Surviving Life’s Storms

Acts 27:14–25 NKJV

But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 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. And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 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. 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. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

Acts 27:44 NKJV

and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Storms Come!

Storms you live through.

Storms that you die in.

Storms caused by Disobedience

Example: Jonah

We suffer disaster.

We suffer loss.

Storms of Testing

Sometimes God delivers us from the storm.

Matthew 8:23–27 NKJV

Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Sometimes God delivers us through the storm.

Acts 27:22 NKJV

And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Don’t Give Up!

Six Anchors

Know to Whom you belong.

Acts 27:23 NKJV

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

Know Whom you serve.

Acts 27:23 NKJV

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

Know that God is with You in the storm (Do not fear!).

Do not be afraid!

Acts 27:24 NKJV

saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Know your call and destiny.

You must be brought before Caesar.

Know and believe God’s promises.

Hebrews 4:1–2 NKJV

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

Know that storms are about others too.

God has given to you those who stay with you.

You must stay together to survive.

Saying: “Those who don’t hang together will hang alone!”

Response to the Word