Clinging to the Promises of God

REFLECTION: Hebrews 10:23-25

READING: Acts 27:13-25

BENEDICTION: 1 Peter 5:10-11

INTRODUCTION

Trust can be a difficult thing to come by these days.

Who can you trust?

News reports

Medical advice

“Science”

Think about your relationships. You have acquaintances, work-place associates, friends, really close friends.

Studies suggest that while we are capable of knowing up to 225 people fairly well, our inner-circle of deep relationships is limited to between 10-15. Those are estimates, of course…but you get the picture.

Think about those that are (or are moving toward) that category of really close friendships.

First of all, if you have one person (outside your spouse for you married couples), you should just take a moment and thank God for them.

>>Let’s do that now

What a blessing. Now here’s a deeper reflection for you…do you trust them all equally?

Is there a friend you trust with EVERYTHING?

What would it take for them to betray that trust? (Before you say, “they never would”, you’re probably right. But we are all capable of hurtful, sinful acts if the circumstances are just so.)

You may trust them with a great deal…but it is based on their trustworthiness isn’t it?

Trust is a 2-sided issue isn’t it?

Someone has to be “TRUSTING”.

Someone has to be “TRUSTWORTHY”.

When someone makes a promise to us, we hold onto it TIGHTLY or LOOSELY, based on the promise-maker, don’t we?

Remember the running football gag in Charlie Brown?

Lucy tells Charlie Brown that she’ll hold a football while he comes running up and kicks it.

Charlie Brown usually refuses to kick it at first, not trusting Lucy.

Lucy then persuades him to trust her.

Charlie Brown runs up to kick the ball, but at the very last second before he can kick it, she removes the ball and Charlie Brown flies into the air, before falling down on his back and hurting himself.

Lucy usually points out that Charlie should not have trusted her.

Some people just never learn.

Just this week, I was looking at data from a recent study that indicated MORE THAN HALF OF ADULTS WHO ARE UNCHURCHED DO NOT HAVE A DEEP TRUST OF CHRISTIAN PASTORS.

TRANSITION

For those of you who are Christians whether you’re online or in the pew this morning;

Do you remember when you trusted Christ?

What a day!

You may not be able to point to date on a calendar, but there is a BC isn’t there…a “before Christ”?

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

To think that the God of all creation who knew everything we’d ever done and all the evil that we were capable of…loved us, invited us, convicted us of our sin, converted us into children of God!

God is absolutely trustworthy!

Numbers 23:19 ESV

19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

James 1:17–18 (ESV)

...there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Saul of Tarsus had a dramatic encounter with God. After volunteering to persecute Christ’s followers on behalf of the religious leaders of the day - Jesus encountered him while he was enroute to wreak havoc.

Immediately changed his posture (fell off his horse) / you’ll have to get out of the driver’s seat too when you come to Jesus

Blinded to everything around him

Works this out in prayer over the course of days.

Learned the cost of glorifying God by proclaiming Jesus.

Acts 9:15–16 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Received a new vision / outlook (literally got his sight back)

Got up - got baptized

Begins PROCLAIMING JESUS CHRIST AS THE MESSIAH - THE HOPE FOR ALL HUMANITY.

Destroyer becomes the Declarer

Misguided becomes the Missional

Foolish becomes Wise

Agitator becomes the Peacemaker

Stiffnecked becomes the Surrendered

Prosecutor becomes the Preacher

Terror becomes the Teacher

Paul had GREAT FAITH in God. All throughout his missionary journeys we see his faith in action.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Just a side note here - I don’t want to take for granted in this culture of constantly redefining terms - that we all know what FAITH is...

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

It’s believing. It’s trusting before you can see…Faith is, simply, believing before you see.

By the way, reading your Bible, hearing the Bible read, actively listening to the preached Word - these are all sure fire / guaranteed ways to help your faith increase:

Romans 10:17 ESV

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

If you get in the WORD regularly...“You’re gonna like the way you “faith”, I guarantee it!” -Men’s Wearhouse

Paul now trusted God completely, fully. We can see it here in the text from our time this morning. How in the world did we wind up on this boat with Paul?

Let’s look through Chapter 27 - you focused on 1 aspect of this in your Bible Study groups this morning…let’s get a more robust look, shall we?

1. Notice the Plan

ACTS 27:1-13

Last week in your group Bible studies…all of us realized that God was completely in control - even though Paul had not violated Roman law. The governor and the king had both declared Paul innocent - but still he was sent to Rome in chains. That’s what’s happening in here in Chapter 27 - Paul is headed back to Rome, just like the Lord said he would.

- He is Detained

vv. 1–3. Paul and other prisoners were put into chains and taken to Italy. Julius, a captain in Caesar’s army was responsible for Paul and the prisoners.

- He warns of Danger

vv. 4–8.

A storm comes. In the Christian life there will be problems.

Paul wasn’t promised a smooth ride or a straight line to God’s perfect will for His life.

Neither were you.

Neither was I.

Psalm 34:19 ESV

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

- They Disregarded the Warning

Notice verses 10-11

Acts 27:10–11 ESV

10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.

Paul urges them to to lighten the ship to keep it from sinking.

They refuse to listen to Paul’s advice.

History is full of examples of unheeded warnings.

George Washington Warned Against The Danger Of Political Parties

In his farewell address, Washington said the following of partisan politics:

"It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."

The Crew Of The Mesaba, Who Radioed The Titanic About Icebergs

The Mesaba sailed through the same waters that the Titanic was heading for several hours before the fateful iceberg collision and sent out a warning about icebergs to every ship in the area, including the Titanic.

The crew of the Titanic did receive the message, but the radio operator who received it didn't think it was important enough to deliver to the captain.

2. The Huge Problem

Acts 27:14–20

- Real Trouble

vv. 14–17.

The terrible storm comes and there appears to be no hope.

This is not an afternoon thunderstorm in the Queen City…these are akin to Typhoon winds.

They throw out many of the things on board to lighten the ship.

NOTICE VERSE 15

Acts 27:15 ESV

15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

Maybe that’s where you feel like you are this morning. Caught up in a storm…no small thing. And you’ve had to just give way…it seems like you’re being driven by the storm instead of navigating with success?

If it’s not you right now, Praise the Lord. But the reality of the promise of John 16:33 is that you have probably come out of something like this not long ago…or are heading into something soon.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Can we say that last sentence together?

But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

- Real Testing of Faith

—vv. 18–20.

Look at verse 20.

Acts 27:20 ESV

20 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.

Days pass and they don’t see the sun or stars. They are lost.

One writer notes the sorrow, sickness and suffering that would be present on a boat in this type of storm.Storm of sickness—it will come to all people.

You don’t need to be a sailor to get the picture of grown men hanging over the side of the boat...

Whatever the type of major storm…we can experience a complete loss of control.

There are so many in this room this morning that I have had the privilege of walking with over these past couple of years through some deep waters. They will testify, just as Isaiah did...

Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV)

…“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 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.

3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Let’s look at what encouraged Paul’s heart during this incredible saga...

3. PEACE from God’s Word!

Acts 27:21–44

Remember, we established earlier that trust is a 2-way street. It requires:

trusting

trustworthiness

Paul had become a great man of faith...

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near (come near, approach) to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who (earnestly, diligently) seek him (out).

Let’s look at the elements that brought peace…It could easily be a recipe for us today.

- There is a PROMISE!

Acts 27:22–25

This is the text we read earlier in the service.

Paul had faith that everything would be alright. All would be safe. He trusted God - the trustworthy one!

Look at his claim!

Acts 27:22–25 ESV

22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 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.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

Notice twice the phrase “TAKE HEART” is used.

Underline that.

Draw a circle around it.

- Peace requires PATIENCE

Acts 27:27–32

After fourteen nights of storm!

Fourteen nights of no food!

Fourteen nights of peril...

They barely would have had the strength to whisper

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

To be honest that verse probably would have made them all angry!

If you need peace…especially when you are in the thick of a storm…then you need the fruit of the Spirit which includes PATIENCE!

Paul tells them to stay on the ship.

There is a sense of “we’re all in this together!”. It’s a good reminder for us…God has called us into community. (that’s another sermon)

Moving forward in Peace requires us to

- Put God’s PLAN IN PLACE.

Acts 27:33-35

Since the LORD is Trustworthy. Paul trusted the LORD as a man of faith.

Paul, with great patience, ACTED ON GOD’S PROMISE.

Now, all 276 onboard the ship finally eat.

Paul first prays and gives thanks to God for the safe keeping and for the food. Remember this isn’t a church service. These are criminals, deckhands, guards…didn’t matter.

We have NO REASON TO BE ASHAMED TO PUBLICLY THANK THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS…even in the midst of those who rebel against Him.

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

After Paul prays…well, just look at verse 36 and drink it in for a moment.

Acts 27:36 ESV

36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.

UNDERLINE “encouraged”.

- Peace flows from God’s PROTECTION

Acts 27:36–44

Let’s pick up in verse 39

Acts 27:39–44 ESV

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

WOW! Whoever said the Bible was boring hasn’t read the whole thing.

Why would the soldiers want to kill the prisoners?

Because they were accountable for them with their own lives.

This was self-preservation.

The Centurion sees the value of saving Paul, though…interesting isn’t.

In the cold rain (28:2) the passengers (soldiers and prisoners) and crewmen who could swim were urged to swim ashore, while the rest held onto the ship’s debris.

Let’s stop and process this journey. Obviously God had ordained ministry for Paul in Rome…but it wasn’t a straight path, an easy journey, or a painless experience to get there.

God used a wrong conviction to send Paul to Rome.

God used a storm to carry them 600 miles west of Crete.

God uses a spark of interest from a centurion to spare Paul’s life.

God uses Paul’s influence on a prisoner ship to fulfill exactly what He said He would:

The ship was lost.

The ship ran aground on an island (the Island of Malta which was about 60 miles south of Sicily).

No one perished.

WHAT ABOUT YOU THIS MORNING?

WHAT ABOUT THAT UNUSUAL STORM THAT SEEMS LIKE IT IS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL...

Is it though?

Is it out of God’s control?

I imagine Joseph didn’t have it all figured out when he was in the pit…or the prison.

I imagine Daniel felt that way when he was being escorted to the lions’ den.

We know exactly how the 3 Hebrew boys felt as they were being threatened with the fiery furnace.

“Our God is able to deliver us…but if He chooses not to, we still BELIEVE GOD!”

Jesus, Himself in the garden. With the weight of the impending cross heavy on his soul, says FATHER, I’M HERE TO DO YOUR WILL.

Do you trust God like that?

If so…find someone that is struggling, come alongside them, and HELP THEM! We’re in this together.

If you don’t trust God like that…I’ve got good news, you can!

God, the lover of your soul, is the one that creates faith!

It’s the enemy, Satan brings doubt, worry and mistrust.

God wants you strengthen your faith:

by having a living relationship with Him.

by spending time in His Word.

by being tight knit into His community of believers through the local church

by putting your faith into action and sharing the love of God in Word or deed with someone every - single - chance - you - get.

It’s the kind of faith that will help you “TAKE HEART” and “BE ENCOURAGED” while the world is crumbling around you.

(The greek word used in all 3 instances is form a word that means being cheerful!)

CLING TO GOD’S WORD!

TAKE HEART - CHRIST IS ON THE THRONE…that’s who we’re supposed to be meditating on anyway.

LET’S PRAY!