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