Overcoming the storms of life

Acts 27:13-40

OUTLASTING THE STORMS OF LIFE

Introduction- I remember, when I was younger, someone telling me, “Tough times do not last, but tough people do!” I do not know about the last part of that statement, but I am absolutely sure about the first part. Tough times do not last, but people with faith in the Lord do! You can outlast the storms of life and this passage gives us a little insight into how to do just that!

Paul’s journey to Rome was filled with danger and the potential for destruction. As they sailed toward Rome, their ship was engulfed in a tremendous storm and they all expected to die at sea. Paul’s experiences at sea stand as an example for you and me. As we journey toward Heaven, we sometimes must sail over stormy seas. Sometimes, the sailing is smooth, v.13. Most of the time, it is not, v.14! Often the storms that rock our lives seem to threaten the very foundations that we stand upon. Many times, these storms cause us to become discouraged and to want to give up. I believe there is help here for everyone who is sailing one of life’s stormy seas tonight. Let’s look into these verses and find the help we need as I preach on Outlasting the Storms Of Life.

I.STORMY TIMES ARE TIMES OF DESPAIR (Acts 27:13-20)

A. The Deception of Stormy Times (Acts 27:13)-

1. Calm seas fool us into believing that the storms will not come.

2. But the Bible says they will (Job. 14:1; 5:7; John 16:33; Eccl. 5:15-17).

B. The Disaster of Stormy Times (acts 27:14-17)-

1. When the severe storms come our way, we often feel as if events are out of our control.

2. Many fall into discouragement and despair, which can be a storm all by themselves.

3. EUROCLYDON (yū rŏcʹ lĭ dŏn) Noun meaning “southeast wind raising mighty waves.” KJV reading of traditional Greek text in Acts 27:14, but most modern translations follow other Greek texts that read Eurakulon, the northeast wind. Whichever reading is correct, the wind created a mighty storm that shipwrecked the ship taking Paul to Rome.

C. The Decision in Stormy Times (Acts 27:18-19)-

1. The storm ought to make us take an inventory of our life and discard anything we do not need.

2. Nothing happens to a child of God that He has not allowed to grow us up in Him (Rom. 8:28, 2 Cor. 4:17).

II.STORMY TIMES ARE TIMES OF DANGER (Acts 27:29a)

A. The threat of Stormy Times –

1. The stormy times that we encounter in life have the potential to either make us or break us.

2. They will either drive us to seek the Lord, or they will drive us away from Him.

3. What happens in your life is your decision!

B. The triumph of Stormy Times-

1. We should all remember Job, as his example is a good one for us.

2. When he was squeezed by Satan, he shouted in the devils face (Job 1:20-22).

C. The temptation of Stormy Times-

1. Simon Peter gave us an example that is to be avoided.

2. When he was squeezed by life, he crumbled (Luke 22:31-32; Matt. 26:69-75).

III.STORMY TIMES ARE TIMES OF DELIVERANCE (Acts 27:21-44)

A. We must get Anchored (Acts 27:29)

1. Paul tells us they cast out four anchors to secure the ship.

2. They anchored their ship and were still terrified, Paul was not afraid, and the reason?

3. He was anchored deeper and he was anchored higher.

a) Notice four anchors that will hold you in any storm:

i. The Presence of God (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5) -The Disciples (John 6:16-21).

ii. The Promises Of God - His promises are steadfast and true (Rom. 4:21).

iii. The Providence of God - God was working out His plan in Paul’s life and He is doing the same in yours! It may be simple faith, but God is Sovereign! (Psalm 57:1; Isa. 25:4. (Ill. Rom. 8:28; Jer. 29:11).

iv. The Performance Of God - Everyone made it safely to the shore. He will get you through your storm and land you safely beyond it!

B. We must Accept the Storm (Acts 27:30-40)-

1. These sailors listened to Paul and ate and went on with life.

2. There comes a time when we have to surrender to the Lord’s will and allow Him to have His way in us. We can either bend under His hand, or he can break us.

3. You don’t have to like your circumstances, but you do need to submit to God in it (1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:1).

Conclusion- If your sea is rough today, I encourage you to cast your anchor upon the solid Rock and tie yourself up to Jesus right now. He already knows about what you face, but He wants you to depend on Him for your need. In His presence is the place where storms are conquered.