“The Journey of Life”Acts 27:1-44

09/17/2006Dr. Dane Boyles

The Journey of Life

Introduction• Our life is a journey through time into

eternity. • We all have a beginning and an end which

are separated by the experiences of life along the way.

• The choices we make also play a major role in how we react to the storms that come our way.

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• Let’s look at a passage of Scripture which focuses upon two men who are very different: the apostle Paul, and Julius, a Roman centurion.

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The Beginning (vs. 1-8)Ω The primary characters:

• Julius - officer in charge.

• Aristarchus – Paul’s traveling companion.

• Luke – Paul’s secretary.

• Paul - an apostle

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Ω Secondary characters:

• Certain other prisoners.

• One hundred soldiers of Agustus’ band.

• The captain and crew of the ship.

Ω Arrival at Fair Havens.

• It was a good place to be when the sea was rough, but it was not their destination.

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The WarningΩ Revelation (vs. 9-10)

9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, (Acts 27:9)

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10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also” (Acts 27:10).

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• God uses men to deliver His messages. 21 God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe (1 Cor 1:21).

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Ω Rejection (vs. 11-12)11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. (Acts 27:11)

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12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. (Acts 27:12)

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• They listened, but they would not hear and receive the message.

• They chose to believe and trust in the voice of experience.

Ω Deception (v. 13)13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete (Acts 27:13)

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• The world is full of “south winds” promising much, but delivering little.

• The world promises excitement, satisfaction, and success; but it delivers tragedy, emptiness, and poverty.

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The StormΩ The severity of the storm (vs. 14-16)

14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. (Acts 27:14-15)

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16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. (Acts 27:16)

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• The world’s attractions shine just long enough to make them seem real.

• They literally ran into a hurricane and they were “caught”!

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2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thess 5:2-3)

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Ω The vain effort (vs. 17-19)17 When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. (Acts 20:17)

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18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. (Acts 27:18-19)

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• They tried to save themselves.

• Man tries to save himself through...

– good works:

it is by grace are you are saved through faith...not by works...” (Eph 2:8-9).

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– reformation: 3 ...unless you repent you will likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

– religion: 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:7)

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Ω The hopelessness (v. 20)20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20)

• All was dark and the storm continued.

• All hope was gone.

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The Promise (vs. 21-26)21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. (Acts 27:21)

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22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:22-24)

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25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:25-26)

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Ω The source of the promise: God.

Ω The content of the promise:

• It was a message of hope, cheer, comfort, and salvation.

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• Much like the message of the gospel: – “For God so loved the world” =

message of cheer. – “That he gave his one and only Son” =

comfort– “That whoever believes in Him” = hope – “Shall not perish but have eternal life” =

salvation

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Ω The Certainty of the message.

• Paul said, “I believe God.”

• Not “I believe in God or about God or I think this or that.”

• He said, “It will happen just as he told me.”

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The ShipwreckΩ Another warning (vs. 27-32).

27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. (Acts 27:27)

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28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. (Acts 27:28-29)

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30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away. (Acts 27:30-32)

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• Although their own efforts had failed them...

• They still stubbornly wanted to trust in themselves rather than in God.

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Ω More encouragement (vs. 33-38)33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food-you haven’t eaten anything. (Acts 27:33)

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34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. (Acts 27:34-35)

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36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. (Acts 27:36-38)

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• We need to be reminded of God’s promises.

• There is no greater encouragement than the Word of God!

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Ω Salvation as promised! (vs. 39-44)39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. (Acts 27:39-44)

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40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. (Acts 27:40-41)

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42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. (Acts 27:42-43)

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44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety. (Acts 27:44)

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• It was exactly as God had said it would be.

• They ran aground upon an island and the ship broke apart

• However, all 276 men on board were saved!

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ConclusionIn this world of uncertainties, one thing we can count on is God’s promises found in His Word.

Right now, what are you trusting in?

Are you trusting in your own strength to get you through life?

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Or are you leaning upon the Lord?

Are you struggling through a storm today?

“The Journey of Life”Acts 27:1-44

09/17/2006Dr. Dane Boyles