Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School

Courageous

• Peril faced by Paul & 275 others at sea in Acts 27:– The winds were constantly contrary – v. 4– Sailed with difficulty, wind not constantly permitting – v. 7– Sailing constantly with difficulty, sailing was now dangerous – v. 8-9– “I am perceiving this voyage will end with disaster” – v. 10– The harbor was not suitable to winter in – v. 12– A tempestuous, typhoon-like head wind arose – v. 14– The ship was caught, so they let it be driven by the wind – v. 15– They secured the skiff with difficulty – v. 16– Repeatedly used cables to undergird the ship over and over – v. 17– Constantly fearing run aground, lowered gear, driven by wind – v. 17– They were exceedingly and repeatedly tempest-tossed – v. 18– They lightened the ship of its cargo – v. 18– They threw the ship’s tackle/equipment overboard – v. 19

Courageous?

• Peril faced by Paul & 275 others at sea in Acts 27:– The sun and stars kept not appearing for many days – v. 20– No small tempest kept on beating on us – v. 20– All hope of being saved was draining out and given up – v. 20– Long abstinence from food – v. 21– Incurred disaster and loss – v. 22– “There will be loss of the ship” – v. 22– “We must run aground on a certain island” – v. 26– The fourteenth night had come – v. 27– They were continually driven up and down the Adria Sea – v. 27– About midnight drawing near some land – v. 27– Constantly fearing they’d run aground on the rocks – v. 29– They dropped four small anchors & prayed for daylight – v. 29– The sailors were seeking to escape the ship – v. 30

Courageous?

• Peril faced by Paul & 275 others at sea in Acts 27:– “You cannot be saved” – v. 31– Cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off – v. 32– Waiting, continuing without food, ate nothing for 14 days – v. 33– They lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea – v. 38– When it was day, they did not recognize the land – v. 39– They developed a plan to run the ship ashore – v. 39– They let go of the anchors and left them in the sea – v. 40– They loosed the rudder ropes – v. 40– They hoisted the foresail to wind and were heading for shore – v. 40– They struck a reef where two seas met, ran aground – v. 41– The prow stuck fast and remained immovable – v. 41– The stern was being broken up repeatedly by force of waves – v. 41– Soldiers plan was to start killing all of the prisoners – v. 42

Courageous?

• Consigned– Given over to this one fact: GOD IS IN CONTROL!

• Difficulties to Deal with? (“difficulty” 3x in Acts 27)• Fears to Face? (continuous “fearing/afraid” 3x in Acts 27)• Winds to Weather? (“wind/tempest” 9x in Acts 27)

– GOD IS IN CHARGE! GOD IS ON THE THRONE!• Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne – Isa. 6:1; cf. Psa. 47:8• His throne is in heaven & His kingdom rules over all – Psa. 103:19• Righteousness & justice are the foundation of His throne – 89:14• Lovingkindness & truth go before Him and from Him – Psa. 89:14

– Courage knows that God is able to make “all things work together for good” for His children – Rom. 8:28

Courageous

• Consigned• Contented– Paul seemed to be the only one on board unruffled

• Rather than listen to him, centurion followed majority – 27:11-12• On board, there was fear, cowardice, deceit, murderous threats• Two weeks of tempestuous, bleak conditions without eating

– Paul told everyone to “take heart” – Acts 27:22, 25– Paul urged/encouraged them all the eat – Acts 27:33-34– Paul gave thanks for his two-week-old food – Acts 27:35– Courage learns to be content

Courageous

• Consigned• Contented• Concerned– Even with his life in danger, Paul not concerned for self– Paul concerned about his fellow-prisoners & the soldiers

• “Take heart, for there will be no loss of life” – Acts 27:22• “All those who sail with you” – Acts 27:24• “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” – 27:31• “Paul implored them to take food” – Acts 27:33• “I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival,

since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you” – Acts 27:23

— Courage focuses on the needs of others and not self

Courageous

• Consigned• Contented• Concerned• Conviction-Filled– There is ONE GOD – “THE GOD” – Acts 27:23

• The God to whom I BELONG – Acts 27:23; 1 Cor. 6:20• The God whom I SERVE – Acts 27:23; Matt. 4:10• I BELIEVE God – Acts 27:25; Rom. 4:16-25

– Courage is driven by an abiding confidence in THE GOD

Courageous

• Consigned• Contented• Concerned• Conviction-Filled• Certain– “All hope was given up” (27:20) – but not Paul’s– Paul walked/sailed by faith & not by sight – 2 Cor. 5:7– Paul knew that God would keep His word

• “It will be just as it was told me” – Acts 27:25• “There will be no loss of life” – Acts 27:22

– Paul also knew that God’s promises are conditional – v. 31

Courageous

• Consigned• Contented• Concerned• Conviction-Filled• Certain• Connected– “There stood by me this night an angel of the God” – v. 23– “God has granted you…” – Acts 27:24– Paul’s connection with God saved everyone on board

Courageous

• Consigned• Contented• Concerned• Conviction-Filled• Certain• Connected• Contagious– Paul was respected by the centurion – Acts 27:3, 31, 43– Through Paul “they were all encouraged and also took

food themselves” – Acts 27:36

Courageous