Shipwrecked But Not Destroyed
When life's winds blow with typhoon force – God is present.
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 27:22, 25 NLT - But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. ... So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
OBSERVATION:
How many of us have a “plan B" in our lives? I would venture to say that many not only have a plan B but also a C, D, E, F, and even a G. Some of you reading this today struggle with not being in total control. I get it. Having a plan when life changes is not a bad thing. But when it comes to our spiritual walk – there is no “plan B”. Jesus is not something we try; if it doesn’t work, I rely on myself.
What do we do when the “winds” of life turn into raging “typhoons”? Shipwreck seems imminent, and no end is in sight. We cling more tightly to Jesus.
I am reminded of two men in the Bible who experienced this.
The first was Job. He was living a blessed life, walking with the Lord. Full of life, he had a wonderful family and was well-off. He was regarded as a man of God. One day, everything changed. His “winds of life” shifted from a gentle breeze to a raging typhoon, culminating in a shipwreck that turned his entire life upside down. Yet through it all, Job did not curse God. Instead, he worshiped—even in the storm and shipwreck. If you have never read the account, you should.
In the end, Job was completely restored by God and blessed with more than before the storm. Why? Because our Redeemer is faithful and true.
The second was a man named Peter, the mighty fisherman and experienced seaman, who, when a raging storm hit, was terrified. Yet when he saw Jesus, he asked Him to call him to Himself. Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water. But the wind and waves of the storm shook him, and he sank—only to find the hand of Jesus just a short prayer away. “Lord, save me!” was his cry, and the hand of Jesus rescued him from the storm.
Acts 27 recounts Paul’s “shipwreck.” The wind is mentioned eight times in this chapter. What begins as a gentle breeze turns into a fierce storm that causes the shipwreck. It was so severe that Luke tells us this:
Acts 27:20, 22 NLT - The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
Yet through it all, God was with Paul. The storm would surely cause a shipwreck, but the outcome was greater faith and glory to God. Not one of the 276 crew members would perish. God is faithful!
APPLICATION:
Steve Churtis Chapman and James Issac Elliot wrote a song in 1994 called "Burn the Ships." In it, we are encouraged – no matter what — that there is no “plan B,” only plan Jesus — our Redeemer, who is faithful and true.
Acts 27:22, 25 NLT - But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. ... So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
OBSERVATION:
How many of us have a “plan B" in our lives? I would venture to say that many not only have a plan B but also a C, D, E, F, and even a G. Some of you reading this today struggle with not being in total control. I get it. Having a plan when life changes is not a bad thing. But when it comes to our spiritual walk – there is no “plan B”. Jesus is not something we try; if it doesn’t work, I rely on myself.
What do we do when the “winds” of life turn into raging “typhoons”? Shipwreck seems imminent, and no end is in sight. We cling more tightly to Jesus.
I am reminded of two men in the Bible who experienced this.
The first was Job. He was living a blessed life, walking with the Lord. Full of life, he had a wonderful family and was well-off. He was regarded as a man of God. One day, everything changed. His “winds of life” shifted from a gentle breeze to a raging typhoon, culminating in a shipwreck that turned his entire life upside down. Yet through it all, Job did not curse God. Instead, he worshiped—even in the storm and shipwreck. If you have never read the account, you should.
In the end, Job was completely restored by God and blessed with more than before the storm. Why? Because our Redeemer is faithful and true.
The second was a man named Peter, the mighty fisherman and experienced seaman, who, when a raging storm hit, was terrified. Yet when he saw Jesus, he asked Him to call him to Himself. Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water. But the wind and waves of the storm shook him, and he sank—only to find the hand of Jesus just a short prayer away. “Lord, save me!” was his cry, and the hand of Jesus rescued him from the storm.
Acts 27 recounts Paul’s “shipwreck.” The wind is mentioned eight times in this chapter. What begins as a gentle breeze turns into a fierce storm that causes the shipwreck. It was so severe that Luke tells us this:
Acts 27:20, 22 NLT - The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
Yet through it all, God was with Paul. The storm would surely cause a shipwreck, but the outcome was greater faith and glory to God. Not one of the 276 crew members would perish. God is faithful!
APPLICATION:
Steve Churtis Chapman and James Issac Elliot wrote a song in 1994 called "Burn the Ships." In it, we are encouraged – no matter what — that there is no “plan B,” only plan Jesus — our Redeemer, who is faithful and true.
In the spring of 1519, a Spanish fleet set sail
Cortez told his sailors this mission must not fail
On the eastern shore of Mexico they landed with great dreams
But the hardships of the new world make them restless and weak
Quietly they whispered, "Let's sail back to the life we knew"
But the one who led them there was saying
Burn the ships, we're here to stay
There's no way we could go back
Now that we've come this far by faith
Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return
Our life is here
So let the ships burn
In the spring of new beginnings a searching heart set sail
Looking for a new life and a love that would not fail
On the shores of grace and mercy we landed with great joy
But an enemy was waiting to steal, kill, and destroy
Quietly he whispers, "Go back to the life you know"
But the one who led us here is saying
Nobody said it would be easy
But the one who brought us here
Is never gonna leave us alone
Cortez told his sailors this mission must not fail
On the eastern shore of Mexico they landed with great dreams
But the hardships of the new world make them restless and weak
Quietly they whispered, "Let's sail back to the life we knew"
But the one who led them there was saying
Burn the ships, we're here to stay
There's no way we could go back
Now that we've come this far by faith
Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return
Our life is here
So let the ships burn
In the spring of new beginnings a searching heart set sail
Looking for a new life and a love that would not fail
On the shores of grace and mercy we landed with great joy
But an enemy was waiting to steal, kill, and destroy
Quietly he whispers, "Go back to the life you know"
But the one who led us here is saying
Nobody said it would be easy
But the one who brought us here
Is never gonna leave us alone
Unfortunately, King Agrippa did not turn to Christ. His comment reflects the sadness of those who “almost" decide but do not follow through.
Acts 26:28 NLT - Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"
Acts 26:28 NLT - Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"
If the sense is “almost,” Agrippa’s reply is especially sorry. Of course, almost being a Christian means that you almost have eternal life and will almost be delivered from the judgment of hell, but almost isn’t enough.
Far from being admired for how far he did come, Agrippa condemned himself even more by admitting how close he has come to the gospel and how clearly he has understood it, while still rejecting it. – David Guzik.
Far from being admired for how far he did come, Agrippa condemned himself even more by admitting how close he has come to the gospel and how clearly he has understood it, while still rejecting it. – David Guzik.
Storms in life are unavoidable. Sometimes they shift from a gentle breeze to a raging storm in moments (ask Job). Despite everything, our Redeemer remains faithful and true – He will carry you through.
Job 19:25 NLT - "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
Romans 8:28 NLT - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
It’s not just the good, but the good, the bad, and even the ugly! Burn the ships; we’re here to stay!
When the storms rage—and they will—remember all that Jesus has done. He will never fail. We can hold onto the words of Jesus: “I will never leave you, or forsake you.”
PRAYER:
Jesus, You know the ships in my life that need to be burned. Help me trust You and You alone. For I know my Redeemer is faithful and true.
Job 19:25 NLT - "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
Romans 8:28 NLT - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
It’s not just the good, but the good, the bad, and even the ugly! Burn the ships; we’re here to stay!
When the storms rage—and they will—remember all that Jesus has done. He will never fail. We can hold onto the words of Jesus: “I will never leave you, or forsake you.”
PRAYER:
Jesus, You know the ships in my life that need to be burned. Help me trust You and You alone. For I know my Redeemer is faithful and true.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT - For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
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