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In this world, you’re guaranteed trouble—from small setbacks to enormous catastrophes. So it’s crucial to understand why God allows disaster and how you can know joy even in the darkest days. Consider that in an interview with John MacArthur that took place just days after 9/11—a timely discussion even twenty-five years later.

Dr. John Townsend shares practical tips for parents struggling to set boundaries with their children. He’ll provide insights into relatable situations spanning every stage of the parenting journey, from teaching unruly toddlers to dealing with adult children who still live at home. Hear his advice for teaching kids to take responsibility and grow into healthy adults.  

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Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

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Is it possible to discuss hot-button issues–like politics, social justice, or cultural movements–with those we love without starting an argument? Guest teacher Aaron Pierce says: Absolutely! He describes how to move past divisive topics and clear the way for the Gospel to pierce people’s hearts, helping you maintain relationships while standing on Truth.

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Guest Speaker Bio

Aaron Pierce is the International Mission Director of Steiger International, a rapidly-growing, worldwide mission organization that is called to reach and disciple the Global Youth Culture for Jesus. Steiger is active in over 100 cities around the world within the regions of Europe, Eurasia, Central Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, South America, Australasia, and North America.

Five hidden dangers can destroy a Christian leader’s faith, family, and ministry. Learn what these dangers are so you can remain faithful and finish well.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Acts 27:20

The Book of Acts tells the story of the Early Church and the missionary voyages of Paul the Apostle. In Acts 27, Paul writes about his experience sailing through a treacherous storm. Paul’s gripping narrative offers us insight into riding out the storms of life.

First, we must note the reason for these storms; we will all find ourselves in ferocious waters at some point, due to the nature of this sinful world.

Storms can be engineered by our own disobedience or foolishness. God could also send us into a storm for our own development. Or, like Paul in this passage, we could also be dragged into storms by other people.

When Paul was a prisoner on his way to Rome, he was transported into a storm by others. His circumstances were out of his own control.

Acts 27:9-11 says, “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.’ But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.”

When we face difficulties due to other people’s mistakes, Acts 27:9-20 reveals five things not to do if we want to keep the ship afloat:

Make decisions in haste (v. 9)
Depend upon worldly wisdom rather than godly wisdom (v. 11)
Take the easy way out (v. 12)
Follow the crowd (v. 12)
Depend upon circumstances (v. 13)
*If you want an in-depth study of these five things, we invite you to take our Email Challenge, "What Not to Do in a Storm."

Verses 14-20 illustrate what happens when an ungodly man gets himself into a storm. His direction dissolves, his effort increases, resources are wasted, and he begins to lose hope. As a result, he becomes very foolish; he’ll try to abandon ship and escape.

But the godly will react differently to the storms, as Paul says in Acts 27:22, “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost...”

Paul’s faith in God was stronger than his fear of the storm; as a result, God’s promise to see Paul through to Rome was fulfilled.

Adrian Rogers says, “Every bad decision they made could not overrule the will of God. Where God does not rule, He overrules.”

Apply it to your life
Are you riding out a storm you weren’t expecting? Depend upon godly wisdom and resist the temptation to take the easy way out. Do not depend upon your circumstances. Put your whole faith in God to see you through.

When work needs to be done, are you more likely to take care of it and in a timely manner, or find a way out of it? John MacArthur will equip you to deal with the sin of laziness as he lays out some practical Wisdom for the Workplace.