God's Faithfulness in Impossible Situations

New International Version (2011) Chapter 27

After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

Acts 27:21-26

Big Idea: When circumstances say "impossible," God's promises say "guaranteed."

Key Verse: "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." (Acts 27:25)

Introduction

Last week we left 276 people in total despair: "They finally gave up all hope of being saved" (v. 20). After fourteen days without food, exhausted by fear, unable to see sun or stars, they were convinced death was certain. But verse 21 changes everything: "Paul stood up before them..." God is about to speak into their impossible situation with an impossible promise.

I. GOD SPEAKS IN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS (Acts 27:21-24)

Acts 27:21–24 NIV

After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’

A. Paul Stands Up (v. 21)

All of us will face times when situations looks or seems impossible. What we do during those times can be key to progressing through those difficult times. Paul knew that God had spoken and told Him of how things were going to turn out in spite of how things looked. So he takes the courage to take God at His Word and stand on it. How many of us today are willing to stand on the Word of God? Maybe your situation looks bleak and there seems to be no immediate answers. What will you do? If you don’t believe that He can and will work the situation out, you will never be able to stand on His promises. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Church if we as the Leaders of this congregation are going to make good on “not one will be lost” somebody has to stand up and say “we can make it” our situation looks daunting but God has promised that He will be with us! Paul reminds them in a calm demeanor that they should have listen to his advice because this was not his first time sailing, even those he wasn’t sailing for the same purpose. His mannerisms earned the trust of the other 276 people on the ship because He didn’t panic. Then he gives them a divine command in verse 22,”but now I urge you to keep up your courage”, because no one will be lost or lose their lives. Only the ship will be destroyed. An angel visits Paul. You do know that God works while we sleep and in the darkest moments of our lives. He tells him why he had to make the trip, even though the purpose for you making the trip doesn’t sit well with you because you are going to stand trial for doing a great work for the kingdom. This is how God works in impossible situations. He doesn't speak before the crisis - He speaks IN it. He doesn't promise before hope is lost - He promises WHEN hope is lost. Why? Because when we have other options, we trust them. When we have no options, we trust Him. The impossible situation positioned them to hear the impossible promise.

Paul didn’t say it. But I’ll ask the question some of you may or may not have thought of. God you meant to tell me you are going to save me and these other 276 people just so I can go and stand trial? I don’t have a problem with you saving us, But why save me to stand trial before Agrippa? God's Purpose

From a biblical perspective, this served multiple purposes:

Jesus had told his disciples they would "stand before governors and kings" as witnesses (Matthew 10:18). Paul was literally fulfilling this.

Strategic witness opportunity -

Paul got to present the gospel to Jewish and Roman nobility, including King Agrippa who was knowledgeable about Jewish messianic expectations. Acts 26 records Paul making a compelling case for Christ's resurrection before this influential audience.

God had specifically told Paul he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). These legal proceedings were the mechanism getting him there, with Rome paying for his transportation and protection.

Both Festus and Agrippa concluded Paul had "done nothing deserving death or imprisonment" (Acts 26:31), providing official testimony to his innocence while he continued his mission.

The narrative suggests God was using Roman legal systems and Paul's Roman citizenship to spread the gospel to audiences Paul couldn't otherwise access, while simultaneously protecting him and advancing him toward Rome, the empire's center.

II. GOD'S PROMISES ARE SPECIFIC AND CERTAIN (Acts 27:22, 24-26)

A. The Promise Was Specific

"Not one of you will be lost" (v. 22)

It did not eliminate the difficulties that they were going through. It’s still storming in my life, but you said, “I will be with you, even until the end of the world”. I don’t see no breakthrough yet, but because I trust you, I believe the sun will shine, if I hold out! Because you are working things out for my good! I understand now that because you are the source and not only a source but the source that will work it out in-spite of what I am looking at.

Here is what makes His promises certain.

His Truthfulness

Numbers 23:19 - God is not human, that He should lie

His Character: He is faithful

Deuteronomy 7:9 - Know therefore that the Lord you God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

His Power: His ability

Jeremiah 32:27 - “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?

In impossible situations, we need impossible promises. And God gives them - specific, personal, certain. Not vague hope but concrete assurance. Not "maybe" but "guaranteed." Not dependent on circumstances but anchored in His character. The question is: Will we believe God's specific promise more than we believe our impossible circumstances?

III. FAITH BELIEVES GOD IN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS (Acts 27:25)

Faith Remembers Who God Is

"The God to whom I belong and whom I serve" (v. 23)

Faith Rehearses What God Said

Paul repeated the angel's words

Spoke them aloud to 276 people

Faith Rejects Contradictory Evidence

Faith believes God over what we can see. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith Reassures Others

His confidence becomes their courage

Application: This is what faith looks like in impossible situations. It does not deny reality - Paul acknowledged the shipwreck was coming. Its not toxic positivity - he knew they'd still face danger. But it was Paul’s unshakable confidence that God's specific promise would be fulfilled exactly as spoken, regardless of circumstances.

Where is your impossible situation right now? Is it on the medical diagnosis that you were told has no cure? The financial crisis with no solution? The relationship that seems beyond repair? The addiction that keeps haunting you? A dream that appears dead

God specializes in impossible situations. He waits until you've exhausted your options so you'll trust His promise. He speaks when hope is gone so faith can be born. And He says to you what He said to Paul: "Do not be afraid. I have a purpose for you. And I will keep you - not one will be lost."

Conclusion

The question isn't whether your situation is impossible - it is. The question is whether God's promise is more real than your circumstances.

Paul said, "I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." Can you say that about your situation? Because if you can, here are three applications that you can apply to your situation.

1. Listen for God's Specific Promise

What has God specifically spoken to you through His Word?

What promise applies to your impossible situation?

Find it, write it down, memorize it

Examples:

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble

Isaiah 41:10 - Do not fear, for I am with you

Romans 8:28 - God works all things together for good

Philippians 4:19 - My God will meet all your needs

2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace is sufficient for you

2. Declare God's Promise Over Your Circumstances

Speak it aloud when fear whispers

Write it where you'll see it daily

Repeat it when doubt attacks

Let it become your anchor

3. Share Your Faith with Others

Someone in your life has given up hope

They need to hear "Keep up your courage"

Your faith in God's promise might save them

Be their Paul - stand up and declare what God has said

The Challenge:

This week, identify your "impossible situation." Then:

Find one specific promise from Scripture that addresses it

Write it on a card and put it where you'll see it multiple times daily

Each time you read it, say aloud: "I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me"

Find one person in an impossible situation and share what God has promised you