Order in the Chaos

State: God is in control, even when chaos seems to be all around.

Paul was in such a state during his ministry

2 Corinthians 1:8–9 NLT

8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

State: Things were out of Paul’s control

Circumstances seemed dangerous, life threatening.

When things seem out of our control…they are still in God’s control

State: God intervened in some way and rescued Paul

2 Corinthians 1:10 NLT

10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.

State: God brought order to the chaos that was threatening Paul, even when Paul thought

there was no hope of that.

He said.. “ In fact, we expected to die”

Paul’s shipwreck on his way to Rome :

Paul is going to Rome to defend himself to Caesar

A storm and a bad decision by the captain caused things to go into chaos

On the 14th day of the storm....Paul did something interesting.....

Acts 27:33–38 NLT

33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—37 all 276 of us who were on board. 38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.

State: Paul knew everyone would be saved because an angel had appeared to him and

told him so.

Acts 27:24–26 NLT

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.”

State: Hmm…? What does that mean? Aren’t shipwrecks dangerous?

Is there such a thing as a gentle shipwreck in a storm?

Here is what it looked like....

Acts 27:40–44 NLT

40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart. 42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.

State: Now use your imagination

The storm was strong enough that it was tearing apart the ship

This is the very definition of chaos

People jumping overboard

People hanging onto pieces of the ship

But they ALL got to shore

Our Chaos is NOT God’s chaos

God rescued them from chaos

State: We have worth to God

Matthew 10:29–31 NLT

29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

State: In the midst of whatever chaos or “disorder” your life may be in

In the midst of whatever obstacles you may be experiencing

We are going to do what Paul did:

Stop and eat and remember and thank the God of all things

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NLT

23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.