What Do We Do When Trouble Comes Part 2

Pastor Mike will be speaking on What Do We Do When Trouble Comes Part . He will be reading out of Acts 27-1-44.

Isolation will not help you impact the world for Jesus Christ. The key is insulation. I’m talking about insulating your life with the word of God, insulating your life with godly Christian friends, insulating your life by getting active and serving Jesus Christ. Hello. This is pastor Mike Sanders from the Open Door Church.

It’s the Hopeworth Having radio program, and we’re excited to have you as part of our program today. We’re gonna be in the book of Acts chapter 27, and we’re continuing our study on what to do when trouble comes in your life. So let’s definitely grab our Bible, and let’s learn together. If you have your bible, I want you to turn to Acts chapter 27, and the last message that I preached in Acts chapter 27 was what to do when trouble comes. Now when you come to the book of Acts to the end of it, there are a lot of narratives that Luke, the physician under the inspiration of the spirit of God is writing down what the apostle is experienced.

You recall that he has already been before the religious courts, he has been before the political courts, and they have been trying to mischaracterize him, and they have been trying to bring judgments against him falsely and accuse him of causing riots or perhaps even to try to dethrone the king or Caesar, but yet none of these are true. The apostle has a great desire to get to Rome, and God uses these circumstances, the pushback, the trials, and all the persecution and oppression that he was dealing with to get him to Rome. And that is where we pick up in chapter 27. He is getting ready to get onto a ship, and there is gonna be this immense storm. And what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna look what the apostle Paul did and how he reacted and handled things, and it’ll give us wisdom and guidance on what to do when trouble comes.

We think of this personally in our life. We understand that there are going to be storms in our own personal lives. There are going to be storms of sickness and sorrow, and that we even as believers will endure sufferings in our life. But the one thing, the overarching thing that I want you to see in this chapter, and I want you to make sure that you take careful note of it, and that it is hovering over your thoughts as you are reading through chapter 27 and eventually chapter 28. That God has a plan, and that the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ that was declared all the way back in chapter one of the book of Acts verse eight, where Jesus gave that commission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem, unto Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

That there is no circumstance, there is no violence of nature, there is no human being that can hinder the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that even though many will attempt to try to stop the plan of God and his redemptive work in the hearts of many throughout the world, that God’s will and god’s purposes will always be advancing. So let’s pick up in verse one again of chapter 27, and just to recapture where and what we’re dealing with. The Bible says in verse one, and when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, remember his desires to get to Rome, they delivered Paul and other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan regiment. So here is the apostle, he is a prisoner, he’s now being put on a ship, and that ship is ironically going to Italy, which eventually will lead to Rome.

And so God is working even in our first verse. We see God at work in the midst of the difficult circumstances. Verse two, so entering a ship of Adramatiam, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coast of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. And the next day, we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and to receive care.

And when we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea, which is off Sicilia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia, and there the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cenidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete Of Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lascia. Now when I read these first eight verses, and I’m not done reading yet, but I just had to interject this.

I know that maybe some of you have flown on a plane, or maybe you’ve had to travel in your car, and every time, everywhere you get there’s difficulty. You show up, and all of a sudden there’s a backup, you get to security at the airport, and somebody accidentally brought a gun, and now the entire place is shut down, alright? And the entire place is shut down. Alright? Or they just announced that your plane has been delayed, and now you gotta find other arrangements.

So it is that the apostle as he is traveling, he is facing a lot of headwinds, and difficulty, and problems that’s all being explained. Luke wants you to get a sense of that. He wants you to feel the frustration of it. He wants you to capture what is happening. We pick up in verse nine.

Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the fast was already over, Paul advised them saying, men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster, and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives. Look at verse 11. Nevertheless, the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. Now, we’re not gonna have time to read every verse here in this chapter, you’re gonna have to do that on your own. I’m gonna highlight some things for you to help you.

But what do you do when you find yourself in trouble? What do you do when you’re dealing with difficult circumstances? The first thing that I noted about the Apostle was that he spent time with God. We talked about that last time when we were with you, and that is in verse 20 through verse 23. The Apostle is spending time with God, and God has given him a message that he is to share.

How important it is for you and I as we walk in this world where there are challenges and there are circumstances that can be difficult, and we find ourselves on detours, and and we find ourselves going down a path that we did not intend to be on, that we spend time with God. That we are accessing the wisdom of God. That we’re keeping our relationship with God strong. What I see in many believers’ lives, as soon as a tragedy enters their life, as soon as a trial comes into their heart, as soon as they face some difficulties, they run from God. But I’m here to tell you my friends, get closer and spend time with Jesus.

The second thing that we see in the life of the apostle is that he tried to lift up others, that even in this difficulty rather than just thinking about himself, he’s thinking about other people. I want you to look at verse 22. He said to those that were on the ship, and now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship. We look at verse 25. Therefore take heart men, for I believe God that it will be just as he has told me.

How would the apostle hear and know what God has told him? Because he has spent time with God, and he has been under the hand and the voice of God, and now he is taking that message of encouragement, and he is letting these other prisoners know, and others despair. They don’t have to come to that point where they’re ready to give up because he knows God has communicated to him, and he is trying to lift up others. The third thing we learned a few weeks ago is that we need to listen to God’s wisdom. We need to listen to God’s wisdom.

We think about those that were in charge of this ship, and how they refused to listen to the wisdom that the man of God had given them, that the apostle had shared with them, a man who walked with the Lord, a man who was in step with the spirit, a man who was truly knowledgeable and understanding because of his own experiences in traveling and crisscrossing the known world with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and planting the churches, but they were stubborn, they were resistant, and they were determined to do what they wanted to do. I wanna remind you that as you go through difficulties, God will put people in your life who will speak to your heart, and they will give you the wisdom of God. And do not be that kind of person that is defensive and resistance, but be teachable and open and listen to God’s wisdom. Now the fourth thing that I want us to learn and where I want us to pick up where we did not get to last time we were together on this chapter Acts chapter 27. Therefore take heart men.

Take heart, which means to be encouraged or take courage for I believe God that it will be just as he has told me. You see, God keeps his promises, and the apostle knew that, and so he is challenging us to put our faith in God’s promises. We are to trust God, and we are to give him thanks. Paul was a man of great faith, and in this passage, we see his faith in action. What is this promise?

Well, let’s go back to verse 21 and begin to see. The Bible says, But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me.’ There it is, Should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. Now I urge you to take heart for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Look at verse 23, for there stood by me this night an angel of God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, do not, here’s the promise, do not be afraid, Paul. You must be brought before Caesar.

And indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you. Therefore take heart men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island. So he is laying out the promise and he’s saying we gotta trust God, we gotta believe in him. You know, the Bible tells us in Hebrews eleven six that without faith, it’s impossible to please God.

Now friends, your faith is not in darkness. Your faith is not in uncertainty. Your faith is not in the circumstances of the world, or even the thoughts of a philosopher, but your faith is in the promises of God. And what are the promises? They are clearly spelled out in the Bible.

Now we read the promises of God. We read our Bible. We see these promises emerging. We must always be alert to these promises, because many times a promise is all you got to hang your hat on, but keep in mind that as you’re reading the promises of God, that not all the promises are for you particularly. Some promises were unique to the circumstances that were given, and some promises were designed for the nation of Israel, and other promises are designed for us as believers that we can trust in God, and this is what the apostle is saying, that God has given me a promise.

He has shared with me that promise, and he is saying, we’re gonna make it through this storm, and that every one of you is going to be saved relating to the disaster that is upon them. And Paul is putting his faith in the promises of God. Now, Hebrews ten thirty six says this, for you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. What does he mean? Is that you and I are called to run the race of faith.

We are called to live a life of faith. The Bible says, the just shall live by what? Faith. We are called to live by faith. Hear me.

We do not live by explanations. We do not live by what we see, but we live by faith that is rooted in the promises of God. That’s why it’s essential that every one of you get you a bible promise book, and that you read that Bible promise book, and every day of your life that you claim a promise, you pray a promise, and you stand on that promise. Believe that promise knowing that God is at work in your life. Now as you are understanding, notice in Hebrews 10 verse 36, he says you have need of endurance.

The only way you’re gonna see the promises of God ultimately fulfilled in your life is through endurance. Now we live in the microwave generation, the instant drive through, get what I want right away, right now. But friends, when it comes to the promises of God, he wants you to be faithful and endure for him. Endurance, it’s the idea of persevering. It’s the idea of being under the weight.

Under the weight, but keep pressing forward. The pressures of life push down upon us. But what do we do? Do we retreat? Do we curl up into the bed and say, I give up?

Or do we keep taking a step? But I don’t feel like it, pastor. I’m there with you. I don’t always feel like it. I mean, let’s just be honest.

We always don’t feel like getting out of bed and going to work, but you know what? We do the right thing because you do the right thing by faith, believing the promises of God, enduring, keep moving forward. Notice again in Hebrews ten thirty six, for you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God. The second key of seeing the promises of God fulfilled in your life is not only endurance, but obedience to the will of God. You see, that’s the key if you wanna see the promises of God fulfilled in your life is being obedient to God.

It is being obedient to what His plan is, His purposes in your life. God has a universal will for all of us that applies to every person on the planet, and that universal will is that we would know him, that we would be saved, that we would trust Christ as our Lord and savior. Are you writing this down? You need to know him, second of all, you need to grow in him. God wants all of us to grow in our faith.

He doesn’t want you to be a stagnant Christian, he doesn’t want you to be a limited Christian, he wants you to thrive for him. He wants you to grow in his knowledge, and to grow in his grace in in your life. He wants you to be thriving for Christ, becoming more like Jesus every day of your life. But the third universal will of God is He wants you to serve Him. God doesn’t want you to just come, sit, and soak, and do nothing for Jesus.

God doesn’t want you to just come and then go home and do nothing for Christ. He wants us to serve Him, get involved, get engaged, find your place, find your spot in the church family. We’re created unto good works, the Bible says. You are saved to serve. How about that one?

God wants you to serve, that’s His universal will. His universal will is God wants you to share Him with others. He wants you to tell others about Christ. Who are you talking to about Jesus? Who are you having spiritual conversations with?

Who are you inviting to bible study? Who are you inviting to your classes and to your events and activities that you’re having? Who are you reaching out to? You say, well they’re not events and activities that you’re having? Who are you reaching out to?

You say, well, they’re not responding to me. Friends, you don’t give up, do you? And I want you to consider this question, who are you talking to about Jesus? Who are you inviting? Who are you reaching out to?

And if that’s a big zero or no one, you need to get on your knees and say, God put somebody in my path. Forgive me for not being intentional, and forgive me for not taking the initiative. So we’re to be obedient to this universal will, but also we’re to be obedient to the unique will of God. What is the unique will of God? But I’m saying we all have a unique will, don’t we?

That’s unique to us. God has given us that peace. God has given us that understanding of this is what he wants us to do. So he says again in Hebrews ten thirty six, you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. Then he jumps into Hebrews chapter 11, he begins to talk about the great men and women of faith.

At the beginning of the chapter, it’s a lot of rah rah, excitement, and amazing miracles. You get to the end of the chapter, he reminds us that all the faithful people of God weren’t resurrected, that all the faithful people of God did not overcome on this earth. Some were cut in half, others were persecuted under death, others were burned at the stake. This is all in Hebrews chapter 11. We love the first part of Hebrews chapter 11, the hall of faith, these dynamic people that we read about that are such an inspiration to our life, rightly so.

But those who did not see the promise fulfilled on this side of heaven, they didn’t see it fulfilled until they entered in to the pearly gates before the presence of Jesus. The promises of God are for you, but you must also be faithful and know that sometimes those promises may not culminate until you get to heaven. Abraham didn’t see all that was promised to him. He was promised this great nation. Think about Abraham and Sarah and how long they waited for a child that was promised to them.

And so you must understand that God wants us to believe those promises whether they flesh out immediately or they flesh out later in life or they flesh out when we are standing in the presence of God before the throne of God. Do you have that kind of faith? Or do you have the kind of faith that only believes God when he does what you want? And he does it the way you want it. And as long as that happens, then you’re cool to believe in God.

But do you believe in God when you don’t understand? Do you believe in God when you have doubts? Do you believe in the promises of God when you can’t explain and you can’t articulate all that is happening and all that you’re experiencing in life? Are you there? Or are you only believing God when you know that somehow, someway God is gonna fulfill his promise?

Here or on the other side of heaven. We pray for our loved ones. We pray that God would heal them. We pray that God would raise them up. We pray for the sick.

And sometimes God doesn’t fulfill that on this side of heaven. Did you know that? But he raises them up in his presence to stand before God and when they get to heaven, they are fully healed. Nobody goes to heaven and walks with a limp. Nobody goes to heaven and says, I need my asthma medicine or I need my medications.

But I’m just telling you, what if God promotes you to heaven and that’s his answer? Do you have that kind of promise? Now what does it mean when we say believe in God’s promises? Well, let me give you four things that’ll help you to understand to believing and practically what that means in your life. First of all, when you are lonely, you need to know that God is your companion.

The psalmist said, turn to me and be gracious to me for I am lonely and afflicted. You see, I love the Psalms because they’re real. The psalmist is transparent. He’s honest. He’s sharing his heart.

He’s not a pretender. He’s not acting self righteous. He’s just being real with God, and he is saying, God, turn to me and be gracious to me. I am lonely. I am afflicted.

We live in a world that has never had more people living in it. There’s over 8,000,000,000 people, but yet we have never met so many people who are so lonely. We have so many people who are lonely, but as was already shared, we hang on to the promise that was given to us. I will never leave you nor forsake you. You see, God doesn’t always get you out of the mess, but He will not leave you alone in the mess.

Keep that in mind. And I want you to note second of all, when we think about the promises of God, that when we are worried, God is our confidence. I think of Isaiah 40 three:two, what a wonderful passage, one that you want to keep in your heart and mind and often read, is that when you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you, And when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched nor will the flame burn you. You see, we are talking about even as we walk through the trials, even as we walk through this imagery that is given by the prophet as a way to help us understand that as we walk through these challenging times, that God Friends, I want you to know that God is our confidence, and he helps you to know that God is our confidence, and he helps Friends, I want you to know that God is our confidence, and he helps us. He is with us as we walk through the storms of life.

Now the next I want you to see is when you’re tempted, God is your counselor. When you are tempted, First Corinthians ten thirteen, there has no temptation taken you, but such is common to man. But God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it. God gives us the promise that even as we face temptations, that He will show us the way of escape. Temptations are a part of all of our lives.

There is none of us that are not tempted. Temptation is not the sin, it’s that when we succumb to the temptation. And that’s why you’ve got to train your children, and you’ve got to develop in your own heart, not a heart of isolation, so that you’re never tempted. You know the monks, they would hide out in the caves. They would build these large monasteries, and they would stay away from people because they didn’t want to be tempted.

That’s not the answer. Isolation will not help you impact the world for Jesus Christ. The key is insulation. It’s insulation. Insulate your children, insulate your spiritual life.

You say, what do you do? What are you talking about pastor? I’m talking about insulating your life with the word of God, insulating your life with prayer, insulating your life with godly Christian friends, insulating your life by getting active and serving Jesus Christ. Friends, if you’re just sitting around doing nothing, it’s no wonder the Devil draws you away. Get active for God.

Stay involved for the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t let your mind wander. Stay focused on Christ. God will always provide a way out. As you face temptations and as you are in the word, God knows what you’re struggling with.

He knows what you’re dealing with, but he has prepared a way for you to escape. Willpower will never be enough. You will need the power of the spirit of God in your life. You’ll need the power of the word of God in your life. If you’re gonna fight temptation, you need the support and accountability of God’s people.

You’ve gotta stay connected into the family of God. These are the things that help insulate us and help us overcome temptation in our lives. How else do we understand and live out believing in the promises of God? Here’s my final one, when you’re discouraged, God is your comforter. Now if you’re discouraged, there’s one thing I can tell you with all confidence, it is that God will encourage and comfort you.

The psalmist said, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted. He is near and saves the crushed in spirit. God knows what we’re struggling with. He knows about our doubts and our questions. None of them surprise him.

You’re not the first Christian to have questions to God, and you’re not the first Christian to be mad at God. How about that one? People say, pastor, is it okay to be mad at God? Sure. He can handle it.

Be grateful through the grace of Jesus Christ and the cross that God’s not mad at you. But friends, it’s okay. Share your heart with Jesus. Tell him what you’re upset about, and I’m telling you that he will use all that to work in your heart, to bring comfort to your life. God understands.

He knows what you’re going through. He knows what you’re walking through, and he is very personable. That’s what I want you to note is that God is not a distant force out there that you’re trying to activate through some magical formula. God is not up there saying, I’m too busy to listen to you. Come back later.

He’s very sympathetic to our discouragement. He’s very sympathetic to our struggles, and the Bible says to be anxious for nothing. But in everything with prayer and supplication and thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God, and the peace of God will guard your heart and your mind. When is the last time you took your discouragement and you took it to God? You see, the apostle spent time with Jesus and he got a promise from God And he believed that promise even though he was dealing with problems in his life, even though his travels were going chaotic, and even though the people around him wouldn’t listen to what he had to say, he continued to believe in God because he knew that somehow, some way, God would fulfill his promises in his life.

And friends, I’m here to tell you that God keeps his promises and that they are guaranteed. And the greatest promise that Jesus gives us is that whoever believes on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. If you are here this morning, I want you to know first of all, if you’re a believer, do not be discouraged about the things that are going on in your life and the challenges you are facing, whether they’re health or circumstances or even maybe family problems. And I want you to be encouraged knowing that God is gonna right every wrong when we get to heaven. The Bible teaches us that when we have trouble, that we should learn to pray.

So many times as Christians, we try to handle it our way, but God is telling us that we need to pray. And so make sure that when trouble comes knocking at your door, that you are a person of prayer, and that you are standing strong in your faith, and you’re not letting the devil get the victory, and you’re not succumbing to the flesh, and you are honoring Christ in every possible way. This is pastor Mike Sanders reminding you that in Christ, there is hope worth having.