052-Acts 27
Acts: The Mission of God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 88 viewsFour Strong Anchors For Life's Stormy Seas.
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FOUR STRONG ANCHORS FOR LIFE'S STORMY SEAS
Intro: Ill. The Context. These brave sailors were in a storm that seemed to be overwhelming. In an effort to save the ship and their lives, they cast four anchors into the sea. Sadly, these anchors proved ineffective against the storm and the ship was ultimately lost.
However, on board that ship was a man named Paul.
He was a special man for several reason:
1. He was a child of God;
2. He was a man on a mission;
3. He was a man of faith;
4. He was in fellowship with God.
Because of who he was, Paul was anchored in the midst of that storm, even though the ship wasn't!
Those sailors threw four anchors into the sea in an attempt to steady that ship. Those anchors failed. As I read this text, I become aware that Paul had four anchors as well. These anchors steadied him during the storm. Even though that ship was shaken and battered, Paul was able to stand steady and strong.
I would like to take a few moments this evening to share with you those anchors that kept Paul steady during the storm. You see, those same anchors are available to you and me this evening. Allow me to share with you these Four Strong Anchors For Life's Stormy Seas.
14 But before long, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. 15 Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff. 17 After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. 18 Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope was fading that we would be saved. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. 22 Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. 23 For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me 24 and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. 26 But we have to run aground on some island.” 27 When the fourteenth night came, we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea, and about midnight the sailors thought they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found it to be a hundred and twenty feet deep; when they had sailed a little farther and sounded again, they found it to be ninety feet deep. 29 Then, fearing we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come.
Those sailors threw four anchors into the sea in an attempt to steady that ship. Those anchors failed. As I read this text, I become aware that Paul had four anchors as well. These anchors steadied him during the storm. Even though that ship was shaken and battered, Paul was able to stand steady and strong.
I would like to take a few moments this evening to share with you those anchors that kept Paul steady during the storm. You see, those same anchors are available to you and me this evening. Allow me to share with you these Four Strong Anchors For Life's Stormy Seas.
I. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
I. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
A. Even in the midst of that raging storm, Paul found that he was not alone. The Lord came to him to minister peace to his heart.
23 For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me
B. Regardless of the storm that tosses your life and mine, if we have the same confidence that Paul has in his relationship to the Lord, v. 23, then we can have faith in His promise to be with us always
Ill. David -
4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
C. Ill. What an encouragement it is to know that we will never face an instant of life on our own! Every step, every valley, every mountain will be graced by His presence! Ill. - The blessed footmen of God, goodness and mercy, follow us every where we go!
D. It would be a blessing if we enjoyed the manifest presence of the Lord as Paul did. But, even when you cannot see Him, He is still there: watching, leading, protecting, being God.
(Ill. Dr. Tony Compolo says that when he was a boy growing up in a congested and bustling city, his mother arranged for a teenage girl who lived nearby to walk home with him at the end of the day. For this, she was paid a nickel a day. But Tony rebelled in the second grade and told his mother, "I'll walk myself to school, and, if you give me a nickel a week, I will be extra careful. You can keep the other twenty cents and we'll all be better off."
After a period of pleading and begging, little Tony finally got his way. For the next two years he walked himself back and forth to school. It was an eight-block walk with many streets to cross, but he was careful and didn't talk to strangers or get distracted along the way.
Years later at a family party, he bragged about his independence and reminded his family of how he had taken care of himself as a boy. His mother laughed and added the rest of the story. "Did you really think you were alone?" she said. "Every morning when you left for school, I left with you. I walked behind you all the way. When you got out of school at 3:30 in the afternoon, I was there. I always kept myself hidden, but I was there and I followed you all the way home. I just wanted to be there for you in case you needed me.")
C. Ill. What an encouragement it is to know that we will never face an instant of life on our own! Every step, every valley, every mountain will be graced by His presence!
Ill.
6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
D. It would be a blessing if we enjoyed the manifest presence of the Lord as Paul did. But, even when you cannot see Him, He is still there: watching, leading, protecting, being God.
(Ill. Dr. Tony Compolo says that when he was a boy growing up in a congested and bustling city, his mother arranged for a teenage girl who lived nearby to walk home with him at the end of the day. For this, she was paid a nickel a day. But Tony rebelled in the second grade and told his mother, "I'll walk myself to school, and, if you give me a nickel a week, I will be extra careful. You can keep the other twenty cents and we'll all be better off."
After a period of pleading and begging, little Tony finally got his way. For the next two years he walked himself back and forth to school. It was an eight-block walk with many streets to cross, but he was careful and didn't talk to strangers or get distracted along the way.
Years later at a family party, he bragged about his independence and reminded his family of how he had taken care of himself as a boy. His mother laughed and added the rest of the story. "Did you really think you were alone?" she said. "Every morning when you left for school, I left with you. I walked behind you all the way. When you got out of school at 3:30 in the afternoon, I was there. I always kept myself hidden, but I was there and I followed you all the way home. I just wanted to be there for you in case you needed me.")
II. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PROMISES OF GOD
II. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PROMISES OF GOD
24 and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.
v.24-25
A. As Paul weathered that long, terrible storm, the Lord came to him with a precious promise. He reminded Paul that he would stand before Caesar, and that all those on the ship were to be spared as well. For Paul, just having a word from God was enough to anchor him and give him blessed assurance.
A. As Paul weathered that long, terrible storm, the Lord came to him with a precious promise. He reminded Paul that he would stand before Caesar, and that all those on the ship were to be spared as well. For Paul, just having a word from God was enough to anchor him and give him blessed assurance. Why? He knew that God was as good as His Word, .
B. His promises are steadfast and true! ; .
Notice what promises we have to assure of total security.
1. Brighter Days -
2. Deliverance -
3. Everything is for our Good - ; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
Why? He knew that God was as good as His Word,
20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.
21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.
B. Notice what promises we have to assure of total security.
1. Brighter Days
4 Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar, as it is written: That you may be justified in your words and triumph when you judge.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.
; .
Notice what promises we have to assure of total security.
1. Brighter Days -
2. Deliverance -
3. Everything is for our Good - ; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.
B. His promises are steadfast and true! ; .
Notice what promises we have to assure of total security.
1. Brighter Days -
2. Deliverance -
3. Everything is for our Good - ; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
; .
Notice what promises we have to assure of total security.
1. Brighter Days -
2. Deliverance -
3. Everything is for our Good - ; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
2. Deliverance
19 One who is righteous has many adversities, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
Notice what promises we have to assure of total security.
1. Brighter Days -
2. Deliverance -
3. Everything is for our Good - ; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
3. Everything is for our Good - ; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
3. Ultimate Glory
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
; ; Cor. 4:17
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames,
; 28; 32
4. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.
17 This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
89 Lord, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven.
!
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
4. Divine Grace -
5. Ultimate Glory -
C. His promises are based in and on His Word. It is pure, inspired and will stand when the world is in flames, !
(Ill. Dr. Everek R. Storms of Ontario spent a vast amount of time studying the promises of Scripture. Writing in Contact Magazine, he said: "The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them.
"All my life I have seen various figures quoted as to the number of promises in the Bible. The one most generally given is 30,000. Since this is a round number with four zeroes in it, I have always been a little suspicious about it. Furthermore, since there are only 31,101 verses in the Bible, it would mean that there would be practically one promise in every verse. I do not guarantee my count to be perfect, but it is the most accurate I know of."
Dr. Storms goes on to classify the promises found in Scripture into eight kinds:
•There are 7,487 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible's promises).•There are 991 instances of one person making a promise to another person.•There are 290 promises from man to God.•There are 29 promises made by the angels, most of them found in Luke.•There are 9 promises made by "that old liar, the devil." (For example, his promise to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him.)•2 promises are made by an evil spirit.•2 are made by God the Father to God the Son.Dr. Storms additionally found that one book of the Bible contains no promise at all--Titus. Ephesians has only six promises. On the other hand, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have over 1,000 promises each.
What section of Scripture most impressed Dr. Storms? He wrote, "The most outstanding chapter as far as promises are concerned in . Practically every verse is a most wonderful promise.")
(Ill. In one memorable scene from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle of poison, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.
But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle."
It did. Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.)
D. Claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the story seas of life! They will unlock the prisons of despair in which the devil seeks to chain you!
III. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
III. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
III. v. 24 THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
24 and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’
A. Paul is told by the Lord that this storm is a part of God working out His plan in Paul's life. At that moment in time, that storm was the safest place in the world for Paul to be! Why? Because he was in the will of the Lord and God was working in a mighty way in the situation to bring about His will for Paul's life.
B. Did you know that God is doing the very same thing in your life as well? It may be simple faith, but I still believe that God is Sovereign!
A. Paul is told by the Lord that this storm is a part of God working out His plan in Paul's life. At that moment in time, that storm was the safest place in the world for Paul to be! Why? Because he was in the will of the Lord and God was working in a mighty way in the situation to bring about His will for Paul's life.
B. Did you know that God is doing the very same thing in your life as well? It may be simple faith, but I still believe that God is Sovereign! This just means that He is in absolute control of everything that happens in life! He is a Sovereign Lord - . Listen to the testimony of James concerning this sovereign Lord - . If I didn't know God was on His throne, I would not want to live in this world another second, but as long as I know He orders the storms, (Ill Disciples and storm - ), I can weather them. He knows what is best and that is all He sends into your life and mine, . The best thing we can do when the storms rage about us is run to Him for refuge and cling to Him until the storm passes, ; .)
(Ill.Emperor Charles V was trying to assassinate John Brenz, friend of Martin Luther. Hearing of the plot, Brenz barely had time to grab a loaf of bread and duck into his neighbor's hayloft. There he hid fourteen days. The bread was quickly gone, but the Lord sent a hen who showed up and laid an egg each day for fourteen days. In this way, Brenz was kept alive. On the fifteenth day the chicken didn't come, and the reformer wondered what he would do. But from the street below came the cries, "The cavalrymen are gone at last."
In a similar way, a dog provided for the needs of another reformer, John Craig, who was arrested during the Inquisition. On the eve of his scheduled execution, Craig escaped, but while fleeing through the Italian backcountry, he ran out of food and money. Suddenly a dog approached him, a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to drive the animal away, but it dog persisted in bringing the purse to Craig. In it was enough money to take him to freedom.
Similarly, Robert Bruce of Scotland was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening. Bruce's pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near. Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in. The other one stopped him, saying, "He could never have gotten in there without breaking that spider's web."
Bruce breathed this prayer, "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter.")
C. Ill. V. Raymond Edman said this in a book called Quietness and Confidence, "First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.
Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me the grace to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends for me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last, in His good time He can bring me out again--how and when He knows.
Let me say I am here,
(1) By God's appointment
(2) In His keeping
(3) Under His training
(4) For His time."
E. That is the kind of confidence that will let you shout in the devil's face, even while the storm still rages, Ill. Job - !
F. Notice this: even after Paul received the great promise of the Lord for himself and all on board the ship, the men still tried to take care of matters on their own, v. 28-39, and some even tried to get off the ship, v. 30-31. Even in the face of God's promise, v. 21-26, the men in the ship fought, feared and fretted in the midst of the storm. There was just one guy on board who was enjoying the trip: Paul! Why? Because he believed God! He knew God was working and he used that truth as an anchor!
Friends, we live in a day when men are abandoning ship at an alarming rate! The storms of life attack them and they run from the church, the old ship of Zion. Can I remind you that the best place you can be in the storms of life is in the ship, where the Lord wants you to be. If you leave the ship, you might face the fury of the storm on your own. If you stay where the lord has planted you, you can be assured that His providential work in your life will be carried out to completion!
This just means that He is in absolute control of everything that happens in life! He is a Sovereign Lord -
A. Paul is told by the Lord that this storm is a part of God working out His plan in Paul's life. At that moment in time, that storm was the safest place in the world for Paul to be! Why? Because he was in the will of the Lord and God was working in a mighty way in the situation to bring about His will for Paul's life.
B. Did you know that God is doing the very same thing in your life as well? It may be simple faith, but I still believe that God is Sovereign! This just means that He is in absolute control of everything that happens in life! He is a Sovereign Lord - . Listen to the testimony of James concerning this sovereign Lord - . If I didn't know God was on His throne, I would not want to live in this world another second, but as long as I know He orders the storms, (Ill Disciples and storm - ), I can weather them. He knows what is best and that is all He sends into your life and mine, . The best thing we can do when the storms rage about us is run to Him for refuge and cling to Him until the storm passes, ; .)
(Ill.Emperor Charles V was trying to assassinate John Brenz, friend of Martin Luther. Hearing of the plot, Brenz barely had time to grab a loaf of bread and duck into his neighbor's hayloft. There he hid fourteen days. The bread was quickly gone, but the Lord sent a hen who showed up and laid an egg each day for fourteen days. In this way, Brenz was kept alive. On the fifteenth day the chicken didn't come, and the reformer wondered what he would do. But from the street below came the cries, "The cavalrymen are gone at last."
In a similar way, a dog provided for the needs of another reformer, John Craig, who was arrested during the Inquisition. On the eve of his scheduled execution, Craig escaped, but while fleeing through the Italian backcountry, he ran out of food and money. Suddenly a dog approached him, a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to drive the animal away, but it dog persisted in bringing the purse to Craig. In it was enough money to take him to freedom.
Similarly, Robert Bruce of Scotland was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening. Bruce's pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near. Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in. The other one stopped him, saying, "He could never have gotten in there without breaking that spider's web."
Bruce breathed this prayer, "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter.")
C. Ill. V. Raymond Edman said this in a book called Quietness and Confidence, "First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.
Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me the grace to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends for me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last, in His good time He can bring me out again--how and when He knows.
Let me say I am here,
(1) By God's appointment
(2) In His keeping
(3) Under His training
(4) For His time."
E. That is the kind of confidence that will let you shout in the devil's face, even while the storm still rages, Ill. Job - !
F. Notice this: even after Paul received the great promise of the Lord for himself and all on board the ship, the men still tried to take care of matters on their own, v. 28-39, and some even tried to get off the ship, v. 30-31. Even in the face of God's promise, v. 21-26, the men in the ship fought, feared and fretted in the midst of the storm. There was just one guy on board who was enjoying the trip: Paul! Why? Because he believed God! He knew God was working and he used that truth as an anchor!
Friends, we live in a day when men are abandoning ship at an alarming rate! The storms of life attack them and they run from the church, the old ship of Zion. Can I remind you that the best place you can be in the storms of life is in the ship, where the Lord wants you to be. If you leave the ship, you might face the fury of the storm on your own. If you stay where the lord has planted you, you can be assured that His providential work in your life will be carried out to completion!
7 I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster; I am the Lord, who does all these things.
. Listen to the testimony of James concerning this sovereign Lord - . If I didn't know God was on His throne, I would not want to live in this world another second, but as long as I know He orders the storms, (Ill Disciples and storm - ), I can weather them. He knows what is best and that is all He sends into your life and mine, . The best thing we can do when the storms rage about us is run to Him for refuge and cling to Him until the storm passes, ; .)
(Ill.Emperor Charles V was trying to assassinate John Brenz, friend of Martin Luther. Hearing of the plot, Brenz barely had time to grab a loaf of bread and duck into his neighbor's hayloft. There he hid fourteen days. The bread was quickly gone, but the Lord sent a hen who showed up and laid an egg each day for fourteen days. In this way, Brenz was kept alive. On the fifteenth day the chicken didn't come, and the reformer wondered what he would do. But from the street below came the cries, "The cavalrymen are gone at last."
In a similar way, a dog provided for the needs of another reformer, John Craig, who was arrested during the Inquisition. On the eve of his scheduled execution, Craig escaped, but while fleeing through the Italian backcountry, he ran out of food and money. Suddenly a dog approached him, a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to drive the animal away, but it dog persisted in bringing the purse to Craig. In it was enough money to take him to freedom.
Similarly, Robert Bruce of Scotland was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening. Bruce's pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near. Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in. The other one stopped him, saying, "He could never have gotten in there without breaking that spider's web."
Bruce breathed this prayer, "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter.")
C. Ill. V. Raymond Edman said this in a book called Quietness and Confidence, "First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.
Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me the grace to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends for me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last, in His good time He can bring me out again--how and when He knows.
Let me say I am here,
(1) By God's appointment
(2) In His keeping
(3) Under His training
(4) For His time."
E. That is the kind of confidence that will let you shout in the devil's face, even while the storm still rages, Ill. Job - !
F. Notice this: even after Paul received the great promise of the Lord for himself and all on board the ship, the men still tried to take care of matters on their own, v. 28-39, and some even tried to get off the ship, v. 30-31. Even in the face of God's promise, v. 21-26, the men in the ship fought, feared and fretted in the midst of the storm. There was just one guy on board who was enjoying the trip: Paul! Why? Because he believed God! He knew God was working and he used that truth as an anchor!
Friends, we live in a day when men are abandoning ship at an alarming rate! The storms of life attack them and they run from the church, the old ship of Zion. Can I remind you that the best place you can be in the storms of life is in the ship, where the Lord wants you to be. If you leave the ship, you might face the fury of the storm on your own. If you stay where the lord has planted you, you can be assured that His providential work in your life will be carried out to completion!
Listen to the testimony of James concerning this sovereign Lord
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
The best thing we can do when the storms rage about us is run to Him for refuge and cling to Him until the storm passes,
1 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you. I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes.
; .
(Ill.Emperor Charles V was trying to assassinate John Brenz, friend of Martin Luther. Hearing of the plot, Brenz barely had time to grab a loaf of bread and duck into his neighbor's hayloft. There he hid fourteen days. The bread was quickly gone, but the Lord sent a hen who showed up and laid an egg each day for fourteen days. In this way, Brenz was kept alive. On the fifteenth day the chicken didn't come, and the reformer wondered what he would do. But from the street below came the cries, "The cavalrymen are gone at last."
In a similar way, a dog provided for the needs of another reformer, John Craig, who was arrested during the Inquisition. On the eve of his scheduled execution, Craig escaped, but while fleeing through the Italian backcountry, he ran out of food and money. Suddenly a dog approached him, a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to drive the animal away, but it dog persisted in bringing the purse to Craig. In it was enough money to take him to freedom.
Similarly, Robert Bruce of Scotland was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening. Bruce's pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near. Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in. The other one stopped him, saying, "He could never have gotten in there without breaking that spider's web."
Bruce breathed this prayer, "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter.")
C. Ill. V. Raymond Edman said this in a book called Quietness and Confidence, "First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.
Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me the grace to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends for me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last, in His good time He can bring me out again--how and when He knows.
Let me say I am here,
(1) By God's appointment
(2) In His keeping
(3) Under His training
(4) For His time."
E. That is the kind of confidence that will let you shout in the devil's face, even while the storm still rages, Ill. Job - !
F. Notice this: even after Paul received the great promise of the Lord for himself and all on board the ship, the men still tried to take care of matters on their own, v. 28-39, and some even tried to get off the ship, v. 30-31. Even in the face of God's promise, v. 21-26, the men in the ship fought, feared and fretted in the midst of the storm. There was just one guy on board who was enjoying the trip: Paul! Why? Because he believed God! He knew God was working and he used that truth as an anchor!
Friends, we live in a day when men are abandoning ship at an alarming rate! The storms of life attack them and they run from the church, the old ship of Zion. Can I remind you that the best place you can be in the storms of life is in the ship, where the Lord wants you to be. If you leave the ship, you might face the fury of the storm on your own. If you stay where the lord has planted you, you can be assured that His providential work in your life will be carried out to completion!
4 For you have been a stronghold for the poor person, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a refuge from storms and a shade from heat. When the breath of the violent is like a storm against a wall,
(Ill.Emperor Charles V was trying to assassinate John Brenz, friend of Martin Luther. Hearing of the plot, Brenz barely had time to grab a loaf of bread and duck into his neighbor's hayloft. There he hid fourteen days. The bread was quickly gone, but the Lord sent a hen who showed up and laid an egg each day for fourteen days. In this way, Brenz was kept alive. On the fifteenth day the chicken didn't come, and the reformer wondered what he would do. But from the street below came the cries, "The cavalrymen are gone at last."
In a similar way, a dog provided for the needs of another reformer, John Craig, who was arrested during the Inquisition. On the eve of his scheduled execution, Craig escaped, but while fleeing through the Italian backcountry, he ran out of food and money. Suddenly a dog approached him, a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to drive the animal away, but it dog persisted in bringing the purse to Craig. In it was enough money to take him to freedom.
Similarly, Robert Bruce of Scotland was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening. Bruce's pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near. Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in. The other one stopped him, saying, "He could never have gotten in there without breaking that spider's web."
Bruce breathed this prayer, "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter.")
C. Ill. V. Raymond Edman said this in a book called Quietness and Confidence, "First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.
Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me the grace to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends for me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last, in His good time He can bring me out again--how and when He knows.
Let me say I am here,
(1) By God's appointment
(2) In His keeping
(3) Under His training
(4) For His time."
E. That is the kind of confidence that will let you shout in the devil's face, even while the storm still rages, Ill. Job - !
F. Notice this: even after Paul received the great promise of the Lord for himself and all on board the ship, the men still tried to take care of matters on their own, v. 28-39, and some even tried to get off the ship, v. 30-31. Even in the face of God's promise, v. 21-26, the men in the ship fought, feared and fretted in the midst of the storm. There was just one guy on board who was enjoying the trip: Paul! Why? Because he believed God! He knew God was working and he used that truth as an anchor!
Friends, we live in a day when men are abandoning ship at an alarming rate! The storms of life attack them and they run from the church, the old ship of Zion. Can I remind you that the best place you can be in the storms of life is in the ship, where the Lord wants you to be. If you leave the ship, you might face the fury of the storm on your own. If you stay where the lord has planted you, you can be assured that His providential work in your life will be carried out to completion!
Harrison Odjegba Okene- was a cook on a tugboat in the Atlantic Ocean. His boat capsized and he was stuck in his room.
When the boat hit bottom he was able to get free from his room and found his way in the dark to a air pocket mesuring around 4ft.
There he made a floating device by stripping wood of the all and using a mattress. He sat there for what he thought was only 12 hours but in reality was around 72 hours.
“According to his interview with the Nation: “I started calling on the name of God. … I started reminiscing on the verses I read before I slept. I read the Bible from to 92. My wife had sent me the verses to read that night when she called me before I went to bed.”
_Prayer for Deliverance
For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went and said to Saul, “Is David not hiding among us?” 1 God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might! 2 God, hear my prayer; listen to the words from my mouth. 3 For strangers rise up against me, and violent men intend to kill me. They do not let God guide them. Selah 4 God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life. 5 He will repay my adversaries for their evil. Because of your faithfulness, annihilate them. 6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you. I will praise your name, Lord, because it is good. 7 For he has rescued me from every trouble, and my eye has looked down on my enemies.
To this day, Okene believes his rescue after 72 hours underwater at a depth of 30 meters (about 100 feet) is a sign of divine deliverance.
A sign of the providence of God
IV. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PERFORMANCE OF GOD
IV. THE STRONG ANCHOR OF THE PERFORMANCE OF GOD
44 The rest were to follow, some on planks and some on debris from the ship. In this way, everyone safely reached the shore.
A. What the Lord told Paul, and what Paul believed would happen came to pass: everyone made it safely to the shore. God kept His Word! He spared every life and proved Himself to be as good as His Word!
B. God is able to work it all out! He will get you through your storm and land you safely beyond it!
A. What the Lord told Paul, and what Paul believed would happen came to pass: everyone made it safely to the shore. God kept His Word! He spared every life and proved Himself to be as good as His Word!
B. God is able to work it all out! He will get you through your storm and
land you safely beyond it! It may look this evening like the boat is going to sink. It may look like the storms of life are going to prevail. However, when the waves have all settled down, when the winds have ceased their blowing, when the rains have abated, when the storm clouds have moved off to the horizon: you will see that God was in control all along! I can promise you this, no storm in this life will be able to blow you off the course God has determined for your life! He will secure you during the storm and He will successfully deliver you to the safe harbor of His glory!
C. Corrie Ten Boom said it this way, "When Jesus takes your hand, He keeps you tight. When Jesus keeps you tight, He leads you through your whole life. When Jesus leads you through your life, He brings you safely home."
D. I would just remind you this evening that our God is a strong and powerful God, ; . He cab do anything that needs to be done, . The fact of the matter is, He didn't save you to lose His grip on you in a storm. No! He saved you to take you home to glory and that is just what He will do, !
It may look this evening like the boat is going to sink. It may look like the storms of life are going to prevail. However, when the waves have all settled down, when the winds have ceased their blowing, when the rains have abated, when the storm clouds have moved off to the horizon: you will see that God was in control all along!
C. Corrie Ten Boom said it this way, "When Jesus takes your hand, He keeps you tight. When Jesus keeps you tight, He leads you through your whole life. When Jesus leads you through your life, He brings you safely home."
D. I would just remind you this evening that our God is a strong and powerful God, ; . He can do anything that needs to be done, .
A. What the Lord told Paul, and what Paul believed would happen came to pass: everyone made it safely to the shore. God kept His Word! He spared every life and proved Himself to be as good as His Word!
B. God is able to work it all out! He will get you through your storm and
land you safely beyond it! It may look this evening like the boat is going to sink. It may look like the storms of life are going to prevail. However, when the waves have all settled down, when the winds have ceased their blowing, when the rains have abated, when the storm clouds have moved off to the horizon: you will see that God was in control all along! I can promise you this, no storm in this life will be able to blow you off the course God has determined for your life! He will secure you during the storm and He will successfully deliver you to the safe harbor of His glory!
C. Corrie Ten Boom said it this way, "When Jesus takes your hand, He keeps you tight. When Jesus keeps you tight, He leads you through your whole life. When Jesus leads you through your life, He brings you safely home."
D. I would just remind you this evening that our God is a strong and powerful God, ; . He cab do anything that needs to be done, . The fact of the matter is, He didn't save you to lose His grip on you in a storm. No! He saved you to take you home to glory and that is just what He will do, !
The fact of the matter is, He didn't save you to lose His grip on you in a storm. No! He saved you to take you home to glory and that is just what He will do,
37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
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Conc: Have you set your anchors deep in the Lord this morning? If you have, then you can weather life's storms. If you haven't, be prepared to be blown about by the winds of adversity.
Conc: Have you set your anchors deep in the Lord this evening? If you have, then you can weather life's storms. If you haven't, be prepared to be blown about by the winds of adversity. I would encourage you to come before the Lord and say something like this, "Lord, I cannot fix my situation. I cannot calm the raging seas of my life and I cannot still the winds that blow against me. I need help today. By faith, I cast the anchors of your presence, you promises, your providence and your performance into my stormy sea. I am resolved to trust you to walk onto my storm and speak peace when it is your will to do so. Until then, I will not fear, I will not fret, and I will not fight. I will trust you to do what is best for me." When you throw in the towel and come to a place of total trust before the Lord in your storm, it gets His attention and you can be sure that He will do something about your situation!
I would encourage you to come before the Lord and say something like this, "Lord, I cannot fix my situation. I cannot calm the raging seas of my life and I cannot still the winds that blow against me. I need help today. By faith, I cast the anchors of your presence, you promises, your providence and your performance into my stormy sea. I am resolved to trust you to walk onto my storm and speak peace when it is your will to do so. Until then, I will not fear, I will not fret, and I will not fight. I will trust you to do what is best for me."
When you throw in the towel and come to a place of total trust before the Lord in your storm, it gets His attention and you can be sure that He will do something about your situation!