Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind—an ocean storm, towering waves! You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves. And you were so glad when the storm died down, and he led you safely back to harbor. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet! (Psalm 107:23-32 MSG)
LIFE AT BEST IS UNCERTAIN
As brief as our lives are, a person is indeed foolish if they attempt to journey on life’s uncharted seas without God. Let no day pass without praising and thanking God for the multitude of blessings that He bestows upon us daily. Since we cannot be sure about tomorrow, let us glorify His Name today.
“Behold, Thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight”. (Psalm 39:5)
“You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 NASB)
"Man, who is born of woman, is short of days, and full of trouble. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.” (Job 14:1-2)
WE ARE MUCH LIKE THE FRAIL SHIPS OF OLD
Doubtful in severe storms; increasingly fragile with the passing years; battered when tossed upon the rocks; helpless when run aground upon the unseen sand bars and uncharted reefs of life.
1. Storms of doubt; fear; distress; confusion; disappointment, etc.
LIFE AT BEST IS UNCERTAIN
As brief as our lives are, a person is indeed foolish if they attempt to journey on life’s uncharted seas without God. Let no day pass without praising and thanking God for the multitude of blessings that He bestows upon us daily. Since we cannot be sure about tomorrow, let us glorify His Name today.
“Behold, Thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight”. (Psalm 39:5)
“You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 NASB)
"Man, who is born of woman, is short of days, and full of trouble. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.” (Job 14:1-2)
WE ARE MUCH LIKE THE FRAIL SHIPS OF OLD
Doubtful in severe storms; increasingly fragile with the passing years; battered when tossed upon the rocks; helpless when run aground upon the unseen sand bars and uncharted reefs of life.
1. Storms of doubt; fear; distress; confusion; disappointment, etc.
2. Rocks of temptations; opposition (often by family and friends)
3. Sandbars of discouragement; weariness in well doing.
Some storms are of our own making while other storms are beyond our control or power to prevent. But we must never forget that however frail or weak we may be, His grace is always sufficient and His strength is always accessible to us.
“He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)
THE STORMS OF LIFE REVEAL THE POWER OF GOD
Almost any ship can safely sail on calm seas...but the seas of life are rarely calm. The power of God is revealed when we have exhausted our strength. God knows our frail condition. “Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that the waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:27-30)
God has a purpose in every storm, shipwreck, tragedy, disease, or whatever comes upon His children. All these things do not necessarily come from God but they are used by God to bless and strengthen our faith.
Chance, happenstance or “luck” play no part in the life of the life of a godly Christian. There is a divine purpose for every thing that happens in our lives. For Paul, the ship-wreck at Malta became an opportunity to win that island to Christ. The blessings that come out of the trials and tribulations we experience may not become immediately obvious to us as they did to Paul on that occasion, but hold firm to the truth of Romans 8:28 and in God’s time, they will.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3-4)
Stay focused! Keep your eyes on Jesus, all the while remembering that to those who “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added” to them. (Matthew 6:33)
Live victoriously, knowing that “God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Bits and Pieces of Sermon by Kenneth Trent
Some storms are of our own making while other storms are beyond our control or power to prevent. But we must never forget that however frail or weak we may be, His grace is always sufficient and His strength is always accessible to us.
“He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)
THE STORMS OF LIFE REVEAL THE POWER OF GOD
Almost any ship can safely sail on calm seas...but the seas of life are rarely calm. The power of God is revealed when we have exhausted our strength. God knows our frail condition. “Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that the waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:27-30)
God has a purpose in every storm, shipwreck, tragedy, disease, or whatever comes upon His children. All these things do not necessarily come from God but they are used by God to bless and strengthen our faith.
Chance, happenstance or “luck” play no part in the life of the life of a godly Christian. There is a divine purpose for every thing that happens in our lives. For Paul, the ship-wreck at Malta became an opportunity to win that island to Christ. The blessings that come out of the trials and tribulations we experience may not become immediately obvious to us as they did to Paul on that occasion, but hold firm to the truth of Romans 8:28 and in God’s time, they will.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3-4)
Stay focused! Keep your eyes on Jesus, all the while remembering that to those who “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added” to them. (Matthew 6:33)
Live victoriously, knowing that “God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Bits and Pieces of Sermon by Kenneth Trent
