SERIES: “HOPE FOR CHRISTMAS”
“How to Make it Through.”
Acts 27: 17-29
IT IS TEMPTING TO WANT TO JUMP SHIP. A NEW LOOK A NEW LOCATION. A NEW SET OF FRIENDS.
Apparently one of the keys to surviving the storm is anchored, being anchored right, being anchored properly.
IT’S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE EVERYBODY GOES THROUGH SEVERE STORMS AND ROCKY WEATHER.
I believe that there is a spiritual rest in God. We have to learn to place our trust in HIM.
ILLUS.: This true story happened on March 27th, 2009, and it involved two NFL players and their friends.
- One of them was a college football player about to go pro.
- They were in the Gulf of Mexico, and they were in a tragic accident.
- They were fishing and having fun, and a storm came. They saw it coming, and they had put their anchor out, and this is what the headline read:
“IT SAID THE NFL PLAYERS AND THEIR FRIENDS, IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, HAD CAPSIZED BECAUSE THE VESSEL WAS IMPROPERLY ANCHORED.”
The story ends by telling how the Oakland Raiders linebacker and free agent for Corey Smith and another young man from the University of South Florida were lost and killed, and only one lone survivor stayed out at sea, holding onto something that was floating for two solid days.
They end the story by saying, overall, it was just a mistake in anchoring.
Apparently, anchoring is very important and vital in nature. That’s why Scripture mentions they put four anchors out to keep them from drifting too far into the rocks and into disaster.
Paul instructed them to do 3 THINGS WHEN IN A STORM:
1. BRACE UP
Acts 27:17, “And they banded the ship with ropes to strengthen the hull.”
BRACE UP YOUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
Romans 12:2, “…Be [transformed and progressively changed by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Jeremiah 1:5
Jeremiah 29:11
Malachi 3:10
2.CHEER UP.
Acts 27:30 – He said, “Cheer up.” Cheer up. Cheer up.
When you’re in a storm, it’s no time to have a pity party. SAY: Somehow, God will make a way for me.
THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTIANITY IS VICTORY. Not victim, not depression, not despair, not going through trials.
The message of Christianity is victory!
This is the faith that overcomes the world! This is the faith that hell can’t stop; demons can’t!
You have a HOPE stronger than lies and all the enemy brings against you.
So, cheer up! Cheer up and be of good cheer, Paul said, right in the middle of the storm. He’s leading you, the Scripture declares, from place to place in perpetual victory.
3. LIGHTEN THE LOAD.
Acts 27:18- “They began to lighten the load.”
And so, when we go through storms, suddenly we start throwing. They start with their own hands. Quit waiting on God to do everything, take your own hands, and say, “You know what?”
I’m going through my stuff.
- There goes the baggage of complaining.
- There goes the baggage of depression. I’m not going to carry it anymore.
- There goes the baggage of fear.
- There goes the baggage of past failure.
- There goes the baggage of disappointments.
- There goes the baggage of unforgiveness and bitterness.
Because when it’s all said and done, the baggage of weight can sink your ship.
Hebrews 12:1
I ALWAYS HAVE TO THROW THESE OVER.
INSUFFICIENCY- I don’t know why, but the enemy attacks me with a spirit that says you’re insufficient.
INSECURITY – I sometimes hear a little voice in my head when I get in a storm. You’re going to lose. No one is behind you.
INSIGNIFICANCE—I always hear a little voice that says, “No one really needs you. You’re not important. You’re not right for the part. You just put yourself there.”
4. FOUR ANCHORS.
The first anchor that will keep you afloat during a storm is the anchor of purpose.
THE ANCHOR OF PURPOSE
- Purpose predates your conception. Jeremiah, “Before I was in my mother’s womb, God-you had a plan and ordained me to be a prophet and You had a call on my life”. So, my purpose was more significant than my conception in my mother’s womb.
- My purpose was planned without my input. God said, this is why you will be put on this earth, and He didn’t ask your opinion.
DON’T FOCUS ON WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH; FOCUS ON WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH.
THE ANCHOR OF COURAGE –The second anchor you’ve got to drop is courage. When you get in a storm, you have to courage up.
THE ANCHOR OF DEVOTIONS
Hebrews 6:18, “Two immutable things,” when you’re in a storm.
#1- “IT IS IMPOSSIBLE – for God to lie.” The One you’re connected to cannot fail, cannot lie, and cannot lose. Watch this.
#2- The hope we have for our salvation is an anchor for the soul,
THE ANCHOR OF SALVATION-Beyond the veil!