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Stay the Course
Pray: God help us to stay the course.
Amen.
I want to talk to you about staying the course and navigating the complexity of life by faith.
The world we live in has changed since 2020 and will continue to do so.
Instead of being complicated, things have become complex.
Complicated means that there are many components that work together to create situations and circumstances.
But we can usually predict how to address them by breaking them down in pieces and approaching them linearly, step-by-step.
Complex systems are different.
They are more distributed and it is harder to discern what the problem actually is.
In a complex system it is more challenging to discover what the individual parts are going to produce and what will emerge.
Complex systems are often non-linear and happen in fits and bursts.
We’re moving from a complicated to a complex world.
We understand complicated and can deal with the known unknowns.
We can break things down in chunks and work our way to a solution.
But when there are so many things happening at once and things are hitting in different areas where we have little or no idea how they are going to impact each other.
With the complexity of globalization, the destabilization and decentralization that comes with it, we are seeing an assault on institutions and structures that once provided stability.
As a result, we are seeing an increase in anxiety and stress.
We need to know that the world is not going back to pre-2020 normal and we need to consider what that means for being a Christian in these times and our mission to reach the lost.
When we can discover and practice what it takes to stay the course, we will find rest for our souls in the simplicity of faith and reach others with the hope of Jesus.
Another Way
Prior to our text, where Paul offers hope, he gave a word of wisdom to those around him.
The trip would have turned out differently if the centurion had listened to Paul instead of the “experts.”
They were not prepared for what was coming.
Conditions had changed.
In the same way, listening to the world’s experts will not help us overcome the world.
Things have changed.
Relationships have changed.
The structures that once offered stability and constancy are being attacked and brought down.
The things that once worked—the tools and techniques—were designed for another world.
We need to get back to the Biblical way and walk the path that Jesus set.
His Way has survived the fall of nations and cultures.
His Way is an ancient way, established in the heavens, with the wisdom and knowledge of God behind it (Jeremiah 6.16, Psalm 119.89,
John 1.1-5).
The way of Jesus is the only way to truth and life (John 14.6).
It is the only way to peace that passes understanding (cf.
Philippians 4.6-7).
If we want to overcome and thrive in the face of the changes of the world around us, we must press in to the kingdom of God and His righteousness like never before (cf.
Matthew 6.33).
How to Stay the Course
It can be hard to navigate when you are in the middle of a storm.
This is true of individuals, churches, communities, or countries.
It can seem like you can’t plot a course because there is no clear view to the sun nor stars or any indicators that you are moving in the right direction.
It can be difficult to see and hear when the winds of change are blowing all around.
What most of us do is do all that we can to stay on the ship and keep it from sinking.
But there are three keys in this story that will help us face the wind and the waves and make it safely to the other side.
Keep Trusting God
We need to keep trusting God and ensure that we remain in the faith.
Paul could have been discouraged at this point in the trip.
Many days of fasting and praying.
He tried to warn the captain and the centurion that this would happen, but they didn’t listen.
He was on that ship because of his faith.
He had to make a defense before Caesar because of persecution.
Wet, cold, tired, hungry…he could have just given up.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he trusted God.
Instead he determined to do what God had said and stay on course.
Institutions like the church which provided stability and served as a pillar for truth are being attacked and questioned.
It doesn’t help that people who sought the refuge of God among the people of God have been hurt and disappointed by poor leaders and immature saints.
This isn’t just about the church, this is happening throughout all of the West.
This is the general mood of the culture.
This is why all the more we must resist the pull away from the house of God which is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and ground of the truth (cf. 1 Timothy 3.15).
This is why all the more we must stand on the Scriptures which are given by the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3.16).
The kingdoms of this world are passing, but the kingdom of God is ever increasing (cf. 1 Corinthians 7.31, Isaiah 9.7).
Keep trusting in God (Proverbs 3.5).
Stand on His word (2 Thessalonians 2.15).
Resist the pull away from fellowship (Hebrews 10.25).
Guard your heart (Proverbs 4.23).
Be diligent to be found in the faith (2 Corinthians 13.5).
Keep Praying to God
Throughout the midst of the storm, Paul prayed.
He fasted and prayed.
If we are going to weather the storms of change, we need to keep praying and ensure that we are listening to God and for God.
When the angel came with the answer Paul was seeking, he was ready to respond.
Not only that, because of Paul’s prayers no life was lost on the ship.
Now, and possibly more than ever, we need to be people of prayer.
We need to pray for governmental authority (1 Timothy 2.2).
We need to pray for the lost (1 Timothy 2.3).
We need to pray for spiritual leaders (Hebrews 13.7).
We need to pray for each other (James 5.16).
If we are going to get wisdom and remain in the will of God, we need to make sure that we are praying regularly and often (Luke 18.1, Ephesians 6.18).
Keep Preaching the Kingdom
In the midst of the storm, God kept Paul for purpose.
Paul was meant to preach the gospel before Caesar.
And, Paul was able to preach the gospel to the men on the ship with him.
In the midst of a changing world, the hope we have in God should remain constant.
It is in this season that revival is most likely.
The harvest is ripe and ready due to the anxiety and uncertainty that people are experiencing (cf.
John 4.35).
Their sins are unforgiven and they sense that judgment follows (Hebrews 9.27).
As we learn to overcome the storms of change, we will be positioned to proclaim the goodness of God to others.
We must keep preaching.
We must keep seeking the lost.
We must keep building the church and advancing God’s kingdom.
When you focus on the kingdom first, and reaching the lost, you discover that all things work together for your good (Matthew 6.33, Matthew 28.18-20, Romans 8.28).
You will find purpose and impact and not be tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of man (cf.
Ephesians 4.14).
When you stay focused on the heart of God, you will find that you have peace and are not worried about so many of the things of this life.
People are the heart of God.
So preach the kingdom early and often.
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