[Pause - let it land]

Maybe it's your health, finances, marriage, kids, or job. Something feels like it's spinning, and you can't get a grip on it.

"Let me tell you about the worst storm I've ever experienced. We had just come back from Desert Training in Fort Irwin California, and the Military gave us a four-day pass. Myself and three other close friends of mine at that time agreed to go to Mobile Al and party. I called my mother and informed her that we were coming home. My mother, and father, loved entertaining, especially when Ray was coming to town and it’s still like that to this day. Too make a long story short, my mother said to me it will not be a good time to come because hurricane Frederick one of the most violent storms to ever hit the gulf coast was on its way. I told the fellas and we all agreed that we had been in the desert for 90 days and we were willing to risk taking the trip just to have some fun. It turned out to be one of the worst experiences of my and our lives, wind, rain, trees falling, until we finally had to stop to try and find shelter.

Transition: Today we're starting —a 5-week series through Acts 27 entitled, “Weathering the Storm"It's about a shipwreck, but really, it's about what happens when life falls apart and we have no control.

Paul is a prisoner being transported to Rome by ship with 276 people. Despite Paul's warning, they sail into a violent storm—a "Northeaster" with hurricane-force winds. "They gave up all hope of being saved" (v. 20).

Thesis: When life feels out of control, God provides anchors that keep us grounded. The greatest anchor is His presence. Allow me to share three things that can help us find hope when life feels out of control. So, grab your Bible, open it to Acts 27, and let's discover together how God's presence sustains us through life's darkest moments."

I. THE REALITY: Life Gets Out of Control (5 minutes)

The Storm Was Real and Terrifying (vv. 14-20)

For 14 days, 276 people experienced:

Hurricane-force winds they couldn't steer through

Thy threw cargo overboard just to survive

No sun, no stars, no way to navigate

Completely losing hope

Here is what I want you to know: Not every storm is yours or our fault.

Sometimes we create our own problems through bad choices. But often, storms just come:

You didn't cause the cancer

You didn't cause the layoff

You didn't cause your child's rebellion

Jesus said: "In this world you WILL have trouble" (John 16:33).

The Storm Stripped Away All Control

They tried everything—steering, securing, strengthening, lightening the load. Nothing worked. They finally gave up all hope.

Transition: But something happened in the middle of that storm that changed everything.

II. THE ANCHORS: What Keeps Us Grounded (20 minutes)

[Read Acts 27:27-29 - They dropped four anchors]

The anchors didn't stop the storm, but they kept the ship from being destroyed.

When life feels out of control, we need anchors. Here are four from this passage:

ANCHOR #1: God's Presence (vv. 21-24)

After 14 days, Paul speaks:

"Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul... not one of you will be lost.'" (vv. 23-24)

Key Truth: God's presence doesn't always remove the storm, but it transforms our experience of it.

Paul went from helpless prisoner to the most confident person on that ship. Why? God showed up.

Notice: "the God whose I am and whom I serve"

Whose I am = Identity (defined by relationship with God, not circumstances)

Whom I serve = Purpose (God wasn't done with him yet)

Application - Practical Ways to Anchor in God's Presence:

1.   Prayer - conversation with God about what you're feeling

2.   Scripture - let Him speak to you (Psalm 46:1)

3.   Worship - shift focus from problem to Provider

4.   Solitude - be still before God (Psalm 46:10)

Illustration: It feels different going through a storm alone, than going through it with someone. Knowing someone is present changes everything.

ANCHOR #2: God's Promises (v. 25)

"I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

God promised: "Not one of you will be lost."

Paul believed it—even though:

The storm was still raging

They'd given up all hope

It looked impossible

Key Truth: God's promises are trustworthy, even when circumstances contradict them.

What Has God Promised?

Not what you wish, but what He's actually said:

"I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)

"My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9)

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)

"I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20)

Application: Find one promise that speaks to your storm. Write it down. Speak it daily. Let it anchor your soul. I just gave you three.

ANCHOR #3: Community (vv. 30-32)

[Read vv. 30-32 - Sailors tried to escape, but Paul warned: "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."]

We need each other. Especially in storms.

God's plan was for all 276 to survive together.

Why Community Matters:

Others keep us from desperate decisions

Others remind us we're not alone

Others can provide practical help

Others can help strengthen our faith

Don't isolate yourself in your storm.

Practical Steps:

1.   Ask for help (don't wait for people to read your mind)

2.   Be honest (let people see your struggle)

3.   Receive help graciously

ANCHOR #4: Obedience & Practical Action (vv. 33-36)

[Read vv. 33-36 - Paul told them to eat]

Trusting God doesn't mean doing nothing. It means doing what we can while trusting God to do what only He can.

God promised survival. But survival required strength. Strength required food.

Sometimes the most logical thing to do is:

Get some sleep

Eat healthy

Go to your appointment

Have the hard conversation

Ask for help

Set a boundary

What practical step is God calling you to take in your storm?

Don't wait until you feel like it. Do what God has called you to do right now.

III. THE OUTCOME: God Keeps His Word (5 minutes)

[Read or summarize vv. 39-44]

The ship ran aground. Broke apart. Everything was lost.

But the last sentence: "In this way everyone reached land safely."

All 276 people. Just like God promised.

Key Truth: Sometimes God saves us through the storm, not from the storm.

We might lose things:

The job

The relationship

The savings

The dream

But we don't lose what matters most: our life, our faith, our relationship with God.

Perspective Shift:

We pray: "God, calm my storm."

Sometimes He does.

But often, God doesn't calm the storm—He calms us in the storm.

CONCLUSION (5 minutes)

Recap:

1.   Storms are real. Life gets out of control.

2.   We need anchors:

o  God's presence

o  God's promises

o  Community

o  Obedience/practical action

3.   God is faithful. He keeps His word.

What storm are you in right now?

Whatever it is—you don't have to face it alone.

Do These Three Things:

1. Acknowledge the storm. Tell God: "I'm in a storm. I'm scared. I need You."

2. Drop your anchors. Choose one anchor to strengthen this week.

3. Trust the outcome to God. Remember Paul's words: "I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

In times like these we need an anchor, in times like these we need the Bible, be very sure, be very sure, you anchor holds and grips the solid rock. That Rock is Jesus, He is the one.

The storms may rage. But if your anchor is in Christ, your anchor will hold.