2013 Acts #37: an exposition of Acts 27:1-44. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 16, 2014.
Intro:
The whole experience was surreal. As we walked down the street the devastation defied description. Trees stripped clean of their bark. Cars crushed like discarded pop cans. This was a residential neighborhood or at least it used to be. Families were sifting through what once was their home trying to find something they could salvage. Some tangible reminder of what was once their pride and joy. It happened so fast. Just a few minutes and it was over. Everything – gone. As chaplains we tried to bring comfort to those devastated by the tornadoes that ripped through Moore, Del City and Midwest City. It’s a funny thing about storms. One day everything is wonderful – no cares. The next day wiped out. Nothing but cares. Yet, life goes on. Storms are frightening because they can strike without warning. Especially those storms that are not physical in nature. What about the storm that comes from a knock on the door in the middle of the night? A man with a badge tells you your loved one is never coming home? What about the storm that rages when the doctor walks in the room shaking his head saying, “I’d hoped for better news?” Or perhaps you have known the pain of hearing the words, “I just don’t love you anymore.”
Storms are inevitable in this world. A world wracked by sin. A world in the grip of evil and corruption. How do you weather life’s emotional and spiritual storms? Faith in Christ does not insure smooth sailing. Your trusting Christ does not guarantee safe passage through life. Storms come and go. Devastation and debris dot the landscape. The question is not will the storms come but rather how will you respond to life’s storms?
Our text this morning is found in the 27th chapter of Acts.
Text: Acts 27:9-25
By the time we reach our text, Paul’s life has been buffeted by storm for years!
He has faced constant harassment from the Jews.
He has faced hardship of every kind.
He has been beaten, stoned and needlessly imprisoned.
In fact listen to his version – 2 Corinthians 11:24-28.
Now wouldn’t that make a great recruiting poster!
In the immediate context he was arrested on false charges (bringing Gentiles into the temple).
He was rushed by a mob.
There was a plot to murder him.
He has been shuffled around as a political prisoner for 2 years.
Now he is finally on his way to Rome to appeal to Caesar.
James Smith, after careful and deliberate research was convinced that Acts 27 is an eyewitness account of peril at sea. He published his findings in a book entitled The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul. Smith wrote, “No sailor would have written in a style so little like that of a sailor; no man not a sailor could have written a narrative of a sea voyage so consistent in all its parts, unless from actual observation.”
That is to say we have before us the literal, historical account of a treacherous sea voyage. But the lessons drawn from that voyage apply equally well to all the storms of life. Make no mistake about it. This text is about God’s gracious deliverance of the apostle Paul and all those who traveled with him from a violent, life-threatening storm. But the lessons learned are life lessons. The same God who delivered Paul from the raging sea can and will deliver you from the storms that ransack your life.
Reflection on this text reminds us that:
Thesis: In the midst of the storm, the believer must tenaciously cling to God and His promise.
An amazing thing happens in this text. Professional sailors – those who have vast experience of sailing rough seas – become panic stricken. The apostle Paul, on the other hand, remains remarkably calm. I almost think too calm – especially when he says, “Fellas you should have listened to me…” (27:21-22)
I want us to focus our attention on 27:23-25.
When the storm winds blow. When the rain become torrential. What is it you desire? A shelter. A safe place. You want something that doesn’t move! You want something that can withstand the onslaught. That is the child of God has in our Heavenly Father. A shelter in the time of storm.
There are three principles or truths reflected in Paul’s words in 27:23-25.
What gave him such peace?
How was he able to remain calm?
Where did he find such strength?
Three things.
- The peace of knowing the God you serve.
- The peace of knowing the promise given.
- The peace of knowing that he can be trusted.