Are You A Storm-Bringer or Storm-Rider? What to do in life's storms?
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Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We have reached the conclusion of Luke great Two-Part story of Person and Work of the World’s Messiah Saviour. Part ONe ended so unexpectedly - a man on a cross but then rising again, and then instead of rising to reign on earth. He says, I’m restoring the Kingdom on earth right now - ascends in heaven. And part II is how Jesus reigning with all authroity from heaven, is bringing his kingdom which in not of this world - to every nook and crany - with all its spritual blessings - and salt and light for this world. Now after turned world upside down, growing like crazy, Pau is on his way to address the central power of this age - and you would think again this going to end with a real bang!
But it is really kind of surprising that there is no new teaching, there is no important event that is going to shake the world. The rest of the NT is going to be letters written about how to live by grace and how to live the Christian life. And the final book comfort until time of the very end comes. So what’s the point of these closing chapters of Luke. You'd be mistaken to think that this master story-teller Luke just ran out of time and didn’t really finish with the final trial. The way the book ends is really the point of the book. Like the book of Jonah, which also has one of the world’s best shipwreck stories, this book of Acts like Jonah has an open-ended conclusion. Do you remember how Jonah ends - Jonah under that broom tree - waiting angrily after reluctantly extending message of repentance and mercy - and God spares the city - says - should I have mercy on broom tree - and you don’t have mercy on this city, on your enemies, those estranged and enemies of God.
Well the book of Acts, ends open question - Paul’s gone from Jersuaelm, Judea, and now the ends of the earth - the heart of world’s Empire - like the ending of Star Wars Luke into the heart of the DathStar control centre of the empire - and the question is will we the srvants of Jesus Christ, will we continue to bring this gospel to our neighbours, to this hurting storm tossed world? WIll we have mercy in our hearts? What will it take for us to do so.
I could preach a very compelling sermon about you and I enduring the storms of life - but context of those storms and the peace we must find in them is you and I - standing with other Christains to bring the gospel to those who so desperately need it.
The German commentator, converted while hearing Luther preach the gospel s of grace is so right when he says - the ship in which Paul sits is Christendom, the sea is the turblent world, the swells and storm winds all the affliction, Paul is the preacher of the gospel and those in the ship are the audience. Think of it iin our lives - if we each have one friend coworker only that we are going through life with - in storms with them - they are the ones who need to see the gospel the promise of the Word of God - how you face down even death itself in Christ - Luke closes his open-ended story saying to be a Christain is to be engaged in this entreprise utnil Christ comes again - as we do with faithk confidence obedience, we too will see - reme3mber the theme of the book - how the last vers will end - WOr dof God, Gospel of Jesu growing - So come with me into this perfect storm - learn not onoy to approach the storms of our lives, but how to get through the in order to testify!
Key Truth: In life’s storms trust God’s providence, strengthened and strengthening others
In Life's Storms God's servant must trust God's providence with calmness and fierce confidence, strengthened by fellow Christians and strengthening all those around them!
It is this last bit that stands out first and through out the whoel chapter:
In the storms of life:
A. Get strength from fellow Christians and then strengthen all those around you.
A. Do you see it in the only happy part of this chapter. After two years of frustration and waiting - whole life and whole ministry on pause - bet wonder if seeing Jesus was a delusion. Ever feel like that. But then most competent and gracious centurion assigned finally to take you to Rome! They set sail on a small intercoastal shipping boat - carried along with favourable winds up to Sidon where taking on more supplies.
Note that the Lord does not let Paul go through this alone - 16 “we’s” meaning that Luke has gone with as is also seen but detailed nautical descriptions. But he centres out one of the travelling companions that - had spent 3 years away from his home Thessolonica Said that many noble men wealthy could leave for that long went with Paul to deliver the relief fund. But v.2 Aristarchus centered out because as a follower of Christ, also signed up to a servant of Paul to accompany on the journey - Would you do that for a missionary - do we have that kind of partnership . Bet Paul needed that encouragement.
The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
But they arrive at Sidon, and we see what we’ll also in Chapter 28 as he sets foot on the Italian peninsula - like 6 months later - In God’s providence with the respect Paul had given to Roman authority appointment by God - did’t lie, didn't connive , they respect him too a Roman citizen most surmise even if a guard sent with Paul, no longer bond until in Rome again. But he is permitted to go visit friends, real Christian brothers and sisters - so many years ago stopped by a on trip to Jerusalem council with Barnabas - and he is welcomed into their homes and he eats with them and spends the night.
And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
Let me ask you a simple question. do you know what the hospitality of paper plates is? Participating in or Practicing Christian hospitality - type of fellowship (won’t use plastics in Ont any more good stewardship) but it is to share life for a short time - Can you imagine what that felt like to Paul after meals in a prison cell, after never being asked to walk beside a Christian, … Do you know there are some in fact all, called to ministry of some sort here, all have some affliction they are are bearing do you know what hospitably would mean to them - power and confidence to keep on going - Like our Banner - Carry one anthers’ burdens - friend like that is better than a blood brothers - - One way small but I think important to do this Coffee Socials. Other is simple walk coffee time,. A note of encouragement, One elder spread manure … became expert searching and asking questions of young adults. We’ve got some young ones heading off - imagine if it were like anniversary we just celebrated of D-Day - these young adults sen tout to war - invite them in - as they go, along the way -
Ever experience that? Can I share with you what my Dad received a week before left for Canada as a 19 year old young adult. This man from the big city of Harlem stayed when no food, heard a decade after war ended that young kid, now leaving for new country - said turn to WORD gave him a copy - brings tears to his sons eyes. .. when I heeded that same advice in my days of university - when world pressed in -
And that’s why I want to ask you in this open ended conclusion - are you living an Acts life - will you devote yourself to this fellowship. I want to show how cool it is that Paul received this encouragement - and let himself be cared for - By the way the number one problem of churches and pastors - is that church’s have problems and think the pastor needs to change, and the pastors’ have problems and say the church needs to change, Why Pastor’s live either above or outside the real ministry o f the gospel. But are you doing that - Look how Paul - humbling himself to be cared for by others, reacts in the storms of life later!
Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
That was no prophetic supernatural world. Paul had over 3000 miles of frequent flier point s- experienced at sea, and everyone knew these waters were dangerous after Sept, and especial after Nov - Jan - impassable. But he cares not only to reach Rome himself, but not testing God - he with commonsense - tells them for your cargo, for your lives - don’t do this. The key word is ADVISED? Do you care enough to advise others? Not bossy or snotty but really care enough to address areas of concern or danger in peoples lives, start with family members - tough family meeting.
That was no propehtic supernatural wordl. Paul had over 3000 miles of frequent flier point s- experienced at sea, and everyone knew these waters were dangerous after Sept, and esepciall after Nov - Jan - impassable. But he cares not only to reach Rome himself, but not testing God - he with comomsense - tells them for your cargo, for your lives - don’t do this. The key word is ADVISED? Do you care enough to advise others? Not bosy or snotty but really care enough to address areas of concern or danger in peoples lives, start with family members - tough family meeting.
But look when we see this word again. Now they are really really stuck - Luke said not only they, but all hope of OUR being saved was at last abandoned.
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
But look when we see this word again. Now they are really really stuck - Paul said not only they but all hope of OUR being saved was at last abandonned. I bet you know some poepole at or almost at that point. Paul does a little of the I told you so, not som mch to rub it in their face, but to show credibility of his advice and care, as a grounds to trust him now. But listen to his words - Luke says “for along time he stood among them” like he is recording it in slow motion, impoerfect tense kept on urging them:
I bet you know some people at or almost at that point. Paul does a little of the I told you so, not so much to rub it in their face, but to show credibility of his advice and care, as a grounds to trust him now. But listen to his words - Luke says “for along time he stood among them” like he is recording it in slow motion, imperfect tense kept on urging them:
Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
Yet now I urge you ....
Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Again he is urging them and 2x the way is not doom and gloom, but in the midst of the storm, with them in it - BE CHEERFUL. Calmness and collect Don’t be afraid. They had spent themselves in despair Paul waits until frantic activity of despair done, and then with confidence speaks. Must learn how to do that with others!
But then on the last day after 14 days of just drifting, exact estimate of how long to reach Malta, As he tells them to finally take a real meal - he says urge but this time it is the Word that Jesus used of Himself and the Holy Spirit - Para Kaleo - to call out beside someone, like coach running beside, like a guide don’t turn that way, like a true comforter , like an advocate, kid pushed, coach took video said look got into the finals!
Now Paul look what he says and why:
Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
How could we ever be those kind of comforters, and bring that kind of hope and strength, even such words of promise into each others lives and storms?
That’s the Second thing we must be able to do in the storms of life:
B. Trust God’s Providences With Calmness
At Lasea, Asia Minor - they switched to a great big freighter with grain from Egypt, 140’x36’x33’. Caesar’s had said you risk it all to get grain to Rome in those months you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Well, the centurion commission this one.
At Lasea, Asia Minor - they switched to a great big freighter with grain from Egypt. Caesar’s had said you risk it all to get grain to Rome in those months you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Well, the centruion commmisionthis one. Already behind schedule because they had to above Cyprus, because of contrary winds. Now they will make up time. But they still can’t go WEest to Italy , and because these boats two oars for ruddres, bcan’t sial into wind, they head south of Crete now, around Salmone. When they reached Fair Havens, irnonic name because the sailors and the soliders are all for pushingo nt o better port for winter, Paul wanred them , but shipo owner and centurion and pula - 2:1 Paulloses and off they go.
Already behind schedule because they had to above Cyprus, because of contrary winds. Now they will make up time. But they still can’t go West to Italy , and because these boats two oars for rudders, can't sail into wind, they head south of Crete now, around Salmone. When they reached Fair Havens, ironic name because the sailors and the soldiers are all for pushing onto better port for winter, Phoenix. Paul warned them , but ship owner and centurion and Paul - 2:1 Paul loses and off they go.
Now notice that Paul wasn’t making decision testing God presuming that because know has to get to Rome, acan irsk his life or this whole ships, count on a miracle.
Notice when the winds actully pick up and are favourable he doesn’t say - Oh yes, now God is telling me and us go. Not how Paul makes deicisions. He fully trusts he will get to Rome God’s word is sure, but doesn’t mean easy passage.. luke hints in v.13 that they mistake events for. But then v.14 happens:
But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
How do we interpret this event - top of Mt Ida where it was said Zeus lived, sent dmenic wind Hurricane force like hugo -8000’ down. called Euroclydon -
NOt a miraclous one like God sent upon Jonah and then miracuolou deliverance, but Paul in carrying out the Great Commission day to day service, expects that rain falls on the good and evil; that hardship comes to us as to them.
Not a miraculous one like God sent upon Jonah and then miraculous deliverance, but Paul in carrying out the Great Commission day to day service, expects that rain falls on the good and evil; that hardship comes to us as to them.
Now they are in the thick of it, get to small isalnd, Cauda secure the digny boat towed beyind and tied up the hull.
Now they are being driven south to the North African coastline, most dangerous sandbars - Syrits, Frantic panic, Paul is calm even though still 14 days not see the sun , hardly eat, start to panic, - throw cargo and tangled tackle - cut the sails - that’s were Paul also loses hope of being saved from this storm. To Corinthians - even despaired of life
Need a perspective on providence like this. God’s children are not spared from life-threatening episodes of life - disease, job insecurity, loneliness, depression - our life will threaten ed in storms and new faith is going to be necessary to survive them. Their navigational systems failed ship at mercy of winds. But Paul is confident of God’s plans, God’s Word - they have to land on an island and that is enough.
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
C.S. Lewis says in Letters to Malcom - the big deal isn’t to believe that God is there in our storms, “The real labour is to remember, to attend. In fact to come awake Still more, to remain awake.” God is with me, in this storm - attend to Him!
Finally they are even throwing over the food and have little left, To make matters worse seem to be shallowing out into some unknown shore. Paul trusts that even though hardship comes, content that God’s Word will be done and that the Lord Himself will be with him.
Scene in Forest Gump - Capt Dan - though angry with God, rages against the storm bring it on - I will stand. Paul has no rage but does have that full confidence that he will stand, even if the storm swamps them. Do you? Keep you in perfect peace whose heart stayed upon you -
Well what ground to you have accept God’s providence calmly? If you can answer this, you can not only be clam to get through the storms and kfind God in them, but confident to walk with and help others in these storms!
How could Paul so confidently assure them?
C. Be Confident of God’s Presence & Providing
in the Middle of Storms
Of course even in the midst of all these frustration and delays, Paul had had visions of the Lord and would have one again in Rome. And in his darkest hour here - he has another one - . Now Paul knows that he has a promise of getting to Rome, but just like you and me - that’s not a guarantee of smooth sailing. And when storms come that’s not a sign you are out of Gd’s will:
F. B. Meyer wrote: "If I am told that I am to take a journey that is a dangerous trip, every jolt along the way will remind me that I am on the right road." Those who claim that all who follow Christ will always have smooth sailing are misunderstanding and misrepresenting the Word of God. That’s what Satan was trying to get Christ to do on the pinncle of the temple - jump down, test God - make life easy -avoid way of Cross. Paul also avoids Satan’s temptation and accepts the raod marked with sacrfice and suffering, kknowing God will meet him and mold him and deliver him on that road! What a weird challenge to those sailors and fellow prisoners - the ship is going to be lost, we are going to be broken up on the shores of some island - but all of us will not perish! Like Paul is calling them to strip away everything else they are trusting on in this life - look not only this storm, but death, hell, and existence square in its cold eye - and put their hope in the only Eternal One in whom heaven and hpappiness is found! What a testimony that cheerfulness is found in the Lord and the Lord alone in the storm!
For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
Before we get to his message hope tot hem, do you see his grounding of hope in the storm?
a) The God to whom I belong. Like
My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.
My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.
like redeemed … like Daddy belongs to me, Yeah Well I belong to Daddy. Do you know what the word CHURCH means Kirk - Greek Kuriakon - from Kurious or Lord. means - Something Pertaining or Belonging, to the Lord Jesus. Not first of all building or human institution, but its the people mission activity the work belonging to the LORD. Like the Lord’s Day in Revelation, or the Lord’s Supper in . Like Aristarchus voluntarily did fro Paul - enlist in your serivece, I belong to you, your trial belongs to me…
LIke Aristarchus voluntarily did fro Paul - enlist in your serivece, I bleong to you, your trial belongs to me… Or as Paul put it in
The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Paul says - That’s the God I serve, I bleong to HIm -attached to his service, - Say with confdience that Lord is my helper , I wil not be afraiid k- not leave or forsake me… ie. Polycarp -80 and 6 years I have him served never done me worng - opporntuiyt to testify . That and that alone has got to be the big deal in our church in our lives and homes - or callings in this world - belong to Christ and serve Him… And he knows when that’s the case, the one who gave his life, will give us all things necessary - othing in a creatin able to seprate us, not famlie shipwreck, sickness, storms -Affliction, distress, persecution, hunger and need, danger -= that’s all natural consequences of life in a not yet fully redeemed world - but they can’t separate you from God’s love and favour for you in Christ!
Steven E. Runge, High Definition Commentary: Romans (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 155.
Listen to these words and let them sink into your soul:
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
The 2nd Heltivic Confession - uses these providences - even the hard ones - God is training us - God is in them - bend them ndon’t waster them, don’t murmur against them..
Do you know why he was so calm, not just stuff up here, but in here knew God was with him. Didn’t waste time grumbling or complaining or just moaning. Our own catechism tells us nothing happens by fate or blind chance - all things from His Fatherly Hand, if go against our plans, even his revealed, will assured He willl overrule and bend all things to serve our salvation! So Paul, did the action of fresh faith, needed in such times - He cried out tot he LORD like JOnah from the whale . But not just for himself. We see that in the Angel’s answer:
And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Granting is done when there has been asking. Has there been asking in your life and mine. for those in storms. Paul’s calm and protected, but he know many are not. He has been praying for them.
Those in that boat who were prisoners from Caesarea - do you know who they were, those who would face death in Rome, already convicted, and they were the entertainment at the Colosseum not fight each other, but thrown to beast. And now they see how Paul faces death - this one who claims to stake everything on the Resurrected one. And he says an angel a messenger of God sent to him about them:
So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
Do you hear his testimony and his invitation to believe. It isn’t just in faith - like NVP or Robert Schuller false gospel of positive thinking - just cheer up - Believe isn’t like signs see in everyone home - hah - bleive in anything - good for you. I have faith in GOD - WHy? It will be and it is now exactly according to His Word. Of course Paul in apostolic age, extraodinary times, with gospel at stake, - no miracle here, but supernatural communication of angel.
But in our time - do we not have what is better:
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
Our age, everything we need - completely sufficiently - either explicitly or by inference derived from God’s Word. Why the one who takes away from this word, adds to it cursed,a dd to plagues! Hold to these words and the testimoy of Jesus - become a tree of life and blessing in this world! Understand that in the storms of people’s lives, whether by their own sin, own forgetting rebelling against God, or the gerneal sufferin gin this world, - you have a word for them from God in every situation. Deacons,elders this is the gospel ministry we are called to - not just help, but with a direction and encouragement and promise and Word from the Lord!
Similarly two weeks, later, though he had given them hope, and they are still in the storm, and they have had to use all the means of their own devising, including throwing off the grain, Still Paul can say: Take this food for it will give you strength:
Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
:Those are OT words - Those are Jesus words - hairs numbered, those are HC QA 1 Words. What an illustration - that when you are trusting God int he storm and he is working his deliverance not from them but in them - that the goodness that he is showering down - he causes drops of those blessings on you - to follow on those in the hosprital bed beside you. He causes those in your fmaily - who haven’t closed with Jesus - to expereince blesisng, he touches you - so that you touch - listen to how Reformer put it:
God’s plan is certain, but we must not presume on God’s will by not doing our common sense in menas, like eating, Not a magical will, later Paul didn’t say, like Word of Faith, when God hadn’t spoken wait for a miracle. Ie Can’t swim doplphines will come - no - swimmers first, then those who cant hold on to the wreckage for your dear life.
So too here in the storm, Paul gets people who are worn out - to attend totheir bodily needs, Their tanks are empty as people often get - physically, emotional spiritual drained and unable to sleep. Not a time to fast, but to be refreshed! What I am calling you elders and deeacons to lead us in - not being storm bringers anbut to wakl beside God’s epeople and his church in the storm - and be a storm treader. Refresh encourage, fix our eyes on God’s promises through the storms!
Those are OT words - Those are Jesus words - hairs numbered, those are HC QA 1 Words. What an illustration - that when you are trusting God int he storm and he is working his deliverance not from them but in them - that the goodness that he is showering down - he causes drops of those blessings on you - to overflow on those in the hosprital bed beside you.
Can’t help but to wonder the rest of their lives this Egyptian crew and the Roman soliders, and those condemned prisoners, near death experience and turned out exactly like Paul said God predicted. They must have rethought evetything Paul said about Jesus adn reusrrection f life, forgiveness of sins. Do we have a word about what comes after death, about judgment of God and release from it? Do we have anything to say about where real strength and joy lies. In all the talk about politics - about the kingdom of Jesus Christ? In all the talk of defeat or vicotry - do we not have a better word of our victory in Christ to share! Paul announces God’s word specifically applied and cause promses in His wrod to pop out for their comfort! He causes those in your fmaily - who haven’t closed with Jesus - to expereince blesisng, he touches you - so that you touch - listen to how Reformer put it:
That’s the message of the close of the Book of Acts, not counting on miracles but God’s providence to care for and share - gospel - see that in Malta.
That’s the message of the sclose of the Book of Acts, not counting on mieracles but God’s providence to care for and share - gospel - see taht in Malta.
D. Stick With People United in Trouble and you’ll have Opportunity to Witness
The 14th night comes and they are heading into shallows. So we read what people do when trouble is upon them:
And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,
Morning dawning, and Paul Demonstrate your care like that - authentic faith - prayer - real opportunity to witness!
Paul with all that calmness, cheerfulness, and confidence - he says let's EAT - and look what he does in good Jewish, Christian, fashion - not showy, but lifts food with prayer - solider had just prayed for their lives as unbelievers do.. But now Paul clear simple, not showy . Johannes Brenz said our prayer before meals heavenly condiment. If just put salt or butter on surface of dishes of food or vegetables doesn't sink in. Sufficient seasoning - oils - like stir fry. Food for present life and future life - mix meals and refreshment with simple authentic prayer! - for all food - testimony of He who is the source of life. IE Stonewall Jackson -deep impression. Picture it - Paul kneeling in the midst of the storm - can you model that in your life. People in stress no sleep, emotionally and spiritually drained, numb - need food, - need confident prayer. Why when Titanic went down, some attentive to Lord and eternity heading too - Nearer My God to Thee!
April 15, 1912, 2:20am, the stern of the White Star Lines Titanic. Her lights go out, a single kerosene lamp, high in the after mast flickes. Steady roar thunders as every moveable thing aboard breaks loose and comes tumbling down. 15,000 bottles of ale and stout, 175 pound anchor chains, 30,000 eggs, 5 grand pianos, and most valuable of all the 1,500 passengers who weren’t able to get off the boat. 2 minutes it stayed like that with three dripping propelers glisteningi n the dark. But in Paull’s case when that moment comes, sure of God’s word for all of their dleiverance - he says - stick together - don’t cut and run.
It seemed to be going well as they headed when land appears and they make out a beach and head for it, But in as speeding along unforeseen reef - wrecks the front of the boat with the back flung by the wind and waves and it breaks apart. And just like when the sailors were about to leave Gods ship of safety together with Paul, so too now the soldiers fearing for their lives, if lost prisoners in their command they may have to pay with their lives. Give up the operation,
The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
We and those around us do this all the time. Hardship comes and what is your neighbour, your bor sisters strategy - FEND for yourself, Withdraw from the fellowship. Manage it and do it yourself , leap off the ship to make it on your own! But God tells us steward even your suffering, Don’t lock the doors -in despair, but Lock arms with those around you. Like the beginnign of the book - go to the ones who love you most.
and while Paul had to catch the sailors, now the centurion Julius himself - wants to save Paul - and it’s recorded that when we travel together - unity is preserved, and they honour Julius insight, then all 276 every single one God promised is saved! That’s the concluding verse:
Part of the unfinished part of story of the church in the world. We have storms of life to endure, all in God’s control, but we have his word and proimses, even better His presence with us in these storms. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear the Lord. If had eyes of faith - see the heavenly host all around the ship and each of those lives! ANd that the question for you and me?
Will we stick together - seeking your own escape hatches - work, pleaure, drink. Will you face them with borthers and siters in Christ, will you inivte others in the storm to join with us. Will you like Paul value the souls of men and women above the cargo they are carrying above even their ship, will you pray that God grant them safety and wellinbeing. Calling of the church sent to the world - to Romans and to outscast condmened in their suffering all of them - be of good cheer - for faith in God -there is true dleiverance!
Part of the unfinished part of story of the church in the world. We have storms of life to endure, all in God’s control, but w have his word and proimses, even better His presence with us in these storms. Will you stick together - seeking your own escape hatches - work, pleaure, drink. Will you face them with borthers and siters in Christ, will you inivte others in the storm to join with us. Will you like Paul value the souls of men and women above the cargo they are carrying above even their ship, will you pray that God grant them safety and wellinbeing. Calling of the church sent to the world - to Romans and to outscast condmened in their suffering all of them - be of good cheer - for faith in God -there is true dleiverance!
Amazing momnent in that family meeting - talking about plans if x,yz, still think got make plans, use means - but my Dad who is no orator and a man of few words - almost tears up - and though his body couldn’t jump up, his face and his eyes did: Doesn’t trust in God count for anything any more?!?
Wow -that’s essentially what Paul asked of these Romans and Jewish prisoners and of his friends and himself - trust in God - make it count in your life and know theta there is dleiverance!
We think athe storms in our lives are terrible detours , but God says part of the journey for the Gospel - shape you - and touch others - justas important as the desitnation .
Therefore, no one, however useless they might seem, should be despised. Whether someone is weak in body, or a prisoner, or poor or unimportant, still the Lord our God administers his affairs so that the person who seems completely unfit in the eyes of the world nevertheless becomes the most apt instrument for helping people. Johannes Brenz.
Think of it Paul a prisoner, now one person living by fiahtin presence of others - nutriontist, cpatian, goveernor… Sometimes storm shape us, but some times as others see us stand in Christ in them, they shape others.
SHAPER OF SOULS…
SHAPER OF SOULS…
Oswald Sanders put it this way:
When God wants to drill a man And thrill a man, And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man To play the noblest part;
When he yearns with all his heart To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed, Watch his methods, watch his ways!
How he ruthlessly perfects Whom he royally elects!
How he hammers him and hurts him And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying And he lifts beseeching hands!
How he bends but never breaks While his good he undertakes;
How he uses whom he chooses And with every purpose fuses him; By every act induces him
To try his splendor out - God knows what He's about!3