Feb. 26, 2014
MY FRIENDS “UNLESS YOU STAY IN THE SHIP, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED”!!!
“And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the CENTURION and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Acts 17:30-31 (ESV)
My friends I urge you to read Acts 27 and 28 where it tells of Paul’s voyage to Rome as a prisoner to stand before Caesar 
for accusation “of stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world.” When in reality it was all about Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, and the Jews continued hatred towards the name of Christ, “the only name by which they could have received Salvation.”
But where I need you to focus today is the statement Paul made to the CENTURION in the verse above “UNLESS THESE MEN STAY IN THE SHIP, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED.” Today we are going to make the SAVING GRACE and MERCIES OF GOD and His SPIRIT the ship, we all must stay in, in order to receive Salvation.
And as we move deeper and deeper out into the open waters of life, and the rain and storms seems to never cease, while Satan is beckoning us to seek refuge in him. That is when more then ever, we must realize we are only SAFE WHEN WE STAY IN THE SHIP and keep our eyes focused on the one who Paid it all for our Salvation.
“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for REFUGE can have great confidence as we hold to the HOPE that lies before us. This HOPE is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Heb. 6:18-19 (ESV)
That verse my friends is where I need you to focus also, and that is when the ship is tossed in the raging storms of life, and all 
hope seems lost, God’s PROMISES and OATH tells us that HE is our HOPE, and He is also a STRONG and TRUSTWORTHY ANCHOR that will also lead us to His INNER SANCTUARY.
At one time this INNER SANCTUARY was sacred and only the High Priest could enter, but now if we stay in the Ship, all will be lead through FAITH, and ENDURANCE into the very PRESENCE of God, “behind the veil and into the Holy of Holies. Unlike Israel’s High Priest, we are to enter BOLDLY.”
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us IN OUR TIME OF NEED,” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) and when that ship seems to be sinking with no rescue in sight, and “when the storms of life are raging, and the billows roll, He shall hide each of us safe in His caring, and loving arms.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3 So my friends our LIVING HOPE lies at the CROSS and the RESURRECTION of Christ.
For the “Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8 (ESV) for God’s FAITHFUL who he has CHOSEN to serve Him and finish up his MANDATE here on earth who STAYS ON THE SHIP, and encourages others to STAY ON THE SHIP as we spread the good news of the gospel, He will lead to LIFE ETERNAL in His pure and holy kingdom.
Friends “the curtain has been pulled back by God’s holy angels” “As we see that lawlessness continues to abound, and the love of many continues to grow cold.” But for each of us who STAYS IN THE SHIP one day soon “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ will come” and His reward will be with Him, and He will give to each person according to” if they STAYED IN THE SHIP OR NOT.
So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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