Shipwreck

Notes: Shipwreck

Acts 27:9-44 & 28:1-7

Levi Lusko - August 14, 2014

He started by thanking Greg Laurie for having 25 years of Harvest Crusades. He talks about how much the devil hates that.

He says angels desire to be the ones that get to preach the bible. They are looking at us and how we do it.

He is talking about the Titanic as the most famous shipwreck. That there were two other ships also built around that time and they two were in wrecks within 10 years. Britannic sank and the other one was just injured.

There was one woman on all three of those boats as they were wrecked, Violet Jessup.

2 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

[25] Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and sat in prison for two years waiting for trial. They left him there. So then Paul requested to go to Rome, on the way there he was in a wreck. It fulfilled prophecy that Jesus had said to Paul.

When Jesus makes a promise, you better know He is going to keep that promise.

Levi said, God has the devils credit card, and will do what He wants with it.

Paul was on his way to Rome as a citizen of Rome on the way to the Imperial Court. Roman Centurions were taking him there. Other prisoners were on their way there too, but most likely were already guilty and would be killed by gladiators and other means for Rome's entertainment. Basically they were on their way to die and Paul was there telling them about Jesus.

Acts 27:9-10 NKJV

[9] Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, [10] saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives."

Paul was saying they need to stay in Fairhavens, but that is not what they did.

Acts 27:11-12 NKJV

[11] Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. [12] And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Phoenix was 60 miles further than Fairhavens.

Sailors wanted to go to the bigger city for the winter. He said they wanted to go there to party. They were the loudest voices.

The loudest voice seems to be wrong most if the time. We all deal with that too!

Acts 27:13 NKJV

[13] When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

Paul thought they might be safe. Like so many people think when they toy with sin.

Acts 27:14-15 NKJV

[14] But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. [15] So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

[12] There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Acts 27:15-17 NKJV

[15] So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. [16] And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. [17] When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.

The Syrtis Sands was nicknamed the boat graveyard. They were tying the ship together hoping to keep it from falling part.

Acts 27:18-19 NKJV

[18] And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. [19] On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.

This passage says basically that in a great storm, money does not matter. Also, you can always go faster and go farther if you are lighter!

What is holding you back and slowing you down? Shed those unnecessary things.

Complexity is a weakness not a strength.

Acts 27:20 NKJV

[20] Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

Levi says it's a bad thing when am author of the bible writes the above passage. But, it tells us even strong men I. The bible have very bad days.

Acts 27:21-22 NKJV

[21] But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. [22] And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Acts 27:23-26 NKJV

[23] For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, [24] saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' [25] Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. [26] However, we must run aground on a certain island."

It was just getting worse and worse as the story goes.

Acts 27:27-29 NKJV

[27] Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. [28] And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. [29] Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.

They were hoping they didn't hit the rocks, but the sailors didn't think they would survive.

Acts 27:30 NKJV

[30] And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,

This is now about as bad as it can get.

Acts 27:31 NKJV

[31] Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."

This is showing that salvation is ultra-specific. They all had to be saved or none would be saved.

Acts 27:32-44 NKJV

[32] Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. [33] And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. [34] Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you." [35] And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. [36] Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. [37] And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. [38] So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. [39] When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. [40] And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. [41] But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. [42] And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. [43] But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, [44] and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Conclusions from this story:

1. Leadership isn't a title but a lifestyle.

By the end Paul was in charge.

Crisis doesn't make a person but crisis will show what a person is made of.

Leaders lead, they don't wait till they are asked. Paul led by example. Paul didn't have a title but honored those that did.

2. God wants you to live in the now.

Acts 27:21-22 NKJV

[21] But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. [22] And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Don't be crippled by the mistakes of the past. Trust it to God.

3. You can stay up even if the ship goes down.

Acts 27:44 NKJV

[44] and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

You have to realize who you are and not hold on to the sinking boat.

Acts 27:23 NKJV

[23] For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

If you belong to God then you don't belong to your things.

4. Your presence can bring storms to people or you can bring people through the storms.

Do you bring a blessing or a storm to where you go?

Acts 28:1-7 NKJV

[1] Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. [2] And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. [3] But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. [4] So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." [5] But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. [6] However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. [7] In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

This passage is proof that you should not live your life by public opinion.

5. When you are bit building a fire then shake it off and build it even brighter.

Paul took the snake that bit him and caused it to be fuel for his fire!

If Jesus is in your boat you live, if Jesus is not in your boat then you will die.