FAITH>FEAR

Acts 27:9-11 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, 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.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.

 

1.   Make a CHOICE about which VOICE you will listen to.

 

Acts 27:14-15 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 27:16-19 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 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 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

 

Acts 27:21 After they 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 27:22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

 

2.  Fix your FOCUS and keep up your COURAGE.

 

Acts 17:22 I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

 

Acts 27:23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me

 

Acts 27:24 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 27:25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

 

Acts 27:26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

 

·      Your COURAGE can’t be tied to your CONDITIONS. 

 

·      Sometimes you can’t fix the SITUATION, but you can fix your FOCUS.

 

·      You’re FEAR is powered by your FOCUS. 

           

           

WHAT IF – WOULD GOD – HE WILL

 

“Worry is a down-payment on a problem you may never even have.”  -Joyce Meyer.

 

“I’ve been through some terrible times in my life, a few of which actually happened.” - Mark Twain

Acts 27:22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

 

Acts 27:41-42 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.

42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping.

 

Acts 27:43 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 27:44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

 

Acts 28:1-3 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

 

Acts 28:4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”

 

3.  SHAKE it off and FEED the fire.

 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

2 Corinthians 1:10 HE HAS delivered us from such a deadly peril, and HE WILL deliver us. On him we have set our hope that HE WILL CONTINUE to deliver us.