Sermon Manuscript

[Video:  “Miracles - Bumper” - 0:30]

[Video:  “The Finest Hours - Trailer” - 1:40]

Several years ago Walt Disney released a movie depicting what has been called the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard History.  The name of the movie was The Finest Hours and it starred Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, and several others.  It was based upon a book by the same name written by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman called The Finest Hours:  The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue.  Both tell the story of what happened on February 18, 1952.  Because on that day a massive nor’easter storm struck the New England coast and wreaked havoc upon the coastline and all of the ships caught in its path.  One of them was called the SS-Pendleton.  The SS-Pendleton was a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston which was literally torn into two pieces by this storm.  And as a result 30 sailors became trapped in the stern of the ship (which is the back part of it).  Trapped in a piece of the large ship with no way to navigate and no way to get home.

So a distress signal was sent out.  A plea for help.  An S.O.S. calling for anyone to come and save their souls.  And when the news of what had taken place reached the Coast Guard station in Massachusetts plans were made and orders were given to rescue the crew.  The leader of the group was Boatswain Mate First Class Bernie Webber.  He and three other men were called into duty and began to do the unthinkable.  They hopped into a small wooden boat with a very small engine.  And they set off into the frigid waters facing seventy foot waves and hurricane force winds.  It was a true “suicide mission”.  And this is why Bernie Webber says in the movie, “The Coast Guard says you gotta go out.  But it doesn’t say you have to come back in.”

“You gotta go out but you don’t have to come back in”.  So what causes some people to take risks in life that others will not?  What causes a person to run out into traffic to save a toddler who got away from her parents?  What causes a lifeguard to swim out into the ocean to save a person from a shark attack?  What causes a soldier to run into battle to save his platoon?  Or a firefighter or police officer runs into a burning building or a dangerous situation in order to protect other people?  Like many people did on September 11, 2001.

Last week our country celebrated the 25th Anniversary of 9/11.  A day we will never forget.  A day in which every person who was alive then can remember where they were when they first heard the news that the Twin Towers in New York City had been hit by two airplanes and that a third plane had crashed and a fourth hit the Pentagon.  And if you go and visit the 9/11 Museum as our family did a few years ago it will bring you to tears as you listen to story after story after story of men and women who ran into those buildings and ran into danger and lost their lives.  Because those first responders, those heroes, understood the meaning behind the statement that, “The Coast Guard says you gotta go out.  But it doesn’t say you have to come back in.”

So why are some people able to take risks that others are not?  Why do some artists use colors others will not?  Why do some baseball players swing the bat when others cannot?  Why do some cooks try recipes others will not?  Or some companies take clients and projects others will not?  Why do some lawyers take cases others will not?  Or some people travel the world when others will not?  In other words, why do some go out to sea while others simply stay on shore?

The answer is “Risk”.  Some of us are willing to take risks others will not.  Some of us see the reward being worth the risk that others do not.  And others do not.  Taking risks makes all of us uneasy.  But that’s why we admire those who will take a risk.  Especially those who will put their life on the line.  Police officers.  Firefighters.  Rescue workers.  Soldiers.  Members of the Coast Guard.  People who are willing to go out into the sea even when the odds are against them.  We respect these people.  Because we know they will do what most will not.

Jesus is the same.  Jesus respects “risk takers” because He Himself was a “risk taker”.  And so He requires His followers to take risks too.  And today we’re going to meet a risk taker.  A man who was so focused upon following Jesus that he was willing to put his life on the line to do so.  To die if necessary.  In fact, in this morning’s passage he will say these words.  He will say, “I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  A man who knew that Jesus had called him to “go out” but didn’t guarantee he’d “come back in.”

So I want you to hear his story this morning.  And as you do so I want you to just ask yourself two questions.  First, what made him willing to take these risks?  And second, if Jesus asked me to do the same could I do it?  Would you be willing to take the same risks he was willing to take?

Let’s find out.  If you have your Bibles, turn with me now to the book of Acts chapter 21.  Today we’re going to be in verses 7-14.  If you would like to follow along with us online you can do so by using our app called Church Center.  We use it each week.  Just open it up and click on the link called Sunday Services followed by Message Notes and you will find everything that you need for our time together this morning.

As you turn there, let me just quickly, very quickly, remind you that today we are wrapping up a series of messages called Miracles:  Nothing is Impossible.  Within it we have been examining miracles found within a portion of the book of Acts and learning together how our God is the God of the Impossible.  He is capable of performing miracles anywhere and at any time.  And within this series we’ve learned about the miraculous power of God and His ability to save us and deliver us and heal us.  We’ve also learned about how the Holy Spirit and the Gospel message that we’ve been given His power to say and do anything that He would call us to do in His name.  We have the power to perform miracles in the name of Jesus and through the Holy Spirit.  And we’ve been learning all of this through a portion of Paul’s third missionary journey.

Last week he spoke to the Elders from Ephesus and told them that he would not ever see them again.  Because the Holy Spirit had told him in every city how he would face imprisonment and afflictions.  And at the end of chapter 20 he boarded a ship from Miletus.  In chapter 21, verses 1-6, we read about 6 cities he passes through or by until he arrives at Tyre.  We then read this in verse 7.  Luke writes:

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.

Alright.  So Paul travels across the Mediterranean Sea until he arrives on the eastern sea coast in the city of Tyre.  He then travels south about 25 miles to Ptolemais and then another 35-40 miles south to Caesarea.  Caesarea was a major port city with a very important harbor.  It had been rebuilt by Herod the Great and renamed Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus.  And it was there that he stayed in the home of a man who is called “Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven”.  So who was Philip?  Why is he called “the evangelist” and who are “the seven”?

All good questions.  And Luke gives us those answers throughout the book of Acts.  Because we first read about Philip in Acts chapter 6 when there’s an important story about a complaint which was made in the early church by Gentile widows being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  So the 12 disciples said, “Listen.  It’s not good for us to do this.  We need to be devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word.  So you choose seven men of whom you approve of and of whom you know is full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to do this.”  And verse 5 then says this:

5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

Stephen is described as being full of faith and the Holy Spirit.  In chapter 7 he will become the first martyr.  He will die for his faith.  But Philip is also mentioned here as one of the men who were chosen.  So these seven become a list of servants.  They are the church’s first deacons.

Then in Acts 8, verse 5, we learn more about Philip.  Persecution begins to break out against the church in Jerusalem and then we read what Philip will do next.  Verse 5 says:

5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

OK.  So Philip, who was initially a Deacon or servant in Jerusalem, leaves and goes down to the city of Samaria.  And he begins to preach the Gospel.  So many are saved.  And he also begins to perform miracles.  Signs and wonders which amaze all who hear about this.  He heals people of demon-possession and physical ailments including those who are paralyzed and lame.  And he apparently does this so much that there is “joy in that city”.  So Philip the Deacon has become Philip the Evangelist and Philip the Miracle Worker.

Later in verse 12 of this same chapter it tells us more.  It says:

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

So Philip preaches the Gospel and points people to Jesus.  He tells the people of their need to repent and be baptized and many do.  One of whom was a man named Simon who was a well known magician in the area.  He believes in Jesus and is amazed by Philip’s miracles.  Then in  verses 26-40 we read about how Philip goes on to convert an Ethiopian eunuch.  An angel of the Lord tells him to go to a deserted road and there he meets a eunuch who has questions about Scripture.  Specifically, he’s reading Isaiah 53 where it says that “He was led to a slaughter like a lamb before its shearer” and asks, “Who is this?  The prophet or someone else?”  And from that Scripture Philip tells him about the Good News of Jesus.  The eunuch then sees water and says, “Look!  There’s water!  What prevents me from being baptized?”  And so he commands his chariot to stop and he’s baptized.  The Spirit of the Lord then takes Philip away.  It’s an amazing story of an amazing conversion.  

But here’s why it’s important for us this morning.  Because at the end of it in verse 40, Acts 8:40, it says this.  Check this out.  We read:

40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

So the Holy Spirit took Philip from the eunuch to a place called Azotus and from there he continued to preach the Gospel until he came where?  To Caesarea.  And where is he in Acts 21?  He’s in Caesarea.  So Philip the Evangelist made this place his new home.  And apparently he had a wife and four daughters because we’re told that these four daughters are unmarried in Acts 21:9 and that they all prophesied.  Four daughters who talked and talked and talked and talked.  I never had daughters.  Is that normal?  And apparently none of them were married.  Poor Philip.  He must have been a very patient man!  (Just kidding)

And while Paul is in Caesarea something important takes place.  Verse 10 says this:

10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 

Alright.  So this is the climax of this story.  We’re told that while Paul was in Caesarea that a prophet named Agabus came “down from Judea”.  Down as in elevation.  So he’s coming down from Jerusalem.  And Paul knows this man.  Because in Acts 11 this same prophet named Agabus “came down from Jerusalem to Antioch” where Paul was at the time.  And in Acts 11:28 Agabus gives an important message to the people.  We read in verse 28:

28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

So notice quickly.  Agabus told everyone that a famine would take place.  The disciples then use this information to send relief or aid to those living in Judea.  And who do they send?  Barnabas and Saul.  Otherwise known as “the Apostle Paul”.  So Paul knew Agabus well.  Agabus was a prophet who had brought “bad news” before.  And now he was doing it again!  And so he knew that what Agabus was saying was true.  So how did Paul respond?  Verse 13 says:

13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Paul says, “What are you doing?  Why are you trying to convince me not to go to Jerusalem?  Why are you breaking my heart and reminding me that I will never see you again?  Don’t try to convince me not to go.  For I am not only ready to be imprisoned but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!  Yes.  You heard me correctly!  I’m ready to not only go to prison but to die!  I’m ready to die for my Lord and my Savior!!!”

Wow.  You see, at this moment the Apostle Paul is not running from danger.  He’s rushing into it.  He’s like a parent who rushes into headlong traffic to save his child!  Or a firefighter or police officer who rushes into the building on 9/11!  Or those members of the Coast Guard who rushed into that storm!  He’s jumping into the small wooden boat, pulling the pull cord of that small engine, and taking off into 70-foot waves!  He’s on a “suicide mission” and he knows it!  He knows it and he doesn't care!  Because he’s willing to sacrifice and to suffer!  He’s walking into disaster and he’s willing to die!  He has given his life professionally to the Gospel and now he’s willing to give his life physically to the Gospel!  He’s willing to lay down his life for Jesus!!!

Incredible.  And how was he able to do this?  Listen up.  Please hear me.  Paul was able to do this because he lived by a different definition of success.  Far too often in life we live by the world’s definition of success.  A definition which says you must accomplish each and every goal, task, or assignment.  But God’s definition is different.  And Paul knew it.  Paul knew that Success in life is remaining faithful to Jesus.  Let me repeat that.  Success in life is remaining faithful to Jesus.  Faithfulness was success in Paul’s eyes.

It’s a lesson we all have to learn.  Even me.  I remember years ago when I had first become a Pastor that I thought if I’m going to be “successful” I’ve got to do what all successful Pastors do.  I’ve got to lead a mega church, write a few best-selling books, and travel the country on a speaking circuit.  And will some do that?  Sure.  Some will.  But most will not.  What does call all Pastors and teachers and followers of Jesus to do is to be faithful.  To be faithful in any situation and in any circumstance of life.  Because in your darkest moments of life you find out who you really are.  In your deepest, darkest, and most difficult days you make a choice to either lean into God or to turn away from Him.  You become like Paul and say, “OK.  God.  If that’s your plan for my life then imprisonment and punishment it is!”  Right?  Because success spiritually is faithfulness to God no matter what.  No matter what takes place.

And here’s the thing.  When you do that, those difficult days become your finest hours.  They become your defining moments.  Because they become the points in your life where you prove who you really are.  What you really represent.  What you really believe.  Who you really follow.  It’s in those moments that you show who you are!  And they become your finest hour.

You see Paul had a lot of amazing moments within his life but this one may be his finest hour.  This may be his greatest accomplishment.  This may be his most miraculous moment.  Because he’s been told over and over again in every city and now by this prophet that he is walking to his grave and yet he is so focused and so faithful and so confident that God is in control that he does not care.  It’s the ultimate test of his faith and he is passing with flying colors!  He is living out the truth that he wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1 when he said, “Follow me as I follow Christ!  Lay down your life for Christ like I am laying down mine!!!!”  

Paul was bound and determined to remain faithful to the end.  And so verse 14 finishes by saying that because Paul would not be persuaded that the believers finally stopped trying to do so and simply said, “OK Paul.  We give up. May God’s Will be done in you and in your life.”

Paul had a miraculous faith.  And if that’s appealing to you, if that’s what you want in your life, if you want to be just as faithful as Paul, then you’re going to have to be just as ready as he was.  You’re going to have to prepare today for the trials you will face tomorrow.  So let’s think about what we can learn from Paul this morning.  Here’s three steps he took within his faith journey that we need to take as well if we want to be faithful during our trials in life.

First, redefine success within your life.  Paul lived by a different definition of success in life. He defined success in life as being faithful to Jesus.  He knew that success for him would look different from other people.  He had been told over and over by the Holy Spirit he was going to face imprisonment and afflictions last week and this week he was told by a prophet of God that he would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles.  He was going to be imprisoned and taken to Rome by the end of the book of Acts and placed under house arrest.  Historically, we believe that he was beheaded by Roman Emperor Nero around the year AD 65.  This means that he likely died in his late 50’s or early 60’s.  But all along the way he knew the end was coming.  And he was bound and determined to die faithfully to Jesus and he did.  We must be determined to do the same.  If you want to be faithful within your trials in life you’re going to have to redefine what success looks like.  Because success will not be living in comfort.  It will not be resting and relaxing in retirement.  Finishing the final years of your life sitting on a beach or fishing in a boat. Success will be defined by faithfulness.  How faithful you are in Jesus until the very last day.

Second, refocus on God’s priorities for your life.  Paul certainly did.  Paul recognized that if he was going to be faithful it was going to cause him to change what was important to him.  He had been a Pharisee and had viewed his life as one in which he would focus on Torah teaching and then later persecuting Christians.  But then he became one and his priorities changed.  Suddenly he wasn’t as concerned about finishing the same tasks or accomplishing the same goals.  Suddenly he was a follower of Jesus and Jesus was determining what he would do.  So it led Paul to travel, preach the Gospel, and plant churches.  To spend time pursuing and persuading the very people he saw as “sinners” and “heathens”.  Suddenly his life was different because his priorities had changed.  And the same is true for you and me.  When we give our lives to Jesus our priorities change.  Spending time with God becomes our top priority.  We get up and read our Bibles, go to Bible studies, pray, and talk to our Heavenly Father. Spending time with His people also becomes a priority.  Going to church isn’t a burden.  It’s a joy.  It’s what we do not because we have to but because we want to.  We love God and we love His people.  Our priorities change.  So, too, does the way we spend our time and our money.  Because our time belongs to God and so do our possessions.  We’re OK driving whatever God wants us to drive or living in whatever God wants us to live in.  We’re OK if we go on dream vacations or we use our vacations to go on mission trips.  We’re OK using our lives in whatever way He wants because our priorities in life have changed.  It’s a second step we take.

Third and finally, release complete control of your life.  After we have redefined success and refocused on God’s priorities we then need to take one final step.  We need to completely give our lives away.  Give away the control of our lives.  This can be a scary step.  It’s one that many will struggle with and some may not fully let go of.  But it’s important and it’s necessary.  Paul could not have accomplished what God asked him to do without completely turning his life over to God.  Completely turning his life over to Jesus.  It’s a mental switch that must be flipped in which you say to God, “OK God.  I’ve given you my life.  My family, my finances, my job, my hobbies, my gifts and abilities.  Everything.  I give it all to you.  I release it all to you.  You do with my life what you want.  If you want me to go, I’ll go.  If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.  If you want me to become a missionary and move to Kenya I’ll do that.  But if you want me to stay put in Indiana I’ll do that as well.  My life belongs to you.  You are in complete control.” And as you release that control God takes over and uses your life like never before.  You suddenly are freed from worry and concern.  All you want is to be faithful.

Three steps.  Three steps Paul took and we need to take as well.  He redefined success.  He refocused on God’s priorities.  And he released complete control of his life to God.  Three steps he took and three steps we need to take - if we want to demonstrate the same miraculous faith he demonstrated in his life.  So let me ask you a question, “What type of faith will people see within your life?”  Will they see a faith that is filled with meaning and purpose and power?  Will they see the miraculous power of God at work in your life?  In other words, will Jesus be the Captain of your ship?  What type of faith will be seen in your life?

Albert Einstein once said, “A ship is always safest as shore but that’s not what it’s built for.”  You and I were not built for safety and security.  You were not built to remain at shore.  You were built to love and serve God.  And to do that you’ve got to give your life completely to Him.

When Bernie Webber and his crew left that day they put their lives on the line.  Heading out into that storm that night none of them expected to return.  But they did.  A boat built for 12 men held 36 when it came back to shore.  Over 30 men were saved because of Bernie and his crew.  All four of those men received the Gold Lifesaving Medal by the Coast Guard.  And for each of them it was truly their finest hours.

You see the finest hours in your life and mine will be the moments when we take the greatest risks.  It’s the moments where we take that blind step forward, that leap of faith, that jump into the great unknown.  It’s the moment when we put our life on the line for Jesus.  When we say, “I am ready not only to be imprisoned but to die for the name of our Lord Jesus.”  Because it’s in those moments that we discover who we really are and what we’re really made of.  It’s in those moments we discover if we have the type of faith we need to live in such a way that when we die we will do so without any regrets.  Because we have learned to give Jesus our everything.

And this morning can be your finest hour.  Because this morning can be the morning when you turn your life over to Jesus for the first time or you rededicate your life to Him like never before.  When you say to Him, “My life is yours.  It’s all Yours.  I give you everything.  My family, my friends, my finances, and my future.  It all belongs to You Jesus.  I’m willing to face any temptation and any trial all for your glory.  Because I trust you with my life.”

That’s our challenge.  Will you trust Jesus within your trials in life?  The bottom line is this…

Reveal the power of your faith by trusting Jesus through life’s trials.

Let’s pray.

[Prayer:  For God to give us a miraculous faith to handle life’s most difficult challenges.]

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