Encouragement in Setback - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) Paul’s imprisonment → an “advance” (2) learning to find encouragement in setbacks

Evangelizing (13): (1) most likely writing from Rome → background from Acts 21-28 (2) house arrest, chained to Roman soldier, paying “rent” (3) “imperial guard” a force of 10,000 soldiers charged with protecting the emperor (4) six hour “chain shift” → captive audience (5) Paul’s life/ministry takes a different direction, but there are still people for him to minister to (6) in the face of a setback, ask “who might the Lord want me to serve/share the gospel with?” (cf. folks in hospital, assisted living)

Emboldening (14): (1) Paul’s imprisonment has also emboldened other believers in Rome to share about Christ (2) this is a backfiring of Rome’s strategy (cf. speeding ticket) (3) Paul’s joyful boldness not unique to him → possible for all believers (4) also not just naive optimistic positive thinking (5) we are encouraged to persevere when we see others persevering → God may “set us back” to help us empathize with others who feel “set back” (cf. Marc at tire plant)

Equipping (15-16): (1) v.15 → two different preaching groups introduced (2) v.16 → those who preach with “good will” are motivated by love, as well as defense of Paul (3) presented as those stepping up to fill in the void of his absence (4) Paul previously prays for growing love (cf. v.9) → one of the ways the Lord answers this is by raising up new workers (5) sometimes the Lord sets us back in order to give others opportunities to serve (cf. me, Tim, Nita being gone this summer)

Eternalizing (17-18): (1) others arise motivated by “envy”, “rivalry”, “selfish ambition” (2) natural reaction of anger, discouragement, dismissal → mature response is recognizing that the Lord uses messed up people (4) caveat → what they are communicating is accurate, not questioning doctrine but motivation (6) tendency to dismiss those who seem to have more “success” than us (cf. looked over for job) (7) what Paul valued most is the gospel → setbacks expose things we over-value (cf. my career path)

Conclusion: (1) what is a current setback, and which one might the Lord be teaching you? (2) Christ’s ultimate victory looked like setback (3) Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 112:6-8