How to Face Your Storms

Introduction

Our text takes place on a ship. Paul was on his way to Rome. He had been accused of being a pest and instigating sedition among the Jews () by the High Priest Anninias to Felix. Paul requested to be heard before Caesar because he knew that Felix and Anninias were not right. While traveling, the ship encountered a fierce and deadly storm. They tried to ride the storm out. Paul stepped forth to reassure them and comfort them. He advised them to put their trust in God.

¨ Storms come in each of our lives and for each of us they are different. Many times they come when we least expect them. Some come with warnings we fail to acknowledge.

¨ However, we cannot avoid the storms that life brings. We can avoid the storms

we bring on ourselves, but we cannot avoid the storms that life brings to us.

· Disease

· Crippling accidents

· Death of loved ones

· Family problems

· Financial problems

· Emotional problems – cannot always be avoided.

¨ The folks on board the ship with Paul could have avoided the storm if they had stayed in the safe harbor.

Since we cannot avoid all storms, we must learn to face them.

I. With Confidence in Jesus (22)

A. Be of good cheer (take courage).

B. Jesus is Lord of ALL even the storms that come our way.

C. Nothing ever comes into our lives that He is not aware of.

D. He taught us to anticipate the storms ().

E. Since we don’t know when they are coming we ought to trust the one who is Lord over them.

F. Here are five (5) things you can do when you find yourself in one (1) of life’s storms:

1. Spend time alone with God (21).

2. Acknowledge His presence (23).

3. Believe His promises (25).

4. Count your Blessings (35).

5. Get rid of excess baggage (38).

II. With Commitment to Jesus (23)

A. In order to face storms in life successfully we must be committed to Jesus as well as have confidence in Him.

1. My brother with the New Orleans Saints.

2. Bandwagon faith.

3. Sometimes I do, Sometimes I don’t.

4. Switch like the phone company.

B. Paul told them an Angel stood with him.

C. Whose I Am, (IOW) I belong to God – “Bond slave”” is not hired but owned by his master. He has no rights of his own and his purpose is that of the master.

D. Whom I serve, (IOW) I belong to God and I serve Him.

III. With Consolation from God’s Promises

A. Paul could face the storm because he had a message of assurance or consolation from God.

B. We too have promises from God concerning our storms of life. We must learn to take consolation from these promises.

1. He was assured of the mission.

2. He was assured concerning His companions.

IV. With Convictions from God’s Word

A. Paul had a conviction based upon what God had said to Him.

B. His conviction was I believe God.

C. I know God is dependable.

D. He was motivated by faith, not fear.

E. He believed God, not his circumstances.