SINK OR SWIM?

Here is a message I will preach tomorrow as we are in the midst of dealing with Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Feel free to use any of these thoughts as you find them helpful. I pray they encourage you!

SINK OR SWIM?Acts 27-28 (read 27:18-25)

What will you do when a storm comes into your life?  It isn’t a question of whether you will be in a storm, only when. We here in the WNC Mountains were not expecting the magnitude of Hurricane Helene’s destruction, but here we are. Maybe you are in a tempest of trial right now. If you are not, then one is coming. You do not have a choice whether you will be in a storm, but you do have a choice whether you will sink or swim. The Apostle Paul found himself in a storm in Acts 27-28. We can learn from him how to survive stormy seas. 

1. EXPECT STORMS (27:9-14). This storm may have surprised the sailors, but it didn’t blindside Paul. All seemed well—sunshine and soft breezes, then a brutal typhoon assaults them. Isn’t that like life?  We spread our picnic on a sunny day, and then there is a flash of lightning, a thunderclap, and a downpour comes. Peter warned, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” (1 Pet.4:12). Being a Christian doesn’t exempt you from storms, but equips you to survive.

2. ESTABLISH FAITH (27:15-17). The sailors ran ropes around the ship’s hull to try to hold it together. When storms come into our lives, we will fly apart if something doesn’t hold us together. Those ropes that secure us and establish us is our faith in God. Again, listen to what Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Pet.5:8-9). Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The more we have God’s Word stored in our heart, the stronger our faith will hold in the trial. The promises of God become like the ropes that shore up our faith. 

3. EJECT BURDENS (27:18-19). To lighten the ship meant to jettison precious cargo. A lot of wealth was chunked into the ocean to lighten the load and keep the ship from being swamped. The greater priority was not riches but rescue—not loot but life! Most of us could stand to lighten our load. Jesus spoke about living in the moment and not being anxious about the future. Today’s troubles are enough, without being weighed down by tomorrow’s burdens. Storms have a way of ejecting the extraneous. They clear the clutter and help us focus on the eternal and not earthly. What really matters?  The things that burden us are often trivial compared to eternity. “Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.” (Jim Elliott)

4. EMBRACE HOPE (27:20-29). It was dark—all hope seemed eclipsed. No sun broke through the dark ominous clouds. No stars sparkled by night for the blackness blotted them out. Yet, have you heard, “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.”  When all hope seemed gone—from human perspective—there was real hope from heaven’s perspective. I want to say to you, “Take heart…believe God…!” The sailors put out four anchors. The Bible promises, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…” (Heb.6:19). 

5. EMBED COMMITMENT (27:30-32). There are songs that portray the church as the old Gospel ship—the good ship Hope. There are going to be turbulent times when you are tempted to abandon the ship. But, there is safety in staying on the ship—being embedded in our commitment to the church. When troubles come, we need our fellow sailors more than ever!  Gaither song, “This old ship’s been through some battles before; storms and tempests and rocks on the shore. Though the hull may be battered inside it’s safe and dry. It will carry its cargo to the port in the sky. Let the church be the church; Let the people rejoice. For we’ve settled the question—we’ve made our choice. Let the anthems ring out; songs of victory swell. For the church triumphant is alive and well.”  There are always those who wish to write the obituary of the church—to say it’s sunk!  But the rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated!

6.  ENCOURAGE OTHERS (27:33-38). They were all encouraged. It is what my prayer is for you today!  I want you to be encouraged. Encourage means to add courage while discourage means to subtract courage. By our words, and our body language too, we encourage or discourage others. You get to choose! If this church will be a place where encouragement is exuded, this fellowship will be a magnet to the hurting and hopeless—the disheartened and dejected—and this place will be filled with expectant people coming for their weekly infusion of encouragement!  Hurricane Helene blew in an opportunity for us as God’s people to touch a hurting community.

7.  EXPECT DELIVERANCE (27:39-44). It was time to sink or swim. Time to jump in!  That’s total commitment!  Paul expected deliverance and persuaded the others to do so as well. 

CONC. Are you going to sink or swim?  If you don’t know Jesus, you’re sunk if you die without Him. You die without hope!  You will sink into a lake—a lake of fire!  Jesus will save you, if you cry out to Him!  If you are saved, you ought to identify yourself with the church in baptism. Join the crew!  Get on board the ship!

By the grace and with the help of God, let me tell you I plan to swim and not sink!  I’m going to serve God in sunshine and storms. I’m going to worship when I feel like it and when I don’t. I’m going to share the Gospel whether people listen or they don’t. I’m going to support the church when the members behave and when they don’t. I’m going to encourage you whether you want it or not!