Steps to resume hope by storms. Sermon from Acts 27.

Sermon: RENEWING HOPE THROUGH STORMY SEAS 

 Sermon preached on the Folks’s Church in Sri Lanka – Sunday, 26^th June 2022 

Introduction:

(Illustration of a narrative associated by D.L. Moody that led to a stupendous and properly liked hymn being composed). 

Throughout a sermon he as soon as preached, D. L. Moody spoke a few ship that was making an attempt to enter a harbor on an especially darkish, stormy evening. The Captain seen the lighthouse mild was working however not the ‘decrease lights’. He then requested the Pilot, “The place are the decrease lights?”, to which the Pilot replied, “They should have gone out, sir.” The Captain then requested, “Are you able to make it into the harbor?” The Pilot replied, “We should sir, or we’ll perish on this storm.” As they tried to maneuver the ship into the harbor within the darkness, it hit the rocks and sank. Many lives have been tragically misplaced that evening. (Tailored from Hymn Historical past – Having fun with the Journey)

‘The Decrease Lights’ – These are lights positioned away from the lighthouse that mild up the water line and provides ships protected entry to the harbor. 

Visible Illustration – Present visible of the ‘decrease lights’ and clarify how they supply protected navigation right into a harbor.

Over the latest previous, we’ve got heard of our nation being in comparison with ‘a sinking ship’, and to a ‘ship that rocks quickly’! These are painful comparisons as a result of it reminds us of the challenges, particularly the financial challenges, going through our nation and our individuals. So, can we persevere in hope personally, and in addition renew hope in troubled lives round us as we navigate by ‘stormy seas’? 

Mates, we’ve got heard many instances, and browse many instances, concerning the God who takes care of us in tough conditions – who walks with us within the storm. However, what concerning the individuals round us who’re shedding hope – those that don’t know the identical Lord Jesus who walks with us within the storms of life? Can we deliver hope to these round us who’re strolling by ‘stormy seas’? Can we assist renew hope of their hearts? 

I wish to encourage every considered one of you to ask God, ”Lord, how can I renew hope in individuals at this time?”

Proposition: God needs us to resume hope round us as individuals stroll by ‘Stormy Seas’.

Transition to sermon: In the present day, I wish to share 5 methods by which we, God’s individuals, may deliver renewed hope to hearts which can be quick shedding hope round us. My sermon is predicated across the enthralling story in Acts 27, which describes an enormous storm that the Apostle Paul confronted on his journey to Rome. Actually, Paul was on his option to face trial earlier than Caesar. The journey was undertaken by sea underneath the supervision of a centurion named Julius of the Roman Imperial Regiment.

Let’s now get into the story. My first level at this time is..

I. IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD

Visible Illustration: Present map of the journey

Let me first put up a map on the display to spotlight the primary a part of the journey. On this map you’ll discover that they traveled by sea to Sidon, then previous Cyprus, and from there to Myra, the place they modified ships. On the brand new ship they journeyed by Cnidus, handed Salmone, and ultimately berthed at a spot referred to as Honest Havens close to the city of Lasea, on the island of Crete.

Thereafter, since a lot time had been misplaced, they wished to make a fast journey to Phoenix in Crete earlier than winter set in. The scripture says that It was a harmful time for sea navigation (Acts 27:9). 

Dr. H. L. Willmington’s Information To The Bible in its ideas on this passage says, “Among the many ancients, the damaging season for crusing was from September 14  to November 11. After this date, all navigation on the open sea was discontinued.” 

The centurion nonetheless, in session with the pilot  and the proprietor of the ship, determined to take the massive danger concerned. They determined to make the journey anyway.

Round this time, I consider Paul heard from God and had suggested them to not make the journey. He mentioned, “Males, I can see that our voyage goes to be disastrous and produce nice loss to ship and cargo, and to our personal lives additionally.” (Acts 27:10)

However sadly, the centurion determined to belief the knowledge of the pilot, fairly than belief what God had revealed to Paul. (It’s noteworthy that Paul additionally most likely had some information of crusing by stormy seas as a result of he had already been by at the very least 3 shipwrecks! – See 2 Corinthians 11.25.)

In a while, because the storm hit the ship with its full drive and hopes of surviving have been fading quick, Paul heard from God once more as proven in verses 23-24. He then gave everybody on board new hope as he heard from God. Let’s have a look at these verses.

Acts 27:23-24 “Final evening an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and mentioned, ‘Don’t be afraid Paul. You could stand trial earlier than Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’.” 

On yet one more event through the journey, Paul most likely as soon as once more heard from God and stored encouraging the passengers to consider in God for security. That is what he mentioned. ”Not considered one of you’ll lose a single hair from his head.” (Acts 27:34)

So my good friend, What’s God talking to you in these tough instances? Are you keen to hear and obey? Will you be delicate to the voice of the Holy Spirit? He might properly communicate to you in surprising methods, and in surprising locations. Let me share a narrative alongside the identical traces.

Illustration:

A younger grownup girl was as soon as touring by prepare from Calcutta to Darjeeling in 1946. On this journey, she obtained an unmistakable name to minister to the poor of Calcutta. She later mentioned, “It was an order. To fail would have been to interrupt the religion.” As she determined to obey God’s voice that day, the world- identified ministry of Mom Teresa was born in her coronary heart. (Clarify the story intimately).

In the present day, let’s be delicate to listen to God’s voice. Solely then will we be capable to minister successfully and renew hope in these going through stormy seas round us. 

Let me now transfer to level 2.

II. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE TO BUILD HOPE IN PEOPLE FACING STORMY SEAS

Let’s have a look at what Acts 27:9 says. 

“A lot time had been misplaced, and crusing had already change into harmful as a result of by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them,”

As I discussed earlier, these in authority had determined to begin what was a harmful journey. They’d information of seafaring however lacked the knowledge and steering of God. Paul nonetheless firmly warned them not to take action. Paul’s warning got here by the knowledge and steering God had given him for the state of affairs he was in. They need to have listened to Paul and perhaps stayed for some time at Lasea, which based on the notes of the NIV Research Bible, was nearly 5 miles away! 

Equally, we stay in a time in historical past when human knowledge and information is significantly inadequate. We want the knowledge and steering that comes from above, as a result of because the Lord says, “Because the heavens are larger than the earth, so are my methods larger than your methods and my ideas than your ideas” (Isaiah 55:9). Paul was first guided to warn them concerning the risks forward and later about learn how to belief God by the disaster.

Acts 27:11 says, “However the centurion, as an alternative of listening to what Paul mentioned, adopted the recommendation of the pilot and of the proprietor of the ship.”

Sadly, the centurion, and the bulk on board (Acts 27:12), didn’t take heed to Paul, however to the pilot and to the proprietor of the ship. They have been probably motivated extra by financial causes than ideas of security (Refer IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testomony – web page 402). They subsequently weighed anchor and sailed alongside the shore of Crete (Acts 27:13). They have been hoping to succeed in Phoenix in Crete earlier than winter.

God’s knowledge and steering will also be seen working by Paul many instances over all through the journey. (Refer Acts 27:21-25,31,33-34)

Allow us to ask God for knowledge and steering as we minister to and produce hope to hurting individuals.

 James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks knowledge, it’s best to ask God, who provides generously to all with out discovering fault, and it is going to be given to you.”

Let me transfer on now to level 3.

III. RENEW HOPE IN THE MIDST OF STORMY SEAS

Proper now, let’s take one other have a look at the Map as we observe the journey from Honest Havens to the Adriatic Sea. Quickly, a vicious hurricane, the ‘Northeaster’, swept down from the island of Crete and hit the ship (Acts 27:14) they usually have been swept out to the Adriatic Sea (Acts 27:27).

Sound Illustration – Media Staff to play a short soundtrack of a nasty storm within the background at this level whereas I communicate.

The ship then took a violent battering (Acts 27:18). Let me briefly attempt to describe what verses 15-19 inform us. Really, the following few verses are fairly horrifying as we learn that the ship was pushed violently by the storm. Because the state of affairs worsened, the sailors determined to take the lifeboat aboard, secured the hull with ropes, and lowered the ocean anchor (15-17). When the storm intensified additional, they threw among the cargo and later the ship’s deal with overboard.

Because the storm stored rocking the ship, the state of affairs was starting to look hopeless – to the purpose that they even stopped consuming! (Acts 27:21). To make a nasty state of affairs even worse, verse 20 tells us that even the potential of navigating with the assistance of the celebrities was now gone. All hope was roughly misplaced. They have been prepared to surrender fully! Let’s have a look at that verse. 

Acts 27:20 “When neither solar nor stars appeared for a lot of days and the storm continued raging, we lastly gave up all hope of being saved.”

The New Worldwide Bible Commentary additional provides, “As no land or sky was seen, navigation was inconceivable… The state of affairs was determined and the situations for the 276 individuals aboard distressing within the excessive.” (web page 1312)

You realize buddies, I’ve learn by Acts 27 many instances this week and as I used to be going by the story for the ultimate time yesterday, I couldn’t assist questioning – what would it not be like in actuality to be caught in a nasty storm at sea? 

As I contemplated over this, I made a decision to name a Grasp Mariner and a former ship’s captain, my very own brother, Captain Nimal Jayasooriya, to ask whether or not he may briefly share about any storm he had confronted on considered one of his voyages and what the expertise was like.

He readily agreed and to my whole shock, he talked about that on one event, a ship he was accountable for had encountered a nasty storm within the precise space of at this time’s biblical story! Because of this, the ship was badly broken, and guess what? He was requested by the brokers to get the repairs carried out on the nearest out there port – which of all locations, occurred to be – sure, Malta! The precise place the place everybody on board Paul’s ship ultimately reached the shore safely. 

So at this time, I’ve requested him to share this expertise with you. I’m positive that he’ll be capable to describe the state of affairs much better than I may! I additionally consider the expertise of everybody on board Paul’s ship will change into extra clear to you when he shares his story.

(Conclusion of story – Return to sermon).

In the midst of what was now a hopeless state of affairs, Paul introduced renewed hope as he heard from God by an angelic visitation. The phrases he spoke, underneath the steering of the Holy Spirit, introduced renewed braveness to the determined seafarers. Let’s have a look at verse 22 and 25.

Acts 27:22 “However now I urge you to maintain up your braveness, as a result of not considered one of you can be misplaced; solely the ship will probably be destroyed.” 

Acts 27:25 “So sustain your braveness, males, for I place confidence in God that it’ll occur simply as he advised me.”

Baby of God, always remember that wherever you go, you carry a message of hope. It’s burning in your coronary heart even now. With whom will you share it at this time? With whom will you share it this week? In whose coronary heart will you renew hope?

Hebrew 6:19 says, “We have now this hope as an anchor for the soul, agency and safe.”

Motion Level – You realize, one of many methods by which we, as a church, can renew hope presently, is by offering a pack of important objects to these standing in queues in our neighborhoods.  Possibly every considered one of you possibly can take just a few such packs and hand them over to some individuals this week. Who is aware of what number of will discover renewed hope by our small acts of kindness? We have now already heard many, many, tales of people that have been inspired by receiving such assist. They’ve seen the love of Jesus in motion in a really sensible method. What a blessing!

Earlier than I am going to the following level, let me repeat the primary 3 factors of the sermon. Possibly we are able to all say them collectively. (Repeat factors 1-3).  

IV. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Acts 27:27 says that 14 days had now passed by. We’re speaking of two lengthy weeks in a terrifying storm! Nevertheless, after Paul’s message that renewed hope, they immediately started to sense that they have been coming near land. Possibly they heard the sound of waves breaking on the shore within the distance. The New Worldwide Bible Commentary says, “Maybe the noise of breakers on the Malta coast warned the mariners of the proximity of land…” (web page 1312)

Whereas this is able to have been a welcome change for all on board, it additionally meant that they may face a potential shipwreck. They have been now praying for daylight to keep away from a shipwreck – probably led in prayer by Paul. As a safeguard, they put down the anchors (27-29). 

Presently among the sailors selfishly tried to get away however have been stopped by Paul, who suggested the centurion to not permit the sailors to go away the ship (30-32). It was necessary for all of the sailors to remain on board as they would want all of the manpower out there to organize for a potential grounding.

Paul then continued to deliver hope by encouraging all on board to take some meals and renew their power. He didn’t simply inform them what to do, however led the best way by his personal instance.

Acts 27:33-36 “Simply earlier than daybreak Paul urged all of them to eat. “For the final fourteen days,” he mentioned, “you might have been in fixed suspense and have gone with out meals—you haven’t eaten something. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some meals. You want it to outlive. Not considered one of you’ll lose a single hair from his head. After he mentioned this, he took some bread and gave because of God in entrance of all of them. Then he broke it and commenced to eat. ³⁶ They have been all inspired and ate some meals themselves.”

Paul led the best way by his instance and had, what I consider, would have been a revival service on the deck of what was thought-about a doomed ship! What a strong instance he set. He eliminated their worry and all 276 on board have been inspired to partake of a long-needed meal!

The New Worldwide Bible Commentary on web page 1311 says, “Paul, as God’s man, grew to become the actual chief of a heterogeneous firm of individuals on board a ship drifting towards wreckage…”

Allow us to not neglect right here that Paul confronted the identical challenges as all of the others on board, however what a distinction he confirmed! He showcased peace within the midst of the storm and led by instance. I’m reminded of a stupendous quote that claims, “The servants of Christ went forth with the phrase ‘peace’ upon their lips, the reward of peace of their arms, and the sunshine of peace on their faces’.

That encouraging second on board the ship brings me to my last level. Level 5 is,  

V. GOD WILL BLESS OTHERS BECAUSE OF YOU

Let’s have a look at Acts 27:23-24 once more. 

“Final evening an angel of the Lord to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and mentioned, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You could stand trial earlier than Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’.”

Superb isn’t it? Everybody on board was assured security as a result of Paul was amongst them! What a sworn statement! This thought is additional expanded in verse 34. Let’s learn it collectively.

Acts 27:34 “Now I urge you to take some meals. You want it to outlive. Not considered one of you’ll lose a single hair from his head.”

Sure, everybody, all 276 on board  have been protected, as a result of Paul was in God’s will on his journey to Rome! Notice that in verse 23, Paul refers to His God as “The God to whom I belong and whom I serve”.

Daylight got here eventually and Acts 27:39-41 brings us the ultimate a part of the story. It exhibits the shipwreck that adopted as they made for the seaside of Malta. It’s attention-grabbing to notice that the IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testomony says, “The standard website of St. Paul’s Bay in northern Malta suits all the small print of the narrative (web page 403). I assumed it will be useful to indicate you a visible of St. Paul’s Bay because it stands at this time in order that you possibly can extra simply determine with the situation. Who is aware of, a few of you could even take your subsequent trip to St. Paul’s Bay!

Visible illustration – Present St. Paul’s Bay on display 

As we come to the conclusion of this dramatic journey, let’s check out yet one more hazard that remained. The troopers wished to kill the prisoners, fairly than allow them to escape, as that was what was anticipated of them. (Roman troopers usually didn’t permit prisoners to flee). However as soon as once more, everybody was protected by the centurion as a result of Paul was with them. Let’s check out verses 42-43.

Acts 27:42-43 “The troopers deliberate to kill the prisoners to stop any of them from swimming away and escaping. ⁴³ However the centurion wished to spare Paul’s life and stored them from finishing up their plan. He ordered those that may swim to leap overboard first and get to land.”

Lastly, Acts 27:44 inform us that as Paul had prophesied earlier, everybody reached the shore safely. What an incredible story of how Jesus renewed hope by stormy seas by His obedient servant Paul.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, let me first repeat the 5 factors of the sermon. (Repeat the factors).

You realize buddies, I started this sermon by sharing a narrative a few shipwreck that Dwight Moody as soon as utilized in a sermon. After sharing the story, Moody mentioned, “Brothers, the Grasp will care for the good Lighthouse of salvation, however it’s our job to maintain the decrease lights burning to information males safely to Him”  

It’s mentioned that within the viewers that day was the hymn author Philip P. Bliss, who most likely thought – that’s an important story to write down a music about. He subsequently composed the gorgeous and significant gospel hymn titled ‘Let the Decrease Lights be Burning’. So, in closing, right here’s considered one of our worship workforce members to sing that lovely music at this time. I do know you’ll be blessed as you take heed to it. 

Particular Tune: Roshi Wickramaratne – Let the Decrease Lights be Burning

Prayer:

Let’s pray collectively as we ask Jesus to present us the assistance we have to ‘Renew Hope By way of Stormy Seas’. Allow us to level individuals to the cross of our Lord Jesus in order that they could discover this unshakeable hope! God bless you!

For one more inspiring sermon about “Hope” from Psalm 91, click on right here.

To obtain a 21-day Christmas Devotional, click on right here.