In this 28th chapter of the book of Acts we see Paul's journeys bringing him toward the great imperial city of Rome, where he would testify of Christ. (Acts 23:11). It was on this long arduous journey that he would be shackled (arrested), shipwrecked, and snakebitten, all before he would ever make it to stand before Caesar which in itself would be the greatest spiritual battle of his life. Many churches and Christians find themselves in a similiar state today: they face some of the greatest spiritual battles of their lives and along the way the Devil has done and is doing everything in his power to discourage and dishearten them by making the way taxing, tiring and troublesome.
Today as we face trials, tribulations, sorrows and storms let us look back over our lives and thank God for some things, and in thanking him gain courage and strength for the spiritual battles ahead.

THANK GOD AND TAKE COURAGE

I. GRACE THAT FOUND YOU (Titus2:11)  
Thank God for the grace that has appeared to all men, that is God's grace that has shone forth like the rising sun whose glorious rays have reached throughout the entire earth. Not while we were searching or seek it but while we were in the darkness, or our depravity and sin. Praise God for His glorious grace! Let us look back and remember and recall the condition we were in when God's grace appeared to us.

A. Lost (Luke 19:10)
B. Left (Luke 10:30)
C. Loved (Eph 2:4-5)

II. GOD'S FAITHFULNESS (1 Cor 10:13)
Paul knew something of trials in his life. He had suffered pain, prison and persecution all while serving in the center of the will of God. If you have any doubt of the magnitude of the sufferings that Paul endured while serving, the scriptures record their scope in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Yet in spite of what he endured, he exhorted others that "God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it". Notice with every trial, tribulation, heartache, and heartbreak God has graciously made a way of escape that we might endure. It will come at the moment of our need, not a second too soon or a moment too late. We just need to wait on the Lord. Look back with me at some times when we waited on the Lord and in waiting, He did a work and made a way.

A. Horrible Pit (Ps 40:1)
B. Hurt by People

III. GOOD FRIENDS (Act 28:15)
Here in our text we see Paul shackled and led by a detachment of soldiers. Alone he walked, stooped physically from the years spendt in the mamertime prisons, and stooped spiritually by the weight of the world on his shoulders. It had been a long journey, his faith probabbly running low, and he was discouraged, disheartened , maybe even depressed as he made his way around the bend to the Appii Forum, then the Three Taverns. Then, with his spiritual gas tank on empty and facing soon the greatest spiritual battle of his life, he looked up the see that the brethren had come out to meet him. I believe it was in that moment when he saw his friends, the faithful Christians companions that came to see and encourage him, that the aged soldier ,though once stooped, straightened up and squared his shoulders as he "Thanked God and Took Courage" for the trials ahead.

Preaching and Pointing People to The Old Paths