GOOD NEWS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM"
ACTS 27:13-25
INTRO: Announcing itself with shrieking, 145-mph winds, Hurricane Katrina
slammed into the Gulf Coast just outside New Orleans on Monday,
submerging entire neighborhoods up to their roofs, swamping
Mississippi's beachfront and blowing out windows in hospitals, hotels
and high-rises. The night before landfall, I remember the Mayor of
New Orleans saying that this was the One. The One we had all feared.
The perfect storm. And it nearly was. He even described it, on Sunday
night, as a catastrophe of biblical proportions.
Even though the storm just missed New Orleans and slowed down
just enough before landfall, the financial tally of this storm may end
up being more than Hurricane Andrew. South Mississippi and
Alabama were swamped by the rising coastal waters and have been
devastated. Many times this life is likened unto a ship out on the sea.
On the sea of life there will be many storms. And as we face these
storms there are times when we believe that our ship will sink
because of the severity of the storms we are facing. It is during these
times when we really learn what it means to live by faith and not by
sight. It is during these times when we really learn to trust in God and
not in ourselves. God has a purpose in every storm we face. Romans
8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
Notice the word, ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD. This
includes the storms. Even the storms of life are for our good and his
glory!
The Apostle Paul faced many storms in his life. In 2 Corinthians 11:
26, Paul mentions his being "…In perils of water... in perils in the
sea…". In the account before us we see one of the perils in the sea
which Paul faced. This was no small storm. It had a tempestuous
wind, called Euroclydon (v14). A typhonic type of wind. Wind--that
is, like a typhoon or tornado, causing a whirling of the clouds, owing
to the meeting of opposite currents of air. It is a wind which seemingly
is blowing in all directions from all sides. Have you ever faced a storm
in your life like that? A storm where it seemed the ill winds of life
where hitting you in all directions? This storm that Paul and his
companions were facing was of such magnitude that they were "being
exceedingly tossed with a tempest and neither sun nor stars in many
days appeared. (vv. 18, 20). They had lightened the load as much as
they could, but as Paul described, “…no small tempest lay on us, all
hope that we should be saved was then taken away." (v20)
But in the midst of the storm, God spoke to Paul. Vv. 23-24, "For
there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I
serve, saying, Pear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and
lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." This was good
news in the midst of the storm! I want us to think on this subject this
morning, "GOOD NEWS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM," by answerthis question, why does God send the storms in our lives?
(1) GOD SENDS THE STORMS TO BRING THE WAYWARD BACK TO HIM
ACTS 27:22—“And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there
shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship."
A. GOD HAS TWO PURPOSES FOR SENDING THE STORM TO THE
WAYWARD:
1. SO THEY MIGHT REMEMBER FROM WHENCE THEY HAVE FALLEN
(v21). Paul had admonished them that this journey would be met with
hurt and much damage. That it was to be a perilous journey (vv. 9-10).
But did they heed the words of Paul (vv. 11-12)? How many are facing the
storms of life now because they would not heed godly counsel?
ILLUS: "Advice is seldom welcome, and those who need it the most, like it
the least."- Lord Chesterfield - Instant Quotation Dictionary, p.14.
Man today does not desire godly counsel. Man's desire is to live his life as
he or she sees fits without anyone telling them how they should live it, but
God has a way of reminding us that we have forsaken His will and way.
2. SO THEY MIGHT REPENT AND FROM HENCEFORTH BE FAITHFUL
(v21). Paul in v21, "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me..." Paul was
not trying to "rub it in" but to exhort them to now listen to the good news
that God had spoken unto him.
ILLUS: “The Lord hath His way…in the storm."-Nahum 1:3. Jonah, Paul
and his companions on their way to Rome, John Wesley and the
Moravians crossing the Atlantic, as well as countless others on
both sea and land, have witnessed the awesome, majestic fact that
"The Lord hath His way...in the storm." This solemn fact can at
once evoke repentance in the heart of the erring one and repose in
the heart of the saint. In illustration of the latter, consider the
following story:
Old David Hope lived on a little farm near Solway in Europe, a wet
country with late harvests, and a country where it was necessary
to act quickly at the opportune time on some occasions if one was
to safely gather in the harvest. One morning when the shocks in
David's field were standing dry, ready to be gathered, he had just
finished breakfast, put on his spectacles, and was preparing to
read the Bible for family worship, when in rushed somebody with
the news: "Such a raging wind will drive the stooks (shocks) into
the sea if let alone!" "Wind!" answered David. "Wind canna get a
straw that has been appointed mine. Sit down and let us worship
God."
B. GOD HAS TWO PRINCIPLES IN THE STORM FOR THE WAYWARD:
1. WE MUST FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THE ETERNAL NOT THE
MATERIAL (v22). It is when we lose sight of God and the things of God
that God must send the storms. How many are facing the storms of life
because they love the world more than they love God? Friend, what is the
object of your affection and attention which keeps you from heeding and
doing the will of God in your life? This storm that Paul and his companions
faced resulted in the loss of the ship, but no man's life was lost. Friend,
must God send a storm to destroy the object of your attention so you can
focus your attention on God and His will for your life?
ILLUS:
Treasures
One by one God took them from me
All the things I valued most
Till I was empty handed
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth's highways
Grieving in my rags and poverty
Until I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift those empty hands to me.”
And I turned my hands toward heaven
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches
Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind, and dull,
That God could not pour His riches
Into hands already full. -Martha Snell Nicholson, Ivory
Palaces
2. WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THE STORM IF WE WILL TRUST GOD
(v25). The difference between being overwhelmed in the storm and
overcoming the storm depends upon how much we believe God. Paul said,
“…For I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." Someone has
said, "When the storms of life come down on you, fix your eyes on Jesus."
Notice Paul was a prisoner on his way to trial before Caesar, yet even as a
prisoner, Paul said, "I BELIEVE GOD." What about you when you are
facing the storms of life, do you look to God for help? Or Do you fear and
fret over your circumstances? Psalm 46:1 tells us, "GOD is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in time of trouble."
(2) GOD SENDS THE STORM TO TEACH US THE NECESSITY OF FAITH
ACTS 27:23-25- "For there stood by me this night the angel of God,
whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou
must be brought before Caesar: and lo, God hath given thee
all them that sail with thee. Therefore, sirs, be of good cheer;
for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."
* "Every experience of trial puts us to this test: "Do you trust God or don't
you?"-Elisabeth Elliot (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary
& Classical. p. 205). God sends the storms to teach us the necessity of faith.
The storms challenge us to:
A. BELIEVE IN GOD'S CONTROL. Despite all the wickedness in the world
today, despite all the twists and turns of life, and despite all the losses and
sorrows we face, God is still in control! Paul said, “for I believe God, that it
shall be even as it was told me." In other words, God is in control. They
had given up “…ALL HOPE... " v20 tells us. The fog of despair had settled
in on them and they knew in their heart of hearts that they would all meet
with a watery grave, but in the midst of the storm, Paul gives this message
of hope, “…I BELIEVE GOD...”. Oh, that we would believe in God's control
during the storms we face in life!
ILLUS: The storm was raging. A little boy was away from home visiting.
The parents in the home where he was visiting were away. He was
in the home with other small children. He was so afraid. The
lightning would flash and the thunder roar. He would cry,
shudder, and say, "I wish I were at home.” But still the storm
raged on! Finally, about midnight, the little boy looked out into
the darkness and saw a light. It was someone coming toward the
home with a lantern. Nearer and nearer the light bearer came. It
was the brother of the little boy. He said, "Little brother, I thought
you might be afraid, and I came to lead you home." The big brother
took the little brother by the hand, and as they walked home the
storm raged, but the tears had dried from the eyes of the little
brother. He was not afraid as the big brother led him home.
Yes, amid the storms of life and at the end of the way we will need
someone to lead us. That someone is Jesus, Who has promised, "I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrew 13:5). Thus we
can say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."--William Moses
Tidwell, "Pointed Illustrations."
B. BELIEVE IN GOD'S CARE. 1 Peter 5:7 exhorts us, "Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you." God's providential care is there even during
the storms of life. Paul encouraged his companions in v22 to believe in
God's care, “for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you…”.
ILLUS: One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English
countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist
noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the
vane were these words: "GOD IS LOVE." Spurgeon remarked to his
companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place
for such a message: "Weather vanes are changeable," he said, "but
God's love is constant." "I don't agree with you about those words,
Charles," replied his friend. "You misunderstood the meaning. That
sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows,
God is love" (Robert J. Morgan. Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories,
Illustrations, & Quotes. P. 357).
No matter how fierce the storm rages or whatever direction the winds blow
God loves us and cares for His own!
GOD SENDS THE STORM TO BRING THE WAYWARD BACK TO HIM, GOD
SENDS THE STORM TO TEACH US THE NECESSITY OF FAITH, and finally…
(3) GOD SENDS THE STORM TO REASSURE THE RIGHTEOUS
ACTS 27:2—“…Fear not, Paul…"
*God wanted to give Paul the assurance he needed to face the storm. God says,
"Fear not, Paul, Don't be afraid. I have everything under my control." This "good
news" that God gave Paul in the midst of the storm reassured Paul of two
things:
A. GOD'S PRESENCE WAS WITH HIM. “No storms or tempests can hinder
God's favour to his people, for he is a help always at hand.” (Matthew
Henry. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. e-Sword. Version 7.7.0.
Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide). No
matter how mean the storm we can rest assured that God is with us
(Isaiah 43:2). While the crew was toiling at the pumps, Paul was
wrestling in prayer, not for himself only and the cause in which he was
going a prisoner to Rome, but with true magnanimity of soul for all his
shipmates; and God heard him, “giving him” (remarkable expression!) all
that sailed with him. "When the cheerless day came he gathered the sailors
(and passengers) around him on the deck of the laboring vessel, and
raising his voice above the storm” [HOWSON], reported the divine
communication he had received; adding with a noble simplicity, “for I
believe God that it shall be even as it was told me," and encouraging all on
board to “be of good cheer" in the same confidence (Jamieson, Fausett &
Brown Commentary. e-Sword. Version 7.7.0. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick
Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide).
B. G0D'S POWER WAS WORKING FOR HIM. It is a comfort to the faithful
servants of God when in difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work
for them to do, their lives shall be prolonged. (Matthew Henry. Matthew
Henry's Concise Commentary. e-Sword. Version 7.7.0. Copyright 20002005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide). As long as we are
faithful to God's will for our lives God will protect us and preserve until our
life's work is done. John Wesley said, "My life is immortal until my work on
earth is done" (Robert J. Morgan. Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories,
Illustrations, & Quotes. p. 383). Paul still had work to do so God's power
and providence was working in His life.
CLOSING: GOD SENDS THE STORM TO BRING THE WAYWARD BACK TO
HIM, GOD SENDS THE STORM TO TEACH US THE NECESSITY
OF FAITH, and GOD SENDS THE STORM TO REASSURE THE
RIGHTEOUS. Are you facing a storm in your life? If so, God has a
purpose for the storm. What is His purpose in your life?