Download Audio Here

Introduction

Acts 27 is a vivid illustration of our human condition. Some of you as you sit here tonight are faced with huge trials. You and I are often faced with circumstances that feel totally overwhelming…like they are driven by out of control forces. You may have be feeling lost and in the dark and quickly losing all hope. If that’s you, I’m glad you’re here today. God’s Word has some incredible truths to speak into your situation.

We’ll see today that

Paul faced trials, but God was faithful through the storm. Acts 27

When we are faced with trials that are overwhelming, God’s Word compels us to take our eyes off the natural and to cast them upon a whole other, supernatural reality.   That reality is this….We serve a faithful God:

• Who is Lord of all things
• Who is fully aware of our situation.
• Who knows the exact details of our needs.
• A God who is able to master the fearful forces that surround us and to bring deliverance against all odds

God was faithful through the severe trials that Paul faced and there is no disaster that you will face that is too big for God to handle

You will face trials, But God is faithful through the storms

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

Background

Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem on false charges trumped up by Jewish leaders who were hostile towards the message of the gospel and who rejected Jesus as their promised Messiah.

Paul had been held in prison for 2 years. Although Paul had not done anything illegal, the Roman authorities continued to hold him in prison in order to keep the peace with the local Jewish leaders. Paul as a Roman citizen took advantage of his right to appeal his case to Caesar in Rome. They could not refuse him his right, so the local authorities assigned him a guard and sent him on a boat to Italy.

Acts 27 is 43 verses long, and we won’t have time to cover every verse, so let me give you a summary of what happened next.

It was late in the shipping season and the seas are starting to turn rough. It was very risky to sail during this time of the year.

Verse 7

⁷ We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. ⁸ Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

Paul assessed this situation and based on his past experience, 3 previous shipwrecks and around 3500 miles of travelling by sea, he makes this sober observation

Verse 10

“Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”

They were at Fair Havens. The harbor there was not ideal to spend the winter, but the harbor at Phoenix was much more favorable. They took a vote, the weather looked like it was going to hold and they decided to ignore Paul’s advice and sail the extra 40-50 miles to Phoenix. It was on this leg of the trip that disaster struck. We pick up our story in

Verse 13

¹³ Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.

The trip started off fine. You can almost hear them saying to Paul, “See, it’s not that bad.”

¹⁴ But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.

We would call this a typhoon. It was a storm with hurricane force winds. I want you to get a glimpse of how terrifying this situation was. Here is a clip of a modern boat in rough seas. In a modern steel vessel, this would be a nauseating and frightening experience.

Now imagine with me what it would have been like for Paul. SHOW PIC They were on a large, primitive, wooden sailboat, without a compass, that had poor steering ability and that was held together by tongue and groove joints.

¹⁵ And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶ Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat.

The ships boats referred to a dingy that was being towed behind the main vessel. If it was not secured in a storm, it would likely cause damage to the ship. Notice the “we.” Luke is involved in securing this boat.

^17a After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship.

They literally tied ropes around the boats to keep it from breaking apart.

^17b Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis,

They were concerned that they were being blown south to North Africa and their ship would break apart at a ship graveyard at Syrtis. SHOW MAP AGAIN

^17b they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. ¹⁸ Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. ¹⁹ And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

They were desperately throwing their heavy gear overboard – they were doing anything to keep the boat high in the water and away from crashing to pieces on the rocks or sandbars they supposed could be beneath the waves.

²⁰ When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

There was no gear, no sun, no stars and no hope of rescue. There is little chance of survival and they all know it. BUT God is faithful. God has a plan for Paul. God is able to bring deliverance against all odds. In the midst of these hopeless circumstances, God, first of all, makes His presence known.

Verse 22, Paul is addressing the other passengers on the ship

²² Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,

Every time Paul faced a huge trial, God was right there with Him

God never left Paul Acts 27:23

Often we are more aware of God’s presence during trials than we are during times of smooth sailing. When we are faced with trials that are overwhelming, God’s Word compels us to take our eyes off the natural and to cast them upon a whole other, supernatural reality.   That reality is this….We serve a faithful God:

• Who is Lord of all things (Storms, Politics, Medicine, Finances)
• Who is fully aware of our situation.
• Who knows the exact details of our needs.

Disciples of Jesus never walk through trials alone. God never leaves us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

We serve a God that never leaves us or forsakes us and who is able to bring deliverance against all odds

In the process of Making Disciples, Jesus makes it clear the He is present with us during every step of the journey.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus knew Disciple-making was going to be difficult and we need His presence!

Verse 24 – the angel is speaking

²⁴ and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Was Paul being obedient to God during this time? Yes. He was exactly where God wanted Him

Paul is in the middle of a storm with a boat ready to break up around him. The passengers on the boat were fearful of drowning in the surf. You’re saying that God wanted him there?

God never promises that life will be easy. The process of sanctification is often a difficult road.

There is a commonly held view that if you are doing God’s will that you will not face any trials or difficult times. It’s a lie.

Many teach that if you are following the will of God, that he will guarantee that you’ll be healthy and wealthy. That’s another lie. This view is a called the prosperity gospel. These are people who have never read the book of Acts!

Canyon Bible Church does not believe in the prosperity gospel because it is not Biblical. Paul lived a life totally driven by obedience to God’s instructions.

Paul did know God’s blessing and God’s presence. However, Paul was constantly in a severe trial, coming out of a severe trial or about ready to go into a severe trial. Paul faced one storm after another, but in every trial Paul faced, he proves that he served a God that was totally faithful and who provided perfectly.

God provided perfectly for His plans in Paul’s life Acts 27:24

God had Paul exactly where He wanted Paul, although it was hard. God had placed Paul in a position to shine for the gospel in an impossible situation.

Maybe you find yourself in an impossible situation today. Let me give you this encouragement:

God will provide perfectly for His plans in your life

God does not always provide for all of my plans for my life – but He is faithful to provide for His plans for me – Jer 29:11

God does not always provide for all of my wants, but he does supply what I need to carry out His will

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

God is able to use every circumstance for His glory and for our good

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Verse 25

²⁵ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

Paul said, “I have faith in God.”

Paul trusted in God’s promises Acts 27:25

He believed God. He believed that God is completely trustworthy. God had proven His track record to Paul. It had not been easy. God never promised that life will be simple, but he does promise His presence and His protection for those who love Him and who are called according to His purposes

Paul had faith in God that was more powerful than his circumstances. As believers, we can put our full trust in God when we are faced with impossible circumstances.

Believers can trust in God’s promise of protection during difficult times

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:1b-2

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

Conclusion

Did they make it out safe? Let me summarize the rest of the chapter. Against all odds, they came to the small island of Malta. Every man escaped the sinking ship alive.

Paul never seemed overwhelmed by his circumstances. No matter how serious the danger seemed, Paul knew that His God was bigger. Paul lived a life that was totally submitted to God’s plans and purposes for him. When Paul followed after God’s will, he had no regrets.

May our trust in a totally faithful God drive us to be as courageous as Paul in the trials and storms of our lives.

Life Application

Paul faced trials, but God was ­­­­­faithful through the storm. Acts 27

You will face ­­­­­trials, But God is faithful through the storms

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

God never ­­­­­left  Paul Acts 27:23

Disciples of Jesus never walk through ­­­­­trials  alone.  God never leaves us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

God ­­­­­provided  perfectly for His plans in Paul’s life Acts 27:24

God will provide perfectly for His ­­­­­plans in your life

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Paul trusted in God’s ­­­­­promises Acts 27:25

Believers can trust in God’s promise of ­­­­­protection during difficult times

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:1b-2

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3