Renewing Hope Through Stormy Seas (Acts 27)

Sermon: RENEWING HOPE THROUGH STORMY SEAS 

 Sermon preached at the People’s Church in Sri Lanka – Sunday, 26^th June 2022 

Introduction:

(Illustration of a story related by D.L. Moody that led to a beautiful and well loved hymn being composed). 

During a sermon he once preached, D. L. Moody spoke about a ship that was trying to enter a harbor on an extremely dark, stormy night. The Captain noticed the lighthouse light was working but not the ‘lower lights’. He then asked the Pilot, “Where are the lower lights?”, to which the Pilot replied, “They must have gone out, sir.” The Captain then asked, “Can you make it into the harbor?” The Pilot replied, “We must sir, or we will perish in this storm.” As they tried to maneuver the ship into the harbor in the darkness, it hit the rocks and sank. Many lives were tragically lost that night. (Adapted from Hymn History – Enjoying the Journey)

‘The Lower Lights’ – These are lights located away from the lighthouse that light up the water line and give ships safe entry to the harbor. 

Visual Illustration – Show visual of the ‘lower lights’ and explain how they provide safe navigation into a harbor.

Over the recent past, we have heard of our nation being compared to ‘a sinking ship’, and to a ‘ship that rocks rapidly’! These are painful comparisons because it reminds us of the challenges, especially the economic challenges, facing our nation and our people. So, can we persevere in hope personally, and also renew hope in troubled lives around us as we navigate through ‘stormy seas’? 

Friends, we have heard many times, and read many times, about the God who takes care of us in difficult situations – who walks with us in the storm. But, what about the people around us who are losing hope – those who don’t know the same Lord Jesus who walks with us in the storms of life? Can we bring hope to those around us who are walking through ‘stormy seas’? Can we help renew hope in their hearts? 

I would like to encourage each one of you to ask God, ”Lord, how can I renew hope in people today?”

Proposition: God wants us to renew hope around us as people walk through ‘Stormy Seas’.

Transition to sermon: Today, I would like to share 5 ways in which we, God’s people, could bring renewed hope to hearts that are fast losing hope around us. My sermon is based around the enthralling story in Acts 27, which describes a massive storm that the Apostle Paul faced on his journey to Rome. In fact, Paul was on his way to face trial before Caesar. The journey was undertaken by sea under the supervision of a centurion named Julius of the Roman Imperial Regiment.

Let’s now get into the story. My first point today is..

I. IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD

Visual Illustration: Show map of the journey

Let me first put up a map on the screen to highlight the first part of the journey. On this map you will notice that they traveled by sea to Sidon, then past Cyprus, and from there to Myra, where they changed ships. On the new ship they journeyed through Cnidus, passed Salmone, and eventually berthed at a place called Fair Havens near the town of Lasea, on the island of Crete.

Thereafter, since much time had been lost, they wanted to make a quick journey to Phoenix in Crete before winter set in. The scripture says that It was a dangerous time for sea navigation (Acts 27:9). 

Dr. H. L. Willmington’s Guide To The Bible in its thoughts on this passage says, “Among the ancients, the dangerous season for sailing was from September 14  to November 11. After this date, all navigation on the open sea was discontinued.” 

The centurion however, in consultation with the pilot  and the owner of the ship, decided to take the huge risk involved. They decided to make the journey anyway.

Around this time, I believe Paul heard from God and had advised them not to make the journey. He said, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” (Acts 27:10)

But sadly, the centurion decided to trust the wisdom of the pilot, rather than trust what God had revealed to Paul. (It is noteworthy that Paul also probably had some knowledge of sailing through stormy seas because he had already been through at least 3 shipwrecks! – See 2 Corinthians 11.25.)

Later on, as the storm hit the ship with its full force and hopes of surviving were fading fast, Paul heard from God again as shown in verses 23-24. He then gave everyone on board new hope as he heard from God. Let’s look at those verses.

Acts 27:23-24 “Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’.” 

On yet another occasion during the journey, Paul probably once again heard from God and kept encouraging the passengers to believe in God for safety. This is what he said. ”Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” (Acts 27:34)

So my friend, What is God speaking to you in these difficult times? Are you willing to listen and obey? Will you be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit? He may well speak to you in unexpected ways, and in unexpected places. Let me share a story along the same lines.

Illustration:

A young adult lady was once traveling by train from Calcutta to Darjeeling in 1946. On this journey, she received an unmistakable call to minister to the poor of Calcutta. She later said, “It was an order. To fail would have been to break the faith.” As she decided to obey God’s voice that day, the world- known ministry of Mother Teresa was born in her heart. (Explain the story in detail).

Today, let’s be sensitive to hear God’s voice. Only then will we be able to minister effectively and renew hope in those facing stormy seas around us. 

Let me now move to point 2.

II. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE TO BUILD HOPE IN PEOPLE FACING STORMY SEAS

Let’s look at what Acts 27:9 says. 

“Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them,”

As I mentioned earlier, those in authority had decided to start what was a dangerous journey. They had knowledge of seafaring but lacked the wisdom and guidance of God. Paul however firmly warned them not to do so. Paul’s warning came through the wisdom and guidance God had given him for the situation he was in. They should have listened to Paul and maybe stayed for a while at Lasea, which according to the notes of the NIV Study Bible, was just about 5 miles away! 

Similarly, we live in a time in history when human wisdom and knowledge is greatly insufficient. We need the wisdom and guidance that comes from above, because as the Lord says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Paul was first guided to warn them about the dangers ahead and later about how to trust God through the crisis.

Acts 27:11 says, “But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.”

Sadly, the centurion, and the majority on board (Acts 27:12), did not listen to Paul, but to the pilot and to the owner of the ship. They were possibly motivated more by economic reasons than thoughts of safety (Refer IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament – page 402). They therefore weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete (Acts 27:13). They were hoping to reach Phoenix in Crete before winter.

God’s wisdom and guidance can also be seen operating through Paul many times over throughout the journey. (Refer Acts 27:21-25,31,33-34)

Let us ask God for wisdom and guidance as we minister to and bring hope to hurting people.

 James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Let me move on now to point 3.

III. RENEW HOPE IN THE MIDST OF STORMY SEAS

Right now, let’s take another look at the Map as we follow the journey from Fair Havens to the Adriatic Sea. Soon, a vicious hurricane, the ‘Northeaster’, swept down from the island of Crete and hit the ship (Acts 27:14) and they were swept out to the Adriatic Sea (Acts 27:27).

Sound Illustration – Media Team to play a brief soundtrack of a bad storm in the background at this point while I speak.

The ship then took a violent battering (Acts 27:18). Let me briefly try to describe what verses 15-19 tell us. Actually, the next few verses are quite frightening as we read that the ship was driven violently by the storm. As the situation worsened, the sailors decided to take the lifeboat aboard, secured the hull with ropes, and lowered the sea anchor (15-17). When the storm intensified further, they threw some of the cargo and later the ship’s tackle overboard.

As the storm kept rocking the ship, the situation was beginning to look hopeless – to the point that they even stopped eating! (Acts 27:21). To make a bad situation even worse, verse 20 tells us that even the possibility of navigating with the help of the stars was now gone. All hope was more or less lost. They were ready to give up completely! Let’s look at that verse. 

Acts 27:20 “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”

The New International Bible Commentary further adds, “As no land or sky was visible, navigation was impossible… The situation was desperate and the conditions for the 276 people aboard distressing in the extreme.” (page 1312)

You know friends, I have read through Acts 27 many times this week and as I was going through the story for the final time yesterday, I couldn’t help wondering – what would it be like in reality to be caught in a bad storm at sea? 

As I pondered over this, I decided to call a Master Mariner and a former ship’s captain, my own brother, Captain Nimal Jayasooriya, to ask whether he could briefly share about any storm he had faced on one of his voyages and what the experience was like.

He readily agreed and to my total surprise, he mentioned that on one occasion, a ship he was in charge of had encountered a bad storm in the exact area of today’s biblical story! As a result, the ship was badly damaged, and guess what? He was asked by the agents to get the repairs done at the nearest available port – which of all places, happened to be – yes, Malta! The exact place where everyone on board Paul’s ship eventually reached the shore safely. 

So today, I have asked him to share this experience with you. I am sure that he will be able to describe the situation far better than I could! I also believe the experience of everyone on board Paul’s ship will become more clear to you when he shares his story.

(Conclusion of story – Go back to sermon).

In the middle of what was now a hopeless situation, Paul brought renewed hope as he heard from God through an angelic visitation. The words he spoke, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, brought renewed courage to the desperate seafarers. Let’s look at verse 22 and 25.

Acts 27:22 “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.” 

Acts 27:25 “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”

Child of God, never forget that wherever you go, you carry a message of hope. It’s burning in your heart even now. With whom will you share it today? With whom will you share it this week? In whose heart will you renew hope?

Hebrew 6:19 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

Action Point – You know, one of the ways in which we, as a church, can renew hope at this time, is by providing a pack of essential items to those standing in queues in our neighborhoods.  Maybe each one of you could take a few such packs and hand them over to some people this week. Who knows how many will find renewed hope through our small acts of kindness? We have already heard many, many, stories of people who have been encouraged through receiving such help. They have seen the love of Jesus in action in a very practical way. What a blessing!

Before I go to the next point, let me repeat the first 3 points of the sermon. Maybe we can all say them together. (Repeat points 1-3).  

IV. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Acts 27:27 says that 14 days had now gone by. We are talking of 2 long weeks in a terrifying storm! However, after Paul’s message that renewed hope, they suddenly began to sense that they were coming close to land. Maybe they heard the sound of waves breaking on the shore in the distance. The New International Bible Commentary says, “Perhaps the noise of breakers on the Malta coast warned the mariners of the proximity of land…” (page 1312)

While this would have been a welcome change for all on board, it also meant that they could face a possible shipwreck. They were now praying for daylight to avoid a shipwreck – possibly led in prayer by Paul. As a safeguard, they put down the anchors (27-29). 

At this time some of the sailors selfishly tried to get away but were stopped by Paul, who advised the centurion not to allow the sailors to leave the ship (30-32). It was important for all the sailors to stay on board as they would need all the manpower available to prepare for a possible grounding.

Paul then continued to bring hope by encouraging all on board to take some food and renew their strength. He didn’t just tell them what to do, but led the way by his own example.

Acts 27:33-36 “Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head. After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.”

Paul led the way by his example and had, what I believe, would have been a revival service on the deck of what was considered a doomed ship! What a powerful example he set. He removed their fear and all 276 on board were encouraged to partake of a long-needed meal!

The New International Bible Commentary on page 1311 says, “Paul, as God’s man, became the real leader of a heterogeneous company of people on board a ship drifting toward wreckage…”

Let us not forget here that Paul faced the same challenges as all the others on board, but what a difference he showed! He showcased peace in the midst of the storm and led by example. I am reminded of a beautiful quote that says, “The servants of Christ went forth with the word ‘peace’ upon their lips, the gift of peace in their hands, and the light of peace on their faces’.

That encouraging moment on board the ship brings me to my final point. Point 5 is,  

V. GOD WILL BLESS OTHERS BECAUSE OF YOU

Let’s look at Acts 27:23-24 again. 

“Last night an angel of the Lord to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’.”

Amazing isn’t it? Everyone on board was guaranteed safety because Paul was among them! What a testimony! This thought is further expanded in verse 34. Let’s read it together.

Acts 27:34 “Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.”

Yes, everyone, all 276 on board  were protected, because Paul was in God’s will on his journey to Rome! Note that in verse 23, Paul refers to His God as “The God to whom I belong and whom I serve”.

Daylight came at last and Acts 27:39-41 brings us the final part of the story. It shows the shipwreck that followed as they made for the beach of Malta. It is interesting to note that the IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament says, “The traditional site of St. Paul’s Bay in northern Malta fits all the details of the narrative (page 403). I thought it would be helpful to show you a visual of St. Paul’s Bay as it stands today so that you could more easily identify with the location. Who knows, some of you may even take your next vacation to St. Paul’s Bay!

Visual illustration – Show St. Paul’s Bay on screen 

As we come to the conclusion of this dramatic journey, let’s take a look at one more danger that remained. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, rather than let them escape, as that was what was expected of them. (Roman soldiers generally didn’t allow prisoners to escape). But once again, everyone was protected by the centurion because Paul was with them. Let’s take a look at verses 42-43.

Acts 27:42-43 “The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. ⁴³ But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.”

Finally, Acts 27:44 tell us that as Paul had prophesied earlier, everyone reached the shore safely. What an amazing story of how Jesus renewed hope through stormy seas through His obedient servant Paul.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, let me first repeat the 5 points of the sermon. (Repeat the points).

You know friends, I began this sermon by sharing a story about a shipwreck that Dwight Moody once used in a sermon. After sharing the story, Moody said, “Brothers, the Master will take care of the great Lighthouse of salvation, but it is our job to keep the lower lights burning to guide men safely to Him”  

It is said that in the audience that day was the hymn writer Philip P. Bliss, who probably thought – that’s a great story to write a song about. He therefore composed the beautiful and meaningful gospel hymn titled ‘Let the Lower Lights be Burning’. So, in closing, here’s one of our worship team members to sing that beautiful song today. I know you are going to be blessed as you listen to it. 

Special Song: Roshi Wickramaratne – Let the Lower Lights be Burning

Prayer:

Let’s pray together as we ask Jesus to give us the help we need to ‘Renew Hope Through Stormy Seas’. Let us point people to the cross of our Lord Jesus so that they may find this unshakeable hope! God bless you!

For another inspiring sermon about “Hope” from Psalm 91, click here.

To download a 21-day Christmas Devotional, click here.