Stay in the Game: Bringing Hope Through Life’s Storms

We all know what it feels like to reach the end of our rope with someone—to feel so exhausted, so hurt, or so frustrated that we want to say, “I’m done with that person.” Sometimes, stepping away is necessary, especially in the case of toxic relationships or harmful habits. But what about those times when we’re tempted to quit too soon, to withdraw simply because it’s hard? God calls us to something deeper: to stay in the game, to endure, and to be present even when relationships are difficult.

Looking at Acts 27, we see Paul as a model for this kind of perseverance. Paul, though ignored and rejected, doesn’t sulk or withdraw. He sees things as they are—he’s honest about the danger ahead, but he doesn’t let rejection push him out of the relationship. Instead, he remains engaged, understanding that people often aren’t ready to hear hard truths when life is comfortable. Our role is to offer wisdom, even if it’s not received, and to stay close enough to be present when things change.

Storms are inevitable. Life will turn, and the people we care about will face crises that strip away their self-sufficiency. In those moments, desperation can open hearts in ways comfort never could. Our calling is to be present when the storm hits—not enabling or compromising, but checking in, maintaining relationship, and being ready to offer hope when the time is right.

Paul brings hope when all hope is lost. He doesn’t withdraw emotionally or spiritually; he waits for the moment of despair and then steps forward with the promise of God. Biblical hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s confident trust in God’s promises, which are certain and eternal. When we stay in the game, we’re positioned to bring this kind of hope to others, pointing them to something lasting and unshakeable.

We can be done with sin, but never done with the sinner. We can be done with the struggle, but not with the soul. God calls us to endure, to remain available, and to bring hope when it’s needed most. Whether it’s joining God’s family for the first time or re-engaging a broken relationship, the invitation is to stay in the game—because storms will come, and God wants to use us to bring hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. See things as they truly are Facing reality requires courage and humility. It’s easy to see people and situations as we wish they were, but God calls us to a clear-eyed assessment. This means recognizing when someone isn’t ready to hear truth, and not taking rejection personally. By staying objective and present, we remain available for when hearts are ready to change. [42:40]
• 2. Be present when storms come Life’s storms are inevitable, and they often create the openness that comfort never does. Our role is not to force change, but to remain relationally close—checking in, offering support, and being ready when the crisis comes. Desperation can strip away self-reliance and make room for God’s hope, but only if we’re still in the game. [49:54]
• 3. Bring hope when hope is gone True hope is not wishful thinking, but confident trust in God’s promises. When all worldly hope is lost, we have the opportunity to offer something transcendent and lasting. Our presence and our words can point others to the certainty of God’s love and redemption, even in the darkest moments. [55:29]
• 4. Never be done with the person We can reject sin and step away from destructive patterns, but we are never called to give up on people. Every person is made in God’s image and is always within reach of His grace. Our endurance and willingness to stay connected can be the very thing God uses to bring someone home. [59:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [30:31] - The Temptation to Quit on People
• [31:41] - When Quitting Is Justified
• [32:05] - Quitting Too Soon: Real-Life Examples
• [33:48] - The Pain of Church Relationships
• [35:48] - The Call to Endure and Bear With Others
• [36:21] - God’s Purpose in Staying in the Game
• [37:05] - Paul’s Journey to Rome: Context
• [38:45] - Reading Acts 27:9-23
• [42:12] - Three Instructions for Staying in the Game
• [42:40] - See Things as They Are
• [48:34] - Who Are You Trusting?
• [48:51] - Be Present When Things Turn
• [53:45] - What It Means to Be Present
• [55:05] - Bring Hope in the Absence of Hope
• [59:25] - Be Done with Sin, Not the Sinner
• [60:15] - Next Steps and Communion

Bible Reading

Acts 27:9-23 (ESV) —
> 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
>
> 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
>
> 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 27, what warning does Paul give to the crew and how do they respond to him? ([38:45])
2. What actions do the sailors take as the storm gets worse, and what does this show about their situation? ([40:10])
3. According to the sermon, how does Paul react when his advice is ignored by those in charge? ([43:15])
4. What does Paul do when all hope seems lost on the ship? ([55:29])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the centurion and the others chose to listen to the pilot and ship owner instead of Paul? What does this reveal about how people respond to uncomfortable truths? ([44:08])
2. The sermon says, “When things are going well, pilot logic will trump prophetic warning.” What does this mean, and how does it relate to people’s willingness to hear hard truths? ([44:08])
3. How does Paul’s presence during the storm model the kind of endurance and hope the sermon calls us to have in difficult relationships? ([53:27])
4. The pastor said, “We can be done with sin, but never done with the sinner.” What does this look like in real life, especially when someone has hurt us? ([59:44])

Application Questions

1. Think of a relationship where you’ve felt like saying, “I’m done with that person.” What made you feel that way? Looking back, do you think you quit too soon, or was it necessary? ([30:31])
2. The sermon talks about “seeing things as they are” and not just as we wish they were. Is there a relationship or situation in your life right now where you need to be more honest about reality? What would it look like to face it with courage and humility? ([42:40])
3. When someone you care about is making poor choices and won’t listen, how can you stay “in the game” without enabling or compromising? What are some practical ways to check in or stay present, even if they aren’t ready to change? ([54:04])
4. The pastor said storms are inevitable and can open people’s hearts in ways comfort never could. Have you ever seen someone become more open to God or to you during a crisis? How did you respond? ([49:54])
5. Paul waited for the right moment to bring hope when all hope was lost. Is there someone in your life who might need hope right now? What would it look like for you to offer them “confident trust in God’s promises” instead of just wishful thinking? ([55:29])
6. The sermon challenges us to “never be done with the person.” Is there someone you’ve given up on that you sense God might be calling you to re-engage with? What’s one step you could take this week to move toward them? ([59:44])
7. For those who are followers of Jesus, the pastor encouraged apologizing for your part in a broken relationship. Is there someone you need to apologize to or reach out to, so you can be close when the storms come? ([01:02:35])