PAUL

 *06/12/2020*

*THANKSGIVING SERVICE*

THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD*

TOPIC: *ANGELS MINISTERED TO MANY PEOPLE*

SUB-TOPIC: *PAUL*

Text: Acts 27:23-24

*#before the shipwreck#*

Acts 18:9

*Believers hope against hope, and Paul had not forgotten that God had assured him that he would reach Rome* (Acts 23:11). At this dark time, Paul stood up before them (Acts 27:21b). He reminded the people that he had warned them of coming disaster before they left Crete but his speech is more one of encouragement than blame. He assured them that although the ship would be destroyed, God would save their lives (Acts 27:22). He could say this confidently because he had had a divine revelation the previous night (Acts 27:23). Paul was careful to specify that the God who sent him this message was the God he served, for the others on board had presumably been praying to their gods, and in particular the god of the sea.

The angel's message shows that Paul too had been tempted to despair, for he was specifically told, *Do not be afraid*. He was reminded that he must stand trial before Caesar. But it was not Paul alone who would be saved; the angel told him that: *God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you* (Acts 27:24). It seems that Paul had been praying for the safety of others, as well as for himself.

*Paul testified that he trusted God to do what had been promised through the angel* (Acts 27:25) and encouraged his fellow travelers, explaining that they would all survive.

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