Through out Christianity, life has been likened to a ship. Many gospel songs reflect this; 'The Lighthouse', "Let the Lower Lights be Burning', 'The Old Gospel Ship', 'Throw Out the Lifeline', 'The Old Ship of Zion', and 'Ship Ahoy' just to name a few.
In many ways, life is like a voyage and that voyage is filled with peril. Many an individual's life has ended upon the rocks smashed into a million pieces with no hope, humanly speaking, of ever getting safely into harbor.
I. What Causes a Shipwrecked Life?
A. Having a captain who doesn't care.
(1 Pet 5:7-8) "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. {8} Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
1. Notice the contrast between Jesus and the devil.
2. Jesus cares about us, but the devil only wants to discourage, defeat, and destroy us.
3. If we follow one who doesn't care about us, we are destined for shipwreck!
B. A course that is gives false information.
1. God's Word is the only thing that we can count on.
2. The Word of God is pure and it gives us exactly what we need to know.
(2 Tim 3:16) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
3. The Bible tells us that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and then tells how we can be saved!
a. All Scripture…not just part of it, or just the parts we like…but All is…
b. Profitable for doctrine…reproof… correction…instruction.
c. The Word of God is our navigational charts for this journey of life.
d. Without it we will not know which path to follow and we will be in constant danger of shipwreck.
(Prov 14:12) "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
C. A contrary wind that will cut your sail- storms of life
1. No comfort from captain
2. No caring from crew
3. No confidence (hope)
II. Can a Shipwrecked Life be Avoided?
A. The answer - yes it can- how?
1. We must be willing to change our captain.
2. Come to Christ and allow Him to be your Savior.
3. He will give us His Holy Spirit…the Comforter…to be our guide.
4. Listen to His promise to all who will receive Christ and be saved.
(John 16:13) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."
B. When we change captains, He will change direct us on a new course.
(2 Cor 5:17) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
1. He will give us a new plan for life
2. A new purpose for life
3. A new power in our life
4. A new destination…heaven!!
III. Can a Believer Shipwreck Their Life?
A. Yes they can.
1. I am not talking about losing salvation.
2. Once a person is born again, it is impossible for them to be unborn.
3. However, a believer who fails to heed the direction of the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit…
4. Can and most likely will shipwreck their lives to some extent.
B. Many Christians have decided to follow their own course in life.
1. The primary cause is PRIDE.
2. When a believer is so overcome with their own selfish pride that they think they know better than God.
3. This was the downfall of mankind from the beginning, and it still causes many to shipwreck along the way.
(1 Tim 1:19-20) "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: {20} Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."
C. Paul names two men who made shipwreck of their lives.
1. But we could name countless others here couldn't we?
2. People who started out right, but somewhere along the way made some decisions that would change everything.
3. It is so important that we stay in the Book, and that we keep our eyes upon the Lord.
4. It can happen to anyone…none of us are immune to the danger.
(1 Cor 10:12) "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
5. Too many casualties…too many lives ruined…
This morning, do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If not, why not come and be saved today? Christian, have you begun to neglect the Word and go your own way? Come back to the Lord today and avoid the heartache that will follow. Whatever the need…come today.