Sermon Central
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Are You Anchored In The Storms - Part 2 Series
Contributed by Shell Osbon on Dec 31, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Realizing that storms will come to our lives, it’s important to be prepared.
10.14.07 AM Smyrna Assembly of God Pastor Shell Osbon
“Are You Anchored In The Storm? - Pt 2”
Acts 27:13-29 says, 13“When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon (a violent agitation). 15So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26However, we must run aground on a certain island.’ 27Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.”
Intro
Part 1 Review
1. When You’re In A Storm, You Cannot Depend On Human Wisdom
Acts 27:18-19 says, 18“And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.”
One of the most difficult things to do when you’re going through a storm will be to resist the temptation to handle your storms in the way that you think they should be handled.
2. When You’re In A Storm, You Can Depend On Godly Wisdom
Acts 27:22-25 says, 22“I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.”
Whenever you’re in the middle of a storm, you need to remember that God will still be talking to you, you can depend on whatever He tells you and that He will bring you through every storm that you ever face!
3. When You’re In A Storm, You Need To Drop Some Anchors
Acts 4:29 says, “Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.” These men were truly at their wits end and knew that all they could hope for was to make it through the night.
Last Sunday I briefly mentioned four anchors that I believe you need to drop whenever you’re going through a storm and today I want to elaborate on each of those four anchors.
A. The Anchor of Prayer
Whenever a storm comes your way, don’t be like these sailors and let prayer be the last thing that you do. Drop to your knees and pray before you try to do anything else!
A couple got the news that they couldn’t have children. On the way home from the doctor’s office they decided to ask their Pastor for prayer. Their Pastor was bi-vocational and ran an auto repair shop so they went by the shop to see him. After they explained the situation, the Pastor grabbed a can of three-in-one oil, anointed them and prayed. About 9 months later they had triplets. When the couple saw the Pastor, the wife gave him a big hug and said, “I’m so glad you didn’t anoint me with WD-40!”
