Luke 8:22–26 KJV 1900

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

Do Not Abandon Your Ship

INTRODUCTION:

A Satanic hindrance.

A divine deliverance.

A Planned purpose.

The Disciples could have abandoned ship and leaped out into the elements.

Many today are thinking of abandoning ship right at a time when God is in the process of a mighty deliverance for them.

There are some different kinds of ships I would like to draw your attention to today.

FRIENDSHIP

Proverbs 18:24 KJV 1900

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

It is necessary to become a friend to a lost one if you hope to win them.

Christ is a Friend to the lost.

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

John 10:10 KJV 1900

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

SON-SHIP

John 1:12 KJV 1900

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Sonship. (Born again experience.) This is the Foundation of our Christian Faith.

LORDSHIP

Joshua 5:13–15 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

When the Sonship is settled, then we are ready for the Lordship.

A completely surrendered will, present to Christ, as unconditional surrendered life.

HARDSHIP

2 Timothy 2:3–4 KJV 1900

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Victories are for the ones who fight to win.

They are not delivered to us without a struggle any more than they were to Christ.

STEWARDSHIP

Luke 16:2 KJV 1900

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

He must be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Land—silver—gold—cattle on a thousand hills—All belong to God—We must give an account to Him how we use them.

WORSHIP

Psalm 95:6–7 KJV 1900

O come, let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

To some, worship is meeting together to sing a few songs, hear some preaching and go home.

Worship means great love, honor, admiration, and respect.

In Matt. 4:8-10, This is what the devil was asking for when he said, "All these things will I give Thee if Thou wilt fall down and worship me."