UNWAVERING Part 1: UNWAVERING IN THE STORM

UNWAVERING: Determined. Enduring. Resolute. Steadfast

“UNCERTAIN TIMES DEMAND UNWAVERING LEADERSHIP BUT TO LEAD UNWAVERINGLY YOU NEED A CERTAINTY OF TRUTH”

You need something to hold on to!

Before you think “That is not me; I am not a leader. John Maxwell said Leadership is influence. We all have influence, so, we are ALL leaders!

Leadership is influence. We all have influence. We are ALL leaders

We believe that you are called to be an unwavering leader. And it starts with leading yourself. The most important thing right now is self leadership

Two passages come to mind (James 1:8, Eph 4:14) that say when we DOUBT & are IMMATURE we are like surging sea, driven by the wind, unstable But, Faith. Knowledge of Jesus. Unity leads to being stable and unwavering.

Four truths we will dig into over the next several weeks

God’s WORD is UNWAVERING.

Gods’ LOVE is UNWAVERING.

God’s PROTECTION is UNWAVERING.

Gods’ PURPOSE is UNWAVERING.

Because God is UNWAVERING we can be UNWAVERING

Acts tells the story of what happened after Jesus went back to heaven, the start of the church. Check out the https://bibleproject.com

Paul has been preaching the Gospel - repent, turn to God and demonstrate it with a changed life. His life is in danger from the Jews, so he appeals to the Roman Emperor, and is sent to Rome, by ship (imprisoned)

20 For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope was fading that we would be saved.21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. 22 Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. 23 For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me 24 and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. 26 But we have to run aground on some island.” Acts 27 (CSB)

In the storm now, how can we be unwavering?

BE PREPARED TO LISTEN

We are in a time where opinions are valued over obedience majority is not always right, loudest is not always right.

Listen to wisdom

Don’t make impulsive decisions in a dangerous season

Listen to people who listen to God

There are so many voices out there - Rory Dyer said listen to those who are praying for you.

Listen to God for yourself

He wants to speak to you!At the start of the year we were speaking about 2020 being the year of the voice - learning to hear God.

BE PREPARED TO LET GO

On the ship they lost control, supplies, security, all stripped away until all they had was a word from God. Self reliance. Security. Supplies.

A ship will only get us so far, but God’s word sustains us

(This a time where God is dealing with us).

Heb 12: stripping away of things, idols, pride, comfort…

BE PREPARED TO LEAN IN

This is the second time he had been spoken to by an angel about Rome - first was in Acts 23. Not because he was God’s favourite, but I think because he had learnt to listen and petition in prayer.He has been making space… angel God has given - praying for those around him?

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

Lower. Lean. Lift.

There is Great power in our prayers. This is a time for us to be leaning into the presence of God to hear His voice

BE PREPARED TO LEAD

When all we have to stand on is a word from God that’s when we stand out

V21 Paul then stood up among Gk he stood out among them, with a different attitude and perspective. “Despite the storm, we will be saved.”The circumstances were the same for Paul as everyone else. He’s not teleported off the ship. The storm is not calmed.But he has a certainty to hold onto word of life inside of him

Why is it that, even when we are doing what we take to be God's will for us, we oftentimes still have such great difficulty in accomplishing it?

8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed…...15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not give up. 2 Cor 4 8-9,15-16 (CSB

Because he is unwavering, we can be unwavering!There will be difficulties to come but we are going to see many come to Jesus through difficult times.