What To Do When You’ve Made a Wreck of Things.

Acts 27:9-11 (9) We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it. (10) “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 

You ignored Godly counsel. You’re in trouble as a result. Now what do you do?

1. Take Courage!

Even when you disregard godly counsel the first time, there is still hope.

Acts 27:21-22, 26 (21) …Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. (22) But take courage! None of you will lose your lives… (26) But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

Come to terms that There may be collateral damage. So prioritize what matters most.

What you did wrong is in the past and you can’t change it. What matters now is what you do next.

2. Remember Whose You Are & Whom You Serve!

Acts 27:23 …last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me,

Where is God when I’ve made a wreck of things? God Always shows up where you invite HIm.

3. Remember God’s Promises!

When you’ve lost your own footing, stand on His Promises.

Acts 27:24-25 (24) and he [God] said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ (25) So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.

God’s promises aren’t only for you, they also involve those around you.

4. Don’t Abandon the Ship!

Don’t leave the vessel (church) designed to take the hit, that you can’t handle alone.

Acts 27:30-32 (30) Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. (31) But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” (32) So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

Don’t pretend you’re in it with everyone else, if you’re only in it for yourself.

Have the guts to cut ties to anything and anyone that would pull you under rather than pull you through.

5. Get Fed & Give Thanks.

A diet of worry leads to a life of depression & despair.

Acts 27:33-36 (33) Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. (34) “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” (35) Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. (36) Then everyone was encouraged…”

CREATE A TRIGGER TO receive something “for your own good,” when you’re at your worst.

A lifestyle of Giving thanks to God gives courage to others.

Acts 27:43-44 (43) …Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. (44) The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.