024: Nathan Schipper - In Prison With Paul

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:13

   Welcome to the good Christian talks podcast. I’m Levi. And I’m Chris. Thank you so much for joining us this week. On this podcast. We select one taco week to help each one of us. Get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post at the start of each week for you to listen with a short entry beforehand to kind of set the stage for the talk. You’re about to hear and now let’s hear more about this week’s talk.

2. 0:44

   I talked this week comes from a class that was given as part of a series at the UK youth conference, in 2013, By brother, Nathan shipper, brother Nathan in his class is looking at the Life of Paul. It’s a fantastic series. I enjoyed listening every single one of them. My favorite were probably class, 4 and Class 5 and class 5 is what we will be looking at for our, for our talk today.

3. 1:13

   Brother, Nathan is really enjoyable and have really relatable speaker. The the way he approaches the entire subject is kind of a fresh take on how You could look at the life of Paul, he breaks it into five little groups, talking about different five stages in in Paul’s life. This class 5 is talking about, Paul’s time in prison.

4. 1:36

   A couple quick disclaimer is just about the class. If you hear him talking about handing out Smarties, or doing things to try to get participation, that was something he was doing throughout his entire series of putting names on the board for the different people from the different parts of the world that we’re at this, at this youth weekend. And also handing out Smarties to encourage people to participate. He also ends this class with something he did at all five of his classes called a postcard from Paul. Would you like a little short message, which actually serves as a perfect little summary for the theme of the class all written in Paul’s perspective?

5. 2:13

   As I said this class is about top, Paul’s time in prison and brother, Nathan does a really good job at digging into a lots of really neat nuggets about Paul’s time in prison really giving a good synopsis of his entire time from the time. He’s first arrested and taken to caesarea all the way to the time that he until he appeals to Caesar and then lives in house, arrest through the end of his life.

6. 2:39

   While going through them, he pulls out some really neat lessons for or us really practical ones. One of the major cruxes of this whole class. He starts with is not letting her situation, set your attitude instead. letting whatever drives you set your attitude regardless of your situation, which is something that Paul did and is really a good lesson that no matter what you’re going through in life, as long as you are focused on God and on serving him as best as you can, you won’t be discouraged by it.

7. 3:22

   I think my favorite part of this class in particular is the last about five six minutes which is where brother Nathan is wrapping up his in, not just this class but also the entire series for the week, you can really feel the emotion that he feels for the group of people. It’s as a youth weekend, the group of young people that he was talking about and about the passion. He has for this subject, it was really powerful to feel and he really kind of takes what had been a Let’s look at Paul and pull out some lessons and really kind of flips the script and really makes it about how do we live our life and it was just a fantastic way to close the the class and the series. So the full classes will be on the extended the extended podcast such as you should.

8. 4:12

   So, just search for good christadelphians talks extended and the same podcast player where you’re listening to this, or on the the anchor website. This class in particular, was given a suggestion by a young sister. She sent it to us and said that this was a class, she thought was really, really great and we agree, it’s a fantastic class.

9. 4:32

   So if again, if you have more suggestions, please send them in. Send an email or through social media and thank you for everybody who’s commented or I didn’t trying to get some discussion going. It’s a it’s great to hear feedback from people that are really enjoying it. We were looking at some of the metrics for the podcast and we’re approaching 10,000 listens already which is just crazy considering that we’ve only done 24 episodes up until this point, so the the support and the encouragement that people are taking from it that were hearing has been has been awesome. And we’re so humbled how much people are enjoying it and thankful that it’s been something. That’s been beneficial to everybody. So with with that will will turn it over to the class. Now, for class 5 from brother, Nathan shippers, series on Paul titled in prison with Paul,

10. 5:30

    Morning afternoon g’day. Mate. Good, awesome. I’m so, we’ve been here for nearly four weeks now and I’ve got to say the longer, I’m here, the mall weird. This country seemed like everybody says tonight on the menu, it’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and I might fantastic. I’ve never had this Yorkshire pudding stuff.

11. 5:58

    Heard about it. This this To be good on a rock up there. It’s like a shell that is like false packaging, putting like just a shell. I couldn’t believe it. And then last night. What’s this thing about? Like you got to sit on the ground, open a birthday card. There’s this guy telling everyone to sit down on the floor because you got over to birthday God. What’s going on?

12. 6:23

    I’ve never heard of this before. Where did this come from? It’s just like a national thing. When you open birthday card, you sitting on the floor. No. So Paul’s just weird. Yeah, okay. Sorry. I could not work out what was going on. Sit on the floor. Open a birthday card. That’s the first time I’ve done it and I promise you I’ll never do it again unless one of you guys send me a birthday card, okay, I’m going to start with saying thank you. The kids have just loved it.

13. 7:04

    It’s some. It’s been really awesome because you guys have looked after the kids and help with the kids and played with the kids. And I have to sit. And that has allowed me to spend time with you guys and get to know you got and only his well, we’ll get there.

14. 7:38

    I think, when we arrived with new light, Probably 15 people like Lockheed Smith. He goes to my pleasure and Joe and Jules. I go to my page about 16, people probably all of them from Perth and then Duncan I met him once that was almost about it. So getting to know you as I have has been great. But yeah, thank you.

15. 8:00

    Okay. If you ever decide to come to Australia or going to get past this, thank you for looking after the thank you for looking. After the kids, I got it out.

16. 8:12

    Okay, if you ever decide to come to Australia and want to keep in touch, or want to keep in touch, we’re live in Perth. In Western Australia. There’s my email address my phone number and if you’re on Facebook, I don’t really like, really do Facebook. But if you’re on Facebook, that’s who I am, I’m Nate from Facebook not native to keep it.

17. 8:31

    If you ever come to Perth and want somewhere to stay, give us a dial, drop me an email, and I’ll find a hotel for you. No problem. No, let us know and we’re more than happy to put you up or send you. Okay, so, Joe or Joe’s or Sam’s, or, you know, there’s plenty of other people in Perth would love to meet young people, but you’re more than, welcome to come and stay end of your studies, which is actually in December of every year, over the Christmas New Year. Period is a really awesome time to come. You have Sensational weather, and there’s a week of studies and a camp in the middle to really good time become. So if you want to get away from the snow, come to Perth for the interview studies lock, you can tell you all about it. It’s a pretty awesome week.

18. 9:08

    Really good week. Okay, that’s enough of that. Who am I? Sorry. No, not sorry. No. Yesterday, anyone hear that? Say it again. Andrew. Okay, that is Robert Ballard. Does anyone know what some what he’s famous for sinking, being an American? Almost.

19. 9:58

    That’s Andrew Fraser. I’m talking Robert Ballard the other guy who made us all sit on the floor, so someone got over their birthday gun. You just be brought.

20. 10:14

    September 1 1985 350. Miles off the coast of Newfoundland. In two miles, deep of water. That man found the Titanic. And this is what he said are pointing it. My first direct view of the Titanic, lasted less than two minutes. But the Stark sight of her immense black Hull towering above. The ocean floor will remain forever ingrained in my memory. My lifelong dream was to find this great ship and during the past 13 years, the Quest for her has dominated my life. What is dominating your look?

21. 10:57

    Is it, you study? You unique schooling. Is it career? He’s a how much money. Mm. How many has you know? He’s falling apart dominate your for 13 years. This guy was pressing forward just to find the ship just to find a ship that had life, sunk after nearly 100 years early he just wanted to find. It was his lifelong dream fine Titanic and the quest to find it.

22. 11:37

    Dominate lie. What is dominating your life? the Apostle Paul said, When he was in prison. When the walls were High when the lights were out, when the walls seemed absolutely insurmountable. And there was no way out of the trauma and the terrifying situation that he was in. He said, the one thing I want is not Freedom, it’s not a bottle of San Pellegrino.

23. 12:06

    It’s not like the newspaper. It’s not a good meal, it wasn’t anything other than to become progressively, more deeply and more intimately. Pointed Jake.

24. 12:23

    What is dominating your locker? And importantly. Where we going to be in 10 years time. Where are you going to be in 10 years time? What plans have you put in place? Are you putting in place to say? This is where I want to be Spirit. 10, you what is your goal? What up? Really important thing.

25. 12:53

    Where are you going? Okay. We hand up. If you stayed in jail. Just for overnight, not as a visitor, I’ve said stayed in jail, if you overnighted in jail.

26. 13:13

    Probably none of us have been in jail. I think it’s probably fair to say that none of us have probably been confined anywhere for a year, let alone two or three or four, a large percentage of your life. Probably the closest many of us have got is you’re grounded. And you’re not going out for two hours or two days.

27. 13:41

    No, you’re not going anywhere, and it was really tough. Wasn’t it was really tough in my house. When that sort of stuff happened to me, I had to go and we’d the lon go and pull the weeds out of the lawn and the rule was an ice cream bucket. Naughty thing about an ice cream bucket full of weeds and I had to be pressed down and overflowing you know trying to get this spiritual thing out of pulling weeds out of the lon but I had to deliver to my parents.

28. 14:06

    A bucket of weeds Christian and overflowing and as tough because all your friends or your mates are out there, having fun and you’re waiting the lawn with Myron par, not particularly enjoyable. But that would just lasted for a couple of days, maybe for a couple of hours but we’re today in prison with Paul we’re going to get behind the bars of the jails in which he spent a lot of his life, we’re going to observe him, observe his behavior. Observed the way he interacted with If people are going to listen to these conversations and take a peek at some of the things that he wrote, while he was in prison, and we begin in Acts chapter 24 back to where we were. I think the other night Acts chapter 24, Write a few more questions because I’ve got heaps of Smarties left, right? How many counties are there in Germany? He said that the guy who gave me that question. Yeah, very well done.

29. 15:11

    How many locks are there in Scotland? 29. I know that. So Australia gets another ten. One, two, three. Okay, Acts chapter 24. Where is Paul? Paul is in caesarea, right? And you remember the story, the whole case had been based on hearsay and so it was dismissed the case, the court was closed and Felix put pull back into custody and said, look, leave him at Liberty.

30. 15:40

    Let his friends come to him but just keep him under some sort of security. So there’s there’s Paul, he spend some time there. Felix knew that he had a dilemma, and he knew that he had to do something about, he knew that he had to sort something. Before this case could progress any further and does anyone know how long Paul was in prison?

31. 16:02

    Just about two years, just waiting for Felix to get the emotion, you go just two years, you know? So you’re 18, you still in there. When you’re 19 your 20th, birthday prison, happy birthday, Hannah and Joe. By the way, Hannah’s having a 21st, imagine being in prison from like 19 to 21. Imagine being in prison too, what would that be?

32. 16:28

    That is the Apostle Paul, right? He’s in jail for two years. Are there any charges laid against him not one charge at all? He’s been held and being detained without charge. Now, I just want to put that in perspective for a moment so that we actually can understand what we’re talking about here, your country, the UK has enshrined in law that no one can be detained for more than 24 hours without chart. You can’t be detained for more than 24 hours. That is the longest.

33. 17:00

    Someone can be held without a charge being placed unless they’re suspected of terrorism in which case you ate that 28. So my mass and I could be wrong, that tells me the Apostle Paul was in prison for approximately 720 something more days, more than your country would allow without charge. No Amnesty International no human rights Commissioners.

34. 17:30

    Nothing. No lawyer, no support whatsoever. I don’t know what it’s like in your country, but are illegal immigrants. Get treated better than that. Nope, not all and while in custody, what did he do? What did he do? When he’s in custody sitting there year after year, month after month, what did he do? He wrote letters, he wrote let it. Did he write into lawyers?

35. 17:54

    No he didn’t write letters to Lloyd’s was he complaining? Whinging demanding, an immediate review of his case. Felix, this is ridiculous. I’ve been here for so long. I want to get out of here. No, we would probably have written her memoirs and made a whole heap of money from it. No, Paul wrote, LED on joy and grace.

36. 18:19

    Didn’t allow the circumstances. Dictate this take mine. Not once did. Paul get impatient? Not once. Did he get bitter about the way he had been true. Now, once, did he say to the guards? Hey, mate. Can you just go and have a chat to Felix? And just remind him. I’ve been here for two years, 12 days, 9 hours and 10 minutes, but seriously, get a move on.

37. 18:42

    No, not once, are we given any indication at all that? He complained all that, he felt that he’d been dealt with harshly, or that. It was all unfair, you know, Luke records, nothing that leads us to believe that Paul suffered from impatience, bitterness and regret not So, how do you handle those tight pants? Paul seems to say that we don’t pump patient. pretty hard isn’t its it’s all easy to say so easy to make. Yeah patient but it’s a hard to put back. Things aren’t going the way that you think they should go. Things aren’t happening as you think they should happening, they’re not happening as fast as you think they should happen and we get all impatient about it.

38. 19:43

    We get all upset about it. Think about Paul. He was absolutely desperate to get to Rome, right? Absolutely desperate to get to Rome because you wanted to preach desperate to get to work preaching in Rome but he’s held up his delay. You getting.

39. 20:04

    I think that’s the time when we get most, isn’t that, when our timing isn’t, when things just aren’t happening, according to our time frame and an hour schedule. And I, when I want them to happen, And that’s when we getting paid. We hardly need, reminding do.

40. 20:29

    That things haven’t quite done. Like a father mobile wanted to go over the last set. haven’t quite gone, like, he would like But not only has been, has he been long-suffering with whole world? Actually they long for you. With you. Hasn’t been any patient. He’s been long suffering. With you. We really have. No reason at all to allow impatience onto our list character.

41. 21:13

    It really shouldn’t, right? The next time you start feeling impatient, take a few deep breaths. Think about Paul. 720 days in custody with absolutely no acts. 4:27 tells us that to use on He’s still there. He’s still in prison. Still there and one more one morning Paul is busily painting letters there in this prison in caesarea. And here’s news, news comes down to him. That Felix had just been booted out of office. He’d been sent all the way back to Rome and a new governor was on his way to see the real Changing of the Guard, right? Changing your gut, you’ve been booted other office and another one was coming in and like in a lot of countries around the world, there can be such a thing as a presidential or a Governor’s pardon.

42. 22:12

    That could have happened right here. and Paul could have thought to himself might have been here, two years nearly Farina, But really couldn’t, you pardon me. Why couldn’t you have just given me a Governor’s? Pardon and I could get out there and just start doing the work that I love doing much preach sharing.

43. 22:33

    The gospel we think that’s what I want to be doing. Why didn’t you give me a presidential? Pardon Felix. Why? I don’t understand that. What’s going on? What is the plan of God? Why am I here? Why am I still here? so many months after they put this Former, you know young people should question.

44. 22:56

    What if Felix had relief? Top 30, but yet it didn’t happen. We don’t know. But we know from the previous chapter there’s a bunch of vultures waiting at the door who said we’re not going to eat till he’s dead. So called probably have been kicked. And you see God, too.

45. 23:25

    Maybe Paul didn’t understand that, maybe Paul, just wanted to get out of there and to get out and preach the gospel and do what he wanted to do. But God said, no, no, it’s all part of my plan. I want you in prison Paul. I want you here because you can write letters.

46. 23:40

    You can write letters, which are going to help people not just for now. But for 2,000 years, that’s why I want you here. Your best work is actually being done in prison. That’s why I want you in prison. I don’t want you free. I don’t want you killed. I want to imprison I want you writing letters that was the best thing for Paul. It was the best thing for Paul.

47. 24:00

    It was imposed best interests that he stay in prison. What? Believing, that is awesome. You going through a terrible time. In my life, you’ve got incredible pain and suffering. If somebody comes along and says, it’s in your best interest. Wow, that’s hot. That is really, really hard to hear when somebody comes into your life and says it’s actually in your best interest.

48. 24:29

    It’s okay. Things will happen. Things will work out in time. We’ll all get sorted. This is actually in your best interests. It’s okay. Wow, that’s hot. That is awfully hard to hear. If the circumstances in your life are far from perfect. And it’s difficult for you at the moment being told that it’s in your best interests.

49. 24:52

    Doesn’t usually go down, doesn’t usually, go down but you know, Paul said I know it is and I read a passage for you. He says, but I would, you would understand that what’s happened to me has actually fallen out for the benefit.

50. 25:18

    What’s happened to me, has actually worked out the benefit, got to actually being this. It Now before we leave Acts chapter 24, guys, I just want you to notice. I have a look at verse 25. Felix 24:25 pulls in prison for a couple of years, right? And it seems that regularly Felix called for Paul as he reasoned of righteousness, is as Paul as Paul reasoned of righteousness Temperance and judgment to come. Felix trembled and said, go your way. Paul go your way this time.

51. 25:51

    When I have a convenient season, I will call for you end of verse 26. He hoped that money would be giving him that he might loose. Paul, wherefore he sought for him, the officer and communed with him often, okay? So Felix is calling Paul to him, often hearing this stuff when it’s a convenient season, when it’s the right time there and I’ll listen to you. Then I want to hear more about your message, then I’ll believe then I’ll be converted.

52. 26:16

    You know guys some people say some people plan to repent at the 11th hour and then diet 10:30. And that’s what happened to Felix. He was good. He died at 10. Don’t wait till the 11th hour to repent and be converted.

53. 26:37

    Felix did and he was booted from up and Acts chapter 25. Start by telling us that Festus the new governor of the new p.m. the new David Cameron arrives in caesarea and he was determined, it tells us this absolutely determined to get straight onto Paul’s case. And so he headed straight yarn to Jerusalem to consult with the Jews.

54. 26:57

    Their first one tells us three days after arriving, in caesarea, he’s packing his overnight bag and heading down to Jerusalem. Heading up to Jerusalem, to have a chat with the leaders. Discover more about this situation with Paul. Now, that’s hardly enough. Time to unpack your bags unpack, your suitcase has hang up, all your Royal clothes, your trousers, hang up.

55. 27:20

    All the stuff that you brought with you. He’s on the road straight up there to Jerusalem. He wants to get onto this case straight away and it wasn’t just about checking out Supreme Court of the country, right? He didn’t just want to do a royal tour of Jerusalem. Now, he went straight down to Salt with the high priests and the Jews about the situation. Verse 7 tells us that he comes back, he comes back to caesarea. He’s armed with information.

56. 27:44

    And it says that when he was come the Jews, which came down from Jerusalem, stood, round about Paul, and laid, many and Grievous, complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. So this time right? There’s no eloquent lawyer, there’s no tertullus about to slander and slam whole, there’s none of that. It’s just a group of unnamed Jews, who surround Paul and it was a scene that Paul was pretty accustomed to by this point in time there. Just piling one charge on top of the other to impress Festus with the fact that this was a, pretty serious case was of major importer.

57. 28:23

    Hey, touch the sky is no ordinary offender. We sear it done, some pretty dodgy. And although, the charges were obviously serious in nature and deadly if they could be proved, they were empty. And as a record says, they had absolutely no proof. You know, we don’t know exactly what charges were. But Paul’s defense in verse 8 tells us all we need to know.

58. 28:48

    It tells us all we need to know Paul reiser’s to offer a very calm reply. In fact, a condenses his entire speech to what think amount to around 20 English.

59. 29:01

    What does he say? No trace of anxiety. No, bitterness. No patience. He says, neither against the law of the Jews neither against the temple, nor yet again, Caesar have I offended anything.

60. 29:21

    And having said that, you know, it’s what he doesn’t say. That’s really remarkable. He could have reminded them that the previous p.m. couldn’t substantiate any of the church. He could have reminded festered. Hey, mate. Previous guy, he liked the specific, a get out of court close to the court because the child couldn’t be tension.

61. 29:47

    Begin to him. He didn’t do any of that. What? He could have reminded them of his Roman drivers life but at this point in time he didn’t do that, he didn’t do anything. He simply stood for the representative of the most powerful man in the earth than said what he said about me. Is wrong.

62. 30:09

    I’ve done none. The notice pistol, inverse Norm, fastest is the new p.m. right? David Cameron, they typically want to please the voters, just after they’ve got into office, they want to get in the good books. So he’s willing to do the Jews a pleasure, he answered Paul. And he said, Paul, would you consider going to Jerusalem to answer these chart? Would you consider going and being tried in Jerusalem? No doubt, he tried to couch it in very inviting her. No doubt Festus was offering or trying to offer something that he would.

63. 30:50

    He hope all will take up hoping that what he said, would come across as a really attractive offer and Paul would go. Yes, that is exactly what I want to do. Unfortunately Festus. Paul saw God’s hand all over this. Paul saw God’s hand all over it and it’s at this point in time that he wrote wave Roman Drive.

64. 31:16

    Hey the drive is my Roman passport counts. I’ll be okay. He saw God’s hand all over this now, how do we know this? How do we know that Paul standing there in court, hearing what these guys are saying? Hearing what Festus is just said to him, do you want to go to Jerusalem? And there have this case heard and Paul could see God’s hand all over it.

65. 31:45

    How on Earth did Paul see God’s hand all over this? Well firstly I miss the only passenger I’m going to turn to show in this desert out there are others but that’s the only one I’m going to use Acts chapter 23. A and verse 11 not long before, right? Just when he was in Jerusalem and not at a vision had appeared to him 23:11 and the night. Following the Lord stood by Paul and said be of good cheer Paul for as you’ve testified of me in Jerusalem so must you also bear witness of me in Rome.

66. 32:18

    You see Paul saw this as an opportunity to honor the command of Jesus. You must go to Rome. You know, guys, Jesus had not said to him. You will go to Rome. Jesus had not said to Paul, it would be good if you could get to Roman preach, the gospel there. Jesus hadn’t said to Paul Paul.

67. 32:40

    I will take you to Rome No, Jesus had said to Paul, you must go to Rome and that was a command. That was something that Paul had to do. It was something that Paul had to make happen. It wasn’t all organized for him. The tickets weren’t booked by Jesus and an itinerary given to Paul and saying, now, you’re off to Rome. No, Paul had to get himself to Rome, and it’s right here. And right now, that Paul says, Jesus told me, he’s commanded me.

68. 33:09

    I must go to Rome, I’m going to lean on that promise, right now. I’m going to lean on that Command right now and wave my life tours. Oh my God. To Rome. I it’s there that I And how was that all possible? You know, guys, the charges that these men must have laid against the Apostle, Paul have to have included a charge against Caesar.

69. 33:37

    They must have said, in some way, shape or form that Paul had bagged out, Caesar, always preaching against Caesar, always doing something to slander. Caesar. They must have done that because it was impossible to appeal to Caesar on the basis of Jewish. Law. Impossible you couldn’t do. It sees is not interested in arguing about Jewish religious law.

70. 34:04

    That’s what Festus is therefore Fester’s, can deal with that stuff. I deal with the big stuff, I’m Cesar, right? I do with the big stuff. I don’t want religious stuff in front of me. So the charges that these guys, lay must have included, a charge against Caesar and Paul can see it all coming together for consider all coming together and he goes, Pedro. as I said before, and one of the other talk whole never ever Way Drive, God, no, he pulled it out, put it out, but it was never his personal benefit. He pulled it out here because price had given him a command that said, you must go to Rupp You know, he’s been in jail right?

71. 34:56

    For years. And he doesn’t think God’s forgotten him. He doesn’t think that God has forsaken him, he still thinking clearly he’s still thinking objectively years being in prison. Would you be thinking like that after years in prison? This guy said it would help. It was hell banging, not not total opposite. He could see God’s hand.

72. 35:34

    Finally, having been Shipwrecked the Apostle Paul finds himself in Rome. Still smelling of seaweed from being Shipwrecked finds himself an apartment in which he would live a couple of years. I want to ask a question.

73. 35:51

    Why did God put the Paul? I’ll put Paul and the passengers on that vessel through the traumatic experience of a I’m not asking. I’m not asking the question. Why do we have the record of it? Because our no matter, sorry. I’m asking why did God put that boat on the bottom?

74. 36:24

    Anyone have any ideas? Talked for exactly, you know guys this is such awesome thing. This is why it pays to look at the Bible from a really big Have a look at the end of Acts chapter 25. Acts chapter 25 and will read verse 25 Festus is chatting to King Agrippa and this is what he says. I found acts 25:25.

75. 36:50

    I found that Paul had done nothing, worthy of death, he’s done, nothing wrong and that he himself, but he himself has appealed to Caesar. I’ve got to send him, he’s a Roman. I’ve got to do what he asked me to do all of whom I have no certain thing to write under my look, I’ve got nothing to write to Caesar.

76. 37:08

    I’ve got no letter of charges, I can’t send. Anything with Paul to say, this is what he’s doing wrong, we’re 40 King Agrippa, I’ve brought you here, especially you, in the hope that you can examine him and afterwards, I can have something to write for it seemeth to me, verse 27, unreasonable to send a prisoner and not with all to signify the crimes laid against him. Well, as I said before, they had a empty page at the beginning, I had an empty page at the end, but they must have come up with something, right because no passenger could go before or no prisoner who go before Caesar without a letter of charge where did Litter of charges end up.

77. 37:43

    Bottom of the ocean which meant Paul was in prison for a couple of years while they sent back letters to Jerusalem saying, hey, we need more information on this guy, what’s he done? Wrong, what’s a letter of charges? Where what’s happened? We need to know the case to be able to present to Caesar all the while polar’s Penning.

78. 37:59

    Well, just to fission ‘s is just Philippians, just Colossians. Just Timothy probably Hebrews, probably Philemon. You see God put that boat at the bottom of the ocean. So Paul could spend time in prison and do what Paul did best. Because Rock, which was write letters, not just for the benefit of the people that lived when he did. But for you and me, and that those letters, Ephesians, Philippians Colossians Timothy, Hebrews, Philemon, probably some of the best letters in the Bible that tell us about a disciples life, Or written while he’s in prison. Because God put a boat and 270 other people in the water. So, that one man could write a few letters for you. Is that awesome or what?

79. 38:56

    That’s, he’s absolutely. So, accept the 2627, we find the Apostle, Paul he is in, right? And he dragged his chains around that apartment in Rome for two years for two years and it was on the north side of that busy City where Paul was under house arrest and it was no tree. It was no black hole Sands or no Bournemouth Beach When I went to Google and type in 10, best beaches in the u.k. Right.

80. 39:28

    And that’s what it said. Is that right Blackpool Sands. Yes. And Bournemouth in Devon Oh sorry. Oh really This is Perth beaches. That is where I live. That is where your where we all live. That is the bait we’re locking goes has served for we go and swim. And when we have a lot of fun, that is the beach that is what betas are like in Perth. But we’re poor live was nothing like absolutely nothing like that and it wasn’t even like Bournemouth in Dorset. There are ya?

81. 40:08

    All right. Nothing like that. It was a height house with a cold concrete floor and it was there that he was in prison. So, I want you to try and imagine what it would have been like to visit Paul in that house. Just imagine knocking on the door. Being welcomed in by Soldier into the house. he walked through the main room and you find pool sitting there dictating to epaphroditus who’s gripping the quill and key vertically, right?

82. 40:47

    I love you. Okay, maybe the house had an atmosphere of happiness and we know that from the letters that Paul wrote while he was there his character his personality hadn’t been soured or hardened by All the Troubles. No no he was kind. He was kind he was tender, huh? He was forgiving just as Christ had forgiven him.

83. 41:16

    He said, that’s what he wrote, didn’t need to the Ephesians that, you be kind tender hearted. Forgiving just as Jesus has forgiven you We’ve been pretty hard for him to do that. It wasn’t in a good state of mind. They’re in prison. I’ve been in prison for four years now. Be kind. Tender hearted.

84. 41:40

    To give tender-hearted in prison. Be forgiving be forgiving as Christ had forgiven you. He walked in love, he was still a great encourager that he had been all his life without Pony. He was full of joy, he was fervent in prayer and in preaching he was still as passionate as ever about his beliefs.

85. 42:08

    And you know what makes this all the more amazing is the Man simply would not grow. Humble would love by God’s grace. He had lived he’d learnt to live above it all. How would that be possible? Just get you. So down, have you guys got a prisoner here in England? That like the popular people.

86. 42:31

    Everybody knows about and they’ve been in prison for ages. This question marks over whether they should be in prison or not. You guys have it in English. No, in Australia, right? We’ve got this girl, he’ll probably just stuck. Yo prison half of Australia. Think she should be there, half of Australia, think to shouldn’t be that you’re wrecking my para half-and-half locked in half an hour to half an hour.

87. 42:56

    Some people think they should be in jail. Some people think she shouldn’t be in jail. She is so bitter, her whole family, a bitter, they’ve written books. Have written stories. They do media releases all the time. Saying, how unjust? This is, how wrong it is, how terrible it is, how she’s just turning so bad.

88. 43:12

    How attitude is going downhill? Paul’s been in prison for longer than Chappelle corby’s, been in prison and he’s writing letters of joy and happiness. How had he learned the secret of contentment? Where did that come from? Um, what is the secret of contentment in jail content. Are you for real? He was still smiling.

89. 43:33

    He was still positive. He was as upbeat as ever. He still had a smile used up. Who am I? Thomas Jefferson. Who said that excellent? Does anyone know what? Thomas Jefferson is famous for Not The American or a American as anybody know you’re from. I thought it was Yeah, what else?

90. 44:11

    What America don’t forget about a guys watch. This doesn’t happen. Very often. What is Thomas? Jefferson famous for. Come on, Andrew. The Declaration of Independence, hirota? Sorry from the UK, absolutely, originally from the UK, but he, it was who instituted the Declaration of, in, of independent, is actually awfully interesting. I’d love to mention something about it but I want it over time.

91. 44:36

    It mind-blowing really the anyway, moving on. Okay, this guy, this guy this guy this guy was one day traveling across a river. He was with a group of people and they’re traveling on horseback ride because they didn’t have limousine. He’s an Air Force One, and Apache helicopters at the time that Thomas Jefferson was president, and he was traveling across the river.

92. 44:57

    That was actually a large river, and it had overflowed its banks. And each of the men was crossing, the horseback they’ll for on Horseback and they were fighting for their life. It was hard to get across this River. It was incredibly hard. And there was with this group, a lone traveler, just one lone traveler, and he watched as the group crossed, this treacherous River and then he I went up and asked the president. The president would take him across the president, agreed without hesitation and said, sure that’s absolutely fine. The man climbed on safely or the man climbed on and was safely taken to the other side.

93. 45:33

    And it was there that somebody said to him, why did you ask of the president for this favor? And the man said I had absolutely no idea that it was the president he said, but this is what I do know. All I know is that on some of your faces was written the answer?

94. 45:50

    No. And on some of your faces was the answer? Yes. And his is it? Yes. Yes. What is your face? What is your attitude? What is your face saying to the public to the people that you share the gospel to Paul’s was a yes, face Yes. Three times in a very very short letter written while Paul was in this house.

95. 46:19

    He mentions his circumstances. I want you to fast-forward to Philippians if you can place. Three times in a fairly short letter whole mentions his circumstances, and it’s a letter which was written while in this very house, while being in prison, Philippians chapter 1, verse 12. You reading the verse that I read out earlier, but I want you to know that the things which have happened unto me have fallen out unto the furtherance of the Gospel.

96. 46:51

    They’ve actually helped promote the gospel. Now fast, Forward to Philippians chapter 4 and verse 11. Not that I speak in respect of want for, I have learned in whatever state I am and he’s not talking whatever County, right? He’s talking whatever situation. I may find myself in there with, to be content. Doesn’t matter what situation I’m in. I’m going to be content verse 12, finally. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound everywhere. And in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Three times Paul’s writing about his circumstances and not once does a grumble in all three of those situations. He says, actually been on it is actually helped. It’s actually furthered the work of the Gospel. Not once does his circumstances determine an effect. His level of content.

97. 47:52

    He offers no conditions, no restrictions or boundaries on that at all. No, no. Regardless of his circumstances, chose to live above. Though there are extreme, fairly extreme circumstances. Unbelievable circumstances. His attitude remain full of he had a yes face. In fact he had a yes face all the time. You may be sitting on think.

98. 48:22

    Okay. I’m just going to put that down to the temperament of cool. You know. Like there’s some people who are just like it just really chewed up just really laid-back people. Nothing really gets under their skin. Doesn’t take a lot. Real lot to actually upset though, so maybe the Apostle Paul’s like, maybe, maybe, no, not at all.

99. 48:47

    Not one bit, how do we know that the truth is contentment was not genetic for the Apostle Paul, right? Because Paul wrote in verse 11, I have what’s the word?

100. 48:59

     Lance I have learned in whatsoever circumstances, I am, I have had to learn this. I’ve had to learn contentment if you’re like me and struggle to find contentment sometime when situations aren’t going well. When life ain’t great. That’s for us. That’s for me, right? Let’s do you will learn all deeply all wasn’t this Supernatural hero, who had this genetic thing, that allowed him just to accept. Whatever happens.

101. 49:30

     No, no, he learnt content, he learned Paul deliberately cultivated it, over time, he learned how to sustain an excellent attitude, despite the worst possible of sir. He learnt to rise above his head.

102. 49:51

     He learnt to to live beyond. Do you do what an enviable attic or in diva? you may find yourself in a situation, that’s far less than ideal life, Stitch becoming difficult frustrating and maybe you’re growing even more miserable every day as a circumstances, become borderline, unbearable, and maybe even feel like giving up, you know, the great temptation is to like to allow that doing

103. 50:33

     To allow that to turn you into someone who lives under a dark cloud. Is an overcast face. With a forecast for dreary too, depressing, dates little or no champ. The block Yep.

104. 50:54

     You know, the great news is there is hope beyond your done. There is hope Beyond you can live above your stuff. And the way it’s done, tap, hold it. Let the father become the central focus in your locker, in a Helo, he alone can Empower. He can assist you to live above your Circa, your external circumstances may not change, but deep within you, will change Paul lived above these circumstances is that didn’t mean he got out of jail.

105. 51:35

     That didn’t mean. Wasn’t baton. Jesus lived above the circumstances, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t beaten, but he wasn’t crucified. No, no living above you circumstances. Doesn’t mean life’s going to be happy comfortable and pain-free. It just means that you can live seeing the big. You can see God in it. You can see God at work and no, you can have the confidence, they’re going to come out.

106. 52:02

     The other end and you’re going to find yourself in the father’s. The change happens with it. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim, you’ll begin to realize that your strength is not your own. It’s not a strength from, you know, it’s a strength come from God about that. Paul taught himself to do this.

107. 52:32

     You see and we can check out the benefits in this letter. We’re in right now. Philippians chapter 1, there’s three benefits, three benefits that come from choosing to live above your circumstance. And the first is that the progress of the Gospel is accelerated. The preaching of the Gospel is enhanced as a result of your choice to live above your circumstances.

108. 52:59

     Let’s just read again for the Time for the pins 1:12, I want you to know that What’s happenin to me has fallen out to the promote the gospel. He’s in prison and he says, it’s actually helped to preach the gospel. If I was him, I’d be saying the best thing possible would be for me to be out of here and preaching the gospel planting occasions, talking to people. And God says, no.

109. 53:25

     The best thing for you is to actually be in prison, it’s actually helped in the Preaching of the gospel. Paul never viewed his confinement as a barrier to the gospel. But rather he actually said, it’s actually a catalyst for wider impact more people are affected now, Now that’s the benefit of learned contentment.

110. 53:49

     When you live above your circumstances, you’ll have little trouble spreading the message of. You got off the goal, not just to people like out there who don’t know about the gospel, right? But to each other, you’ll have no trouble sharing the message and the joy of the Gospel to your friends here. But I do your homework Leisure when you choose to live bottle, sir, sir. How why what on Earth do you mean we see everyone will want to know?

111. 54:19

     Everyone will want to know how one. You’re able to live with such joy and positivity. When your circum? Everyone, I want. I know what’s happened in your life. I know what you’re going. How you doing? How are you? The second thing is when you live above your circumstances, the edge of the message is sharp. It’s never dull.

112. 54:58

     It is never dulled at all. You know, Paul says that his chains had actually become the best preaching. The best preaching tool, if not Freedom, not the ability, just to walk into a synagogue and over the Bible and start talking. No. No. The best thing that’s happened is I’ve been in prison because the message is sharper the best preaching to live had. Are these things are these chains, this guy’s for real, right?

113. 55:27

     He’s on death row, he’s on death row and he says, rather than slumping into spare rather than getting all upset after Soldier after Soldier. After Soldier attaches the chain to me. Rather than doing any of that. Now he says this is the most awesome freaking opportunity.

114. 55:51

     He had a captive audience. you imagine being Soldier chain to pull, Walk-in or marcha gun. Holstered ready to go or match? Oceanic pull. Pull converter. And when they walked out, they were kind tend to her. Will you tell his message went to the barracks of Caesars Gap? He converted all the troops. He converted the practice is troops. MI6 troops, converted his message spread like wildfire, which is house.

115. 56:43

     Ever been stuck in a loop ever, like being stuck in a little up, half our heater captive audience, guys, awesome ever stuck on an airplane, sitting on the tarmac for hours. What am I going to do? Everyone’s complaining. Where’s the water? Where’s the drinks? Captive audience? That’s Paul. He viewed his confinement as a benefit as a help to, to further and to spread the gospel message, those chains sharpened, the message and the third benefit of living above your circumstances, is that the courage of others is strengthened. And I want to show you this in Philippians chapter 1, verse 14 of us that a this is what I was just referring to. So my Bonds in Jesus are manifest in all the palace and And in all other places, and I want you to know this, Paul says, many of the brethren in the Lord waxing, Confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear, when you live above your circumstances, when you choose to do that.

116. 57:47

     The courage of others is strengthened other people go, if he can do it. So can I If he can in his situation and my situation is nowhere near as bad as that my life is nowhere near as bad of that if he can do that. So can I how do you do that? How, how did you get to that?

117. 58:08

     She told me, share it with me. I want to do what you’re doing. You see, when you choose to live above your circumstances, the message or other people are strengthened to spread that message, both out there. And if you just by living by yourself, what Paul is telling us is that more and more and more, and more people got to find out about the gospel.

118. 58:33

     Is he was? Completely around the other way, right? Completely around it pulls thinking maybe post thinking, possibly, I should be out there preaching, the gospel. That’s where I do my best work, my best work that out there. Sharing the gospel with people and God says, that’s what you think. I’m going to put you in prison and show you that you being in prison. He’s actually been the best preaching tool ever more, and more and more, and more people are finding out about the gospel.

119. 59:03

     Because you happen to be stuck, in prison, three benefits of living above your circumstances. The progress of the Gospel, is accelerated. A message is sharpened. And the courage of others is strength. Courage of others is strengthened other people are inspired by what you do. In Philippians chapter 4 and verse 13. He secret to contentment.

120. 59:30

     How is this all possible? Herrick, how could he do this? Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, how often they must have heard him say that, how often they must have heard him say that our letters arrived. Ecclesia st. Paul. We, so concerned, how we know you’re in jail. What’s going on?

121. 59:51

     Are you okay? I can do all things through Christ. Amen! Some the letter off. That was his answer. Doing I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens me. He see, Paul’s contentment was found in a person. Jesus, Jesus Christ, made a difference price, taught him how to endure all circumstances, every situation every challenge, no matter how hard it was.

122. 1:00:25

     Could be endured through the power of Jesus props. Paul released all his rights. All his own strength, he let go of it all he gave it All to Jesus cry. And in turn Christ, Jesus release, all the strength that Paul would need. Plus. Plus. Let’s take the spotlight away from a man. Who was housed 2000 years ago?

123. 1:01:04

     In a jar and let’s focus that spotlight. On you and your life. Does God feel loved by you? Does God feel loved by the way you’re living a lot?

124. 1:01:25

     What things you’re thinking about. You. Just got to love y. Are you making a difference in the lives of those who are posts you? By the way that you respond the circumstances in your life? Others inspired by your faith.

125. 1:01:50

     Are they discouraged by your fear? Are the attitudes of unselfish humility of Joyful. Accepts, strong determination. And Thanksgiving. They evident in your life. If not guys. start by refusing to let your situation to him and you are as we saw in Paul the power to transform stubborn Soldier, And attitudes of fear, bitterness anger, see came from Jake.

126. 1:02:35

     And you know, he stands ready. For his strength to you. He alone can do that and you will he will. When, when when Import control, you will lock. given time, you may face a situation somewhat like called it It may not have the official intensity of a Roman Court, it may not include a plot to end your life but you will encounter those who don’t seek your good you will. And when you do do what he did, he stood firm on the promise of God and it was that promise that enabled him to stick to keep going.

127. 1:03:26

     Just keep going and trust him. What if he didn’t have that, what if he didn’t have the promise? What if Christ hadn’t told him that he had to go to Rome? Why, you know? He may have given. He may have lost faith, he may have questioned, whether God was at work. You know, who knows what would have happened in all its detailed but one thing we know, having that promise gave him Direction, gave him courage taking hope you’re you know, to absolutely no different.

128. 1:04:13

     If it wasn’t for the promises that God has given us, we too would suffer from lack of direction. We too would struggle with courage with faith and with commitment, you see, it’s those promises that kept all going and it’s those promises. That keep you and me going to what? So you guys the Bible is absolutely jam-packed full of crumbs.

129. 1:04:45

     Promise after promise, after promise after promise and their personal to you that personal you find them, find them, connect your name to them. There’s myriad’s of them right there. Is myriads of them become familiar with them live with them. Let them be your guide, let them be your comfort and like, Paul, you’ll be able to withstand the fiercest storms that life throws. Doesn’t matter what happens even if it’s jail when you stand firm, On the promise of God, Anything is Possible. Wait on the Lord been be of good courage and he will strengthen you wait on the Lord.

130. 1:05:31

     Joe They have good courage to strengthen. White on the law, type be prepared to strengthen you. The Lord is Hannah’s light and Hannah salvation Who will she fear? The lord is a light of Hannah’s lat. The Lord is a lot of Susie’s life and salvation who will Susie fear. The lord is the strength of Susie’s Be still Lara and know that I am God. Be still Peter.

131. 1:06:13

     And know that I am, God. if you don’t live with any other promise, Living this one. I’ll never leave you. And I’ll never forsake, you. Mmm.

132. 1:06:42

     Who’s that? I’m pleased. You guys know who he is. I’m very impressed. He’s one of my hero. I think the guy was amazing what he did for your country, what he did for the world. I read a lot of really like it and on October 29 in 1940, Winston Churchill, sorry, 1941 actually prime minister.

133. 1:07:07

     Winston Churchill was invited to speak at Harrow School Middlesex, I was invited to speak at a graduation ceremony. And after a very long-winded introduction listing, all of his achievements and all of his successors, Winston Churchill, step forward, and this is what he said, never ever, ever ever ever. Give up.

134. 1:07:37

     Your postcard for today. Dear loved ones. Never ever, ever, ever, ever. Give up. Really looking forward to seeing you soon and the father’s Kingdom. Paul PS. Your crown is waiting for you. Never give up.

135. 1:08:06

     Thank you for listening to the good christophany talks podcast. Please Subscribe for new episodes and legal review and apple podcast or whatever service you are listening from to help people find the show when they search for it. If you enjoyed this talk, share it on social media so other people can find it to for show notes and links to the talk that you just listen to visit our show page at anchor dot f, m / G. CT We want to encourage everyone to share their thoughts from the talk this week on Facebook or Instagram where we are at. Good christadelphians, talks or on Twitter where we are at GCT underscore podcast if you know of a great talk we want to know about it.

136. 1:08:43

     To send a suggestion to good christadelphians talks at gmail.com or message us on any of our social media platforms. Thank you for listening. God bless and talk to you next week. We want to encourage everyone to share their thoughts from the talk this week on Facebook or Instagram where we are at. Good christadelphians, talks or on Twitter where we are at GCT underscore podcast if you know of a great talk we want to know about it.

137. 1:08:43

     To send a suggestion to good christadelphians talks at gmail.com or message us on any of our social media platforms. Thank you for listening. God bless and talk to you next week.