|
Biblical references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational
sermon outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the
Bible.
Introduction:
1. This lesson is drawn from Paul’s storm tossed experience at sea.
2. I believe there are some very practical suggestions to be made after a look
at this shipwreck experience of the Apostle Paul (Acts 27:1-44).
3. We all know the feeling we have when our boat won’t float.
4. Here are things we can do when that sinking feeling comes upon us.
Body:
I. DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN DO YOURSELF (27:17-19;
38).
1. They undergirded the ship and twice they lightened the load.
2. We need to do what we can do when our boat is sinking, or it will probably
sink (cf. Joshua 7:6-15).
a. While the saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not in the Bible,
the thought most certainly is (cf. Genesis 4:6-7;
Acts 22:16;
2:26-38;
Ephesians
6:10-17).
b. Whatever is threatening to sink our boat, we should respond appropriately to
do our part (cf. Mark 2:1-12).
c. If we haven’t tried to do all we know to do and all God would have us to do,
a sunken ship is at least in part our own fault (cf. Matthew 25:24-30).
II. PRAY AND ASK FOR GOD’S ASSISTANCE (27:29)
1. They prayed that they would see the light of day.
a. However, we must be on speaking terms with God (I Peter 3:12).
b. We cannot live apart from God and expect deliverance (cf. Jeremiah 7:1-11).
3. One thing that might prevent us from praying as we should is that we do not
like the answers we get.
c. He may say, “Wait a while” (Psalms 89).
4. We should, however, find comfort in knowing that God is always present in the
life of a Christian, even when our preferences are not realized (I Corinthians 10:13;
Romans 8:31-39;
Hebrews 13:5b-6).
III. TRUST GOD AND FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS (27:22-25, 31)
1. Paul dramatically took his stand with God.
a. Sometimes it is more difficult to believe God than to believe in God (Hebrews
11:6).
b. Consider a failure of faith by the Apostles in a similar stormy situation
(Matthew 8:23-27).
2. Paul insisted that others also do as God had done.
3. God’’s instructions may seem to contradict conventional wisdom, but they are
always best (Isaiah 55:8-9;
Luke 5:1-11;
II Kings 5:1-14).
4. God is, therefore, to be obeyed regarding salvation (Acts 2:38), worship (John
4:24), and Christian living (Colossians 3:1-11).
IV. SOMETIMES THE BOAT SINKS (27:41)
1. Nevertheless, God is still in control and His children will be rescued, no
matter what (Matthew 10:28-31;
Romans 8:38-39)!
Conclusion:
1. We are to:
a. do all we can
b. pray
c. trust and obey
d. accept that God rules no matter what happens.
2. As we reflect on these principles, a question naturally arises.
a. Do I belong to God and am I faithfully serving Him?
b. Do you?
3. The answer to this question makes all the difference in the world when my
boat or your boat won't float.
-- Don Treadway, March
2003 -- |
