A Matter of Trust Acts 26-27 February 17-18, 2018 Brad Goad (This is NOT the lesson that is in the LifeWay Curriculum. It is our Stewardship Lesson for February 17-18, 2018) Please Note: Although this is a lengthy lesson, we are asking that you please utilize the material and customize it to make sure you stay within the 30 minutes timeframe for teaching your class. There is a lot of scripture, but it s such an adventurous story and it s nice to show that side of scripture as it unfolds. For the past several weeks we have journeyed with Paul in the latter half of the book of Acts. Along the way, we have seen Paul deal with the matter of trust. We have the great fortune of colorful maps showing the pathway Paul took in his three recorded missionary journeys. The maps show that Paul traveled by both land and sea and he traveled thousands of miles all the while trusting Jesus every step of the way. Paul also had to trust relationships. Along the way, he trusted Barnabas, John Mark, Silas, Timothy, Apollos, Aquilla, Priscilla, Luke and many others on his journey. Paul had to trust the kindness and hospitality of strangers as he was traveling to places he had never been before. There was not a point system developed with Hyatt or Hilton; he had to rely on the generosity of local people opening up their homes, providing food, and even encouraging him emotionally and spiritually. Now we know Paul was not a freeloader, he was able to make some money as a tentmaker which he did as he traveled along, sometimes staying in the same location for upwards to 2 years. Nevertheless, Paul s entire life was a Matter of Trust. His Walk with Jesus..a Matter of Trust. His Relationships with Others a Matter of Trust His Tent Making Business a Matter of Trust His Financial Situation.a Matter of Trust From the moment that Paul was blinded by the light on the road to Damascus, he developed a lifestyle that was based on a matter of Trust. Today as we look at perhaps the most adventurous part of his journey in Acts 27 we see once again that Paul is living his life as a Matter of Trust. We will parallel his journey of trust with our own and see if we sink or swim.
If you have been around our church for over a year, you might remember that this is the time of year we look at Stewardship, Tithing, and Giving. And what better way to look at it than to journey with Paul on a Ship..Spoiler Alert: there is a Shipwreck. Let s set sail. Acts 27:1 - When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. This trip was not a pleasure cruise for Paul.he was a prisoner. In the previous chapter Paul had to defend his faith to King Agrippa.suffice it to say King Agrippa was not convinced to release Paul but instead put him on a ship heading ultimately to Rome. Even as a prisoner on a ship heading to Rome Paul trusted the Sovereignty of God even in what might have appeared as the Silence of God. There is no doubt that if Paul had his choice, he would not have chosen to be a prisoner; especially a prisoner on a ship that was a heading in a direction beyond his control. Not unlike us at times in our lives, whether it concerns job situations, marriage or family relationships, friends or even finances. We pray for circumstances to change, for the boss to understand, for the promotion to go through, for our job not to be deleted, for the decimal point on our bank account to hang in there for two (2) more days until the end of the month. And yet it seems God is Silent; our prayers go unanswered. The Silence of God does not equate with the Absence of God. In the Silence of God we still experience the Sovereignty of God; even if we are a prisoner on a ship heading somewhere, we don t want to go. It s a matter of Trust, trusting the Sovereignty over the Silence. Did you notice the Sovereignty and Mercy of God on the early stage of this journey? Acts 27: 3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.
Julius did not have to treat Paul with consideration.paul was a prisoner, but in the Sovereignty and Mercy of God, Julius was kind to Paul and even allowed him to go to his friends to receive care. More than likely these were Christians there in Sidon, about 70 miles north of Caesarea. The reality is that Paul was still a prisoner and had to get back on the ship and continue the journey to Rome, but the time with his friends must have been a breath of fresh air in the midst of these circumstances. The trip was not easy, the winds were giving them problems, and they had to navigate not only the waters but the various islands in their way. All of us when we look back on our lives have had to navigate treacherous waters. There are winds of circumstance that are beyond our control and at times seem to be coming from every direction. We may face Challenge after challenge, Disappointment after Disappointment. These circumstances may make us feel like a prisoner on a ship in the midst of a storm heading for an island that is in the way, and we feel nauseous. The bills keep coming..as the wind is blowing. The doctor s appointments and medicine keep coming.as the water is white capping. The car breaks down again.as the clouds start rolling in..life is rocking back and forth; back and forth; no end in sight. We have all been there whether it was a relationship..a job situation.a health issue.a financial crisis a loss of a loved one..feeling like a prisoner on a ship heading to a destination we don t want to go. And yet it is a Matter of Trust. Paul was a prisoner on a ship in a storm heading to a destination he didn t choose. The ship took Paul and the other prisoners to Fair Havens.sounds pleasant enough. Regardless of how pleasant it may sound, Paul was still a prisoner on a journey with great obstacles beyond his control. They apparently stayed in Fair Havens for a while; no one knows how long, but it was a considerable time. Acts 27: 9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives. 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. While still a prisoner, Paul took on a position of leadership. It wasn t given to him; he took it. This would be a good time to remember that this wasn t Paul s first rodeo (or in this case ship ride). He had been on ships before, not necessarily as a prisoner, but he had traveled on the
waters to know that it was dangerous and it made more sense to hold up a bit longer in the late autumn season. Paul gave them advice, and they ignored it. They kept moving even if it was in desperation. Look at the phrasing, the majority decided to put out to sea from there if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. Even to the leadership, it didn t seem to make a lot of sense.but if somehow we could just reach Phoenix. Desperation will cause us to grasp for straws to the point we get caught up in the if somehow mode. Friends give us advice. Co-workers give us advice. Radio ads give us advice. Everyone seems to give us advice. The reality is not all advice is good; however, it comes down to a matter of trust. There is an element of trust involved in deciphering through all the advice from all the sources because many times there is that word, exactly what you need to hear at the right moment in time in the midst of it all. The official leaders did not heed the advice of Paul.and were in the if somehow mode grasping at straws. Paul had insight that the leaders did not have as a man of faith, a man of prayer, a man who put his complete trust in the grace, mercy, power, and sovereignty of God. Let s see how the if somehow mode turns out for them on this journey. Acts 27:14 - When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore. But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. Okay, if you haven t been able to relate to anything before this moment, certainly you can relate to this feeling. The official leaders had made up their minds to set sail against sound advice with the if somehow mode..and notice in vs 14. supposing that they had attained their purpose. We made a choice and headed in this direction, purchasing this house, taking this job, taking out this loan. supposing we had attained our purpose. No sooner had they set sail.the winds rush down; not typical winds, but violent winds to the point the ship could not prevail against it; having to give in to the circumstances and let ourselves be driven along. There is no more helpless feeling than that of being entirely out of control. It seems as though your life, like that ship, is being tossed about by a violent wind.
As we parallel this story with our own, this is a great time to pause and think about how we make choices when it comes to finances. If you have not been in the storm, you probably have known somebody who has been in the storm.and it s frightening when the winds of circumstances are blowing; when there is more month than money. And you end up like this ship that Paul is on just being driven along which means life is out of control. The good news is that this isn t the end of the story. God doesn t give up on them. Paul doesn t give up on God. Remember it is a Matter of Trust even in the midst of a violent windstorm of circumstances beyond your control. This point of faith in God's mercy is still valid although you are the one who made the choices to put the boat in the water when advised otherwise. On this journey of life, there is always hope. Acts 27:16 - Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship s boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. Wait a minute! I thought there was always hope. The journey got worse, not better. They did everything they could do, using everything humanly feasible. But they were being tossed about not for minutes, not for hours, but for days. The cloud covering prevented the sun or stars from shining.darkness, violent winds, white cap waves, and in desperation they start throwing items off the ship. In fact, the last part of vs. 20 says from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. Time for a deep breath; the Bible never sugar coats life. This is a bad situation. This is a lifethreatening situation. This is a situation that could have been prevented. Emotionally you may feel overwhelmed. Mentally you may be confused. Spiritually you may be done. Where is the hope? The Hope is where it has always been and will always be with God. Remember the story doesn t end here without hope. Acts 27:21 - When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. Let s pause for a moment to notice Paul s humanity the paraphrase would be I told you so. This was not mentioned simply to gloat (though humanly speaking it makes sense), but to let them know that what he had predicted came to pass and it is a Matter of Trust.
Acts 27:22 Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. 25 Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on a certain island. There is always hope! Paul used this as a testimony time, telling them that he belongs to God and through prayer God has revealed to him that there is hope. In the midst of the storms of life that are violent and raging there is hope. When it doesn t make sense, there is still hope. When circumstances are out of control, there is still hope. When you have started the abandon ship process by throwing things out, there is still hope. We have to heed the Godly advice Paul is giving to these on the ship in the midst of the storm, take courage. The dictionary defines Courage as: 1. Ability to do something that frightens one. 2. Strength in the face of pain or grief. Both definitions are appropriate in this scenario because it is frightening and painful to be overwhelmed by circumstances or feel like finances are out of control. Take courage because there is hope; it s a Matter of Trust. And remember the story isn t over yet. Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. Hope does not mean it will end quickly 14 nights and counting. Acts 27:28 They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms (120 feet deep) ; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms (90 feet deep). 29 Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship s boat and let it fall away. Even in the midst of heading for absolute disaster, it s a Matter of Trust. The sailors were ready to abandon ship, give up, get the life raft and hold their breath.
Paul stopped them abruptly with basically an ultimatum. You try to save your own life, and you will die or you can trust. And the soldiers cut away the ropes of the life rafts which is complete trust. Notice they did not raise the life rafts back up by the ropes to have them later just in case things didn t work out. They cut the ropes showing complete trust in Paul and ultimately in God. There was no turning back. In the next verses, Paul notices that in the midst of great fear no one had eaten in 14 days, which happens when you are overwhelmed and scared being driven by the winds of circumstance. Paul encouraged them to eat, and in fact, he took food and prayed and blessed it, and they all ate. There were 276 on this ship now all on this journey of hope and trust. Acts 27: 39 When day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could. 40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41 But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land. This was not an easy journey even until the bitter end; it is like watching an adventure movie. By the time they landed in Malta (we know this by Acts 28:1) they had traveled approximately 475 miles being tossed about by violent winds with overcast skies fearing for their lives. In the end, it was a Matter of Trust. In the end, it is always a Matter of Trust or lack thereof. When we consider our circumstances of family, friends, job, and finances it is a Matter of Trust. Do we trust God with all our life? Do we trust God with family and friends? Do we trust God with our jobs or job search? Do we trust God with our finances? One of the fastest ways we feel like we are on a ship in the midst of violent winds and high white capping waves going adrift is by not handling finances well. For the last year as a church, we have been talking about and offering classes called Freedom by Dave Ramsey. There is Freedom when you trust God with all aspects of your life including finances. At the beginning of Acts in chapter 1, Jesus challenges and commissions his disciples to take the message of the Gospel to the world beginning in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then to the Uttermost parts of the world. All the way through Acts 27 and next week Acts 28 the disciples carried out that commission.
It was only done because people gave, sacrificed and trusted. Paul was only able to travel to all those cities and plant churches because people gave, sacrificed and trusted. It s a Matter of Trust. This week as you consider stewardship you may feel like you are on a ship heading for disaster. Remember there is hope. Remember it is a Matter of Trust. There are three (3) basic reasons we tithe. 1. It s an Act of Obedience Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. Nehemiah 10: 35 - and that they might bring the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all the fruit of every tree to the house of the LORD annually, Genesis 28:22 - This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You. 2. It s an Act of Worship and Sacrifice Mark 12:41 - And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on. 3. It s a Matter of Trust Psalm 24: 1 The earth is the LORD S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Philippians 4: 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Throughout the storms and circumstances of life..there is always hope in God through Jesus Christ. There is an old hymn written by John Sammis in 1887
Consider these lyrics in light of Paul s journey on the Ship and our Journey today. 1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. o Refrain: Trust and obey, for there s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3. But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.