The Surprising Spread of the Unchained Gospel

The Apostle Paul had longed to go to Rome--the epicenter of the Empire--to encourage believers there and to preach the good news about Jesus in this most influential city. 

Except his route there took some unexpected turns. 

While taking gifts from the churches in Macedonia to the believers in Jerusalem, Paul found himself at the center of a riot. And they were rioting because of him. 

To make a long story short, Paul ended up spending two years in prison in Caesarea when he finally appealed to Caesar to settle his case. 

And then he spent another two years in chains in Rome awaiting his trial and verdict. 

That's FOUR years in prison! 

Can you imagine him wandering what God was up to in all of this? He was Jesus' ambassador to the Roman Empire, and he has spent the last 4 years in prison. 

When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he tells them that God was at work the whole time because what had happened to him really served to advance the gospel. 

Not only that, but because of his chains, the Emperor's own Imperial Guard (numbering some 9000) heard that Paul was in chains for Jesus, and even some within Caesar's own household had become believers.

In other words, God had answered Paul's prayers, but in ways he would never have thought about even in his wildest of dreams.

Join us this Sunday as we work through Philippians 1:12-19, and contemplate God's work in and through our lives, and how he works in the good, the bad, and the ugly to bring about his good purposes.

We hope to see you at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn!

Here's a copy of the worship folder.

All the best!

Pastor John