When a setback Isn’t Your Fault

Intro

Welcome to River Church tonight… we will continue the series, How God Turns Setback into Comebacks. How many of you have needed a comeback before?

LW we looked at What to do when you have a work setback. We looked a Peter, who made a living fishing, but spent all night fishing and caught nothing. We saw how Jesus turned that around.

Tonight, I want us to answer the Question, What do you do when the setback isn’t your fault? It’s probably easier to deal with a setback that is your fault. You caused it so now you own it. But it is often harder to deal with setbacks that were caused by someone else’s mistakes and poor decisions. And you are the innocent party that gets hurt… or you feel the brunt of the consequences.

If you have been hurt by other people, you know exactly what I am talking about. You may be dealing with something like that right now.

Setbacks - divorce… bankruptcy or losing everything… lost job because your company was bought…

Maybe you are struggling with setbacks mentally and emotionally because some evil person abused you at some point in your life. I am so sorry someone did that to you.

These are major storms of life. They are not your fault when someone else brings them into your life, but they can wreak havoc in your life affecting your health, your hope, your happiness… all areas of your life.

These storms are not your fault. And these are the kind of setback we will look at tonight. I want us to learn how God will take even these setbacks and turn them into comebacks,

In Acts 27 we will study about how foolish choices of others can bring hurt and harm into our lives and how God can turn that around.

Background: Paul had always wanted to go preach in Rome. His dream was to preach in the Colosseum in Rome. He got to do that, but not how he imagined. He didn’t imagine doing it as a prisoner.

Paul had been unfairly put on tiral for a crime he didn’t commit, but because he was a Roman Citizen, he had the right to appeal to Caesar. So he did and this gave him a trip to Rome.

So Paul is put on a prison ship in Crete (an island in the Mediterranean Sea). He is headed for Rome. The ship was docked in Crete but the crew was behind because they had spent too much time on shore leave.

Fall was turning into Winter and it would be unsafe for them to sail. So, God tells Paul to warn the captain of this prison ship that they should wait until winter's over and then they would sail smoothly. But the whole crew gets impatient and they didn't wait, and they would sail into a massive storm. They would be shipwrecked, and they'd all likely die. Paul passes on what God told him about this, but they ignored it. Just as Paul had warned them, the ship was destroyed in a huge storm.

Pauls Shipwreck at Malta Acts 27:1-43

Acts 27:41 NLT

41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.

This is one of 3 shipwrecks Paul has. So what does this have to do with you and me, about 2,000 years later?

It actually answers three questions.

What causes people to make bad choices that creates setbacks and storms for other people?

What do you need to know about setbacks and storms that aren’t your fault?

How can I anchor my life in a storm?

Let’s look at each of these.

1. What causes people to make poor choices that lead to setbacks and storms?

We listen to ungodly advice.

Check out the story…

Acts 27:9–10 NLT

9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it. 10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.”

God told him not to sail. So Paul warned them not to sail.

Acts 27:11 NLT

11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.

Have you ever been given bad advice? We all have. Have you ever been overruled by a so called expert? Have they always been right? Of course not.

Here is what I have seen too many times. People will use advice from “experts” to validate their decisions. They will go from on to the other until they find someone to agree with what they want to do. They really don’t want advice, they just want someone to reinforce what they were going to do anyway. Bad move.

When God tells you to do something or not to do something, ignore all the experts and do whatever God tells you to do. They will be wrong because God will always be right.

We make poor choices that cause storms when …

We follow the crowd

IOW, we do what’s popular with the crowd or culture. We say stuff like, “everybody’s doing it…” We just copy and follow the crowd…

Acts 27:12 NLT

12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.

History shows that he majority is wrong most of the time. The majority will say, Let’s go ahead and do it. They are often wrong. Story after story in the bible shows them to be wrong.

The 12 spies - 10 said it couldn’t be done… 2 said it could…

Experts are wrong about as often as the majority. On this ship, 263 to 3 voted to sail. The 3 were right and the 263 were wrong. The majority decided not to listen to Paul… not to listen to God and do what they wanted. It was a disaster.

Can you think of anyone who has shipwrecked their life because they followed the crowd?

The third reason is…

We rely on circumstances instead of Jesus.

We're gonna get into trouble. We're gonna have setbacks. We're gonna run into the storm when we count on our circumstances. When we listen to our circumstances more than Jesus. Just because it may look good, doesn't mean it is good.

Acts 27:13 NLT

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete.

The crew thought they got what they wanted.

Have you ever thought you were getting exactly what you wanted and later realized you were headed into trouble… a storm?

That’s what happened here. Let me ask you another question.

Is it possible that what you think you really want in life just might be setting you up for a shipwreck?

When we pay attention to the circumstances more than God, and it doesn’t matter how favorable something seems to be, it won’t end well. These guys when they first set out, found a favorable wind. If something looks good but God has said no, you re heading into a disaster.

Have you ever heard this justification? "Well, it feels right, so it must be right." Or, "It feels good, so it must be good." That's bad logic and I've noticed that what people actually get when they get what they think they want, that they find out it's never as good as they thought it was gonna be

The reason we should never trust our circumstances is because they can change over night. They change all the time. They change when you do not expect them to. Look…

Acts 27:14 NLT

14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea.

They're trying to go up the coast of Crete and now they're blown out to sea and they're at the mercy of this storm. So, what am I saying? Listening to ungodly advice, copying the crowd, and relying on circumstances, it feels good, it looks good, will always get you into trouble.

Now, the next thing we learn from this story is, what do I need to know about storms? Because if you don't know what storms and setbacks can do to you, you'll likely be manipulated by them.

Now this is very important to be aware of what storms do to you in life so that you don't fall for these traps.

2. What we need to know about storms?

When you are in a storm or setback, it’s easy to drift off course.

Storms can cause me to drift from my purpose

Acts 27:15 GNB

15 It hit the ship, and since it was impossible to keep the ship headed into the wind, we gave up trying and let it be carried along by the wind.

Basically they were saying, The ship was caught up in the storm and the wind was so strong they couldn't sail against it. They lost all control so they stopped trying, and they gave up, and they let the wind drive them, drifting in every direction.

This verse shows us several ways that a setback can dominate your life.

In a storm, you tend to lose control of your plan.

You stop trying because you get tired.

You give up.

You become pressure driven instead of purpose driven.

You drift in all sorts of directions.

That’s what happens in the storm, and there is this voice inside your head that keeps saying stuff like… why do you keep trying? Why do you keep trying to save this? You will never change, so give up… You wonder if it’s worth it to even try. Those are thoughts that come when we are in the storms.

Have you let storms and setbacks cause you to drift in your life? Have you lost your focus?

In storms we foolishly try to control the uncontrollable, but you can’t. You try to go against the wind, but it will blow you in different directions.

Acts 27:17 NLT

17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

They are in a huge storm and being battered around pretty bad. They run ropes around the ship to try and hold it together. Not sure how they did that. But they were afraid the ship was going to break up.

So let me ask.

What kind of ropes have you been trying to use to hold it all together? to keep from falling apart? We will see a better alternative shortly. But understand that in a storm, things will kind of fall apart and cause you to drift, but that’s ok…

Storms can cause me to discard what I used to value

IOW, your priorities and values often change when you are in pain… after a setback, a struggle. You wonder if you are going to get out of this.

When you are in pain, stuff just doesn’t matter as much anymore while other stuff matters more than ever before.

If you have been sick for a while, you care about your health more than before.

Acts 27:18–19 NLT

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard.

Look at the progression here.

1st they threw out the cargo. They were trying to lighten the ship.

2nd they threw out the equipment they needed to operate the ship.

Later in the story, they were going to jump overboard.

This is what storms do. They cause us to drift and discard. We discard things that are valuable to us. Listen. NEVER make a decision when you are depressed because it will almost always be the wrong decision.

Storms can cause me to despair

They drift, then they threw stuff away and now they despair.

Acts 27:20 NLT

20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

For 14 days, they have been in this storm in total darkness. No stars… no compass… they didn’t have GPS. They have no idea where they are or where they are going. They are afraid the ship will break apart and all hope was gone. The very last thing they gave up was hope.

The amazing thing in this story was how different Paul’s reaction was to all of this. Everyone is panicked but Paul. Paul is at peace. Everyone else is in despair.

Over the years, I have head other pastors say this as I have. It’s not how high you can jump in worship. It’s how straight you can walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

How do you react to the storms in your life?

Remember, this storm is not Paul’s fault. He had not been disobedient of committed a sin. He is along for the ride. He is on his way to Rome and he warned them in advance. But they decided to do it their way and sinned.

Paul is in the same storm as the rest of them. He is being tossed around like crazy too. But he is filled with hope and with peace. When we face a storm or a setback, we need to remember the same three things Paul did.

A side note. The oldest Christian sign wasn’t the cross or even the fish. It was an anchor. Christians under persecution used the anchor to let each other know they were followers of Jesus. Hebrews 6:19 “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

Let’s learn these truths that got Paul through the storm. They are like anchors that will give you some stability in most unstable situations. So when you are being tossed around, and you’re tempted to drift and to discard and throw away stuff that’s valuable and to despair, you need to throw out some anchors.

3. How can I anchor my life in a storm?

The first anchor is the presence of God. The second anchor is the purposes of God. The third anchor are the promises of God. These three anchors will prevent you from drifting and from sinking. You throw out these anchors. They're called drift anchors. Now what do I need to remember specifically when I'm feeling hopeless? Well, the Bible tells us also in this story, three things God wants you to remember. Write these down

1st Anchor: The Presence of God

When you are feeling hopeless,

Remember, God is still with me.

He hasn’t left you. You are not alone. God hasn’t abandoned you and he will not abandon you.

Acts 27:21–23 NLT

21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me,

Remember they have been battling despair for days… getting rid of everything they can. Paul kind of has a “I told you so” kind of moment. But then he gives a positive message. He tells them that the ship will go down, but that they will all live. Why? An angel of the Lord told him so.

You can’t see God, but he is right there with you in every storm. He is everywhere all the time.

I don't know what you're going through right now, as you hear me saying these words, but I do know this, God is with you. His presence has nothing to do with your feelings. It has to do with the reality that he says he will always be with us.

So the first anchor is the presence of God.

2nd Anchor: The Purpose of God

This will give you hope.

Remember that God’s purpose is greater than my setback or storm.

God’s purpose for your life is greater than any storm you will go through. Look what the Angel said to Paul.

Acts 27:24 NLT

24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’

Acts 27:24 “and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul,

They are in pitch black… no sun, moon or stars. Waves are bouncing them around and the Angel says don’t be afraid.

for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!

He tells Paul that he will go to Rome and stand trial before Caesar.

What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’”

On top of that, no one is going to die. Everyone will make it.

Now think about this. If God's presence is always with me, it means that storms and setbacks cannot separate me from the love of God. But if God's purpose is always in full work, then storms and setbacks cannot change God's purpose for your life. Okay?

I don't care what you're going through right now, or what you've already gone through, or what you're going to go through tomorrow. It's not going to change God's purpose for your life. God has no plan B. God says, "I'll fit that into the purpose too. Yep, that too." Even my dumb decisions? Yes. Even somebody else's dumb decision? Yes. I'll fit that into the purpose.

So we have the purpose of God. We have the presence of God. Then there's the third anchor that'll give you hope in a storm or a setback and it's the promises of God

3rd Anchor: The Promise of God

When it looks like you are about to sink,

Remember that God’s promises can be trusted.

So Paul says,

Acts 27:25–26 NLT

25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

Paul’s faith is not in the ship. It’s not in his ability to swim. It’s in God and His promise. Paul basically said, I know it looks bad, but God is going to take care of us.

If you are in a storm right now. God hasn’t promised to save your ship. He promised to save you. You may lose the ship like the one Paul was on… it sunk. The ship, your job, or whatever else you think of, is not as important as you. He will save you.

Look at this next verse.

Acts 27:30–32 NLT

30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

What is the meaning of this in your life today? He says, "You're all gonna die, unless you stay with the ship, but if you go out there with your little lifeboat and what you put your trust in to save you, that's not gonna work." He's saying, you’ve got to let go of your lifeboat.

So let me ask you this question. What manmade puny little lifeboat have you been holding onto for your security?

Some of you have been holding onto the way you look. Your appearance is your lifeboat, but you're not gonna have that forever.

Some of you been holding on to your money, but you're not gonna have that forever.

Some of you've been holding onto your academic ability or your athletic ability, but you're not gonna have that forever.

You're putting your faith and trust in something that can be taken away from you, which means you don't really have security. To have true security you must put it in something that can never, never be taken from you.

What's your little lifeboat? What've you been holding onto for your security, these guys think, "This giant ship's cracking up, but we'll be saved by jumping in this little lifeboat." Yeah, right. What's the logic of that?

What have you been thinking would save you?

Your good works?

Your nice personality? I'm sure you're a nice person, but only Jesus can save you.

Only Jesus can be your Savior, but for Jesus so save you...

Listen, you’ve got to first let go of your manmade lifeboat. Just like these guys… "Okay, we're gonna put our total trust in God. We're not gonna hold on and say, 'This little boat's gonna save us.'" The big one didn't save you. Why do you think the little one's gonna save you? It's not much use on a violent ocean.

The safest place to be is always right in the center of God's will. Even if you're in the middle of a storm, if you're in the center of God's will, that's where you need to be. It's safe there, even in the eye of a hurricane. So today, I want to urge you to let go of anything and everything that you think might be saving you and just turn to Christ, the only true Savior. He's the only one.

Look what happens next.

Acts 27:34–36 NLT

34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—

Paul actually publicly gave thanks for the food they were about to eat in the boat in the middle of the storm.

There is an incredible power in gratitude. Paul told them to eat, he thanks God for it, and it encouraged them all. Your attitude of gratitude with people all around you will relax them even when they're in the middle of a storm and their boat is cracking up and falling apart. And when they're fearful, when you express gratitude to God, they will be encouraged.

They are in a storm and everything is falling apart, but they are trusting in these three anchors and waiting for daylight. This story ends with a great comeback.

Acts 27:43–44 NLT

43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.

Everyone made it to the island. Listen. God wants to use you and I in the same way he used Paul with the people in your life who are battling storms, setbacks and suffering.

Let God use you. Let him use you in hospitality to help people who are going through storms and setbacks right now. And that because of your influence they will be saved just like everybody else on that ship was saved, because Paul was on that ship and he trusted God.

Prayer - every head bowed and eyse closed

Do you ever feel like you're drifting? Do you feel like, you know, you don't have a purpose, you don't have a direction? You don't have a goal? You don't have a dream? You just feel like, you're drifting through life? External forces are just tossing you back and forth?

Maybe you've been tempted to discard, to throw it all away. To throw away a job. Throw away a relationship. Throw away a dream. Throw away a marriage. Throw away a responsibility. Are you tempted to just throw it all away?

How about is there anything causing despair in you? This week? Today? Maybe you’ve got a financial condition. Maybe you’ve got an illness that you're facing. That's a storm. That's a setback. That health setback. Or maybe your relationship, friendship, marriage is headed for the rocks.

Don't give up. Don't be afraid. Just hold on to these three truths.

God is always with me. He's standing by my side. I can't see him. I can't always feel him, but it's not about feelings. It's not about seeing. It's about reality. If you learn to realize that he's aware, and that he cares, and that he'll be there, that'll give you strength.

God's presence, God's promises, God's provision, God's power, God's peace, all of these things come when we trust his Son Jesus Christ.

Salvation prayer