How To Be Confident & Victorious In Crisis | Acts 27 | Mike Prah Sermon

Follow Along with the Message

HOW TO BE CONFIDENT & VICTORIOUS IN CRISIS
ACTS 27
June 19, 2022 | Mike Prah

"Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous …  So Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." Acts 27:9-10 (NIV)

I.  WHY WE EXPERIENCE "STORMS" IN LIFE

 1. WE LISTEN TO WRONG EXPERTS

"The centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship" Acts 27:11 (NIV)

 2. WE FOLLOW MAJORITY OPINION

"Since the harbor was unsuitable in winter, THE MAJORITY DECIDED that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete that was facing both southwest and northwest."  Acts 27:12 (NIV)

 3. WE RELY ON CIRCUMSTANCES

"When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete." Acts 27:13 (NIV)

 “Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." Acts 27:9b-10 (NIV)

 "There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of destruction." Proverbs 14:12

 "Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along." Acts 27:14-15 (NIV)

 "We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard … They threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." Acts 27:18-20 (NIV)

 "Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four ANCHORS from the stern and they prayed for daylight."  Acts 27:29 (NIV)

 II. ANCHORS TO HOLD ONTO IN A "STORM"

 1. STORMS CANNOT HIDE THE FACE OF GOD. I MUST HOLD ON TO GOD'S PRESENCE

 "Now I advise you to have courage. No one will lose his life. Only the ship will be destroyed. I know this because an angel from the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood by me last night.” Acts 27:22-23 (GW)

 “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

 Jesus: “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

 Jesus: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever. He will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit” John 14:16-17a (NIV/NLT)

 2. STORMS CANNOT CHANGE THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR MY LIFE. MY DESTINY IS SECURED IN GOD

 "This angel stood by me …  and he said `Do not be afraid, Paul. You MUST stand trail before Caesar and God has graciously given you the lives of all those who sail with you."  Acts 27:23-4 (NIV)

 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

 3. STORMS CANNOT DESTROY THE CHILD OF GOD. I MUST RELY ON GOD'S PROMISES

"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me" Acts 27:25 (NIV)

 The Angel said: "[Paul], God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you." Acts 27:24b (NIV)

 "God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His PURPOSE very clear to His people that it cannot be broken, He made a vow. God cannot tell lies! And so His PROMISES and vows are two things that can never be changed. We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. This hope is like a firm and steady ANCHOR FOR OUR SOULS. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. JESUS has gone there ahead of us, and He is OUR HIGH PRIEST FOREVER." Hebrews 6:17-20 (NIV+CEV)

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