Sounding the Depths Ahead and Casting Forth Our Four Anchors

Acts 27

Acts 27 NKJV ¹And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.
²So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
³And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
⁴When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
⁵And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
⁶There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
⁷When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone.
⁸Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
⁹Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
¹⁰saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
¹¹Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
¹²And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
¹³When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
¹⁴But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.
¹⁵So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.
¹⁶And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.
¹⁷When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
¹⁸And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
¹⁹On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
²⁰Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
²¹But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
²²And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
²³For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
²⁴saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
²⁵Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
²⁶However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

INTRO: Ever been in a bad storm? Ever venture out in a blizzard (against advice) and get stranded? Back in the blizzard of ‘77/’78 I was working 2^nd shift, and I had a friend that lived in Noblesville. He wanted to make it home and weather the storm. I tried to get him to go to my house and stay there during this terrible storm. He wanted to get home. He was in a RV and said he could get home okay. Off he went…to the National Guard Armory, where he stayed the weekend. You see he had others that hindered his sway of travel and when they got stuck, he could go no further. That’s life!

The following points are easily evident when we glance at this chapters first twenty-six (26) verses:

Life is not always easy sailing - 4

We are faced with the “storms of life” all the time

Key to life is to handle the storms with the Lord in our lives

We are headed towards destruction – 10

We live in dangers of our own making

We can find rest

We often trust the wrong people, plans or ideals – 9-13

We discard good advice

We bend to pressures

God often allows us to experience rough times – 14-17

Actually, rough times can help make us better

God will stand with us during these times as well - 23-25

We almost do anything to hang on to the things of the world – 18-19

Things we take comfort in or have confidence in

Things that really are little in value when we approach death

Often all hope seems lost – 20

It is no wonder, when…

We cannot always get an idea of the future

God holds the future

God is searching/reaching for us in our despair – 21-25

Uses His…

Word

Holy Spirit

Godly men and women

Circumstances

We are headed for an “island” (DEATH/OUR ETERNAL ABODE) – 26

This “island” can be our downfall or our rescue

Life may be our problem

Question is will we chose Christ

Will we cling to things of this world or the joys that God has prepared for us if we accept His Son?

Death can be our friend (not our enemy)

²⁷Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.
²⁸And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
²⁹Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.
³⁰And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
³¹Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
³²Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
³³And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
³⁴Therefore 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.”
³⁵And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
³⁶Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
³⁷And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
³⁸So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
³⁹When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.
⁴⁰And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.
⁴¹But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
⁴²And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
⁴³But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
⁴⁴and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Now as we get to the message…

Sounding the Depths to find what direction are you headed? –27-29

They measured the depths

What will you find in your life?

How does God see your life?

They measured again

You are often drifting in a foggy journey – keep tabs on your life

When will you stop your direction of travel?

They put on their brakes (4 anchors)

Are you willing/desirous to halt your wrongful direction?

Will you halt now?

Having sounded your position, do you know the…

Types of anchors you can cast forth?

Sorrowful Repentance

How do you really feel about the absence of Christ in your life?

Are you really sorrowful, saddened, and sincere about the plague that affects your soul?

Sincere Prayer

Are your conversations with the Lord real, or to escape problems in your life.

When you call out to Him are you really reaching for His help?

Scriptural Guidance in your everyday life

Is your desire to learn of Him, know Him, follow Him?

What will you accept as a guideline in your life?

Settled Destination because of the Master

Do you know where you are going today?

Do you care where your ship lands?

Do you want to be with Him over there?

Are you ready to reach that certain island of safety?

When you realize where you are, where you are going, you know you only have hope...

If YOU abide with HIM and you WILL be saved

He will rescue if you will let him!

He will get you to your destination

You will enjoy His company

Vs. 44 …. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Easy? … NO!

Worth it? … you better believe it!

 Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 011710am – first used -040598am