Address—D. So
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I'd like to turn to the book of Acts chapter 27.
I was thinking of how.
We had a nice meeting in the last reading meeting where we talked about redeeming the time.
And I think comments were made that.
It's nice, too, to see what the Lord's timetable is and you know how we ought to walk.
When we understand what He had before us, we won't have time to go to some other things. I want to talk about. We have only about 20 minutes or so, but I was thinking of how we need to know that God has an overall time frame for this world. We know that He created this world to be inhabited in. We know that Israel was the center of His thoughts.
But then we know, too, that Israel is set aside for a little while.
So we as Gentiles can be brought into blessings. We know that.
The one who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ will become part of that church. We know that the Lord said he's going to come back and he's going to take us out of this scene, rapture, out of this world. We know that, don't we? And that this world is going to face tribulations.
And then after that, Israel will be brought back into blessings.
We find that throughout his word. He tells us that repeatedly. We look at the seven fees of Jehovah will find some of the events outlined.
We find the seven parabola in the book of Matthew. We find the events outlined in there as well. We find in the seven churches more detail about the church. But I have on my heart this afternoon this passage in the 27th chapter of Acts in regard to Paul's shipwrecked.
I trust that with the Lord's help, perhaps it will give us a little bit of a picture of what we are going through.
What has passed? And perhaps see how the Lord has warned us.
And with the Lord's help that we can use that to encourage to walk faithfully for Him. So let's just begin by a few verses here. We won't be to the chapter through. We'll just read a few verses at a time just to save some time here.
Perhaps we can begin by verse nine. And now. Now, when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous because the fast was now already passed, Paul admonished them and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading of the ship, but also of our lives.
Nevertheless.
The centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those which were spoken by Paul.
We see here in the beginning of this passage how Paul has warned them of the dangers to come.
We find too that Paul through the Spirit of God has written many things for us. We find in the beginning of Acts, he sets that those early Christians, they continue on. A few things that we value, they continue on. Perhaps let's turn to that Acts chapter 2.
I want to make sure we quote that properly.
Acts chapter 2, verse 42 it says that and they continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread.
And in prayer and in prayers. So we find that the apostles doctrine and fellowship. Now here is a picture of the apostles doctrine, isn't it? We know too, that throughout the ages the apostles doctrine was forgotten. The church as a whole has given up the apostles doctrine. Yesterday our brother mentioned how this world tried to.
Change what some of the doctrines should be from the Word of God.
For a long time, as they say, call this the dark ages of the churches. We've gone through that the church have fallen asleep and it's so precious to see that the truth.
Was recovered the truth of the apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread and in prayers and perhaps as we go through this we'll see how this is being given up in this voyage and that it will be recovered again and so let's let's go down a bit here again and we see here in this passage Paul warned them how dangerous it is by not heeding to his his word that the ship is going to be damaged even our.
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Lives, but here we find that man, we as man, we like to use our wisdoms, we like to consult those that are experts. So here it says, nevertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship. You know, even today we find that they when things happen, people were asked the so-called expert for experience.
Experts for advice and we can even now buy books at times.
That have expert advice. And we find even among Christian books in the back, there are pictures of the expert and the qualifications of the expert at why people think they're experts. And if you look at that in contrast to many of the brethren's writing, you'll find that when the Lord when the Spirit of God directed them to many of his truth, often they do not put themselves as experts.
You'll find many of the Brethren's writing would not even bear the name, perhaps with a little initials at the back.
Because we trust that it is from God, not from man. So here they go. Nevertheless, they look for the they believe the master and the owner of the ship.
Let's go on to verse 12. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in and more part advice to depart, then also, if by any means they might be attained to Phoenix, and there to winter, which is in haven of creed, and lieth toward the southwest and northwest. And when the South wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose.
Losing fans, they sailed close by Creed.
So we see here that there is another reason that we find here. They were in this little place called Fair Haven. What they find this little place of Fair Haven was not commodious to winter in. I'm not too sure exactly what that word means, but I do believe that it means it's not very comfortable here. Just further down here, slither place called Crete that done a Crete. They have a nicer port. Perhaps there are more facilities for them. It's more.
It's more convenient. So they decided to leave before winter sets in. Now notice here they didn't depart very far from where they ought to be. They just want to go a little further and find a place that is convenient. And they left the apostles warning behind them. And you know, sometimes when we ignore the warning from the word of God.
We feel that we were we deeming the time because we feel from our heart.
Perhaps what we think is right, and sometimes the Lord allow for that too, doesn't He? Here we see that even the South wind begins to blow softly for those that have taken a path that is different than what the Lord intended. The initial path does not always mean a dangerous path. The South wind begins to blow. Can you picture these men looking at Paul?
And say I told you so, there's nothing wrong. Look at this, everything seems to work well.
The South wind blows softly, They are sailing smooth sailing as if it were, and it looks good, so good. And that is that they obtain their purpose. There's always a purpose behind what we want to do is a God's purpose.
And then the next two word is interesting too. If you look at it here, it says losing events, losing advance. I let you meditate on that. When you choose to go your own path, are you losing events? So they sail close by Creed verse 14. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Europe, London. And when the ship was caught and could not bear.
Wind they let her drive, and running under a certain island, which is called Clouda, we have much work to come by the boat, which, when they had taken up they use, helped undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksand streak sail, and so were driven, and we being exceedingly tossed with a Tempest the next day they lighten the ship.
The South wind blew softly, just for a little while.
And then this storm came along and we find that in our lives at times that when we want to go our own ways, the things looks good. And before we know it, the tempestuous storm of life came along There. They were caught. They thought they can hide behind that island in the sand and that and the other side of where it's not as windy. They try to fix things their own way now.
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They're girding up the ship, they're tying cables underneath, hoping to fasten it to the point that it would not crash or break up in the tempestuous water that they were in.
And they find that they no longer are in control. The circumstances before them are greater than they can handle. So what do we do when things get really tough? So here we find they did just that. They let go.
Just let it be. Let the wind take wherever it drives them to be.
So Maine's efforts find out that it's all in vain. Isn't it sad to see that? Have we seen that in our own lives? And we are redeeming the time, aren't we? And when we leave the Lords out in the decision process, when we do not follow what He has for us, When we think using our wisdom and the counselors of our friends.
We too can easily fall into this tempestuous storm, and then we try to fix it ourselves.
And getting to further and further trouble. So what did they do? Let's go further into the chapter as our time is running here, verse 19 and.
And the third day, we cast out our own hands. The tackling.
Of the ship, I'm sorry I missed verse 18 there. And being exceedingly tasked with a Tempest. The next day they lightened the ship. And on the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship. Oh, isn't it sad? They had supplies on the ship, now they have to toss them overboard. Things that they needed to lived on, things that they needed to sustain the journey. Now they have to take it and toss that.
Are the things that we do required for our lives, other spiritual needs, other things that we have learned since we were youth, since we were a child? And when storm clouds come, when that tempestuous time come, what do we do? We're told to buy the truth and sell it not.
Have we brought any truth? What are the truths that you have bought?
And now when problems come, do we just take these truths, these truths that we have learned and justice toss it overboard? Not only so is it the third day? On the third day, what else did they do? It says it takes the tackling of the ship. I'm not a sailor, as many of you know, I get motion sickness, so I won't make a good sailor. But I believe a tackling on the ship is something is probably necessary for the NAV.
Of the ship.
Oh, they picked that up and they said with their own hands, they toss that overboard, too. What is the guiding force in your life? Have you given that up to you? Because there are tempestuous storms in your life and it sets here. And the third day, you know, in scriptures, third day is mentioned often.
And as many redeem one here we know the third day is the picture of the resurrection scene. Isn't it the third day? We find in Abraham, on the third day he lifted up his eye. What did he see? He saw the mountain that God told him from afar off. We find a third day. Is that that new life, new resurrection day? But what happened when the Lord is out of our mind? When we cast and not heed the apostles doctrine?
We find here that verse 20. And when neither son nor stars in many days appear, and no small tempers lay on us, all hope that we have should be saved was then taken away.
Isn't it sad instead of looking for that resurrection, looking for the one who conquered death, looking for that one who is now risen, seated on high at the Father's right hand is set here? They gave up all hope. They didn't see the sun. They didn't see the stars.
They have given up hope and we, just like the rest of the people in this world, we had that before us yesterday, without hope, without God in this world.
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God didn't leave us to be in our own devices, did he? So here they have to learn. Verse 21. But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have parked in unto me, and not have loose from creed, and to have gained us harm and loss.
Oh, what happened to Paul all this time that they were trying to fix all the problems on their own?
We do not read up any that we know of Paul saying anything throughout this dark terrible time, did we? They have ignore the apostles doctrine. Now it's time for the apostle to speak up. For many years Christians have forgotten the blessed hope of the Lord's soon return.
We have given up. We lived as if this world is ours.
And we still find many today trying to fix the problem in this world, trying to fix this sinking ship.
But the apostles doctrine was revived. Oh, you have before us. He reminded us of the coming of our blessed Savior, that we are not of this world. There are many other doctrines we don't have time to go into. He brought back and reminded us the doctrine of the one body. How precious it is to think of that one body that every believer is part of that one body.
Regardless of who they are, they have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They are we are part of that one body, and that our fellowship should be wide enough to embrace every believer, but from his doctrine it should be narrow enough to exclude the world. Oh, there is that that oneness, but then there is that path of separations to walk in a way pleasing to our blessed Lord.
So let's go on here. What did he say to them? Verse 23 For there stood by me this night, the Angel of God.
Whose I am and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good, be of good cheer, for I believe God that it shall be, even as it was told me. Oh, how precious to see the confident that the Apostle Paul hath here. What?
Money here the apostle was taken as a prisoner on his way to Rome, but yet he was a testimony to all those that were with them. How he can assure them amidst all these confusions, amidst all these dangers and sadness, he can say to them, fear not, fear not. How did he know that? Oh, he believed in God, and he said God told him so. He said for there.
Me this night, the Angel of God, who who told me and whom I serve, how precious to think that he would declare to them the God that he believed in, the God that he served. Oh, we have his doctrine before us. We have the full word of God before us. Brethren, may the Lord give us that confidence too, to be able to stand up like Paul of all to declare.
God we, we are able to serve him as we are. And he told them that. He, God told him. None of them will be lost.
And you know, in this world we mentioned the path of separations.
There are Christians that you know that walk disorderly that we can't have fellowship with.
We're told that if they are drunkards, if they there's a list that go on there said we can't even eat with them. So does that mean we won't see them in heaven? No, it doesn't does it? They happy they too have been redeemed with a separate from them, but here what an assurance to know that we will we will spend eternity with them here, Paul assure them that no soul shall be.
Verse 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the 14 night was come, as we were driven up and down, and in Adria about midnight, the Shipman deemed that they drew near to some country, and sounded and found it 20 fathoms. When they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it 15 fathom, then fearing they should.
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Lest they should have fallen upon rocks, they cast 4 anchors out of the stern.
And wish for the day, oh how precious that the apostle gave them the assurance that no soul shall be lost, and that they will be cast upon certain island. That blessed hope was restored. Do you have that blessed hope? Are you waiting for that blessed home and that glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ? When that hope is being reminded, things change when we see and lift our.
Sometimes we're saying that M in hope we lift our wishful longing eyes, waiting for the morning star arise. So here that hope changed the lives. Let me digress just a little bit. You know, I know with this many here, often some would come with heavy hearts.
And often we see smiley faces with the heavy hearts behind it.
And I can assure you that in most cases, the reason we have a heavy heart.
Is that we have lost sight of the coming of our blessed Savior.
Young people, remember that when you find yourselves in difficulties, when you find yourself to be in distress.
Look to the Lord, be reminded that the Lord's coming is at hand, and you'll find your life going to change. Here they were reminded that they're going to be saved and.
After they see that blessed hope, now they see signs of being rescued. Instead of being tossed to and fro in the middle of the ocean. There they find it getting closer. There are signs. Do we not have signs to brethren?
I enjoyed a thought another brother put it, he said. It's like watching a play. You see the stage with a curtain closed, but behind the curtain you see movement. You see, you know that the props are set up. You know the actors and actresses are all lining up ready to play. The curtain hasn't opened yet, but you know the play is about to begin.
Brethren, the Lord's coming is at hand. Look, look, look up and we will see. So here they see sign as to come closer and closer, and then they learn something that is precious to them. They drop 4 anchors.
They needed something. Solve it. Will your anchor hold in the storm of life? Oh, does that only apply to the gospel and to the lost souls? No, we have our blessed Savior. Who is that true anchor, isn't it?
So let's go on. We only have a few more minutes left here.
Verse 30 and as the shipment, we're about to flee out of the ship when they had let down the boat into the sea under color, as though they would have cast anchors out of the ship now.
Let me stop there.
I can't but help that every conference I've been to, every time I visit different places.
It's always a question about the division of those that have left us. I would say this would shame. It's not something we want to be proud of. It's sad. But here it's interesting to see the word use and I'll let you.
Meditate more on this. They are letting down the boat, perhaps this little lifeboat.
And what did it say here? Let's read this again when they had let down the boat into the sea.
Under color as though they would have cast anchor out of the four ship. Isn't that interesting? Under color. Oh what are they doing? Are they trying to save the ship or they bailing when there are problems? Often it's so hard to tell. Some would bail.
Under color, let's go on verse 31, Paul said to the centurion and the soldier, except these abide in the ship, he cannot be saved.
Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat and let her fall.
Let's go on to Jaime's verse 33. And while the day was come on coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying this day is the 14th day that you have tarried and continue fasting, having taken nothing, whom I pray you to take some meat for this is for your health, for there shall not inherit fall from the head of any of you.
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And when he had thus spoken, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all.
And when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Here these men.
These men have been fasting. There were problems. They didn't feed themselves.
Have you been fasting, dear ones? Fasting from the word of God?
Is that why we seems to feel weaker and weaker? You know that when we don't eat food, our bodies will become weak and weary. Have you been fed? Have you been fed by the word of God?
Or have you 2 been fasting because of the problems and the cares of this world that you have to face? It's an interesting to see here Paul took Brad.
If you read it again carefully, you'll notice that he took bread and he gave thanks.
But there's no mention that they'd partake of that bread with him right away. And when he had broken it, he began to eat. Oh, how much more so that they themselves need to eat, to be fair, By the word of God, then were they all of good cheer, and they took some meat. And when we were in all the ship, 203 score and 16.
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea.
They were fat, by the way. Where did the food come from? They were on this ship.
I believe the food was there all along. It was in the processions, but they didn't feed on it. Do you have the word of God with your dear ones? Is it in your possessions that you forget to feed yourself?
They were strengthened. They were strengthened after they were fed. Isn't it precious to think that?
Now here's something sad.
Let's read that verse again, verse 38. And when they had eaten enough.
They lighten the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea. We find we do that. We said OK, let's eat. I'm full now. Let's toss the rest out. We don't need it anymore.
Do we find that the word of God refresh our hearts, it strengthen us, and then as soon as we can stand on our feet?
We cast that out. Does the apostle doctrines mean anything to you, or is it enough to build you up and then toss it out all over again? Verse 39. And when it was day, they do not the land, but they discover a certain Creek with a shore, into which they were minded, if it were possible to thrush the ship. And when they had taken up anchors, they committed themselves into the sea.
Lose the rudder bands and hoist up the main sail to the wind and made to word.
Sure. Oh, now that they have strength, they thought they can do it all over themselves again. They thought instead of the place that they really want to go here, just another island. This is good enough. Let's get off this ocean and find a safe haven.
They didn't care where this place was as long as they can find land, so they just hoist up the anchor.
They didn't need the Lord anymore, do they?
Just like us, at times we say we do, but our actions will tell us, do we trust that the Lord is in the midst and that He will take care of all matters? Oh, not only did they hoist up the anchor, they committed themselves to the sea. They raised the main sail as if let's give it a last hurrah, let's make it look good. If we're going to crash into this island, let's make a big splash so that the rest if someone were watching, we look grand.
Oh how sad it is. So verse 41 and failing and falling into a place where the two seas meet, they ran the ship aground. The four parts stuck fast and remained unmovable, but a hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
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Oh, that ship.
There's another brother, brother put it that ship of testimony if we were to look at it as an application.
What a shambo it became. Not much of A testimony, is it? Let's just go down because our time has passed. Let's go down at verse 44, a latter part of of verse 43. And they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to the land, and the rest, some on boards, some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped.
All save to land.
Oh yes, the goodness of God, the graciousness of God. No souls were lost. Some got there by broken pieces.
Some came, but all become saved. But is it not a blessed thing, brethren, that we become obedient to His will, redeeming the time, knowing that what His time is, what His will, is not yours, not mine?
It was mentioned before.
The two phrases that are not good, we often use the phrase we agree to disagree.
Terrible phrases in it.
Just as bad as the phrase we agree to agree. Brethren, even if all of us here agree to agree, does that agree with the Word of God? Let the Word of God be true and be a guide to our lives. I'm sorry we're out of time. Let's commend ourselves here.