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Show THANKSEVENINTHESTORM And when he had thus spoken, bread, and gave thanks he took to God in of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were all ofgood cheer, and they also took some meat." (Acts 27: 35-36) There is an old legend of two angels that God sent down to earth to gather up the prayers of His people. The first was to gather all the request and petitions. The second was to collect the praise and thanksgiving. When they returned from presence their mission among us, the first was loaded down with baskets filled with requests of all sort. head down for he His basket was The second held his only had a few thanks. almost empty. 1 The New Testament Greek verb "give thanks" primarily to God. It refers to people and how we ought to be grateful for what "eucharisteo'" means God has done for and on our behalf. It ordinary reaction, our service for the goodness of suggests that reasonable us to our God must not be less than a word of appreciation. Thanksgiving is an act of worship that acknowledges that we are not on. our own. We are dependent upon God. It is an expression of gratitude for God making our lives what they are. Here in Acts by the 27, Paul has been taken his way adrift the Adriatic Sea. They have gotten sailors and is caught in a storm and had little survival. Paul put." on said, hope on of "I told you to stay Praise God for angels. For an 2 angel of the Lord came along side of Paul that night as it got darker and assured him, "F ear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and 10, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." (Acts 27: 24) About midnight, the shipmen thought they were near land and began to test to see how deep the water was. The first anchor went down 120 only 90 feet. Some of them tried to escape by lower a life boat but got caught. Paul said to them, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Many of us think we can make it to God by ourselves. Can I feet and the second remind you that God's church is that old ship of Zion and unless you stay with the ship you can not be saved. Just about dawn, Paul 3 saw the need for them to eat after 14 without food. fasted for 14 days of doing They had tarried and days. They would need strength to withstand the storm any longer. HAnd when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all ofgood cheer, and they also took some meat. " encouraged them all. "He had thus spoken." He spoke to them. He told them what would be for their good. He urged them to act. Notice Paul Second, Paul show them what he was talking about. W e have to not only talk but show others how and what to do. "He took bread." Third, Paul show gratitude 4 to God. "He gave thanks to God." The people were all encouraged. they all of good cheer." The whole ship found hope in the midst of the storm. It was like David said, "Thy "Then were preparest a table before in the me (Psalm 23) simply piety of presence of mine enemies." practiced the thanksgiving no matter where he was Paul what his circumstances learn to be storms grateful to were. God or We must even when the come. ought to be thankful that God sent His only begotten Son, that His Son came and died, and that early Sunday morning We He rose save with All Power In His Hands to you and me .. 5 |
