THE
VOYAGE OF LIFE;

EXPOSITORY;
ACTS 27

Introduction;
Let us not look at this account of the shipwreck as a story in the
life of Paul or even as an unusual example of God's Providence, but
as an allegory of life. It is an almost perfect outline of the life
of multitudes!

I.
The inspired warning is disregarded. Acts 27:9 Now when much
time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast
was now already past, Paul admonished them,

Acts
27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be
with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also
of our lives.

A.
Except ye repent --

B.
How many times is the Gospel message brushed aside.

C.
Providential warnings of near death or disaster are soon forgotten.

II.
They accepted the conclusions and the advice of the worldly.

Acts
27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner
of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

A.
Most any kind of sophistry or blind reasoning is preferred over the
Word of God. Man's twisted reasoning convinces him that it is
degrading to acknowledge God but it is somehow uplifting to think of
himself as an animal with no eternal destiny!

III.
Seeking the worldly haven of security and comfort. Acts 27:12 And
because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part
advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to
Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth
toward the south west and north west.

A.
A cocoon of make believe is no substitute for the security found in
Christ.

B.
Men will go to almost any length to find social or economic well
being and security but have no thought of God.

IV.
Deceived by the seductive 'South wind' of hedonism. Acts 27:13
And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained
their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

A.
The world still hears the soothing, 'Thou shalt not surely die--' of
Satan

B.Luke
12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

Luke
12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do,
because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Luke
12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Luke
12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up
for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luke
12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be
required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast
provided?

C.
The 'Now Generation' says, grab it all.

V.
The sure 'Euroclydon' of trial and temptation. Acts 27:14 But not
long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called
Euroclydon.

A.
The law of seed time and harvest is sure.

Gal
6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap.

Hosea
8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the
strangers shall swallow it up.

VI.
There are some irresistible evils sent upon the disobedient.

Acts
27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the
wind, we let her drive.

Nebuchudnezzar;
the prodigal son. human derelicts; broken homes; broken lives; broken
health; broken hearts. Defiance of God WILL bring about the wages of
sin!

VII.
Resorting to worldly helps and expedients.

Acts
27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we
had much work to come by the boat:

Acts
27:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding
the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands,
struck sail, and so were driven.

A.
Where can a man find comfort and help when caught in the squeeze of
sin’ effects?

VIII.
Willing to sacrifice everything to try to save one’s life.

Acts
27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day
they lightened the ship;

Acts
27:19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling
of the ship.

A.
What will a man give in exchange for his soul?

B.
Many who couldn't find a few minutes for God have spent years in
jails and sick-beds.

C.
Some who couldn't conquer pride to walk the aisle for Christ have
walked the streets in total despair.

D.
Many who couldn't afford a dollar for the cause of Christ have seen
their fortunes fade away overnight.

E.
How much of his great wealth would the rich man in Luke 16 have given
for that one drop of water?

IX.
Compelled to give up in despair.

Acts
27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no
small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then
taken away.

A.
This is the point to which all must come. The choice now, To
surrender to Christ or to hopelessness.

X.
In man's despair is God's opportunity.

Acts
27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of
them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have
loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

Acts
27:22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be
no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

Acts
27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am,
and whom I serve,

Acts
27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar:
and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Acts
27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it
shall be even as it was told me.

A.
When man has exhausted every possibility, God is only beginning!