WHAT
TO DO WHEN YOUR BOAT WON‘T FLOAT
This lesson drawn from Paul’s storm tossed
experience at sea is adapted from one preached by Tom Miller. I believe there
are some very practical suggestions to be made after a look at this shipwreck
experience of the Apostle Paul (Acts 27:1-44). We all know the feeling we have
when our boat won’t float. Here are things we can do when that sinking feeling
comes upon us.
DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN
DO YOURSELF (27:17-19; 38).
1. They
undergirded the ship and twice they lightened the load.
2. We
need to do what we can do when our boat is sinking, or it will probably sink
(cf. Josh. 7:6-15).
a. While
the saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not in the Bible, the
thought most certainly is (cf. Gen. 4:6-7; Acts 22:16; 2:26-38; Eph. 6:10-17).
b. Whatever
is threatening to sink our boat, we should respond appropriately to do our part
(cf. Mk. 2:1-12).
c. If
we haven’t tried to do all we know to do and all God would have us to do, a
sunken ship is at least in part our own fault (cf. Matt. 25:24-30).
PRAY AND ASK FOR
GOD’S ASSISTANCE (27:29)
1. They
prayed that they would see the light of day.
2. We
are encouraged by God to be a people of prayer (Lk. 18:1; I Thess. 5:17).
a. However,
we must be on speaking terms with God (I Pet. 3:12).
b. We
cannot live apart from God and expect deliverance (cf. Jer. 7:1-11).
3. One
thing that might prevent us from praying as we should is that we do not like
the answers we get.
a. God
may say, “Yes” (Acts 12:51-17).
b. He
may answer, “No” (II Cor. 12:6-10).
c. He
may say, “Wait a while” (Psa. 89).
4. We
should, however, find comfort in knowing that God is always present in the life
of a Christian, even when our preferences are not realized (I Cor. 10:13; Rom. 8:31-39; Heb. 13:5b-6).
TRUST GOD AND FOLLOW
HIS INSTRUCTIONS (27:22-25, 31)
1. Paul
dramatically took his stand with God.
a. Sometimes
it is more difficult to believe God than to believe in God (Heb. 11:6).
b. Consider
a failure of faith by the Apostles in a similar stormy situation (Matt.
8:23-27).
2. Paul
insisted that others also do as God had done.
3. God’s
instructions may seem to contradict conventional wisdom, but they are always
best (Isa. 55:8-9; Lk. 5:1-11; II Kgs. 5:1-14).
4. God
is, therefore, to be obeyed regarding
salvation (Acts 2:38), worship (Jn. 4:24), and Christian living (Col. 3:1-11).
SOMETIMES THE BOAT
SINKS (27:41)
1. Nevertheless,
God is still in control and His children will be rescued, no matter what (Matt.
10:28-31; Rom. 8:38-39)!
2. Disaster,
even death, is not the end of things for Christians (Dan. 3:16-18; Rev. 2:10;
6:9-11; I Cor. 15:50-58).
We are to: do all we can, pray, trust and
obey, and accept that God rules no matter what happens. As we reflect on these
principles, a question naturally arises. Do I belong to God and am I faithfully
serving Him? Do you? The answer to this
question makes all the difference in the world when my boat or your boat won't
float.
Edwin
1/28/01
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