In the concluding part of our series on Thanksgiving, let’s look at the “evangelistic” dimension of a thankful demeanor.
Rope-in…
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30 ESV)
We all know that souls are won-over by power-packed, Spirit-filled sermons. Remember the response of those who heard the soul-stirring sermon of the Apostle Peter on the “Day of Pentecost”? “… Brothers, what should we do?” (Acts 2:37 TLB). We can well imagine a repentant, convicted, prostrate spirit behind it all!
Now the decisive question: Can sincere thanksgiving amidst adversity pull a soul in like a powerful spirit-filled sermon does?
The answer is an emphatic yes!
One doesn’t have to go beyond Acts 16:16-30 to arrive at this conclusion. There we see a Philippian Jailer witnessing two Christian missionaries who are stoically holding their own as they are unjustly whipped and beaten. Historians state that at the time of receiving whip lashes, so much is the pain that screams and obscenities unconsciously flow out of the mouth of those on the receiving end. Not so with these two missionaries. Later on, even while being dumped into an unhygienic cell and having their feet cruelly fastened into stocks, the Jailer observed that these two men were all grace and poise in the manner of their Master at the Cross. More dramatic events symbolizing a thankful demeanor in trouble were to unfold before the Jailer: Whole-hearted praise to God by way of the passionate singing by this awesome duo, followed by an earthquake. And even more powerful, an utterly selfless disposition of not wanting to capitalize on the opportunity to escape, which as per Roman law would have been the death sentence to the Jailer at the hands of his Superiors. The end result? A similar conviction was wrought by the Holy Spirit, and a consequent similar response was elicited like the offshoot of the powerful preaching that we saw in Acts 2:37. If at that time it was “Brothers, what must we do (to be saved)?” Now it was“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30 ESV)
Do I need to say more? Did Paul and Silas preach or perform miracles to draw the attention of the Jailer? Not a chance! The thankful way they went about their calling, even amid severe and unjust suffering, roped in a soul for the Lord and later on more souls (See Acts 16:33-34).
Much like his Master, the Apostle Paul first practiced and then preached (See Acts 1:1) rather than the other way around! Before he wrote that monumental verse to the church in Thessalonica–“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:18 ESV), he had already practiced thanksgiving, even in the midst of severe affliction, just a month previously in Philippi.
Praise God for such faithful, thankful Apostles! Let us be thankful to the Lord for their inspirational lives. Hallelujah!
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Thanksgiving…ALL the Way!” mini-series, please click here.)