Acts 27:1-44

Introduction: Do you ever get afraid right before a BIG storm – tornado….hurricane? How can we experience God’s PEACE while going through a STORM? Luke, the physician and historian, records the scary account Paul faced as a prisoner, while on his way to Rome. Once a murderer and persecutor of CHRISTians, now he is a man on a mission. Consider (5) ways to “weather the storms of life”:

1. REFRESH yourself by others before the STORM! (Acts 27:3)

“And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself”

{The word “Refresh” epeemeliah means care, attention, needs}

     • “Refresh” because of physical tiredness

     • “Refresh” because of mental and emotional tiredness 

2. RELEASE the things out of your CONTROL into the Lord’s Hands! (Acts 27:10,11)

“Paul admonished them, 10And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”

    • Paul – “Been there, done that”! Experience 

    • Paul – Wisdom & discernment from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:9-16)

3. REJOICE because Jesus Christ is in CONTROL of the STORM! (Acts 27:17-22)

“….fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.”

{The word ” Cheer” is yoothoomeho, which means good courage, be happy, be joyful.}

     • “Be of good cheer”

     •  God is here 

4. REMEMBER to have FAITH in the God of the STORMS! (Acts 27:23-26)

“23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

     • Fight your fear

     • Feed your Faith

5. RETURN thanks to the Lord because of His Faithfulness thru the STORMS! (Acts 27:33-36)

“33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.”

     • Thanksgiving

     • Thanksliving 

Conclusion: What kind of STORM are you navigating through right now? Death of a loved one, a set back in a relationship, a financial bind, a health issue, a big decision, all of these being on anxieties and insecurities. But as we trust Jesus as the Captain of our ship, He has promised to be with us “Through” the STORM! Doesn’t that bring COMFORT and PEACE to your heart?