- GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND FULL
- GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND TRIAL
- GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND PLUS
- GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND FREE
His confidence rested on God’s word, on a divine promise he had received. No, Paul’s courage came from above – it came from the Lord. He hadn’t mastered some self-help technique or yoga exercise. Nor did Paul’s confidence and composure come from within himself – he wasn’t drawing on some special reserves of courage within himself. This wasn’t simply wishful thinking by Paul, he wasn’t in a state of denial about the perilous situation they were in. Because Paul stood up and told the ship’s company to “ keep courage” because “ not one of you will be lost, only the ship will be destroyed”. So much so, that all those on board “ gave up all hope of being saved.”Īll except Paul, that is. Verse 20 tells us that “ neither the sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm continued raging”.
GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND FULL
As an apostle, Paul spoke and wrote with the full authority of Jesus, and so should be listened to – both then and now.īut Paul’s words were ignored, and the ship ploughed on, straight into a violent storm. As our denomination wrestles with ethical issues – especially those relating to sexuality and gender – sadly too many of our leaders prefer to be led by the wisdom of the world than by Paul’s inspired words in his New Testament letters.
I have to say we see exactly the same mistake being made in the Church of England today. They preferred to follow their own judgement than listen to Paul’s God-given wisdom. Neither the Roman centurion who was guarding him, nor the ship’s pilot and owner, recognised Paul’s authority as Christ’s apostle. As we read in verse 10 of Acts 27, Paul warned the ship’s crew in Crete that it wasn’t safe to sail to on towards Rome this late in the year: “ men” he said, “ I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo.” But Paul was a prisoner, and his wise advice was ignored. It was Autumn, probably October AD59, and the safe sailing season was at its end. Like many crises, Paul’s crisis on the Med was one that should never have arisen. With God’s help we can have courage and confidence in the midst of a crisis – the qualities that Paul had when he was caught in a terrible storm in the middle of the Mediterranean.
With God’s help we can train ourselves to cope. When storms break in life, my natural instinct is anxiety, worry and a loss of appetite.īut it doesn’t have to be that way. Amen.Īre you someone who is calm in a crisis, or do you lose your head? Do you face crises with courage and composure, or blind panic? Like many of us, I expect, my natural tendency is to the latter. May it guide and strengthen us as we read from it today.
GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND PLUS
Plus more profound ‘existential’ crises, like guilt, sin and death.īefore we go further, let me pray: Father God, your Word guided and strengthened Paul on his journey. Personal crises like ill-health, financial hardship or redundancy. Before he could reach Rome, Paul had one more crisis to overcome.Īs we look at the crisis Paul faced this morning, and see how he survived it, I hope we can learn lessons for coping with the crises we can face in our lives today. But it was not to be, because he sailed straight into a storm. Paul must have hoped for an easy ride to Rome, a smooth journey to see Caesar. But to get there he would have to cross the eastern Mediterranean from Israel to Italy, a thousand-mile journey by sea.Īfter all he’d been through in Jerusalem. He would get the chance to explain and defend his faith before the highest court in the Empire.
GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND TRIAL
The year was 59AD, and after two years languishing in prison, the apostle Paul was being taken to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. Another voyage that took great courage and strength to survive. In our Bible reading today, Luke (the author of Acts) provides us with a vivid, eyewitness description of another sea voyage in a storm. You had to admire their courage, strength and determination. The ship was in the middle of a storm, and you could see waves crashing across the deck, the ship pitching from side to side, and I felt slightly seasick just watching it! You could also see dozens of wet and windswept sailors doggedly trying to tie ropes, climb rigging and unfurl sails – plus a helmsman valiantly trying to keep the ship on course. One of the exhibits we saw was an old black and white film taken on board a large sailing ship 100 years ago.
GOT LOST IN THE STORM YOU SPOKE TO THE WIND FREE
(It was free entry too, so very good value for a summer holiday excursion!) It was a fun day out, with plenty there to keep both adults and children entertained.
A fortnight ago, I went to National Maritime Museum in Greenwich with my family.
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