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.

Don't Do That

Notes: Don't Do That

Pastor Steve Wilburn - Core Church in Los Angeles - Pastor Greg introduced him as the "Force of Nature"

August 10, 2014

Pastor Steve said there is no better motivator to spread the word of God then a prayer.

Speaking of the Harvest Crusade, he said over 5 million people have attended over the last 25 years and over 400,000 had stood up to make a commitment to Christ.

He said that God uses us to make that happen. Our purpose and time is now!

He is going to use the example of Jonah to emphasis his message today of "don't do that". Other figures in the bible May be less relatable to us because unlike Moses, we never parted the Red Sea.

We are reviewing four points today.

1. Don't be rebellious

Jonah 1:1-3 NKJV

[1] Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, [2] "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." [3] But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

God told Jonah to go one way and Jonah went the opposite way, like many of us do.

There will always be consequences for resisting the call of God.

1. There is a cost to resist God

2. Jonah paid the fare

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

[9] But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Luke 19:10 NKJV

[10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

We are here to be the representative of God.

Today we are not suffering from a lack of knowledge, we are suffering from a passion filled heart.

Jonah did not want the Ninevites to be saved, he wanted them to burn. Is there anyone in your life that you feel that way about?

Ezekiel 18:32 NKJV

[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"

Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV

[14] For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

When you are in front of God everything will be exposed.

Where is your course today? Are you serving God.

How many people are in your sphere of life that need to be saved? People that you think "look good"

2. Don't be asleep

Jonah 1:5-6 NKJV

[5] Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. [6] So the captain came to him, and said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish."

Don't think for a second that the people around you aren't worried about what is going on around them. Don't be asleep like Jonah.

56% of people in a study said they would consider going to church if someone invited them.

Steve said that after reading that, he invited someone to church and the guy was there at church on Sunday. If he didn't invite he wouldn't of come.

Steve said he asked the guy originally "When is the last time someone told you that there is a God in Heaven that loves you?"

Take advantage of the opportunities to invite people! The Crusade is an even bigger opportunity.

What is the cost to ask people? It cost nothing to you, but can mean everything to a person that is saved!

Reach out to those in your sphere of life.

Jonah 1:15 NKJV

[15] So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

3. Don't be Stubborn

It can always get worse!

Jonah 1:17 NKJV

[17] Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jesus referenced Jonah:

Matthew 12:39-41 NKJV

[39] But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [41] The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Jonah 2:5-7 NKJV

[5] The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. [6] I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God. [7] "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.

Jonah 2:10 NKJV

[10] So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah's attitude was extremely bad and got worse.

Jonah 3:1-6 NKJV

[1] Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, [2] "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." [3] So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. [4] And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" [5] So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. [6] Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.

Jonah's message was precise, nothing but wrath. It changed the people to repent, even though Jonah was bitter.

Romans 2:4 NKJV

[4] Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

We need to deliver God's message with a smile and happiness!

God has forgiven you and will forgive everyone.

4. Don't be upset.

Jonah 4:1-3 NKJV

[1] But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. [2] So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm. [3] Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!"

Don't do what Jonah did when your family and friends are saved.

The book of Jonah is a message to people with a hardened heart.

Jonah 4:4-8 NKJV

[4] Then the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" [5] So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. [6] And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. [7] But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. [8] And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, "It is better for me to die than to live."

Jonah was hoping that God would change his mind and destroy the people.

The plant and worm was a lesson to Jonah. There was so many people being saved and Jonah was still upset, even more concerned about a plant and worm then the saving grace that God gave 120,000 people.

The bible never says if Jonah ever repented for his hardened heart towards the people of Nineveh. We do know 120,000 Ninevites were saved.

We don't know what will happen tomorrow. We all need The Lord today.

Are you going to help others find Jesus?

Seizing Spiritual Opportunities

Notes: Seizing SpiritualOpportunities

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Harvest OC

Lee Strobel

SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW:

Frank Sontag was a New Age Spiritualist leader on the radio- he came to Christ in his fifties.

He used to be on the Mark and Brian Morning Show.

Ozzy Osbourne was someone he interviewed. He actually told him that he was a follower of Christ; Ozzy told him that he did believe there was a God and he wore crosses because of that, but he knew he did bad things. He didn't get a chance to share his faith with Ozzy.

Frank told Greg he couldn't believe he was actually a spiritualist at some point, that it really is the doctrine of yourself.

He came to Christ after he watched his friend’s life change over a three-year period. It was a huge change that he witnessed in his friends life.

That friend questioned his beliefs and it changed him when his friend asked, "if you died today, are you right with God?"

He had a quick response saying that he was, but that was a lie and he knew it. Then he felt God asking him "are you ready to submit to me?" His life has been changed forever!

This verse is his life passage:

Luke 9:23 NKJV

[23] Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Nelson's study bible says Luke 9:23 take up his cross daily: Although Jesus offered salvation as a free gift (John 1:12; 3:16–18; see Eph. 2:8, 9), He also warned that following Him would entail suffering and hardship (Matt. 5:10–12; see also Rom. 8:17; 2 Thess. 1:5).

Lee Strobel Notes: Seizing Spiritual Opportunities

He is talking about how he kept things together when he was slammed at work as a new believer and how his boss asked how this Christian thing is going. He noticed he was different since his conversion.

Lee was very happy to speak to his beliefs with him and it changed him forever.

Colossians 4:5-6 NLT

[5] Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Lee wants to talk about three people that walked in his life as a believer and helped change him.

1. Faith Regardless of Consequence:

First is Ron, who always lived his faith regardless of consequence. Ron was a second in command in a violent Chicago street gang.

Ron was a guy who plotted killing a rival gang member and the guy’s brother.

Ron pulled the trigger point blank on the guy twice and it didn't fire. But, it went off every other time. He fled from the police.

Later he came to Christ, and then he went and turned himself in, because as a believer he was convicted.

Even though he could of gotten away with it, he didn't. He didn't take the easy way out.

We need to live out our faith even when we have to pay a price as a result.

It can be a monetary price, sacrificing your pride, giving up a possession you love, forgoing a larger income, what ever it means you need to do it!

It cost Ron two decades of time in prison! Lee wrote an article about it. The judge read Lee's article and let Ron go. Ron told Lee, that judge showed him grace. It left a mark on Lee.

2. Live out Compassionate Christianity:

Doctors told Lee that there was something wrong with his baby when she was born. They told him that he needed to prepare for the worst.

He was an atheist at the time,

David was a devout follower of Christ that called Lee to let him know that he would do anything for him while they were going through this time of hardship.

David has affected Lee ever since, he can remember David saying that too him all those years ago because Lee always mocked David's faith prior to that.

Mark 10:45 NKJV

[45] For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Lee knows that David marked his heart and was an event that helped lead him to God.

3. Live out a Courageous Christianity:

Romans 10:13-14 NKJV

[13] For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." [14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

We have to take risk to reach people with the gospel.

Luke 19:7 NKJV

[7] But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

Jesus was falsely accused of being a drunkard and a glutton because if how closely he interacted with people that were.

Leslie, Lee's wife, told him she had become a Christian.

Lee was mad, that he was a drunk, self-serving narcissist at the time. He had kicked a hole in the wall when she invited him to church once.

When he was hung over, she prayed, and then invited him to church. He said he would go, just so that he could get her out of that cult he felt she was in.

That day he heard a simple presentation of the gospel. So after that he spent two years trying to prove that Christian was a fake.

What he discovered instead was that it is real. After examining all the evidence, Lee fell to his knees and professed his faith.

We need to be like Leslie and just invite people.

We can invite them to the Harvest Crusade!

What's the worst that can happen, they say no. If they say yes they could find Jesus and be saved!

When God opens the opportunity we need to say a quick prayer and seize the opportunity.

He says do not wait to decide if we are going to share our faith.

We need to decide right now to take the opportunity to share our faith whenever we get the opportunity!