40 2 4 Through the Bible with Les Feldick Paul Our Example: Philippians 3:17 - 4:23

Philippians 4:1 "Therefore, (because of the Lord's coming as Paul has been talking about. It's at hand, and could happen at any time.) my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." Now never forget, where is Paul when he writes this? Well, in prison right next to Nero's palace, and is chained to a Roman guard constantly. Many of whom I'm sure were probably some of the most furious warriors of the Roman army. Probably some of them had carried out the capital punishment. Wouldn't it be bazaar if one of those fellows who had been commissioned to lop off the head of Nero's wife, had actually become a convert of Paul? That wouldn't surprise me a bit, because some of the most ruthless men in the Roman army were chained to Paul as a guard. And he was such a powerful witness that I'm sure that by the time many of them left their tour of duty, they were believers. You say, "Well where do you get that?" Well look what it says in Titus chapter 2:11 You know I try to encourage people, when you read a verse, don't just read it but contemplate it. Just stop and think and let the Spirit lead our thoughts, "How could something like this happen?" Well look at the verse, and always remember that it takes the Grace of God to bring a person, and especially people like these Roman guards to a knowledge of salvation. Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."