JULY 31, 2022

THE CHALLENGE OF LIFE’S CRISES

Acts 27:9-44

Three kinds of crises or storms:

1. Storms we bring on ourselves.
2. Storms that God allows to come our way.
3. Storms that other people cause.

Three responses to remember:

1. Trouble comes when we listen to the wrong people.

Verse 11 – But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot of the owner of the ship.

Prov. 21:16 – A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.

2. Trouble comes listening to the popular crowd.

Verse 12 – The majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there.

Prov. 18:24 – A man of many companions may come to ruin.

3. Trouble comes by relying on wrong circumstances.

Verse 13 – When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted.

Responses that are wrong in the storm:

1. We are tempted to drift.

Verse 17 – The sailors let the ship be driven along.

2. We start discarding important things.

Verse 18-19 – We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

Verse 43-44:

3. We’re tempted to give up hope.

Verse 20 – When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Responses that bring confidence in the storm:

Verse 29 – Fearing that we should be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Psalm 125:1 – He who puts his trust in God is immovable like mount Zion.

1. You need to stand in the presence of God.

Verse 23 – Last night an angel of the God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me.

Heb. 13:5 – Never will I forsake you.

Matt. 28:28 – Surely I will be with you.

2. You can depend on God’s purpose.

Verse 24 – 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.

3. God’s promise can become an anchor of confidence.

Verse 25 – Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.

4. Learn to pray for daylight.

Verse 29 – Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Abraham:
DAYLIGHT WILL COME!