APP NOTES FOR 2021-4-18
VICTORY CHURCH: A PLACE TO CALL HOME
SERIES: Assignment: ROME
MESSAGE TITLE: In a STORM, but on ASSIGNMENT
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the New International Version)
Pastor Keith Cross
Text:
Acts 23:11 (NLT)
11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Acts 27:13-15; 18-26; 29-32; 41-44 (NIV)
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island.
15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
18 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.
20 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 they 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.
23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me
24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’
25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.
30 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 drift away.
41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.
42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping.
43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.
MAIN IDEA: The
When you’re in a STORM but on ASSIGNMENT you need…
1.The right
Don’t let your ATTITUDE about the Storm affect your SPIRIT in the Storm.
Look past the pain to the positives of the storm: The storm can develop my character.
PROBLEM: You can’t always control what happens to you, BUT you can always control how you respond to it.
SOLUTION: When you’re in a storm, but on assignment: Don’t let your ATTITUDE about the Storm affect your SPIRIT in the Storm.
2.An
Your AWARENESS of God’s Presence in the Storm will encourage you through the Storm.
Who you are with, determines what you hear. You need the presence of God and the word of God to navigate through the storms of life.
PROBLEM: God is with us in the storm, but often we are unaware when we live by feelings not by faith.
SOLUTION: When you’re in a storm, but on assignment: Your AWARENESS of God’s Presence in the Storm will encourage you through the Storm.
3.To
The Storms of life ought to clarify the priorities of life.
In the storm, you will either acquire baggage or get rid of baggage.
PROBLEM: We use people and love things rather than loving people and using things.
SOLUTION: When you’re in a storm, but on assignment: Your ALLEVIATION of Baggage in the Storm lightens your load both in the Storm and in the next season.
4.An
The safest place to be in a storm is with Godly people. Not perfect people, but Godly people who are going the right direction.
PROBLEM: Human nature tells us to separate/isolate/retreat in a storm.
Paul says to stay connected and we will make it to safety. Cut the ropes/escape routes and commit to the journey.
SOLUTION: When you’re in a storm, but on assignment: Your ALLEGIANCE to Christ-Centered Community saves you in the storm and from your self.
5.An
When you are in a Storm, but on Assignment you may suffer loss and brokenness but God can bring you to safety even on broken pieces.
PROBLEM: We throw away broken pieces. God uses broken pieces.
SOLUTION: When you’re in a storm, but on assignment: AFFIRM, I may suffer loss and brokenness but God can bring me to safety even on broken pieces.
In conclusion: I want to encourage you today you’re In a STORM, but on ASSIGNMENT and “The Assignment on you is greater than the Storm surrounding you.” You can navigate through the storm with: the right ATTITUDE about the Storm, an AWARENESS of God’s Presence in the Storm, by ALLEVIATING the Baggage in the Storm, an ALLEGIANCE to Christ-Centered Community in the Storm, by taking hope with an AFFIRMATION that your Arrival may come on Broken Pieces.
The good news today is that just like Paul, just like you and me, Jesus was in a STORM, but on ASSIGNMENT. Jesus went through a storm on the cross not because of any sin He committed but because of the sin you and I committed. Jesus went through a storm so He could reconcile you and I back to God. Jesus came and lived the life you couldn’t live. He died the death you deserved to die, so that if we put our faith in Him we would be forgiven and made right with God. If you are far from God today, Jesus has come to forgive you, to free you, to help you pick up the broken pieces and make you right with God. Commit your life to Him now.
My NEXT STEP today is to….
Commit my life to Jesus Christ for the first time today.
Receive more info about being water baptized.
Sign up for the NEXT STEPS EXPERIENCE.
Sign up for a CONNECT GROUP.
Sign up to serve on a DREAM TEAM.
Invite someone to church and SHARE this and next weeks LIVESTREAM.
For more info about taking any of these NEXT STEPS, please email or call me: pastorkeith@victorywinchester.com 540-667-9400 x117