Acts 27:1-3

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. ²We boarded a ship… and we put out to sea.  ³The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.

How to survive a storm: ASK FOR HELP.

Reasons people don’t ask for help: You are proud.

Reasons people don’t ask for help: You are alone.

Reasons people don’t ask for help: You are stubborn.

Reasons people don’t ask for help: You don’t want another cliché answer.

Reasons people don’t ask for help: You don’t want to be a burden.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens. In this way, you fulfill the law of Christ.  

Acts 27:4, 7-10

From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us… ⁷We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty… . ⁹Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast.  So Paul warned them ¹⁰“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.”

How to survive a storm: BE REALISTIC.

Mark 10:51“What do you want me to do for you?”

Mark 10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Acts 27:14-22 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. ¹⁵The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶As we passed to the lee of a small island, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. ¹⁷When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. ¹⁸We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. ¹⁹On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. ²⁰When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. ²¹After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²²But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

How to survive a storm: SPEAK IN FAITH.

Acts 27:23-25

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴and 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.’ ²⁵So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

Isaiah 41:10-13

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ¹¹“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. ¹²Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them.  Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. ¹³ For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;  I will help you.

Psalm 27:1-6

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?  ²When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.  ³Though an army besiege me my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,  even then will I be confident.  ⁴One thing I ask of the Lord,  this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. ⁵For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;  he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle  and set me high upon a rock. ⁶Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.