Storms

Acts 27:8–12 NLT

8 We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. 9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it. 10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.

Point: Paul was giving either good advice, or a word of knowledge. Either way they did not listen.

The majority is rarely right

Acts 27:13–17 NLT

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale. 16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

PICTURE

Point: They were trying to make a bad idea work

Acts 27:18–20 NLT

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

Point: There are consequences to our decisions, especially when we are being advised well and we choose otherwise.

But someone might say “Well God is sovereign, so what happened is God’s will”

We know it was not God’s will…Paul stated God’s attempt to avert disaster.

You may be very well living the consequences of a wrong move, deliberate sin, or someone else’s decisions that you are associated with

Paul’s journey is all about what God does with our mistakes

Acts 27:21–26 NLT

21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

Point: “An angel of the God to whom I belong and I serve”

Notice the personal nature of Paul’s understanding of his position with God.

It was not just about just serving God......Paul was God’s possession.

My daughter - My son - my wife

God looks at you and says…That’s my child.

1 John 3:1 NLT

1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.

You are someone God had purchased at a very high price

Paul was scared....the angel told us he was when he said “ Don’t be afraid”

Paul prayed for the people on that boat and God listened

God’s Purpose

Point: The angel says “Acts 27:24 (NIV)

24 Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’

Point: This to me is the take away from this event

There was a purpose for Paul being on that boat

God said he was going to testify before Caesar ....and nothing was going to stop that.

Why this storm came? Who knows…what we do know is God’s purpose was not going to be stopped because of it.

Point: Your life has a purpose also

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God intervened to make sure his purpose for Paul was completed

He will also intervene into the storms that seem to be trying to stop your purpose from being fulfilled.

My word from God during an anxiety attack last week “ Your life has a purpose”

Point: Jonah - The power of Purpose

God had a purpose for Jonah....but Jonah flatly said NO!

Again, a storm came and changed Jonah’s rebellion into surrender

God’s purposes were not stopped- delayed? Yes…stopped....no

Paul’s healing

Paul is bitten by a snake-does not die

Heals Publius’s father and ALL the sick on the island

Point: Joseph’s story....explain Joseph a bit

Genesis 50:20 NLT

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.