1. ACTS 27:1-44 Surviving Life’s Storms

2. Life Is Full of Storms Pursuing our walk with God  We will encounter many storms  Some will be mild others will be very difficult  The life that we live on this earth is full of troubles  When faced with troubles we need to remember what Jesus said in John 16:33  “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”

3. Life Is Full of Storms You are in one of 3 areas right now  You have just gotten out of a storm  You are in a storm right now  You are headed into a storm

4. Life Is Full of Storms The Apostle Paul was well acquainted with troubles  But Paul never gave up on God  2 Corinthians 1:8-10

5. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.

6. Life Is Full of Storms The Apostle Paul was well acquainted with troubles  Paul is saying that they were in such trouble that they had given up getting out alive  But this happened so that they might trust in God rather than trusting in themselves or others  Through these hardships, Paul learned to trust God for deliverance

7. Acts 27 One of the many difficulties Paul had to face and endure in his life  He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner  He had warned the soldiers that it was not safe to sail  They chose to disregard Paul’s warning  They sailed anyway because they did not want to spend the winter where they were  They sailed into a storm

8. Acts 27 When life’s storms come We need to ask ourselves 3 questions that will help us to survive and keep us on the right path I. Why Did This Happen? II. What Will Be the Results? III. How Will I Respond?

9. I. Why Did This Happen? What Causes Storms in our Lives?  Most of the problems in our lives we bring on ourselves  I am the first and greatest cause of storms in my life!  There are consequences to our bad decisions!

10. I. Why Did This Happen? What Causes Storms in our Lives?  Most of the problems in our lives we bring on ourselves  Other people  The devil

11. I. Why Did This Happen? What Causes Storms in our Lives?  Most of the problems in our lives we bring on ourselves.  Other people  The devil  God can be the cause  He allows problems to come into our lives to get our attention, to test us, and to mold us  When I’m going through a storm in my life how do I determine the cause?  I pray and seek the face of God

12. I. Why Did This Happen? What Causes Storms in our Lives?  The writer of the 73 rd Psalm had the same problem  He could not understand the problems he was having and why it appeared that the wicked prospered and had an easy life  While he was thinking about this he got his answer while worshipping in the house of God  Psalm 73:16-17 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

13. I. Why Did This Happen? What Causes Storms in our Lives?  When you go to church God will sometimes speak to you  Through the message  Through a song  Through a testimony  Through a prayer in the service  When you begin to seek His face and will you will begin to understand!  A great place to hear from God is while worshiping Him with other believers!

14. Common Mistakes Acts 27  They decided to go ahead and sail in spite of Paul’s warning  They made three mistakes that we all make at times

15. Common Mistakes We listen to bad advice – v. 11  They choose to “follow the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship”  God had already said not to do it and Paul had warned them of this  But because the “expert” said it was “OK”, they sailed anyway  There are a lot of experts in the world  They all have the answer to our problem even when God has told us “No!”

16. Common Mistakes We listen to bad advice – v. 11 We follow the crowd – v. 12  “The majority decided that we should sail on”  One of the phrases we hear often - “but everybody’s doing it”  “Everybody” can be wrong  When the children of Israel were leaving Egypt and going to the Promised Land, the majority of them wanted to go back to Egypt  They were wrong!!!  We often get in to trouble because we follow the crowd

17. Common Mistakes We listen to bad advice – v. 11 We follow the crowd – v. 12 We rely on circumstances – v. 13  “When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted”  They thought it was a nice day for sailing  Paul said, don’t do it, we’re heading into a storm  But they went anyway and they shipwrecked

18. Common Mistakes We listen to bad advice – v. 11 We follow the crowd – v. 12 We rely on circumstances – v. 13  We all feel that if the circumstances are just right we can go ahead and go for it  We should not make a move until we know that it is what God wants for our lives!  Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”

19. II. What Will Be The Results? We Learn  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

20. II. What Will Be The Results? We Learn  Understand that our troubles are only temporary, but the rewards of obeying God are permanent  Paul is saying that the problems you have in your life are not going to last forever  But since the rewards of faithfulness are eternal, we should focus on the eternal!

21. II. What Will Be The Results? We Learn  God helps us with that with His promise in Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose  It doesn’t matter where your problem came from  God will use it to teach you His purpose in your life

22. II. What Will Be The Results? We Grow  One of the purposes that God wants in your life is spiritual growth  James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

23. II. What Will Be The Results? We Grow  Even if you’re the cause of the trouble, God will use it to help you grow  Even when other people hurt you intentionally, He will use it  Even when the devil plans bad things for your life, God will bring good out of it!  God’s purpose is greater than our problems  He will use it for good in your life!

24. II. What Will Be The Results? We Grow  Romans 5:3-5 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

25. II. What Will Be The Results? We Grow  God wants you to learn and to grow  Every storm is a school!  Every trial is a teacher!  Every experience is an education!  Every difficulty is for your spiritual growth!

26. III. How Will I Respond? Your response will determine your outcome  You and I are going to go through many storms in our lives  The only thing that we can do is be prepared for them when they do come

27. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t drift with the storm - Acts 27:15 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.  The ship was in the middle of the Mediterranean ocean  They hadn’t seen the sun or stars for 14 days They can’t get any bearings They have no idea where they are so, they just drifted with the storm

28. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t drift with the storm - Acts 27:15  Too often we give up on reaching our goals and just start drifting through life because of a storm  But we don’t call it drifting today  We call it coasting  The problem with coasting is that you’re headed downhill - you never coast uphill!  You’re going the wrong direction if you’re coasting  Don’t lose your direction just because life gets hard

29. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t throw away the things you need to survive 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.  In the middle of the ocean - 14 overcast days – violently battered  They start throwing things overboard to lighten the ship First they threw the cargo overboard Then they threw the tackle overboard, then the food They were ready to throw the prisoners overboard  They were throwing away the things they needed because the storm was so tough  This is a common, human reaction to difficulty

30. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t throw away the things you need to survive  When we get in a storm - a difficulty - a trial - we start throwing away the things we need to survive the storms Our values Our relationships with others  God says, “Stay with the ship”  v. 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.”  v. 32 They cut away the lifeboats to force everyone to stay with the ship

31. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t throw away the things you need to survive  Have you done that in your marriage?  Have you “cut the life boats lose” so there’s no way out?  Have you said, “Divorce is not an option for us. We’re going to make this work!”  If you haven’t, you’ll always be tempted to walk out!  Then you will never develop the character God wants you to have

32. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t throw away the things you need to survive  God can change situations and personalities  He says “Stay with the ship”  Don’t throw out the values you know are right and important  Don’t abandon the things you know you need in your life  I’ve learned that it is never God’s will for me to run from a difficult situation  God wants you to learn, to grow, to develop, so stay with it

33. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t Lose Hope  Acts 27:20 “we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”  14 overcast days  They don’t know where they’re going  They’re being beat up, tossed back and forth  They’ve given up their cargo, their tackle, their food  Finally they give up hope - the last thing to go!

34. Three Things We Should Not Do Don’t Lose Hope  They’d forgotten one thing: even in a storm God is in control!  He hasn’t left you even if you do not feel His presence  If you feel far from God, guess who moved? He hasn’t left you He’s with you in that storm He’ll help you through it  God is testing you to see if you’ll trust Him

35. Three Things We Should Do Accept Responsibilities for Your Part in the Problem  Acts 27:21-22 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

36. Three Things We Should Do Accept Responsibilities for Your Part in the Problem  We call this confession  If you brought it on yourself, admit it  Stop blaming other people  Stop making excuses  Confesses your sin to God  Accept His forgiveness  Allow Him to give you another chance

37. Three Things We Should Do Face the Reality of the Problem – Acts 27:34-44  Don’t run away from it - Do what you can!  vv. 34-36 “Therefore we know we’re going to crack up so I encourage you to eat. Take some food.” (vv. 34-36)  Then he told them to do some other things they could do  They lightened the ship, untied the rudders, cut the anchors loose  They intentionally ran the ship straight ahead into the storm trying to run aground

38. Three Things We Should Do Face the Reality of the Problem – Acts 27:34-44  To get through a storm  You don’t run from it  You don’t go under it, over it, around it  You go right into it  God won’t take you around the storms of life, but He will carry you through them!  You never solve a problem by ignoring it or trying to avoid it  God didn’t say when you go through the storm it would be easy  He said “I will be with you and you are going to make it”

39. Three Things We Should Do Stand on the Promises of God’s Word  Acts 27:23-25 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.‘ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

40. Three Things We Should Do Stand on the Promises of God’s Word  God will keep His promises!  God did not say the ship will make it  God said you will make it  Some things will be lost, but you will be saved  That’s God’s promise to you - You will make it, all the way home!  Stand on it, accept it, and believe it!

41. Are you facing a storm in your life? Don’t give up!  Don’t become anxious and afraid  Don’t allow yourself to drift away from God’s purpose for your life  Don’t throw away the things that you need to make it through the storms  Don’t throw away your convictions, your relationship to God, going to church, meeting with God on a daily basis to read your Bible, pray and seek God’s Face for your life  Don’t give up hope!

42. Are you facing a storm in your life? An Interesting Point  Everything was falling apart in this storm except Paul  Why wasn’t Paul falling apart?  Because his trust was in God and not in the ship!  Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”