https://youtu.be/UIXUweBxZLE

Take Heart, For I Believe God

Acts 27:1-25

Tonight’s sermon originally had a different beginning. But much like in the story that you’ll hear tonight, circumstances have changed. That’s what they do, right? Things can go from good to bad in a heart beat and from bad to worse, from cautious to drastic and believe it or not even from horrible to great in a moment. Such is life. But our God is a Rock! and his word never wavers.

the governor’s state-wide, mandatory quarantine is going into effect as you watch this. Friends, That doesn’t change God’s word in the slightest and it doesn’t change tonight’s sermon. This passage, Acts 27:1-25 was chosen long ago . Before anyone around here was worried about the coronavirus and before businesses were closing their doors and people started storming costco, God spoke this word and put it in your leaders’ heart to preach on it this very night.

Although what Paul and hs companions went through on their frightful voyage was a hundred times worse, than what we’re facing, the parallel are eerie. So as you listen to the story, be impressed and be encouraged and feel blessed that your Heavenly father would send you such a timely and powerful word, in your time of need,

As the psalmist sings,  (Psalm 46:1,2) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…

(read passage)

So you have Paul and his companions entering a ship and being put under the charge of Julius, a Roman officer who treats Paul kindly.

But before long, things start to take a turn for the worse. The weather turns. Sailing becomes rough. They have to take precautions and abandon the open sea in favor of the slower but safer coastal routs. In verse 6  they switch  to a great big wheat ship sailing from Egypt to Italy but the winds relentlessly blow against them and their progress is very slow and difilcult. After many days, they finally reach a half-decent harbor where they can take a break. Their break turns into a long stay because the weather is just too bad to sail. Things aren't looking very good. They're on a journey. They got a plan. They're going somewhere. But it's not working out. A storms arises on the sea, the winds are howling in their face. They just can't make progress.

in verse 9 it says the sailing was now dangerous. It’s the time of year when sailing stops for the winter. it's no longer safe to be on the water.

At this point in the story the guys in charge hold a meeting to decide what to do. Paul speaks up and advises them to winter where they’re at and not risk going any further. He says guys, if we set sail now, it’s not going to be pretty. We’re going to lose the cargo and ship and probably our lives as well.  

Now, it’s quite out of the ordinary to have a prisoner advising his guards what to do on their travel plans. Naturally, they don't listen to him. The word of the captain, the word of the owner and the word of the  Centurion outweighs Paul's warning. Its written that the majority advised to set sail.

The majority. the majority is not always right. The majority is against Christ. This is something every Christian must be aware of. Constantly, the world is contrary to the mind of Jesus. His followers aren’t taken seriously. the world does not highly regard their opinion. This idea that the majority is always right and that just because it’s the law means that it must be just, is absurd. The majority can be fickle and wrong and downright dangerous. Don’t look for safety or affirmation in “the majority”. 

Regardless of the views of the majority, truth needs to be heard and truth lovers need to stand and speak it. You are called To Be A Witness of Christ, to give God-honoring warnings to your neighbors, to your co-workers, and family. Every Christian is called to be a light on a hill. it matters not how they will treat you for it. The church is to be a faithful witness to God’s glory,