Sermon: Lessons from the Storm

August 5/6, 2007
Series: Going Deeper
Title: Lessons from the Storm
Matt Messner

Text: Acts 27:1-44

Intro

They say that 200 million Americans travel by air every summer. That is a heck of a lot of people. Summer is supposed to be a good time to travel. Good weather, no snow storms, so glichless, and stress free flying – these are what you would hope to find. One week ago I was on my way back from Israel and had to clear customs in Newark, New Jersey. It was just a two hour stop—long enough to clear customs. So we boarded our next plane (bound for Los Angeles), just about on schedule. We pulled out onto the runway, and parked. Does anyone here know why the air conditioning doesn’t work when a plane is parked? Pretty soon the pilot turns off the engine to conserve gas. So we are sitting there in the hot and cramped plane. The captain announces, “There is a storm just to the West of us. We think it may clear soon, so we are going to wait here for a while. We are 41st in line for take off, so it might be a while. Right now, no one is being allowed to take off.” 30 minutes later, I see a guy dressed up as a captain, chatting with people in the aisle. So I turn on my phone, go online, and find out that sure enough, there in NJ, there was a localized thunderstorm that included 70 mph winds and nickel sized hail. GREAT! So we sat and we sat and we sat. Planes began going back to the terminal to re-fuel. Airlines began cancelling flights…but we were determined to make it to LA. I had to be back for service the next night! Four hours later we took off.

Storms are so inconvenient! They get in our way. They make us uncomfortable. They stress us out. They disrupt our plans…and they are not just meteorological. In fact, in life we encounter storms; storms in relationships. We have storms emotionally; in our jobs, at school. They are a regular part of life. The question is, how do we make it through the storms while experiencing the peace that the HS can bring to your life?

The Apostle Paul’s life had its share of storms. The story that we will be looking at together has to do with a major storm. To catch up with that time in Paul’s life let me summarize some events that preceded it. After his third missionary journey, Paul arrives in Jerusalem, where he is falsely arrested for sacrilege (bringing Gentiles into the temple), taken into custody, and sent to Caesarea to stand trial before the governor Felix. After two years of procrastination on the part of his detainers, he appealed to have his case transferred to the hearing of the emperor. His request was granted and he was sent to Rome.
Journey to Italy
· His traveling companions include Julius the centurion, Aristarchus and Luke (Acts 27:1-3)
· They travel from Caesarea to Sidon to Myra (transfer to a cargo ship with 270 people on board) to the South shore of Crete. (Acts 27:4-8)
· After skipping port at Fair Havens a storm hits
· Ship wreck on Malta (Acts 27:1-44)

The story is found in Acts 27. From this storm story we will gain insight into how to and how not to negotiate the storms that we face.

I. 27:1-12
Things were going from bad to worse for Paul and his companions. People were not listening to him. He must have felt helpless. He had a serious premonition about what was ahead for them. But he is basically ignored.
When was there a time that you saw people heading down a disastrous path and you knew it? Maybe, like Paul, you even said something but you were ignored. “Stop!” “Don’t go that way!” We see this at times with our loved ones. (Addiction, peer pressure, poor choice. You see it when someone enters into a relationship with someone who is going to have a negative influence on them). We see it in our corporate settings. But your boss doesn’t necessarily value your input. i.e.: marriages, unplanned pregnancy
The problem is when you’re locked in the car with them. It’s one thing if the mistakes only effected one person, but when it effects you, what can you do? Paul was helpless, but he could see that a disaster was on the horizon.
Lessons from the storm: 1 .We are not in control.
No matter how much faith you have and how hard you pray, you are not in control. There are things you cannot manipulate no matter how hard you try or how hard you pray.

II. 27:13-20
I understand why they lost hope. Makes sense to me. They faced a real danger. They were pushed beyond their limits. And they lost hope.
When you are pushed and life is tough, one real option is hopelessness.
Last week, flying back from Israel…hopeless
My grandfather has been sick. For a few weeks. We called some relatives to check up on him and they told us that they had scheduled a memorial service for him…hopeless. I’ve felt hopeless for relationships. For marriages. For people.

Lessons from the storm: 2. There are times when we lose hope.
Are you OK with this? Do you have a safety net?
Are you there right now? Is there someone you know who has lost hope? They need you. Believe in them!

III. 27:21-26
Same situation…different perspective. A different response to the real danger and the real threats.
“I urge you to keep up your courage”.
Urge: strongly advise you to do this. I warn you. This is really important!
Euthumeo: “Keep up your courage”: Lit.: to be of good cheer, to reassure, to comfort, to regain composure. In medicine, it refers to the sick keeping up their spirits. The noun euthemia means a good interior disposition, courageous good humor, an optimistic outlook that causes the heart to swell and preserves or favors the appearance of that internal equilibrium that constitutes good health.
Keep up your courage!
A choice they had to make!
A choice that we can make as well! Choose hopelessness, or courage.
What was the source of courage?
A promise!
v. 24: Do not be afraid.
v. 25: Have faith in God
v.26: It will not be easy…
Promises:
Hebrews 13:5/Deut. 31:6 “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Ephesians 1:18-23 “The same power that raised Christ from…”
“No weapon that’s fashioned against us” – Isaiah 54:17
“Nothing can separate you from the love of God” Romans 8:35-39

What is it that makes the promises more than words on page? The presence of the HS
John 14:16-18
The Old Testament Promise: “I will be your God, you will be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of you.”
Acts 2: The realization of the abiding/constant presence of God.

Lessons from the storm: 3. When tempted to lose hope, focus on the promise and choose courage.
Jesus is our example: John 16:33

IV. 27:27-38
Their schemes are not the answer, God is. (vss. 31-32)
When challenged, your integrity will be tested. Our integrity gets tested when we are tired, when we are empty, when we are vulnerable due to fatigue. Storms have a way of making us feel this way.

Why hadn’t they eaten?
They were seasick. Ever been there before?
Too busy working…
To busy trying to survive…
Are you too busy to take in?
Have you been distracted?
Have you become sick?
Paul said, you need this to survive – physically.
Interesting alter call. Interesting experience of communion. It doesn’t take a storm to share in this experience. But it is good to be prepared for the storms that can come.
Fellow believers: You need this (communion) to survive – spiritually. A very good friend of mine had been struggling with an illness that had left him spiritually dry and empty. We shared communion together and he was encouraged.

Lessons from the storm: 4. Remember to take care of yourself, physically and spiritually (communion)

V. 27:39-44
The final threats continue, but are overcome. V. 44. How can you face current threats, differently.
I believe that today, all of us can reach land safely. The HS is the key. He isn’t a buzz, or a feeling, or an experience. He is the abiding Presence of God. “I am an ever present help in time of need”. He is the one that brings promises off the page of Bible and into real life.

Lessons from the story: 5. The promises and presence of God will provide you with peace/perspective.
Philippians 4:6-7

I have seen people go through the storms of life with great courage and dignity and peace.

Conclusion/Application
Remember the promises of God
Recognize His Presence
Promises + Presence = Peace/Perspective

Communion:
Bread:
Music: Use the “Break Through” song.
Cup: