A Fresh Heart
Acts 27:21-26
Introduction:
Acts chapter 27 and 28 tells us of Paul’s travel to
Illus. When you got into your car this morning to drive to church you were looking out the windshield, a very large glass that allows you to see clearly where you are going. Now mounted at the top of the windshield is a small mirror (rear view mirror) that allows you to see where you have been. If you tried to drive you car using the rear view mirror it wouldn’t work very well would it. You would probably wreck, tear up your car, hurt yourself, someone else or possibly even kill someone. Living your life in the past is just as dangerous. If you use this mirror as a defensive tool you can prevent a lot of problems and even correct some current problems.
God wants us to reflect on our past for the same reasons and uses some things found in these verses to help us do just that. Look with me as we see the people in charge of this ship have…
Paul had opportunity to say I told you so. It was his way of reminding them of his previous warnings (v.10), not for vindication but in order to gain their attention in future matters.
How many times has God; either through the word, the Holy Spirit or the Lord Jesus Christ warned us of dangers that lie ahead? When we heed these warnings we gain His blessing. When we ignore them we receive correction either through chastening as a child of God or rebuke from the word of God.
Did you experience correction in 2010? Did it gain your attention? Was there a lesson learned? A Fresh Heart for 2011 can put you on the track to God’s blessings and right walk with Him.
With correction comes consequence, there always has been and there always will be; it’s just the way God works. In this case Paul warns the ship would be lost.
For you and I there are consequences when we ignore God, before we step out on our own we need to count the cost. We need to ask the question; what kind of cost will God require if I do things my way?
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous
therefore, and repent.
As provide through…
Along with consequences Paul brought a promise, no one will die. “Be of good cheer” Paul said, what a picture of Gods grace. That same grace is present in the lives of people today. To the lost, the opportunity for salvation is yet extended for another period of time. To the saved, an opportunity for repentance and a fresh heart t live a life set apart to Gods will.
Only the saved have the promise of eternal life; Joh 3:15 That
whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have eternal life
.
If your lost today and don’t know Jesus as your Lord and savior you too can have a fresh heart for the New Year, you too can have the promise of eternal life.
The cheer which God provided through Paul was for a divine purpose. God had a mission for Paul; he was to present the gospel to Nero, yes the Roman ruler who would order Paul’s death along with the death of many other saints. God’s grace extended even to Nero.
Have you ever considered Gods purpose for your life? God does have a purpose for you and if you haven’t discovered it yet, today could be the day for a fresh start down the road of Gods purpose for your life.
It was Paul’s destiny to go to
Paul said “I believe God” but earlier (v11) the Centurion said he “believed the master and owner of the ship.” The centurion had to make a decision, he made the wrong one. Paul reminded him of it when the time was right again not to rub it in but to encourage him to seek God for future decisions. Challenge comes from life through Gods chastisement and His cheer, but His challenge always comes with the encouragement to change and follow Him.
For you and I as we look ahead to 2011 we will surely have many decisions to make. Some personal, some professional and some spiritually but how we make them will define where our heart is. Is your faith in God strong enough to rest all your decisions on? To put it another way Paul’s faith in God through His son Jesus Christ was strong enough to rest his very life upon. Is yours? That’s a question only you can answer, and it depends upon your heart. If your not sure you can have a fresh heart for the new year, one that will meet the challenges ahead.
Conclusion: We have
just looked at Paul’s journey to