WHEN THE SOUTH WIND BLEW

Key Text: "And when the South Wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they soiled close by Crete." Acts 27:13

When the South wind blew is an astounding statement. The expression has a tremendous meaning as we study Acts Chapters 27 and 28. To leave Fair havens, a harbor in the South of Crete, some 5 miles to the East of which was the town of Lasea was the question under discussion. (Acts 27:8) Here at Fair Haven the ship of Alexandria in which Paul and his companions were detained waiting for a favorable wind.

Paul said, "No"

"Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them. 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." Acts 27:9-10

Centurion, Pilot and Owner said, "Yes"

"Nevertheless the centurion believed the Master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 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." Acts 27:11-12

The South Wind blew softly and because of this they supposed that everything was all right. The New Testament gives us a number of true stories where suppositions miscalculated. Suppositions can bring heartbreak. And it brought this entire harm and loss of the ship and equipment but for the Grace of God it could have been the lose of the lives of 276 men.

Now, with this sermon of the month, I am giving the first message in a series of three messages from the book of Acts Chapters 27 and 28. The sermon of this month is entitled, "When The South Wind Blew." The sermon for December will be, "All is not Lost" and then in January, 1999 we are preparing a sermon on, "God Does Rescue."

WHEN THE SOUTH WIND BLEW... That is our subject for this time and I want us to see four things. 1) Refusing God’s Counsel, 2) Receiving Man’s Counsel, 3) Relieving The Conditions and 4) Reviewing The Cause And The Cost.

"Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 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." Acts 27:9-10. When the storms of life beat about us, we can cling to Him and never go down. God wills see us through. Now, "the seeing us through" may not be the method, the means, nor the measure of time that we would prefer, but He will go with us through all the storms.

Lets remember how Jesus came to Peter in a storm. He came in the darkest hour, in the fourth watch of the night. He came walking on the water. He came in the midst of the sea, in the midst of a storm.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

1. The Lord is our LIGHT to point the way.

2. The Lord is our SALVATION for deliverance.

3. The Lord is our STRENGTH for courage and daily walk.

The reality of Acts 27: Paul admonished the centurion, the owner of the ship and the pilot. We see that in verse 10. Speaking in behalf of God, as God’s servant, Paul gave them the counsel, BUT THEY REFUSED to heed the warning. We see that in Verse 11.

The Centurion, the owner and the pilot all reasoned that they could travel 40 miles to Phoenix before a mighty storm came.

1. These men reasoned against INSPIRATION: They accepted the words and reasoning of each other against the inspiration of what God had given Paul.

2. These men reasoned against INTEGRITY: Paul was not a prisoner because of the theft; nor because he was dishonest. He was a man of honesty, a man of great integrity.

3. These men reasoned against INFORMATION: Paul stated: "Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage.

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

Friend, there is a danger that faces all of us if we listen to the wrong people. When we follow the wrong counsel given to us by the wrong people trouble is ahead. What reason could the Centurion give for taking the advice and counsel of other men and rejecting the counsel of Paul? They would not be advised by Paul because he was not an experienced traveling seaman. Perhaps they put their experience above Paul’s knowledge of the weather and the sea.

"Now, the Centurion gave more regard to the opinion of the master and owner of the ship than to Paul’s. Every man is to be credited in his own profession ordinarily: but such a man as Paul, who was so intimate with Heaven, was rather to be regarded in seafaring matters than the most celebrated sailors." (Matthew Henry’s Commentary, Vol. VI, Page 339.

It is better to follow the advice and counsel of a man or woman, who has a connection with Heaven than to follow the crowd and walk into danger. You know not what dangers you will run into when you receive the wrong information.

The Centurion did listen to Paul (verse 3) and yet would not accept his instructions and act upon them. Many will listen to good ministers. They will show great respect and yet not take their advice. Charles H. Spurgeon and the Infidel: In one of Spurgeon’s sermons, he gives the story of an Infidel who came to hear him preach once each month. When asked by his Infidel friends why he went once each month to hear Spurgeon, the man replied, "Spurgeon believes what he says," but his friends questioned, "But you aren’t going to do what Spurgeon says, are you?" "No," replied the Infidel, but Spurgeon does preach with conviction."

There are many times when well meaning, good people hear the counsel of God, but never accept and obey what they have heard.

"And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after and is set on their gain." Ezekiel 33:31.

1. Now, friend, what do you think caused the sailors to set sail? One is they were out voted. Those who wanted to keep going out numbered those who desired to remain at fair havens nigh whereabouts was the city of Lasea. The majority won out. Paul’s advice was refused.

2. They did have some encouragement. They began the continued journey with fair weather. The South Wind blew softly, but even though the wind may blow smoothly and softly in the beginning they must prepare for stronger winds in the future. That is the way it is in the Christian Walk. The journey may begin with blessings and smooth sailing, but sooner or later the winds blow strong. Here is a lesson for all of us. We must never feel strong and secure in our own strength. We must not take for granted that we will always bask in the glow of heaven and blessings. There must be a continued grip on Heaven. The strong winds will blow. If not now, some time in the future. Trouble knocks at every man’s door.

"And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; and the third day we cast out with our hands the tackling of the ship." Acts 27:18-19

We see now on the second day of the strong wind the sailors lightened the ship. Here is a good lessons for all of us in lightening the cargo the passengers were more interested in life than goods and merchandise. They were willing, rather to be poor than perish. See what the goods of this World are. They are counted a blessing, but the time may come when they will be a burden. Goods in the last days may be such a burden that they sink many. Riches many times kept by the owners can be a hurt instead of a help.

1. Sailors aboard chose the best. They made shipwreck of their goods rather than of their lives. How sad it is to see men and women make shipwreck of their souls and keep their possessions.

2. When the South Wind Blew perhaps Julius, the pilot smiled and said to Paul, "See you were wrong." After all the South Wind was blowing only gently and smoothly. But soon, very soon the wind blew hard and finally became a storm. What we call a typhoon.

3. The situation seemed hopeless. The attitude and thinking of the Pilot changed and now they are unloading the ship. Because of impatience, accepting advice contrary to the will of God, following the thinking of the majority and trusting ideal conditions they are now in the midst of a storm. Friends, lets not be so hasty. Be patient. "He that believeth shall not make haste." )Isaiah 28:16). It pays to listen to and obey God.

"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 taken away..." Acts 27:20

1. Paul shared God’s Word: Verse 21 "...Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss." Paul was right because God had appeared to him and told what the right thing to do was. So, Paul said, "I told you so."

2. Paul reviewed the harm and loss: Explaining the harm and the loss He calls their attention to the condition and cause. Their condition had been brought about because of the original cause and that was they refused Paul’s counsel. They refused God’s counsel, but accepted man’s counsel.

3. Paul shared his courage; verse 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." 1) Paul exhorted them. 2) Paul cheered them on. 3) Paul gave them good news, no loss of any man’s life. Paul gave the good news about life and the bad news about the ship. Friend, we can always get another ship, but not another life.

Then, it was for Paul’s sake that God saved the lives of those sailors and Prisoners and it was Paul’s faith that God honored.