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(Acts 27:29 NASB) And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast
four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak.
1. In the reading of that verse you have to go back to chapter 25 along with some other statements in the Life of Paul.
A. After converted...Paul went through a lot of persecution.
B. In Philippi.......beaten
C. Acts 25:10 made his appeal to Caesar
Now making his journey to Rome.
2. In chapter 27 (v. 10) he told the men it was a dangerous time for them to set out but they didn't listen to him.
vv 14 But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete. Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control. After hoisting it up they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven. We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship's tackle overboard.
3. Look carefully at verse 29 (above) they drop four anchors from the stern ..... to hold the boat in its place.
4. Want to take that thought and make a Spiritual application.
5. In Life there are storms brewing. Trials, tribulation and trouble.
6. Many feel they can go through life without any trouble. Believe Job was right in Job 5:7
(Job 5:7 NASB) For man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward.
7. When trouble comes will need something to hold on to going to need something to identify as an anchor. So when trouble comes can drop some anchors.
8. Want to talk about four anchors needed in life.
THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD
A. An anchor because it is God's word 2 Tim. 3:16-17
(2 Tim 3:16 NASB) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
B. Is this where we turn? Do our children see us turning to God's word?
Do you think they will when they grow up?
C. Need to put that fact in the mind of our young men and young ladies.
D. Has carried many through storms.....it will us too!
E. Used to be members of the Lord's church were called "Walking Bibles"
Wonder sometimes if today's church believes we need the Bible.
1. When we feel like we need more jokes and illustrations than we need the word of God.
We need to remember it is God's word that anchors us.
2. When we can't wait to get out of church and go home.......or out to eat
We need to remember it is God's word that anchors us.
3. The only book that tells you anything about death in reality Heb. 9:27
(Heb 9:27 NASB) And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
4. We will eventually die. Can't stay on the earth forever. I will one day die.
F. The Bible doesn't try to deceive us....like people
G. Only book that tells us about life beyond the grave.
1. Intellectual giants can't tell you about life beyond the grave without coming to this book. It is the only book that tells about Heaven and Hell.
(John 14:1 -3) "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
2. Jesus tells us we can go to heaven when we die.
3. God's answer only book that tells about Hell. As sure as a Heaven there is a Hell.
H. Only book that tells you how to go to heaven. 1 Cor. 15: 1-3
(1 Cor 15:1-3 NASB) Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you
hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you
as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures,
1. The Bible tells us about Jesus living, dying and being raised from the dead.
2. By him and through him we can be forgiven. Through Him we can go to heaven.
I. Want to go to heaven when die must take the Bible and read it use it as anchor in your life.
(Mark 16:16 NASB) "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who
has disbelieved shall be condemned.
J. Need to hold on to this precious book. Don t let the intellectual giants take away our faith in it.
THE SECOND ANCHOR....HOME LIFE
A. Gen. 2: and 3: read about the beginning of time.
B. God created woman from the side of man.
C. Gen. 2:24 do you understand that God instituted the family life as an anchor for us.
(Gen 2:24 NRSV) Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife,
and they become one flesh.
D. We need each other.
E. Matt. 19: wanted to trap Jesus find a flaw he said have you not read in the beginning. Go back
and read. God instituted it as an anchor for man.
F. Live in an age where trying to make home life a thing of the past.
Trying to teach us we don t need it.
G. Mal. 2:16 - For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, and covering one's garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.
Why did God say He hated divorce? Because someone has removed the foundation that God has
given us the anchor.
H. Luke 15: - parable of the son.
1. Came said give me my portion.
2. Went away lived a riotous life. Associated with harlots landed up feeding the swine.
3. Finally one day going to get out of here quit feeding the swine go back to where I left. Tell father I sinned let me be a hired servant.
4. Why didn't his friends help him out? Some of the harlots?
5. He knew he could go back home! The way God intended it to be.
6. I never condone any wrong my children might do. But they know for sure they can always
come back home to someone who cares for them and if they come penitent all's well.
I. Ashamed that a young man or woman don t feel they can come back home.
J. Saying God has given the home as an anchor.
THE THIRD ANCHOR.....PRAYER
A. Did you ever stop to think what prayer really means. 1 Pet. 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1. Ever get somewhere in life no one cares. No one to go to.
2. Peter says take all your cares to Jesus.
3. James 5:16, Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, sothat
you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
B. God has given us an Anchor we need to know that we can talk to God
Heb. 4:15-16, For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw
near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to
help in time of need.
C. We need God's help. We need God s grace and we can talk to God about it.
"Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?"........."Tell it to Jesus alone.."
D. Do you really believe in Prayer? Do you believe it is an anchor God has given man?
E. Think about how alone we would be without prayer.
1. Used to want to make sure prayer was just right so brethren would accept it.
2. Not any more what means most is I Want God to accept it.
F. Not speaking of just the assembly. How about while driving etc.
A. (1 Cor 12:18 NASB) But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body,
just as He desired.
(1 Th 5:11-18 NASB) Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you
also are doing. But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor
among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you
esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. And we
urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be
patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after
that which is good for one another and for all men. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in
everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:11-16; And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
(1 Pet 5:5 NASB) You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
1. We all need each other.
2. Knitted together.
3. The local church is where the family of God comes together to embrace Him and each other.
B. When one member hurts, suffers they all hurt or suffer.