Message Action PlanPaul's Shipwreck at Malta: Acts 27:1-43
"The ship struck a reef and ran aground. As it was repeatedly smashed by the force of the storm's waves, the ship began to break apart." Acts 27:41
WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO MAKE POOR CHOICES
THAT LEAD TO SETBACKS & STORMS?
- WHEN WE LISTEN TO UNGODLY ADVICE
"Much time had been lost, and day of Fasting has passed so by now it had become dangerous to sail because of the fall weather. So, Paul warned the sailors with this advice "Men, I have perceived that our voyage is going to be disastrous. If we sail now, we'll lose the cargo, and the ship, and likely our own lives too." Acts 27:9-10
"But the Roman officer in charge of the prisoners didn't listen to Paul. Instead he followed the advice of the pilot and owner of the ship." Acts 27:11
- WHEN WE COPY THE CROWD
"Then the crew decided that they should go ahead and sail up the coast of Crete because the majority wanted to spend the winter in Phoenix and it had a nice harbor." Acts 27:12
- WHEN WE COUNT ON CIRCUMSTANCES
"When a gentle wind began to blow from the south, the crew thought they had obtained what they wanted and their plan would work. So they pulled up the anchor and sailed as close as possible to the shoreline of Crete." Acts 27:13
"But shortly afterward, the weather changed suddenly and a wind of hurricane force came out of the Northeast and blew the ship out to sea." Acts 27:14
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STORMS?
1. STORMS CAN CAUSE ME TO DRIFT FROM MY GOAL
"The ship was caught in the storm and the wind was so strong that they could not sail against it. They lost all control so they stopped trying. They gave up and let the wind drive them, drifting in every direction." Acts 27:15
"Then the crew tied ropes around the ship to try to hold it together." Acts 27:17
Action Plan: Put three columns on a sheet of paper. In the first column list your life goals. In the second column put down where you currently are with each of the goals. In the third column, write down if you have reached that goal, are on target to reaching that goal, or if you have drifted from that goal…why you have drifted.
2. Storms can CAUSE ME TO DISCARD WHAT I USED TO VALUE
"The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing all the cargo overboard. The following day they even threw out all the ship's equipment and anything else they could lay their hands on!" Acts 27:18-19
3. Storms can CAUSE ME TO DESPAIR
"The terrible storm raged unabated for many days, blotting out both the sun and the stars, until in the dark, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." Acts 27:20
WHAT SHOULD I REMEMBER WHEN IT FEELS HOPELESS?
How Can I Anchor My Life in a Storm?
1st Anchor: THE PRESENCE OF GOD
REMEMBER GOD IS WITH ME HE HASN'T LEFT ME
"Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, 'Men, if you had listened to me. . . you would have avoided all this injury and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God I serve and belong to, stood bY me.'" Acts 27:21-23
Action Plan: Make a hope kit for yourself of reminders that God is with you. (ex. Make a playlist of worship songs that speak most to you. Write special verses on slips of paper and keep them in an accessible place.)
2nd Anchor: THE PURPOSE OF GOD
REMEMBER GOD'S PURPOSE IS GREATER THAN MY SETBACK OR STORM
(Paul) "God's angel said to me 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will certainlystand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone else sailing with you!'" Acts 27:24
3rd Anchor: THE PROMISE OF GOD
REMEMBER GOD'S PROMISES CAN BE TRUSTED
"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will all turn out just as God has promised. Nevertheless, we are all going to first be shipwrecked on some island!" Acts 27:25-26
"At one point, the sailors tried to abandon the ship, thinking their lifeboat would save them. But Paul said, 'You'll all die unless you stay with the ship! So the soldiers cut the ropes and let go of their lifeboat." Acts 27:30-32
"Then Paul said 'Please eat something for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.' Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and ate it. Then everyone was encouraged." Acts 27:34-36
"When daylight came. . . the officer ordered those who could swim to jump overboard and swim to the island. The rest grabbed pieces of wood from the broken ship to float on. But everyone made it safely to shore!" Acts 27:45-46
Action Plan: Learn more about God by watching the Foundations. Click here for the first study on God, and here for the second study on God.
Doable Discipleship: This week's SPECIAL episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with KAY WARREN. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
