Safe Home in Port - Acts 27:25
Having Christ on board ensures our safe passage through life's storms, and with God's guidance and protection, we can face any challenge with confidence and good cheer.
Bernard Fell preaches about the unwavering faith of Paul in the midst of a violent storm at sea, where despite the chaos and despair, Paul's belief in God's promise of salvation brought hope and courage to all on board. The sermon draws parallels between the physical storm faced by Paul and the spiritual storms we encounter in life, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and finding peace in His presence. Through Paul's example, we are reminded that having Christ on board our ship of life ensures our ultimate salvation, even when the journey is tumultuous and uncertain.
Text
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer:
for I believe God.
Acts 27:25
The tempest raged, the surges rolled,
The ship was sorely tossed
Upon the ocean's heaving breast,
With hope entirely lost.
Fast driven by the howling winds,
Torn sails and battered mast,
A voice of cheer, rang firm and clear
Above the stormy blast.--
"There stood beside me this dark night,
The Angel of the Lord:
'Fear not,' said He, 'for God will save
All souls with thee on board.'
Sirs, I believe the God I serve,
So be ye of good cheer;
With shattered ship we must be cast
Upon an island near."
Thus spake the pris'ner of the Lord,
And, like a central calm,
His words amid the hurricane
Allayed the crew's alarm.
The boat was wrecked: some swam to shore,
Some clung to driftwood found:
Two hundred, three-score, sixteen souls--
All landed safe and sound.
The world sails gaily like a ship;
The south wind softly blows;
"Peace, peace," the careless loudly cry,
As money freely flows.
The loving message of our God
Is treated with disdain:
Another captain holds the helm,
And warnings seem in vain.
But low'ring clouds foretell a storm;
The ship begins to reel;
All hands on deck work desperately
To keep an even keel:
E'en overboard some dare to cast
The finest of the wheat;
Small wonder hearts now fail for fear!
The wreck well-nigh complete.
What joy upon life's sea to know
We have the Christ on board:
All shall be saved who sail with Paul,
For Paul sailed with his Lord.
Our Pilot cries, "Be of good cheer,"
When storms around us beat:
The passage Home may still be rough,
The landing shall be sweet!
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Storm
- A. Description of the tempest and its effects
- B. The crew's hopelessness and fear
- II. The Angel of the Lord
- A. The Angel's presence and message
- B. The crew's response to the Angel's words
- III. The Safety of the Ship
- A. The crew's landing on the island
- B. The safe arrival of all souls on board
- IV. The World's Deception
- A. The world's carefree attitude and love of money
- B. The disregard for God's loving message
- V. The Storm of Life
- A. The foreboding of a storm and the crew's desperation
- B. The importance of having Christ on board
- VI. Conclusion
- A. The promise of safety with Christ
- B. The encouragement to be of good cheer
Key Quotes
“There stood beside me this dark night, The Angel of the Lord: ''Fear not,'' said He, ''for God will save All souls with thee on board.''” — Bernard Fell
“What joy upon life''s sea to know We have the Christ on board: All shall be saved who sail with Paul, For Paul sailed with his Lord.” — Bernard Fell
“Our Pilot cries, ''Be of good cheer,'' When storms around us beat: The passage Home may still be rough, The landing shall be sweet!” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- We can face life's storms with confidence and good cheer when we remember that God is with us and will save us.
- Having Christ on board means that we have the guidance and protection of God in our lives, ensuring our safe passage through life's challenges.
- We must stay focused on God's loving message and not let the world's love of money and carefree attitude distract us from our faith.