Vacation Bible School

1. Vacation Bible School

2. God Will Take Care of Us Courageous

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. God Will Take Care of Us 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

7. God Will Take Care of Us 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

8. God Will Take Care of Us 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

9. God Will Take Care of Us 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

10. God Will Take Care of Us 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

11. God Will Take Care of Us 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

12. God Will Take Care of Us 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