The Assurance of God’s Commission

Introduction

Have you ever felt like your life was adrift? Ever felt like your life was in the middle of a raging hurricane? What did it feel like: were you calm as if in the eye of the storm, or were you panicked, nervously sick, terrified?

God’s pledge of deliverance preserved Paul and his fellow-sailors through the hurricane, so that Paul could fulfill God’s will–witness to Caesar.

Thesis: God pledges perseverance through adversity to His saints to fulfill His commission.

How does God preserve His saints through adversity to fulfill His commission?

God Preserves His Saints through Adversity by Giving Us Influence with People

A. Exegesis

1. Paul gained the trust of Julius; he was allowed to visit his fellow Christians at Sidon, who provided for Paul’s needs, v. 3.
2. Paul warned of the coming storm and was ignored, v. 10, but Paul’s other warnings and instructions were heeded, vv. 31 & 33-34.
3. When the soldiers were going to kill the prisoners for fear that they would escape, Julius saved Paul’s life, vv. 42-43.

B. Illustration–>How many deputies do you know will seriously consider a convict’s advice on the best route to the jail?

C. Application

1. When we are faithful to God’s commission, we will gain the respect and trust of other people.
2. Christians who are faithful to God’s commission do not have hidden agendas or ulterior motives.
3. God engineers events and uses people to accomplish His will.

God Preserves His Saints through Adversity by Giving Us His Assurance, vv. 23-24

A. Exegesis

1. Definition of assurance = “pledge or guarantee of security of life”
2. Notice that God’s assurance to Paul concerned God’s will.
3. The benefits of Paul’s assurance extends to the physical well-being of his fellow-sailors.
4. While the sailors were in darkness with no bearing, Paul knew where he was going and what he was to do.

B. Illustration

C. Application

1. The reason most people have no assurance of their salvation is that they do not have a ministry or mission, 1 Timothy 3:13.
2. God’s purpose for His people is to do God’s will.
3. God does not save us or preserve us to be self-centered, but He preserves us to be on mission for Christ.
4. God’s commission assures us that God is not finished with us.

God Preserves His Saints through Adversity by Giving Us Faith, v. 25

A. Exegesis

1. Faith in God is sure because God is immutable.
2. Faith in God is a gift of God because on our own we are incapable of trusting in God Whom we have not seen.
3. Paul’s unwavering faith is from God.
   • because it does not change, it is from God because God does not change.
   • Paul, like Abraham, was strengthened in his faith by God, Romans 4:20.

B. Illustration–>What happens when we only trust what we can see? vv. 27-41 and Mark 9:22-24–>Pray for faith.

C. Application–>We must pray for faith from God, for it is the only thing that will sustain us through the storms of life.

God Preserves His Saints through Adversity by Giving Us a Ministry, vv. 33-37

A. Exegesis

1. Ministered in the midst of a raging hurricane to the fearful.
2. Ministry is physical and spiritual:
   • physical needs–>food and shelter, etc
   • spiritual needs–>encouragement, salvation, etc.

B. Illustration–>Comparison of Paul and Jonah

1. Jonah was fearful because he was not obedient.
2. Paul was faithful because he was obedient to God’s will.

C. Application

1. Every Christian is a minister.
2. Every Christian can testify what God can do.
3. Every Christian can have assurance of God’s salvation when we are obedient to God’s commission, 1 Timothy 3:13.

Conclusion

If your life drifting without any definite direction? Do you know where you are going? If not, the Bible describes you as lost, a sinner in slavery to Satan, bound for an eternity in hell. The Good News is that Jesus is able to save you from your lostness and give you His purpose for eternity. Repent, and confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead.

Do you feel like you are in the middle of a raging hurricane?

Are you calm as if in the eye of the storm or are you panicked, nervously sick, terrified? You may be a Christian, but perhaps you feel panicked about your future. If so, let me ask you: do you have a ministry? If not, remember God gives His assurance to those who are obediently serving Him. Repent, and serve Jesus. God will give you His pledge of security through the hurricane of life.

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