Are you consistent with your convictions?
Scripture reading: Acts of Apostles 27:13-38. Text: “We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” Acts of Apostles 27:18-20. This is the third part of our sermon series on: We sail in small ships on the rough sea of life. (The first and second parts were published on July 12 and 19. This interval occurred due to medical problems.) We are more familiar with motorized transportation such as cars, trains, airplanes and ocean liners than sailboats. However, they have many things in common. Using any of them we can get from one place to another reaching our destination. The trip may be smooth and successful or we may run into difficulties or even encounter a serious accident.
TO REFRESH OUR MEMORY ABOUT THE BACKGROUND.
Apostle Paul was taken as a prisoner from Israel to Rome since ha had appealed to Caesar. The voyage had taken place toward the end of the year when the weather was not favorable for sailing. In Myra of Lycia they boarded another ship which had taken grain to Rome (38th verse) and after debating if they shall continue the trip or not, the captain, the owner of the ship and the centurion, with the support of the majority of the passengers, had decided to take the risk and go.
WILL YOU AGREE THAT YOU TOO ENCOUNTER THESE PROBLEMS?
1. “+ We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle (gear, equipment) overboard with their own hands + After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said + ‘But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.'” 18th, 21st-22nd verses.
Values are not absolute but relative. How important, precious or vital things are depends upon persons, times, places and circumstances. To save lives, the ship’s cargo was thrown into the sea. The real value becomes obvious in danger and tragedy. (Is not it a tragedy all by itself?) Apostle Paul, who had survived several shipwrecks, wrote this: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8. The devil’s work can be described as changing around the price tags on the displayed goods in life’s shop window.
2. “+ When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days +” 20th verse. If you were or are a navigator then you know that you need a fixed point, the sun or another celestial body, to locate your position and find the right direction, and from there to reach the destination. How does the GPS (Global Positioning System) work?
How many people know where they stand spiritually and which direction they are heading? Can some people be characterized as “drifters” who are just following the crowd, the trend or the latest fad? What is your orientation? Who is in the center of your life? Under whose influence are you? Are you getting ahead to reach your goal, or just running around in circles or making steps forward and backward?
3. “+ we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: ‘Men, you should have taken my advice +'” 20th-21st verses.
When is it easier to preach? When do people pay attention and listen, in good or hard times? When will a spiritual revival begin? When do people dust off the Bible and read it? When do we fall on our knees and pray? How do success, wealth, easy life, prestige and fame affect us, in a positive, neutral or negative way?
4. “In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.” 30th verse.
Is what people think, say and do always in harmony? The hidden thoughts to escape, the unrevealed interests to make profit, the undisclosed scheme to win, the disguised plan to retaliate, the camouflaged desires to eliminate others – all add to the raging tempests of life we have to survive.
Knowing what the storms can bring upon us, let those whose ships, at the present time, sail under sunny skies be even more thankful, helpful and grateful.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.