Acts 27
Paul pleaded with the ship's crew not to take this journey.
It was a journey of prisoners but also a journey of commerce.
Everyone was going to make a lot of money by trading & selling. The owners , the crew , it was all about making money.
Much like today......
Abundant wealth , the times are good , we don't want to hear about God.... The 80's , 90's , 2000 - 2020's
We don't want to "hear" a warning about "don't head in this direction", or "potential loss of life."
The ship's Master & Owner refused to hear Paul.
[Acts 27:10 KJV] 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.
[Acts 27:11 KJV] Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
Many well known Pastors & Preachers (& local ones too ) have been saying "don't take this journey" for years.
This journey of "self indulgence" , "creating your own way" & not listening to the voice of God.
For Paul with all the other prisoners were kept away in the belly of the ship.
The Master & Owner were putting the voice of God , as they did with Paul, down in the belly of the ship implying.....
"we are not interested in what you have to say, do what you have to do , down there by yourself . We know what we are doing"
They were creating their own way , crafting their own journey.....
"We just want to make money , do it our way , we don't want to hear about this journey that will end up in loss of everything & loss of life"
[Acts 27:13 KJV] And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained [their] purpose, loosing [thence], they sailed close by Crete.
They set sail when they thought the conditions were right.
[Acts 27:14 NIV] Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island.
[Acts 27:15 NIV] The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
[Acts 27:16 NIV] As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure,
[Acts 27:17 NIV] so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.
[Acts 27:18 NIV] We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.
[Acts 27:20 NIV] When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
[Acts 27:21 NIV] After they 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.
[Acts 27:25 KJV] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
[Acts 27:26 KJV] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
During this storm, there was much worry & fretting, however in the eye of the storm, peace was attained.
This is a lesson in Believing & Receiving.
Acts 27:22-44
There is a way for those who choose to hear.
[Revelation 3:20 KJV] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
[John 14:6 KJV] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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