TITLE: MAKING IT ON BROKEN PIECES
PURPOSE: To encourage you to make it with whatever God has made available to you.
INTRODUCTION:
During the past century few biographies have influenced young Christians more than that of Hudson Taylor. What was his secret?
Taylor wrote: "The Lord was looking for a man weak enough to use, and He found me."
"D.L. Moody aptly observed, "We may easily be too big for God to use, but never too small."
Job 28 tells about the way of the wind and the water and the lightning. The way of the wind is that of easiest motion. The way of the water is that of easiest coursing. The way of the lightning is that of easiest yielding. In other words the wind and the water and the lightning take the line of least resistance.
Even so, in human lives the Spirit of God always seeks the line of least resistance to the will of God. It is the absence of such resistance which gives the Holy Spirit His opportunity, and transforms weakness into strength.
It is not that easy to follow the course that leads from the cradle to the grave. Much happens in a man and woman's life between those two extremities. In the ordinary course of things on a good day we encounter things which are pleasurable, delightful, enchanting and desirous. On a bad day we suffer with stuff we don't want to deal with…stuff that is not so pleasing to cope with … people who are not at all delightful or enchanting … some are just downright ugly and not desirous in any way, shape or fashion.
We are forced to deal with trials and tests … struggles and hardships … misfortune and missed opportunities … rain storms and thunderstorms … hurricanes and airplanes crashing into buildings.
We all find ourselves in situations we wish we did not have to deal with. I just want you to know that "Tho the storms keep on raging in your life … and there are times when you can't tell the night from day … there is a reassuring hope that can be obtained from the Word of God that promises that your soul can be anchored in the Lord."
Some of you are trying to get out of relationships which were built upon broken promises. Some are dealing with the pain of living with a broken heart. "In case you have fallen by the wayside of life … your dreams your visions shattered and you're all broken inside. … May I share with you today that "YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY IN THE SHAPE THAT YOU'RE IN … CAUSE THE POTTER WANTS TO PUT YOU BACK TOGETHER AGAIN."
The text today reveals some truths relevant to the storms some of us are going through right now. First of all I want to tell you, "YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE STORM." The second thing I want to tell you is, "YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO JUMP SHIP." Now the last thing I need to tell you might sound a bit strange to you but you need to know that, "THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE IT WITHOUT A MIRACLE."
I. YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE STORM.
A. Like Paul, you have the support of friends to sustain you for what lies ahead.
B. There will be the stirring of strong winds from time to time to confuse and contaminate your plans.
1. The controversy of different thoughts are like winds of confusion.
2. The Centurian believed the Master and Owner more than Paul.
a. The Centurian Surrendered to Superficial Council whereas the Apostle Paul Responded to the Charge of his supernatural companion.
3. Paul Stood Forth and Claimed Their Confidence Concerning What He Was About To Say.
a. Paul Raised His Voice Above The Storm. "STAY ON THE SHIP."
II. YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO JUMP SHIP.
A. The Swimmers Jumped In First.
B. The Surfboarders Jumped Next.
C. They Did Not Jump Ship Until They Knew They Had The Divine Pledge of God's Help.
D. They Did Not Jump Ship Until They Knew of Paul's Confident Assurance That God Would Do What He Said He Would Do.
They were a mass of human beings struggling with the angry elements. It had been 14 days of drifting since they left Fair Havens. They wished and prayed for day and dry land. You have to know when it's God's Will to come out of a situation and walk away.
III. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE IT WITHOUT A MIRACLE.
A. Every Soul Made It Safely To Shore …
1. Without Mischief From the Devil
2. Without a Miracle From the Divine.
CONCLUSION:
Paul prayed for everyone on board the ship both friend and foe but he never once prayed for a miracle. His faith was on a different level than most. He understood a tremendous mystery that must be understood today. Paul understood that DIVINE AGENCY and HUMAN INSTRUMENTALITY are in all events of life.
ILLUSTRATION: V. Raymond Edman On Broken Things
I have been reflecting on the inestimable value of "broken things."
Broken pitchers gave ample light for victory (Judges 7:19-21); broken bread was more than enough for all the hungry (Matthew 14:3, 9); and a broken body is salvation to all who believe and receive the Saviour (Isaiah 53:5-6, 12; 1 Cor. 11:24).
And what cannot The Broken One do with our broken plans, projects, and hearts?
BECAUSE storms and problems and trials and upsets are going to come … "Into each life some rain will fall"… Because the devil comes "to kill, steal and to destroy … Since you will have some good days and some bad days … some up times and some down times …
YOU CAN trust in Him who will not leave you … whatsoever it may bring…if by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling. YOU CAN " build your hopes on things eternal and hold to God's unchanging hand."
THIS MEANS God will do what He said He would do. "When the storms of life are raging, He will stand by you." You right here today … you are in a bad situation BUT are you willing to say FIX IT FOR ME JESUS! You've been walking the floors and crying over that special loved one…BUT will you stop crying tears of agony long enough to "PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND OF THE MAN THAT CALMS THE WATERS." Won't you trust Him today to do for you what you cannot do for yourself or even by yourself?
