Cling to God in Storms

Notes: Cling to God in Storms
Pastor Jason Powell
Acts 26
Valor Week 25
May 12, 2015

Jason is talking about how a few years ago was a great season for he and his wife. 

The Bible reflects on seasons in our lives.

Wonderful prospering seasons and dry seasons. Storm seasons come every year. Hurricane season is June 1st to November 30 on the East coast. There are tornado seasons in the mid west. We are taught how to prepare for those seasons. Being prepared is very important.

Paul's experiences in the storm teach us life lessons that we should apply during our life's storms.

In Acts 27, Paul is headed to Rome. Paul is heading to Rome in storm season.

Acts 27:9 NKJV
[9] Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,

The Fast was at the beginning of the storm season. To sail during this time was called "the Fools Challenge". It was not safe.

We can see 7 things in Paul's experiences:

Acts 27:1-8 NKJV
[1] And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. [2] So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. [3] And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. [4] When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. [5] And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. [6] There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. [7] When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. [8] Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Paul was with some of his friends on this boat. Luke, the writer of the Gospel, is with them now.

Julius let Paul go get help, that was not something they would typically do. 

Acts 27:6 NKJV
[6] There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.

They are now on a cargo ship from Egypt. It is filled with wheat and passengers. They are in the storm and now forced to go to Fair Haven.

1. Some storms can be avoided by using wisdom.

Acts 27:9-12 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." [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.

They were hoping to get to Phoenix, because it was nicer than Fair Haven. They were not happy with what they had, they wanted to be some place more fun.

Acts 27:13-15 NKJV
[13] When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. [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.

2. Attempts to fight storms are futile. 

The wisdom from Paul is ignored and the result is the storm.

There are Perfecting, Protecting and Correcting storms in life.

Perfecting - Job
Protecting - Jesus Christ on sea of Galilee
Correcting - Jonah 

Many correcting storms can be avoided by wisdom. Wise counsel around me can save me.

3. Storms are governed by God

Psalm 107:27-30 NKJV
[27] They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end. [28] Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. [29] He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. [30] Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.

Maybe the storm is guiding you to where God wants you to be.

He is quoting from a short book "Don't Waste Your Cancer" You will waste your disease if... Lots of great points! 

God does give us storms and designs them, we need to learn from them.

Acts 27:16-17 NKJV
[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.

4. Storms should cause us to protect what is precious.

In a storm we can run to God or away from Him!

God is the most precious thing we have. When a storm hits we need to protect God.

It is me and God.

Philippians 3:8 NKJV
[8] Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

5. Storms expose excess

When there is excess it is the first to go in a storm.

The clothes, house and job don't matter in a storm.

6. Storms teach us to trust God.

Acts 27:20-26 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. [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. [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."

Storms really do teach us to trust God.

All hope was lost, God seems to respond most to our helplessness.

Cling to God.

7. In storms proclaim God's promises

Acts 27:27-38 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. [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, [31] Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." [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.

Paul remembered God's promises and held onto them.

Acts 27:39-44 NKJV
[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.

God kept His promise!

What season are you in? 

Put your confidence in the God that controls the storm!