Confined but still Effective

• 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

• 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 

• 23 They (the Jews) arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 

• 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement … 28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

• Acts 13:45-46, When the Jews in Pisidian Antioch saw the crowd they … talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

• Acts 18:6, When the Jews in Corinth opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “… from now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

• Acts 19:8-9, Paul entered the synagogue in Ephesus and spoke boldly … persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of the Jews … refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them.

• Paul was confined to a house, and the Jews rejected him.

• He could gripe about his circumstances or he could preach the gospel to the Gentiles

• Paul chooses to be positive and for two years he preaches the gospel to the Roman guards

• 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance!

• Ph 1:12, 13, Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

• Ph 1:14, Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

• God has placed you wherever you are according to his plan.

• You may view where you are as a dead end job but it may be an opportunity for you to advance the gospel.

• Joni is still confined to a wheelchair but the wheelchair has become an opportunity for her to bring the gospel and wheel chairs to those who need God.