Faith in a Storm Acts 27:1-44

Introduction

Life in the Navy involves sea stories.

Sea stories are interesting, engaging or unusual stories of experiences at sea.

Sometimes the story is intertwined with drinking, port calls and liberty buddies.

Others may tell a “how I almost died” story.

For instance:

By Kate Solomon

“In December 2008, a small Thai fishing boat sank while on an expedition and most of its 20-strong crew were never heard from again. But, 25 days later, a customs plane spotted an ice box bobbing about near Horn Island, in Australian waters; in it were two Burmese men from the fishing boat disaster. They had made it through Cyclone Charlotte and shark-infested waters by sheltering in a cool box usually used to store fish.”

Time and time again, it seems the major difference between those who die at sea and those who survive is faith.

-Faith that survival is possible

-Faith in their shipmates

-Faith in being rescued

-Faith in God

A. The Ship (vv. 1–12)

SUPPORTING IDEA: The believer may have a word from God but still not be able to determine the course of action that affects his life.

The word “Faith” is used over 250 times in the New Testament (depending on the translation)

God’s Word speaks to us repeatedly about faith::

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road- Mark 10:52

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”-Mark 11:22-24

Why is “faith” so important to Jesus?

When I was young I wondered, “why didn’t Jesus just irrefutably show he was the Son of God so there would be no debate?”

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STORMS

SHIPWRECKS

God creates faith—Satan destroys faith! Satan brings doubt, worry and mistrust

Faith brings us near to Christ; it will help us live close to Him.

Satan brings doubt, worry and mistrust.

All Christians should have faith:

(1) faith in God—never question or doubt Him,

(2) faith in self—Philippians 4:13,

(3) faith in others—always think the best of other Christians.