Through Storms and Shipwrecks (Acts 27)
Pr Chua Wee Hian
Paul's ambition: Preaching the gospel and building up the church in Rome.
But what happened was that he went not as church-planter, but as a prisoner "I appeal to Caesar!"
(Acts 25:11)
So Paul was taken to Rome on a ship along with 276 passengers and crew.
1 The Journey
1.1 - Paul's companions: Aristarchus n Luke
We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of
Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. (Acts 27:2)
Two fellow believers followed Paul to Rome.
1.2 The Centurion: Julius
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to
a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. (Acts 27:1)
On board was a centurion who Paul had found favour with.
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1.3 Port Sidon: Hospitality and Provisions
The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so
they might provide for his needs. (Acts 27:3)
Although Paul was a prisoner, Julius trusted him enough to give him “shore leave” to go to the homes
of friends when the ship docked at Port Sidon.
1.4 All Change - Weather and Ship
From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against
us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra
in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We
made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not
allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. (Acts 27:4-7)
The pleasant ship journey took a turn for the worst. That time that they were travelling in was not
the best of times to travel as it was around the time of stormy weather.
1.5 Money Mattered More Than Safety.
Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to
reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.
(Acts 27:12)
Paul advised the captain not to continue the journey, but he, the crew and the other passangers
wanted to move to another port.
2 The Storm (v 13-26)
2.1 Ship - Out of Control (v 13-15)
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their
opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the
shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane
force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the
island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not
head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven
along. (Acts 27:13-15)
The storm too strong and the crew could not control the
ship. They had to let had to just let the storm carry the
ship.
2.2 Drastic Measures (v 16-19)
As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the
lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it
together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered
the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 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. (Acts 27: 16-19)
To lighten the ship the crew dumped the cargo that they were carrying.
2.3 Helpless and Hopeless (v 20)
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave
up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20)
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They were in the storm for many days, being tossed around in darkness by the waves. The people on
board would most probably think that the death would surely come.
2.4 Hope Dawns (v 21-26)
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should
have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and
loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship
will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside
me and said, ‘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.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it
will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:21-26)
Paul had a dream, a message from an angel that the ship would indeed be destroyed but no one
would die.
3 The Shipwreck (Acts 27:27-44)
3.1 Plots and Counter Plots
In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the
lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower
some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and
the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be
saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let
it drift away. (Acts 27: 30-32)
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them
from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to
spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He
ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to
land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of
the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely. (Acts 27: 42-44)
There were several plots that would have got in the way of Paul
reaching Rome and through it all they were stopped.
3.2 Food and Fresh Strength (Acts 27: 27-36)
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in
constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take
some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said
this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to
eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on
board. (Acts 27:33-37)
As they were nearing land, Paul urged and encouraged the people to eat, to meet their physical
need.
3.3 Safe Landing (v 44)
The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached
land safely. (Acts 27:44)
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4 Abiding lessons
4.1 God's Way and Our Ways (cf Isaiah 55:8,
9)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts.
There are times when we cannot understand why
things are not going our way. Why did Paul have to go
to Rome as a prisoner? Why did God allow the storm and the shipwreck?
Why did I fail my exams? Why did I lose my job? Why did my business fail?
Bad things seem to be happening to us and the people around us. We must remember that God’s
ways are beyond our understanding but He always has our good in mind.
4.2 When the Winds are Against Us. (cf Acts 27:4b)
From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against
us.
When things do not go our way or the way planed it, we need to remember that it is about how we
respond to the storms. We can see in Paul’s example, he still continued to trust God and believe that
he would go to Rome as God had told him he would.
4.3 Facing Crisis and Disasters - a call for godly leaders to rise up!
Crisis and Disasters will come. We see it all around us.
How then will you response?
God is calling us to rise up. To keep our faith and continue to believe in Him no matter what storms
we go through.
Sermon summary contributed by Prudence Tay
Prayer points contributed by Loong
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SERMON: Through Storms and Shipwreck
Pray:

When tossed about in the storms in our lives, we will cling on to God.

We will trust in God and not in our own ways.

We will find courage in our God.

We will trust that God will provide and He will give us strength.
 In times of crisis, we will choose to step up instead of backing down or remaining silent.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you
and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a
time as this? (Esther 4:14)
MINISTRIES & EVENTS: Our Federal Constitution Part 2
Session 2 of Our Federal Constitution will take place on 12/12/2015 from 0830 to 1230.
Pray:

Many will read up and turn up for session 2 to learn from Professor Emeritus Shad Saleem Faruqi.

There will be good exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Participants will gain great knowledge of the Federal Constitution and it will shape their mind set in their
involvement in nation building.

Participants will understand their rights as prescribed under the Federal Constitution and exercise them
accordingly.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism.” (Acts 10:34)
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MALAYSIA MY NATION: National Security Council Act
The National Security Council bill was tabled and passed in the Parliament last week. The new law
gives the NSC unprecedented power.
Pray:

The people will find out what the act is about.

Those who have knowledge of the full extent of the law, along with the possible repercussion will
inform and educate the public.

If this act is indeed unconstitutional, let it be repealed.

While the law is in effect, it will not be abused.
 Let there be an end to politically motivated persecution.
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees (Isaiah 10:1)
A TRANSFORMED WORLD: Myanmar’s Election
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a
landslide victory in the election on 08/11/2015. With the win (60% of Upper House and about 58% of
the Lower House), a candidate from NLD stands a good chance of becoming the president. However,
the constitution prevent anyone with children who “owes allegiance to foreign powers” cannot be a
president. Suu Kyi’s two sons hold British passports. It takes 75% of the Upper House to amend the
constitution. With the military holding 25% of the Upper House (without election), this is tough. The
next president may be name as late as Mar 2016.
Pray:

The political landscape in Myanmar will begin to shift into one that allows development in education,
economy, freedom, and all other areas.

The new regime will remain calm and careful with changes that benefit the people while not drawing
the ire of the military.

The military forces will co-operate with the new administration in the setting up of policies and
implementation of plans for nation building.

Persecution either in the form of politics, religion or ethnic groups will cease.

Refugees abroad will have a homeland to return to without fear of being persecuted.
 The church of Jesus Christ will continue to shine in this land which has suffered much.
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)
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