THE SHIP

“About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven to and fro on the Adriatic Sea, the sailors suspected land was near. They sounded and found 120 feet of water below them. A little later they sounded again and found only 90 feet. At this rate they knew they would soon be driven ashore; and fearing rocks along the coast, they threw out four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. Some of the sailors planned to abandon the ship and lowered the emergency boat as though they were going to put out anchors from the prow. But Paul said to the soldiers and commanding officer, “You will all die unless everyone stays aboard.” So, the soldiers cut the ropes and let the boat fall off.” (Acts 27:27-31 The Living Bible

It’s that time again! Yes, it’s time for the Sunday Share meditation! Why? As I have stated before these meditations are to (1) show you the benefit of taking sermon notes, and (2) encourage you who take notes on Sunday so you can review them later doing the week, making sure the specifically sent message on Sunday does not make an exit from your mind or your spiritual consciousness later doing the week. Please note that I don’t try to re-preach or restate the sermon that the Pastor delivered in such a powerful way, but I do like to share something from my notes that may move you to listen to the sermon in its entirety on the Salt Of The Earth (Indianapolis) Facebook page.

Here we go! At this point in the passage about, we learn of the experiences of those on a ship taking Paul to Rome, when they encountered a strong storm. Some call it the Northeasterner. Others refer it to the Euroclydon. As you read above, Paul was encouraging the sailors, all 276, to stay with the ship, because even though it looked like disaster and destruction were surely coming, the Divine had informed Paul that they should stay on the ship and be surely saved. This was an appropriate title at this point in the passage. Pastor distinguished his specific message, appropriately, “Stay In The Ship” from the late Dr. Eugene Baker’s sermon, heard years ago, entitled “Stay with The Ship.” The latter dealt with subsequent instructions, described pass the text above, at the time when the boat ran adrift and was broken into pieces and when Dr. Baker pointed out that even when you think the church is breaking a part; even when you think your faith is being torn apart on the sea of life. Yes, stay with the ship.  Stay on what we call “The Old Ship of Zion.”

But Pastor M.R. King deliberately pointed out that we need to stay with the ship, adhering to God’s sent word. I can still hear his resounding voice, as he reared back, raised his head, removed a few feet from the podium, and he told us, “Regardless of the ship that God puts you in, stay in it! If it is your calling, stay in it! If it is your purpose in life as determined by the Lord, stay in it! If it is your ministry, stay in it! If it is at that place where you are developing a increasing degree of faithfulness, stay in it! It if is a God-approved relationship, stay in it! If it is at a figurative pit or prison in life, stay with it! For God has a track record of bringing people out of pits to positions esteemed highly. (Ask Joseph and ask Daneil!) If you stay in your ship, the Lord will see you through and you will be able to accomplish what He wants you to do as the salt of the earth, the light of the world, members of a royal priesthood, and go ye therefore witnesses.

Meditate on what I have shared with you. Then, later today, or at some point before Sunday, go to the website above and hear the entire sermon. Have a great day! Be Blessed!

^“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:4-6 The Living Bible)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King