Facing the Storm (Class Notes from 8/31/08)

Background passages: Acts 27:1- 44.
Focal passages: Acts 27: 9-12, 16-17, 22-26, 30-32, 33-36

As we continue our study of the book of Acts, hurricane Gustav threatens the gulf coast and we read about Paul’s own experience with a major storm. We all face personal storms. We have problems with our relationships, health, finances, child rearing, aging parents, jobs, and material possessions. Is there a lesson we can learn to help us make it through these storms? Paul’s experience is a lesson to us.

Paul has been imprisoned in Caesarea and has appealed to Caesar. He begins a journey (likely in August or September) and travels by ship to Myra along the southern coast of modern day Turkey. At Malta, he is placed on a ship (likely a large grain ship) by his Roman guards. They sail southwest and arrive eventually in Fair Havens on the island of Crete. A storm is brewing…

Acts 27:9-12 Sometimes, we can avoid the storm.
1. Use common sense (v.9). Although Paul was not a sailor, it was common knowledge that travel by sea in the Mediterranean Sea after the Fast (likely the Day of Atonement which occurred in early October) was dangerous. We should use our common knowledge to avoid situations that threaten us.
2. Recognize signs (v. 10). Paul could see that it was dangerous to put to sea under the present circumstance.
3. Follow wise counsel (v.11). The centurion ignored Paul’s recommendations although he could examine the same signs that Paul saw. Instead, he chose to follow the foolish counsel of the ship’s pilot.
4. Don’t overestimate your own strength/ability. The ship’s pilot undoubtedly felt that they would make it to Phoenix unharmed. Despite knowing the facts and seeing the signs, he sailed anyway. Sometimes we have an “it can’t happen to us” mentality and believe that we can handle a situation that is potentially devastating to us or those that we love.
5. Recognize that small decisions can have major consequences (v.12). Phoenix was only about 38 miles from Fair Haven. I’m sure that the pilot and centurion felt that it was “no big deal” to sail this short distance which would normally only take a few hours. However, this small decision had major consequences!

Acts 27: 16-17. Use breaks in the storm to prepare.
The ship is overtaken by a Northeaster (a major storm that came over the Crete mountains and caught the ship by surprise). It is driven by the violent storm and passes by a small island (Cauda). Temporarily, the storm is diminished. The crew uses the opportunity to:
1. Secure the lifeboat
2. Reinforce the strength of the ship
3. Raise the anchor and lower the sails
We also need to use breaks in personal storms that catch us by surprise to prepare for its return.

Acts 27: 22-26. Don’t lose courage!
1. What is the worst that can happen to a Christian (v.22)? We can lose our material possessions, suffer physical or emotional pain, or even lose our physicl life. However, in the end, we will be with the Lord in heaven. We need to have a long range perspective and understand that nothing can remove us from the saving grace under which we live! (Ephesians 1: 13-14)
2. God is in control. (v.25) Read Isaiah 40: 21-26.
3. Even given the above facts, we need to understand and be prepared for the fact that on this earth, bad things happen (v.26). Sometimes, the ship will be lost.

Acts 27: 30-32. Sometimes, drastic measures must be taken.
The soldiers were forced to cut away the lifeboat in order to be saved. I am sure that they must have thought of other alternatives to this drastic measure, especially since the ship on which they were located had been battered for 2 weeks by the raging storm. Sometimes, we must "cut the ties to our lifeboat" in order to survive our storm. During these trials, our faith is increased.

Acts 27: 33-34. We need nourishment!
Storms can be exhausting. We need both physical and spiritual nourishment to “make it through”. We must get proper rest and nutrition. Jesus spent increasing time in prayer as His crucifixion approached. We should also when facing our storms.

Acts 27: 35-36. We should give thanks to God.
Amazingly, despite being beaten, stoned, ridiculed, imprisoned, and living in the midst of a powerful, violent, life-threatening storm for 2 weeks Paul stood up before the crew and gave THANKS to God (v.35)! We also, should thank God regularly for sending His son to die for us. His love for us is immeasurable.
As a result of Paul’s behavior, all 276 passengers on the ship were encouraged (v.36). The way that we weather our storms matters. Others see our actions and are either encouraged or discouraged. Which honors the Lord most?

In the end, all 276 passengers aboard the ship reach shore safely although the ship itself was destroyed by the pounding surf after running aground on the coast of Malta (almost 500 miles west of Crete). The storm was over and Paul’s faith in action had once again triumphed! We also can find victory in our storms. I pray that you will be encouraged and challenged by Paul’s experience.