Counting Trials As Joy Pt. 3 - The Speak Up Storm

Introduction

We’ve been looking at storms over the past few Wednesday evenings, and tonight, we will finish up this little series.

We first looked at the “Grow-Up Storm” from the life of Jonah - Storms are often sent to us so that we can grow in the Lord. Often, God sends us storms to show us things He knows about us, that we need to figure out about ourselves. Just like He did Jonah.

Jonah brought about this storm by his own rebellion against God, but not all storms are sent because of sin...

Last week, we looked at the “Wake-Up Storm” from the life of the Disciples - This kind of storm is sent as an opportunity for God to show. See, the disciples that night were doing exactly what Jesus had instructed them to, yet they ran into the storm of their life!

But this storm wasn’t because of their sin, but it was to help increase their faith in Jesus! Remember, if we don’t face impossibilities, we will never see God do the impossible!

Tonight, we will look at the “Speak-Up Storm” and how trials give opportunity for others to know.

When we undergo trials and experience divine deliverance, the people around us have the opportunity to see that there is a true and living God who is real and at work in our lives.

Our trials become a platform to display the reality of God to unbelievers.

This was the case in the Apostle Paul’s shipwreck. Held captive on a ship headed to Rome, Paul warned the captain early in the journey of the storms ahead. Turning a deaf ear to his advice, the captain continued to sail.

Acts 27:9–11 KJV 1900

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Acts 27:14–20 KJV 1900

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

As predicted, the storm arrived and everyone onboard the ship soon found themselves in a desperate situation with no hope in sight. Paul, however, had a relationship with the God who controlled the storm, and he realized that the storm was the perfect opportunity to speak up for God before a group of unbelievers.

Trials Help Others to Know the Importance of a Relationship with God

Paul told those onboard that God had sent him a message. He told them that he had a word from God who was in control of the storm.

Acts 27:21–24 KJV 1900

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

These words no doubt not only brought others reassurance in the storm, but they demonstrated the importance of having a personal relationship with God.

The essence of life is to know God.

Perhaps you are going through a storm today and you don’t have a personal relationship with God.

Then I would love to show you how you can have a personal relationship with Him.

If you’re like Paul, and are saved, remember that storms in your life can show others how significant it is to know and walk with God.

Do those around you see that you have a personal relationship with the Lord?

Is there a difference in the way you face a trial compared to an unbeliever?

When you rejoice in your trial and rely on the promises of God, others will observe the difference because you have God in the picture who is more than able to help you.

So, Trials Help Others to Know the Importance of a Relationship with God; also:

Trials Help Others to Know the Importance of a Reliance on God

When an unbeliever goes through a trial he has no one else to turn to but himself or the help of men. But we as believers have the greatest source of help available—the Lord Himself.

When we rely on the Lord for grace, strength, and wisdom in our trial and trust in His purpose for it, others have an opportunity to see the significance of full dependence on the God of our faith.

Paul used a phrase that helps us see that we must not only know the truth, but we must also depend on it.

Acts 27:25–26 KJV 1900

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

Knowing the truth is not enough, we must believe that God will perform His Word.

Paul affirmed that he believed God! May that be our testimony that we believe God! The majority on board that ship was unbelievers, pagans, and godless men—but thank God there was at least one that believed God.

Years ago Dr. Clovis Chappell gave testimony that when he was a young man he went to a church that had been split wide-open by internal strife. He decided that something must be done, so he planned a revival meeting. He sent for a man to help him. This man was not a preacher, but a farmer, a man great in prayer. Day after day the man prayed, and Chappell preached, but nothing happened. One church member said, “There’s no use to go on, you can’t do anything with this situation. We’ve tried everything and nothing does any good.”

The praying farmer said, “You would not say that if you knew my Lord as I know Him.” The last night came and still there was no movement toward God. The members were still hating one another. But the praying farmer said to the preacher, ‘You speak what God tells you to say and He will do the rest.” At the close of the meeting a revolution took place. The church members confessed their sins, made up their differences, and souls were saved. The church and community were never the same again. Why? Because of the prayers and faith of one man who believed God. Paul said, “I believe God.” Do you?

May the Lord Jesus enable us to affirm our faith even in the most trying of times! Paul testifies that he believed God and he believes the word of God.

Paul believed that it would be just as God had said.

Do we believe that it will be just as God has said?

Do we take Him at His Word?

Do we stand faithfully on the principles and promises of His Word?

Conclusion

Our trials are often blessings in disguise—to both us and to those around us.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in prison for preaching the gospel in Philippi.

They had been beaten and thrown in jail for doing nothing worthy of that punishment. Yet their response to this trial was to pray and sing at midnight. And what was the result?

The jailor and his family were saved.

Acts 16:23–31 KJV 1900

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

The jailor must have been so confused by their unusual response that he was compelled to ask, “What must I do to be saved?”

You know why he said that?

Because he e saw something different in the lives of the disciples and determined that he wanted what they had.

The trial you face might be the best and only opportunity to win someone to the Lord or to demonstrate the power of God in your life.

Why can we count trials a joy?

Because we know that God is working in our lives for our good and the good of others.

Embrace God’s promises, and count your trial a joy.