Surviving Storms in a Spirit-Directed Life Acts 27:23-26

The Storms of Life Storms will come … or you may be going through one right now …maybe even the perfect storm

The Storms of Life Paul, Luke and Aristarchus find themselves in a perfect storm Acts 27 shows two ways of handling the storms of life. The Spirit-Directed way and human wisdom

Human wisdom is not always contrary to the directing of the Holy Spirit – but when the Holy Spirit directs contrary to human wisdom, we must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Previously in Acts The importance of place. Acts 1:8 – there is no obedience to the call of God without the obedience to place.

Previously in Acts Paul’s obedience to go to Jerusalem Paul’s obedience not to go back to Jerusalem, but to Rome The pivotal points in your life

Pivotal Points Make life decisions according to where God wants to place you. There is an obedience and a rebellion of place.

Paul’s time in Caesarea Paul testifies to Felix. Acts 24 25 Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come…”

Paul’s time in Caesarea Paul testifies to Agrippa II. Acts 26 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Our call to testify to princes / speak to those in authority

The Story of Acts 27 The penultimate of our series Paul’s journey from Caesarea to Rome will be through a storm

Acts 27 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. [lit. Cohort Augusta]

“We” section means … “Julius … Cohort Augusta” Cohort: one of ten subdivisions of a Legion, between 360-800 men. Auxiliary soldiers to the heavy infantry. Historical research: Cohort Augusta I based in Caesarea during reign of Agrippa II

Acts 27 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

“Julius” and “Aristarchus” means account is verifiable. The Book of Acts as the Word of God. Authenticity | Historicity  infallibility

“sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia” [Minor] means the seas are bad.

Acts 27 3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.

When you are living out God’s will, God often sends you someone to make your hardship more bearable to show you that you remain in his love and favor.

Acts 27 4 From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.  Sailing against a Northwest wind. Sailing into the wind is a zig-zag affair.

Acts 27 5 When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 

Acts 27 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Paul knows he is doing God’s will. God has told him he is going to Rome. Yet, his being on this ship and that ship is outside his control. But he knows God is in control.

When you are in God’s will it does not mean you have control of the situation. When you have no control over your situation, God remains in control of your life situation.

The powerful life is not a Pollyanna life The powerful life is not a Pollyanna life. The powerful life is a purpose driven life.

Acts 27 9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous …. So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous ….”

Acts 27 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

Paul’s view: Remain in Fair Haven though it is not built to withstand severe storms. Better some shelter than no shelter. Expert opinion: Make a dash for Phoenix for a proper shelter.

Paul is forced to go even when he does not think it advisable. Other people can drag you into a storm not your choosing. The decisions of other people can cause you suffering, but their decisions do not change God’s direction for your life.

Acts 27 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 

Acts 27 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. 

Hurricane Northeaster blasted the ship The lee of the small island could not protect them. The lifeboat has to be hoisted. In a hurricane in a sailing ship laden with grain.

Acts 27 Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 

Acts 27 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

“We finally gave up all hope of being saved” Did not include Paul. But did it include Luke and Aristarchus? Perhaps not.

When God calls you to a supportive role, you are no less important When God calls you to a supportive role, you are no less important. Your success and security is tied to the success and security of the one Christ has called to lead. Which boat you are in determines whether you can survive the storm.

Acts 27 21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “… I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 

Acts 27 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 

Acts 27 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

There is no rational reason to believe that every person on board the ship will be saved except by the promise of God to Paul. Is the promise of God good enough for you when there is no reason to believe it?

There are times when the rational must give way to hope There are times when the rational must give way to hope. Hope is that is not wishful thinking, but hope that is secured to the promise of God; to the goodness of God.

No one will be lost. It is God’s gift to Paul  Paul was praying for them God delights in the prayer that goes beyond your own needs. God delights in the prayer that is offered for your enemies.

The storm in life can be so severe that experts do not know what to do The storm in life can be so severe that experts do not know what to do. They are not to be mocked or blamed, they merely reflect human limitation. We cannot pit God’s deliverance against human ability.

Acts 27ff Ran aground Back of the ship pounded by the waves and broke the ship apart They swam ashore They found themselves in Malta They remained for three months, and sailed on to Rome.

God does not exempt us from the storm, but delivers us from the storm. When you are living out God’s purpose and that purpose is not yet done, there is no fear of dying before your time.

Everyone on board was saved on account of Paul. Sometimes just being in the same boat as the one whose life is Spirit-Directed is enough to save you. Be sure you are where God wants you to be.

Life will take you into storms Living the life as directed by the Holy is what takes you through a storm.