Title: Renewing Hope through Stormy Seas
Author: Palitha Jayasooriya
Text: Acts 27
Introduction:
(Illustration of a story related by D.L. Moody that led to a beautiful and well loved hymn being composed).
During a sermon he once preached, D. L. Moody spoke about a ship that was trying to enter a harbor on an extremely dark, stormy night. The Captain noticed the lighthouse light was working but not the 'lower lights'. He then asked the Pilot, "Where are the lower lights?", to which the Pilot replied, "They must have gone out, sir." The Captain then asked, "Can you make it into the harbor?" The Pilot replied, "We must sir, or we will perish in this storm." As they tried to maneuver the ship into the harbor in the darkness, it hit the rocks and sank. Many lives were tragically lost that night. (Adapted from Hymn History - Enjoying the Journey)
'The Lower Lights' - These are lights located away from the lighthouse that light up the water line and give ships safe entry to the harbor.
Visual Illustration - Show visual of the 'lower lights' and explain how they provide safe navigation into a harbor.
Over the past few weeks, we have heard of our nation being compared to 'a sinking ship', and to a 'ship that rocks rapidly'! These are painful comparisons because it reminds us of the challenges, especially the economic challenges, facing our nation and our people. So, can we persevere in hope personally, and also renew hope in troubled lives around us as we navigate through 'stormy seas'?
Friends, we have heard many times, and read many times, about the God who takes care of us in difficult situations - who walks with us in the storm. But, what about the people around us who are losing hope - those who don't know the same Lord Jesus who walks with us in the storms of life? Can we bring hope to those around us who are walking through 'stormy seas'? Can we help renew hope in their hearts?
I would like to encourage each one of you to ask ...
Author: Palitha Jayasooriya
Text: Acts 27
Introduction:
(Illustration of a story related by D.L. Moody that led to a beautiful and well loved hymn being composed).
During a sermon he once preached, D. L. Moody spoke about a ship that was trying to enter a harbor on an extremely dark, stormy night. The Captain noticed the lighthouse light was working but not the 'lower lights'. He then asked the Pilot, "Where are the lower lights?", to which the Pilot replied, "They must have gone out, sir." The Captain then asked, "Can you make it into the harbor?" The Pilot replied, "We must sir, or we will perish in this storm." As they tried to maneuver the ship into the harbor in the darkness, it hit the rocks and sank. Many lives were tragically lost that night. (Adapted from Hymn History - Enjoying the Journey)
'The Lower Lights' - These are lights located away from the lighthouse that light up the water line and give ships safe entry to the harbor.
Visual Illustration - Show visual of the 'lower lights' and explain how they provide safe navigation into a harbor.
Over the past few weeks, we have heard of our nation being compared to 'a sinking ship', and to a 'ship that rocks rapidly'! These are painful comparisons because it reminds us of the challenges, especially the economic challenges, facing our nation and our people. So, can we persevere in hope personally, and also renew hope in troubled lives around us as we navigate through 'stormy seas'?
Friends, we have heard many times, and read many times, about the God who takes care of us in difficult situations - who walks with us in the storm. But, what about the people around us who are losing hope - those who don't know the same Lord Jesus who walks with us in the storms of life? Can we bring hope to those around us who are walking through 'stormy seas'? Can we help renew hope in their hearts?
I would like to encourage each one of you to ask ...
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