A Survival Kit for an Economic DownTurn Period
Memory Verse: (Psa 118:5 NIV) In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
Text: Acts 27
1. Be Courageous
(Acts 27:10-12 NIV) "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." {11} But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. {12} Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix Crete , facing both southwest and northwest.
(Acts 27:20-22 NIV) When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. {21} After the men 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. {22} But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.
(Prov 16:9 NIV) In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
2. Be Well Fed
(Acts 27:34 NIV) Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."
3. Be Prayerful
(Acts 27:23 NIV) Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me
4. Explore Possible Options
(Acts 27:40 NIV) Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach.
(Rom 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(Phil 1:6 NIV) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
5. Be Obedient
(Acts 27:30-32 NIV) 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. {31} Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." {32} So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.
“A crisis does not make a person; a crisis shows what a person is made of, and it tends to bring true leadership to the fore.” --Warren Wiersbe
(2 Cor 11:25 NIV) Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
(Deu 31:6 NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
(Psa 18:6 NIV) In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
“Consider it all joy when you encounter trials.”
(Isa 40:31 NIV) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
6. Get Rid of Liabilities
(Acts 27:18-19 NIV) We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. {19} On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.
(Acts 27:38 NIV) When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
(Heb 12:1-2 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. {2} Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Conclusion:
“It was Christ’s promise that He was with me to the end. This is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor, so there is an end.” -- David Livingstone
