Intro: The pressure of a major crisis has a way of showing us our true character. Let me give you some examples:

A garlic press

The pressure needed to make a diamond for carbon

I would like to suggest that when we encounter a crisis, a wall, our character will be exposed and tested. We have a choice when we hit a crisis; try to ignore it, try to run from it, try to go around it,  or be obedient and face it with God honestly.

Dr. Luke in this passage gives us some great insights in what we ought to do in a crisis. In other words, when we hit the wall, what should we do?

Trust and Share God’s Word v. 22-26

Paul shared what the angel told Paul

Don’t be afraid

Keep up your courage

Have faith in God and His Word

Warn Others Involved About Disobedience v. 27-32

Paul warned the crew about abandoning ship e.g. it would be catastrophic because of disobeying God

Everyone would then die

The sailors finally listened and cut away the life boat

At this point, the prisoner, Paul, became the captain because he established his credibility

This is amazing when you think about it

Live What You Believe and Preach v. 33-44

Paul urged the crew and the prisoners to eat because they had gone many days without food

Eating would help them to regain strength and clear their minds so they could think better

The total souls aboard were 276

When daylight came, they didn’t know where they were, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach and wanted to make the ship run aground there if they could

So, they cut their anchors, raised a sail, and tried to head to the beach, but the boat ran aground on a sandbar.

The bow hit hard and fast and the waves from behind the ship pounded the stern and it broke into pieces

Now there was a dilemma for the guards

They planned to kill the prisoners so they would not escape by swimming.

The centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them form carrying out their plan

They all made it safely to the beach

Continue patiently in loving obedience

Closing: Hit the wall? This is an opportunity to do the following:

Have a time of honest self-examination.

Is the situation the result of unconfessed sin on our lives?

Is the situation because of evil in the world?

Be willing to continue to lovingly and patiently obey God in the process.

Are there lessons that God wants to teach us about our faith and character?

Are there lessons that God wants to teach us about the faithfulness and character of God?

Are we willing to follow God through the wall?

Are we willing to let God strengthen our faith, and expand our compassion?

Are we willing to trust the process e.g. God’s process?