A.D. Part 8 – What To Do When the Storms of Life Leave You Feeling Shipwrecked
Pastor Scott Applegate
Sermon Notes:
Acts 27
Why do we experience “storms” in life?
- We forget that this is not heaven (John 16:33, Revelation 21:4, Acts 14:22)
- We listen to the wrong people
“…the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.” Acts 27:11 NLT
- We go with the crowd
“And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.” Acts 27:12 NLT
- We rely on circumstances
“When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete.” Acts 27:13 NLT
How storms affect our lives
- They can cause us to give up persevering
“The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale. We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.” Acts 27:15-17 NLT
- They can cause us to give up our values
“The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard.” Acts 27:18-19 NLT
- They can cause us to give up hope
“The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.” Acts 27:20 NLT
Three anchors that will keep you in the storms
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” Hebrews 6:19 NIV
- The presence of God (Acts 27:23)
- The purposes of God (Acts 27:24)
- The promises of God (Acts 27:25)