Keeping Your Ship Afloat
Keeping Your Ship AFLOAT
TEXT: Matthew 14:24
Introduction: story of Mayflower
The Mayflower embarked from Southampton, England on 5 August 1620 with 102 passengers, including three pregnant women, and a crew of unknown number (approximately 25 to 30). The Mayflower crew sighted land off Cape Cod on November 9, 1620, and first landfall was made November 11, 1620
William Bradford a passenger wrote September 6. These troubles being blown over, and now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued divers days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet according to the usual manner many were afflicted with sea sickness. And I may not omit here a special work of God's providence. There was a proud and very profane young man, one of the sea-men, of a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would always be condemning the poor people in their sickness, and cursing them daily with grievous execrations, and did not let to tell them, that he hoped to help to cast half of them overboard before they came to their journey's end, and to make merry with what they had; and if he were by any gently reproved, he would curse and swear most bitterly. But it pleased God before they came half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate manner, and so was himself the first that was thrown overboard. Thus his curses light on his own head; and it was astonishment to all his fellows, for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him.
The ship was not designed as a passenger ship. Water was stored in barrels in the lower cargo area to be used for drinking and cooking. When a barrel was emptied, it would be refilled with sea water. They served as ballasts to help keep the ship upright and afloat when they encountered rough seas. I want to use this though to share some barrels we need filled to serve as ballasts of our souls to keep us upright and afloat this year.
I. BArrel filled with faith
A. Faith in the Sovereignty of God
1. Knowing God is in control
2. He created the world and controls all the elements
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
3. He takes care of the birds, he will take care of you
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
4. He knows all about you
Matthew 10:29-30 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
B. Faith in the Solace of God
1. Comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or distress;
a) Sickness
b) death
2. A source of comfort or consolation.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
II. barrel filled with fortitude
A. Power to resist attack;
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
B. Strength to stand
Ephesians 6:13-14 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
C. Firmness-not subject to change
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jeremiah 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
D. That strength or firmness of mind which enables a person
1. to encounter danger with coolness and courage,
2. to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency;
3. passive courage; resolute endurance; firmness in confronting or bearing up against danger or enduring trouble.
III. barrel filled with fervency
A. “Fervent” means to be hot, to boil, to set aflame.
1. The believer’s spirit is to be hot, that is, boiling and flaming for Christ.
2. The believer must have a holy zeal for Christ.
B. He must be aflame in his service for Christ.
1. not be lazy or slow-moving in zeal.
2. not be sluggish or lethargic in diligence.
3. not be hesitating or delaying in earnestness.
IV. Barrel filled with forgiveness
A. Forgiveness of God
1. We have sinned against God
2. We must ask Him for forgiveness of our sinfulness
a) Blots out
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
b) Pardons
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
c) Remember no more
Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
B. Forgiveness of one another
1. Forgiveness - the act of excusing or pardoning others in spite of their slights, shortcomings, and errors.
2. Only the Forgiving are Forgiven
Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
CONCLUSION: Do you need to fill some of these barrels to serve as ballasts to keep you afloat.