Overcoming Faith

Acts 27:7-11; 20-25

The New King James Version (Chapter 27)

.7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Paul’s Warning Ignored

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12

The New King James Version Chapter 27

20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

One of the most thrilling chapters in the New Testament is the account of Paul’s journey to Rome to plead his case before Caesar. It is a tale of high hopes and hopelessness; It is a story about courage and fear; it is a story of the ancient and modern struggle of man against nature, and it is a shining example of overcoming faith.

What is overcoming faith? It is believing and trusting God in spite of the circumstances. It is standing on the promises of God when it looks like everything around you is going down. It is a leap into the darkness with confidence that God is there ready to catch you before you hit bottom. It is to trust God when you cannot trace Him; It is the assurance that what God whispered in your ear, God can carry out, loud and clear.

The story actually starts in chapter 26 with Paul defending himself before the Roman Governor Festus and King Agrippa, after a mob tried to frame Paul for sedition. Paul appeals his case to the highest court, to Caesar himself. After giving his testimony before the two rulers, Paul and his companions and fellow prisoners were loaded on a ship and began their journey to Rome.

At first the journey is pretty uneventful, until they changed ships in Lycia bound for Italy. Sailing was difficult, and after some time they came to the port of Fair Havens. This is where our scripture passage begins

As the Roman commander and the sailors plan their trip, Paul tries to warn them that this journey would be perilous, filled with loss and death. They did not listen to him and set sail. Now this happened to be the wrong time of the year, (Between September and October), and the winds would not favor them., but because it looked good for a while they set sail.

Now at this point the narrative turns to the harrowing experiences they went through when they got caught in this mighty storm. But I have a question: Where was Paul? what was he doing? After all, his counsel had been rejected. Most likely he was below decks with the other prisoners and the cargo. As for what he was doing, later in the story we find that he was praying and pleading for the lives of everyone on board the ship. You see, Paul had overcoming faith. This caused him to pray instead of pouting. He did not make a big announcement, or call for fast days…he just prayed.

Later on when the storm became so bad that all hope was gone, guess who appears? Paul shows up and speaks up. He tells them that although they did not listen to him as they should have, he received assurance from God that not one life would be lost. He gives them encouragement.

Encouragement is powerful. Many times it is the difference between giving up and giving it one more try. People need encouraging. God’s people should practice this aspect of overcoming faith and speak encouraging words of life. In the midst of tragedies like what is going on in Florida overcoming faith speaks above the noise of the storm.

Overcoming faith is strange and wonderful, because it tends to show up just when all human hope has been lost, and speaks contrary to the circumstance. Overcoming faith does not sugar-coat the facts, but speaks life in defiance of what we perceive. Paul says that all human lives would be spared, but the ship and cargo would be lost. For someone who values things above people, this would be bad news. But God values our lives, even if we have to endure hardship to survive. Like the old saying goes, “Better to be a live dog than a dead lion!”

Overcoming faith is OK with imperfect endings. Paul tells his shipmates that everything is going to be alright, that not one life would be lost, but that they would run aground and lose the ship.

Here I would like to talk about one of the most encouraging words recorded in the Bible. In the midst of darkness, and the fear of certain death and destruction, Paul utters these words, “Therefore take heart men, for I believe God…! this is the heart of this message. I believe God is trying to encourage someone to keep on believing God in spite of the storm raging around you. Are you facing financial disaster? Believe God. Cancer diagnosis? Believe God. Death claimed another loved one? Believe God. Been betrayed by someone? Believe GOD

Overcoming faith is not a formula for avoiding trouble or wishing difficult times away. No, overcoming Faith is the strength to,look the storm in the eye and declare I BELIEVE GOD!