Shipwrecks (God Is Faithful)

Lonnell Williams

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GOD IS FAITHFUL (Shipwrecks)

Connect When I was growing up one of my favorite shows to watch was Gilligan’s Island.

Every episode started with the catchy theme song that introduced what happened to them.

So seven people set sail on what was scheduled to be on a three hour sightseeing tour.

But they got caught in a storm and ended up stranded on an uncharted tropical island.

The show develops from the failed attempt at escaping the island and the interaction of the very diverse group of people.

Their shipwreck was turned into a comedy, but most shipwrecks, storms and trails are anything but a funny.

In October 1991, a storm stronger than any recorded hit the coast off of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

This storm was so powerful boats encountered waves of 100 feet high

the equivalent of a 10 story building and winds of 120 miles an hour.

While the storm may not have been a threat to the land or to the homes along the shore,

it was however deadly to those men and women who were caught in the shipping and fishing lanes.

Many of the families of the small fishing towns surrounding Gloucester suffered the loss of family and friends in what is now remembered as the perfect storm.

Most of us in this room will never face a situation like the one I just described.

However, there will come a time in the life of every believers when we face storms.

Storms of sickness

Storms of sorrow

Storms of suffering

Storms of grief

EOC it’s been a crazy two and half years. I would say the world has been shipwreck/or been in a storm.

The loss of a loved one

Political upheaval

The loss of a job

Their business closing

Financial hardship

Hunger (not having enough to eat)

Homelessness

Mental health concerns

COVID 19 (the world stopped)

That’s just a few things that people have gone through.

In the last few months along we’ve had shootings

· In a grocery store in Buffalo New York,

· Shooting at a school in Uvalde Texas.

It’s been crazy! There’s a lot of evil out there. A lot of peoples lives have been shipwreck.

You see when life shipwrecks come, they are the unwelcome, unexpected, uncomfortable, hard, painful, difficult experiences we go through.

Let me give you some examples.

2005 Jonathan getting type on diabetes

1. My son gets juvenile diabetes

2. Dr said he would have been dead in two days

3. 3 Diabetic coma’s

4. Multiple seizures

5. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL

Phillipe Eastman

1. Go to the dr. for one thing

2. Cancer

3. Chemo/Radiation

4. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL

Klay Thompson

1. One of the best basketball players in the world

2. Get injured in and NBA finals game (ACL)

3. Rehabs the ACL and on draft night a year later he tears his Achilles tendon

Out 941 days

5. A franchise shipwreck for three years (sunk)

6. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL

He has been Faithful to provide

He has been Faithful to protect

He has been Faithful to forgive

He has been Faithful to His Word

ONE OF THE ATTRIBUTE OF GOD IS FAITHFULNESS

One of the attributes of God is His faithfulness. When I say God is Faithful, I mean

He is trustworthy

Dependable

Steadfast

Unwavering

Loyal

Reliable

Honest

Firmness.

God is not wishy washy He doesn’t switch things up. God never gets anything twisted.

His word will always come to pass. We can always rely on His Faithfulness.

Psalms 119:89-90 says Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your Faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth You created.

That means God’s word is forever and firmly fixed in heaven. It will never change and remains relevant to ALL people in every culture throughout history.

If God spoke something a thousand years ago, it still stands.

Numbers 23:19 says God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through? God is Faithful to His word because His word is an expression of His nature and character. The promises He made still hold true because He does not change.

Malachi 3:6 says I am The Lord and I change not.

Hebrews 13:8 says He is the same yesterday today and forever.

In God there is no falsehoods, lies, or deception. God is Faithful!

PAUL’S STORY

Earlier I spoke to you about being shipwrecked. In the bible there’s a story that depicts a shipwreck but it also depicts the Faithfulness Of God.

Acts 27 is the tale of one of the most famous shipwrecks in history that of the Apostle Paul on his way to Rome.

The Apostles Paul is sailing to Rome to meet with Cesar. But before The Apostle Paul made it to Rome he endured some trials, some storms and yes, a literal shipwreck.

However, this story to me starts in Acts 23:11 when Jesus spoke to Paul while he was in prison and said these words.

Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.

This was an unconditional promise. Paul was going to Rome no doubt about it. However, God did not promise him smooth sailing along the way.

You see as we follow Jesus, there will be hardships, high seas, breakdowns but also peace, assurance, fruitfulness and the sustaining presence of God.

So, we pick up the story in Acts 27:13-20

The Storm at Sea

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete.

14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea.

15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us.

17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

This storm was so massive they tie ropes around the ship so it wouldn’t break apart.

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard.

19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard.

20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

Isn’t that like some of us when the storms of life comes and it is raging and we are being battered by the high seas we give up hope.

My mama use to sing a song when I was growing up it says

In times like these we need a savior

And in times like these we need anchor

So be very sure be very sure

That your anchor holds

And grips a solid a solid Rock

That Rock is Jesus He’s The Only One

So remember in Acts 23:11 Jesus spoke to Paul and told him I need you in Rome to preach the gospel. There’s the Anchor griping a solid rock.

Paul had a promise, Paul had a word from the Lord. His promise gave him a different perspective on the problem the storm.

Not only did he have a different perspective but Paul also had an assurance.

This is why God gives the promise. The promise gives us the assurance on the journey.

What was the promise, you’re going to Rome and that promise/word of the Lord was going to carry him through to Rome.

So while everyone else is going crazy and confusion is all around Paul doesn’t have to go crazy because he can rely on the promise and the word that God gave to him.

EOC I want you to know today that your promise will carry you through.

If God said it believe it!!

Yeah we might have to cry sometimes and go through somethings and we might have to lose or give up somethings or someone’s.

But God is Faithful to His word and He said believe it.

Here’s one of my favorite parts to this story in Acts 27:23 God confirms His word to Paul and gives him the assurance need for the rest of the journey and a word for the rest of the passengers.

So lets pick up the story in Act 27:22.

22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down.

23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me,

24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.

25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

Not only did Jesus speak to Paul in Acts 23: 11 concerning going to Rome, but God sent a angel to confirm His word to Paul in Acts 27:23.

Isaiah 55:11 says So my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do. God was not only faithful to spare Paul’s life but He spared the lives of everyone aboard.

God is just that Faithful and good. Obviously Paul made to Rome because we have the book of Romans.

All Of Us Have A Journey

All of us have a Journey that we’re on, but there’s going to be some storms, trails and shipwrecks along the way.

There’s going to be times where you even doubt. Sometimes storms and shipwreck can cause us to stop believing in the Faithfulness of God.

But as we seen with the Apostle Paul story God is Faithful to Protect you, to Provide for you, and He is most certainly Faithful to His word.

MY STORY

In 1973 when I was 8 years old I remember it so clearly God speaking to me and telling me when I turn 40 my life would begin.

Along the way to God fulfilling his word to me I experience some storms and shipwrecks.

There were times when we didn’t have money There were times we didn’t have food There was a time our house caught on fire I experience loss of family and friends

I experience sickness (the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me) I was homeless

There are so many other stories I could add But nevertheless God was faithful to His word.

32 years later on my 40th birthday I had just started a new job. I was sitting in my first meeting and The Father brought back to my remembrance what He had told me when I was 8.

I started crying right there in the middle of this meeting. It caught everyone off guard. Finally someone said are you ok? I began to explain what was happening I told him what God had spoken to me when I was 8 and that today is my 40th birthday and I am working for God I didn’t know what to do but cry.

You see God gave me a dream just before my 40th birthday. In the dream God told me to quit my job.

He actually said quit your job because it is a hinderance to your ministry. I was like my job is my ministry. I was working for Solano County probation at JV Hall.

It was my dream job. I remember applying for the position several times and not getting it. I didn’t know why I didn’t get it because I was overly qualified for the position.

So it took a few years to get that position only to have God tell me to quit.

At first I was like quit I’m not quitting this is my ministry.

But God kept telling to quit and I finally obey and a few months later Liberty Church offer me a job and God told me take except.

God is faithful to His word even if when we are face with shipwrecks in our lives.

And if he has to move you to get you where you’re supposed to be then so be it.

So what do you do when you have a word from God, a promise from God and you have not seen the fulfillment of that word or promise?

We read about God’s Faithfulness and we even sing about it. However sometimes it just doesn’t feel like God is being faithful.

Sometimes it’s seems like we are waiting forever for Him to answer our prayers while others are enjoying answers to prayers.

At times, we can wonder about God‘s faithfulness when we have to deal with the sickness of a child or parents.

Or we have to say goodbye to someone we love dearly.

There are moments in life when we grow weary, tired, empty as we wait for God to come through for us.

In ALL of these challenging moments we need to be reminded of God’s Faithfulness.

We would All say the last years have been challenging. We have all gone through some shipwrecks.

But God is still Providing, still Protecting and He is still Faithful to His word. When I was going through last year I had to stand on God’s promises to me.

(Practical application) How?

I went back to the fundamentals

1. I went back to the foundation. 2. I went back to getting down on my knees and crying out to God. 3. I went back to fasting and denying myself. 4. I went back to making sure I was connected to the Vine at ALL times. 5. I up my giving 7. I began to remind God of His word. God You said You would rebuke the devour for my sake.

I had to remember the goodness and the faithfulness of God. I open up the bible and started reading.

I had to be like David and encourage myself in the Lord. 1 Sam 30:6

Maybe your shipwreck was

A loss of a marriage

Or maybe a job,

maybe it was an illness

He never said the road would be easy. Matter of fact Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will have trials but take heart because I have overcome the world.

So how do you keep your faith when you’ve been shipwreck?

How do you keep trusting God when you’re life has been shipwreck?

INFORMATION

Last year I experienced some loss, some disappointment. I had my own shipwreck and it rocked me. But God IS FAITHFUL!

He began talking to me about my future and the promises He has spoken over me. The Father told me to go back and read and listen to ALL the prophetic words He spoken to me.

Some have come to pass and some hasn’t yet but if He said we believe it.

I may have been through a storm and shipwreck but God protected me, God provided for me, God kept His word to me because He is faithful and He can not lie.

2nd Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one,

I want you to begin to think about ALL the promises God has made to you.

Think about ALL the promises that have come to pass. In spite of all that has gone on in the world over the last year and a half there have been some promises fulfilled.

The Cross (the disciples) John 14

1. Been with Jesus for 3 years

2. Watch Jesus do some amazing things. H2o into wine, raise the dead, feed thousands of people off a boy’s school lunch, heal the sick, speaks words to dry up fruit trees and heal the centurions servant

3. And now you’re telling us you’re leaving

4. They crucify Jesus

5. Are they going to do the same to us

6. Alone

7. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL

A wreck of any kind is a terrifying experience, whether it be a train derailment, an automobile collision, or the crash of an airplane. But probably the most terrifying of all is a shipwreck, because of the prolonged agony that the passengers and crew endure. Acts 27 is the tale of one of the most famous shipwrecks in history—that of the Apostle Paul on his way to Rome. It is also one of the best-told, most-detailed shipwreck accounts in ancient history—and certainly the most profitable to the hearer.[1]

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