Translator: Jaeho Choi
[Wild Wind of Euraquilo Cave]
Pastor Lee Taegeun.
Apostles 27:9~27:26
Last week, we were told that we look again to Macedonia,
we have Jerusalem to keep an eye on, and Rome to visit with a vision.
Likewise, the pastor in charge left for a four-week seminar on the Korean Church of Jesus in the United States and a seminar on local pastors.
At todays Words, there is a wild wind in Euraquilo, which is a combination of 'Euros,' which means east wind, and 'Aquilo,' which means north wind.
This wind has the power to destroy ships or push them to the coast of Africa.
So today, were going to think about how we came to meet a wild wind of Euraquilo Cave.
1. It is because I believed in the words of experts more than the words in the Bible.
The season of fasting in 27:9,is a Jewish Day of Atonement,
when winter is approaching around the end of September or early October these days.
At that time, the Romans thought that a sailing after September 15 was burdensome and sailing after November was very dangerous.
Paul recommended the wisdom of experiencing various hardships, including the ship being destroyed three times while preaching the gospel to various regions as a tentmaker throughout his life, but the centurion trusted the captain and the shipowner more.
When my first son, Minsan, was wandering, ministers in charge of middle and high school wanted to visit my house.
I didnt want to be there, and I avoided them because the visit wasnt comfortable to me as a pastor.
I didnt realize for so long that my sons problem is my problem.
I thought that I was a captain, a shipowner, and a centurion at that time.
I visited some where else instead.
I had not expected that the small wind became a wild wind of Euraquilo Cave.
2. It is because I always searching for more comfortable places.
Though Im staying at a port on the island of Crete where some inconveniences during the winter,
I want to go to another port on the same island, Phoenix.
It looks like a centurions decision, but it is because I wanted.
I finally met a wild wind of Euraquilo Cave after all.
Even if it seems a little uncomfortable and cramped, God has named it the most beautiful port that we were given.
Nevertheless, were searching for more comfortable places and meet a wild wind of Euraquilo Cave after all.
We should know that the place where I am now is the most beautiful port that we are given, and we should wait until the spring.
In a movie dialog long time ago saying
Fear only needs to be overcome, wind is not to be calculated, but to be conquered.
However, there is no word conquer in the Bible.
3. A small wind became a wild wind.
Shortly after a few small winds, a wild wind occurred in Euraquilo Cave.
When the ship approached the island of Gavda,
the captain and the crew rushed to a small lifeboat having no sails.
It is said that on the third day, the boatmen threw the boats equipment into the sea as the wind of Euraquilo Cave going wilder.
No matter how hard I struggle, I fall deeper into a bog, the hope of salvation disappears, and the moon is nowhere to be seen.
That is the moment I cant do anything in the middle of the sea.
Min-sans puberty began with a very small wish to reduce the width of middle school uniform pants.
At that time, I really didnt know that the calm wind would become a wild wind of Euraquilo Cave.
It was heartbreaking to see my son who didnt wake up once he slept as if he didnt want to live.
However, as I was still trying to overcome it on my own and the problem became bigger and bigger.
After all he was detained for 30 days in a youth court.
My son came home safely after finishing the detention and I thought he would cruise to Venice safely now.
But that night, he didnt come home drinking with friends.
And he couldnt come to the church next day.
After that, Min-san told me that her girlfriend was pregnant and that he wanted to protect her and take responsibility.
It happened when I was preparing a sermon because the pastor in charge was on her way to an overseas rally 3 years ago.
I really had a hard time and felt I had nowhere to run away.
I remember that I finished the sermon in a very depressing way.
But a male butler came to me, hugged me and said, 'Pastor, why are you having a hard time?', 'Its not like a man died,' and it sounded like a voice from the Lord to me in the middle of the sea.
4. The LORD tells me not to be feared during a wild wind.
We know that Paul was also afraid when the LORD told him not to be afraid of.
He was scared, but he was not obsessed with it and did not despair.
Paul said confidently to those on the boat, 'Relax. I believe in what I have been told.
Fear become a mission when I have been told by the LORD.
Even though youre stuck in an island, you dont die, while the ship might be wrecked.
My son went on his knees in front of his father-in-law and shed tears and saying sorry during the Chuseok holiday.
As a pastor, I think of running away on a lifeboat alone when a wild wind blows, but my son didnt run away or avoid the situation.
I admitted that he was much better than me.
Min-san now became the father of two children and finished the college and got a job.
He gave tithes and gave away presents to family when he received the first salary.
Not long ago, Min-san asked me to take to the church because the small group which he belongs to are in charge of cleaning the church. That was the happiest and most grateful moment in my life.
As in todays word, there is nothing that has not been done as God said, and it seems to have been done as he said.
Our ships of greed and worldly values can be destroyed,
but the LORD promised that the people who listen to the words never die.
Let us endure the small wind of the Holy Spirit,
remembering the voice of the Lord is the word for me,
I wish you all live a life that Words are realized.
