God never fails.

What happens when the thing you were counting on completely collapses?

In Acts 27, the storm was bad, but the shipwreck was worse. The vessel the crew relied on for safety hit a sandbar and was battered into broken timber (Acts 27:41).

Jobs, savings, careers, and personal stability are great things, but they were never designed to be your ultimate foundation. Ships fail, but God’s promises never do. Even when everything around you breaks into pieces, your anchor in Christ remains unshaken (Hebrews 6:19).

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Message Notes

“Anchored in Christ: Our confidence is in His promises.” Part 2
Mount of Olives | July 26, 2026 | Acts 27:13-26
Pastor Jim Reynen

Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, we pause this morning to reaffirm Your Lordship in our lives. We take off our crowns, lay them before Your thrown and submit our wills to Yours. We claim You as our savior and our God. No matter what may be our circumstances on this earth, we find rest and peace in the assurance that You love us and You desire intimate relationship with each of us. Amen.

Scripture Reading
Acts 27:13-26
When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore. But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete. Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control. After hoisting it up they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven. We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship's tackle overboard. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we will have to run aground on some island."

Message Notes
Acts 27:10
"Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be with danger and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."

Acts 27:11-12
But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. Since the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favor of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest.

Acts 27:14–15
But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete. Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.

Acts 27:20
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

Acts 27:23-24
"Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

Acts 27:41
But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves.

Acts 27:44
And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Study Questions – Read Acts 27:13-26

ICEBREAKER – Getting started:

1. What is the craziest storm or bad weather experience you have ever been through?
2. Have you ever been on a boat in rough waters? What was the experience like?
3. When life feels out of control, what is your usual reaction?
4. Who is someone whose calmness helps you feel at peace during stressful situations?
5. If you could instantly remove one fear from your life, what would it be?

Based on Acts 27:13-26, answer the following questions:

OBSERVATION – What does the text say?

1. As you read Acts 27:13-26, what comes to mind? What stands out? What is interesting to you and why?
2. In one sentence, how would you summarize this text?
3. What lesson or message do you think the author is trying to convey?

INTERPRETATION – What does the text mean?

1. What caused the sailors to believe they could safely continue their journey in verse 13?
2. What was the “northeaster” wind, and how did it affect the ship?
3. What actions did the crew take to try to save the ship during the storm?
4. According to verse 20, how hopeless did the situation become?
5. Why do you think Paul waited until verse 21 to speak to the crew?
6. What reminder did Paul give the men about his earlier warning?
7. What encouragement did Paul offer in verses 22–24?
8. What message did the angel give to Paul?
9. Why was it important that Paul would stand before Caesar?
10. What does Paul’s statement, “I have faith in God,” reveal about his character?
11. What promise did God give concerning the lives of the people on the ship?
12. How does this passage demonstrate the difference between fear and faith?

APPLICATION – How can you apply the text?

1. What storms or difficult situations are you currently facing in life?
2. How can Paul’s example encourage you to trust God when circumstances seem hopeless?
3. What practical things help keep your faith steady during stressful seasons?
4. Have you ever experienced peace from God in the middle of a difficult situation? If so, what happened?
5. How can your faith encourage others who are anxious or afraid?
6. What does it look like to trust God even when the situation around you does not immediately improve?
7. In what areas of your life do you need to replace fear with faith this week?