Out text comes from an account where Paul was to sail on a ship to be delivered as a prisoner.
Acts 27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.
2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, ( Adra-mitum) we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, ( Arista-archus) a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. ( S-i-don) And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia ( Sil-is-ia) and Pamphylia, ( Pam-fi-lia ) we came to Myra, ( Mira )a city of Lycia. ( Li-cia )
6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, ( Sni-dus ) the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
Winds can change the direction you go
James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Winds can be like words. Helpful, harmful, gentle or dangerous… Both can change your direction. Let’s come back to that…
Paul warned those on the ship what was to happen.
Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
You should listen to the man of God!
- Paul saw the winds that were contrary may become a storm
- Oft times the man of God needs to tell you something; advise, give comfort, even to chastise or correct. That is what he is there for.
The Centurion listened to the voice of the world rather than the man of God.
Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
There will be winds of change that come up in your life, decisions will need to be made. The man of God is there to help guide us through these winds, which is why part od a Pastor’s qualification is that he is “learned”. The centurion heard what Paul said, there was no mis-understanding; but he chose to listen to the world rather than the man of God.
I’ve always been the one to say that actions have consequences, good or bad; but the outcome is determined by what you do… first.
When things seem to get better, you start to doubt the warnings.
Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
It’s so easy after you choose the worlds way to look back when the winds blow softly and say: “See! It’s not as bad as you said it would be!”
Ever heard of the calm before the storm?
What happens when the storms come and you haven’t listened to the man of God?
You do nothing.
Acts 27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
When you see that things are coming apart you try to patch them. You’ll try anything to try getting your ship to hold together. You’ll try plans, programs, even drugs and alcohol to try and hold things together.
Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
But you haven’t dealt with the storm.
When these patches do not work, you start to get rid of things that you feel are a burden.
Acts 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
- They got rid of the lading ( cargo ) that was to make them money.
- They got rid of their tools of the trade.
We look at our life and try and get rid of things. Foolishly we get rid of the very things that help us live. We clean ourselves up and get rid of our sin.
But cleaning up and getting rid of sin in your life, does not deal with the storm.
All hope was lost.
Ac 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
Now God can deal with you.
- Oft times we do things differently because we are contrary to the wind. Something is said or done and we react to it.
- Remember winds are like words; they can be damaging or misleading.
- The man of God sees things on the horizon. It may be smooth sailing with a soft wind, or storms are coming.
- If you don’t believe the man of God and the storms come you try to handle it yourself.
- You may think that you can handle it. But you can’t.
- First, you do nothing.
- Second, you see things are coming apart so you try and patch things up.
- Third, you start to get rid of things, try and clean yourself up.
- All these things do not address the main problem. Obedience to God. Either through what God is telling you, or through the man of God.
- You still didn’t address the storm.
The man of God waits.
Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
Paul was not in the mist of the panic. He knew eventually a point would come when doing it their way would not be enough.
Your life will be saved, but not the ship.
Acts 27:22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
- When the storms came you went to the world. Your ship is strong, the winds are soft, and the ship will take care of you.
- The man of God says that God will take care of you even after you did not listen. But not the ship.
- Not that thing that kept you from listening to the man of God, not that thing that kept you from serving Him, not that thing that took you out of church when you were contrary to the wind.
Conclusion:
A word, good or bad, like the wind can change our direction. Our reaction must stay on course. The man of God saw that these winds were going to turn into a storm, but we listened to the world tell us just how good we were, that we could handle anything that comes our way and set sail for destruction. When the storms came we tried everything we knew to keep our lives from coming apart, only in the end to loose all hope. The man of God was always there, in the shadows, waiting to help. And with re-assurance, through the storm, he was there to help when we were ready. You see the storm lasts through the rest of the chapter. The man of God does not fix the storm, but protects you through it. But not the ship. That thing that you put your faith in would not make it through the storm.
So next time you get a little contrary to the wind and the man of God warns you of the coming storm. Stay home for the holiday. Winter the storm in a fair haven, protected by the man of God.
