Faith on Display
Acts 27-28:10
Digging Deeper
Paul prophetically knew that the trip on the ship heading toward Rome would be a disaster. He tried to tell others in power who had control over the situation that sailing would be a huge mistake at that time of year. Paul told them, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo and danger to our lives as well." (Acts 27:10)
Even when the others would not listen to Paul, he displayed his faith and knew that God had promised he would get to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. Paul shared with the others on board that an angel of God had told him that the ship would be lost but that they would not lose their lives.
Everything that Paul had prophesied came true, and his faith was firm. He was a great testimony to the 276 people on board the ship. Paul continued to place great faith in God and believed that God would accomplish His purpose for his life. Despite terrible circumstances, Paul was destined to testify in Rome and continue to spread the Good News of the Gospel to those God placed in his path.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
The main point:
Life is the stage for your faith to be on display.
Elements we all will face on the journey in life.
Sea/Seasons (Acts 27:3-9)
There will be seasons of life where you feel like you are on a difficult and dangerous sea.
Sea Captain/Sailors (Acts 27:11)
Represent people who think they know better and make your life difficult, and you have no control over the direction.
Storms (Acts 27:14, 18, 20)
Sometimes, in life, you are caught in a storm that you cannot get out of, and you have to hold on and let it pass even though this is mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausting.
Soldiers (Acts 27:39, 41-42)
There may be times you get caught in the crosshairs of people just doing their job, and you are at their mercy.
Shipwreck (Acts 27:39,41,43-44)
They had to abandon the ship and swim to shore.
Snake bites (Acts 28:2-4)
A barrage of elements attack and work against you in a freak or surprise accident.
Responses to the onslaught of elements working against you.
Endure/Share your experience (Acts 27:9-10)
Patiently Love/Share God's Word/Unwavering Trust (Acts 27:21-25,42)
Serve/Swim/Serve through it. (Acts 27:33-34, 36:44; 28:1-3)
Shake it off (Acts 28:3-5)
Outcomes We May Experience
Peace (Acts 23:11)
Principle: Peace is in the promise!
Paul's faith gave him PEACE in the storm because his faith offered promises that anchored him!
Favor (Acts 27:30-33,36)
When we are faithful and steadfast through the tumultuous seasons and storms, and when we exude confidence of faith both in word and deed, there are times God grants us favor in the eyes of those who once dismissed us—and they start listening to us and looking to us to lead.
Principle: A FIRM FAITH opens doors of FAVOR.
Protection/Provision (Acts 27:42-43; 28:1-2, 10-11)
God protected Paul through the centurion.
God provided for Paul and the others on the ship through this island of barbarians.
Miracles in and Through you Impart Life to others (Acts 28:5, 7-9)
If Paul hadn't been there, many people would have died.
Believers are called to be salt and light in the world.
Takeaways:
The stage isn't easy, but your faith can be firm.
The outcomes of the stage are tied to the obedience of your faith.
You might be bitten, but your faith doesn't have to be shaken.
God can salvage shipwrecks and display signs of salvation.
The end of the play will always end in death, but you can live to bring life.
LIFE APPLICATION
Evaluate how, if you were Paul, you would have displayed your faith as you faced the situation he faced in Acts 27. Think about how you might respond, in a biblical way, to situations where you know that you are right and others will not listen to you.
Also, just like Paul, there are times when we face serious life-threatening situations. Examine Acts 27:21-44 to gain insight into how Paul faithfully faced the shipwreck. What can we learn from Paul that we can apply to our lives when we face dire circumstances?
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe when you knew the right thing to do and no one would listen to you.
What does Paul prophetically realize about this trip to Rome?
How does Paul display his faith to those traveling on the ship with him when circumstances go seriously wrong?
How did God use Paul's circumstances to allow him to share his testimony and bring glory to God?
How can we display our faith in situations that occur in our lives and the lives of others that are beyond our control?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Peace-Philippians 4:6-7; Isaiah 55:12; Colossians 3:15
Day 2: Favor-Psalm 90:17; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 84:11
Day 3: Protection/Provision-Psalm 23:1-6; Psalm 27:1-3; Psalm 46:1-3
Day 4: Miracles-Deuteronomy 10:21; Jeremiah 32:27; Luke 18:27
Day 5: Impart Life:1 Peter 3:15; John 1:4; John 3:16
PRAYER
Lord, let me turn to you in all things, knowing you will guide and protect me. I know I can find comfort and strength in You when there is disaster, chaos and crisis around me. Surround me with your calmness and give me clear direction and wisdom to make good decisions when everything around me is falling apart. Also, let me positively influence others as I display my faith and let them see that I am relying on You in all things, so that You will be glorified in all situations and circumstances.
