(A) Introduction

I have some difficulty preaching sequentially through the book of Acts as I am doing at the moment. So many of the recorded experiences of the early church are not shared by me. It is not the same when I read and study the epistles. I, and most other Christians, can empathise with Paul. His problems are also our problems. It is therefore very helpful to see how Paul deals with the problems that confront him. We can learn from his example.

(B) Problem one: his chains.

Paul was not free. It is highly likely that he was chained day and night to a member of the palace guard. His chains were restrictive. He was no longer able to travel throughout the Roman Empire to bring the gospel to those who had never heard it. His days as a pioneering missionary were over. Those chains chaffed his wrists and they could have chaffed at his mind. The chaffing was eased by precious knowledge:

(a) Paul was being a good example to others. He was visited by some of the Christians in Rome and they witnessed his good-humoured acceptance of his situation and complete confidence in his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Paul bore himself well - with grace, cheerfulness and fortitude. So he is able to say: Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

In the week that I prepared this exposition I paid Kath Bonnett a visit in hospital. She was dying. Kath shared a bay with a rather disturbed, drawn, grey faced, lady who kept saying, "I want to go home. Why can't I go home. I am so weary. I am so weary." Kath, on the other hand, was lying in bed riddled with cancer resigned to death. She was perfectly calm. Her only concern was for her husband and how he would manage without her. She set me a good example by the way she quietly accepted God's will.

One of the saddest things for any teacher to witness is the death by cancer of one of his or her pupils. Three of my students died like this in the last ten years of my career. They set me a good example in being very brave and uncomplaining, fighting against their disease to the end and making the most of what life they had. I salute them.

(b) Paul achieved an unexpected good; the palace guard were hearing and responding to the gospel. The soldiers were chained to Paul on a rote basis. Many different soldiers listened to Paul as he talked and prayed with his Christian friends. They were a captive audience. They were also immensely privileged to have by their side the greatest Christian teacher that there has ever been. But I wonder if we were organising Christian outreach to a crack regiment in the British Army, the Parachute Regiment, for instance, whether we would send them a small, elderly, balding, partially sighted, Jew.

There are times God can use the restrictions he has placed upon us to bring blessing to others. I love the story in Corrie ten Boom's book, 'Tramp for the Lord', entitled, 'One Finger for His Glory.' It is about an old lady in Lithuania when it was part of the USSR at the height of the 'Cold War'. Her body was bent and twisted by multiple sclerosis and about the only part of it should could control was one arm. When Corrie met her she kissed the index finger on the hand she was able to move because it was by this one finger that she had for so long glorified God. Every day she translated Christian books into Russian and Latvian and typed them out with one finger on her typewriter. God had a purpose in her illness because other Christians in the city were watched by the secret police but because she had been sick for so long nobody bothered about her. Corrie ten Boom quotes this verse in tribute to her:

(C) Problem two: his opponents

It is clear that Paul was hurt by those who opposed him and who took his imprisonment as an opportunity to stir up trouble for him. V17 The former preach Christ out selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. Paul's opponents were orthodox Christians who were not in error concerning the fundamental truths of the faith and nor did they diminish the person or finished work of Christ. They were, however, very imperfect Christians because they seem to have been envious of Paul's success, reputation, influence and abilities. These leading lights in the church at Rome had the spirit of rivalry and believed that they were as good as Paul. Perhaps they resented the presence of Paul in Rome and saw him as a threat to their leadership. Whatever their motive Paul's rival's were quite prepared to kick a dog when it was down; they made trouble for him as if he hadn't trouble enough.

Paul's reaction to his opponents is an unusual one. He doesn't attack them and try and discredit them. They stirred up trouble for him but he does not really retaliate by rubbishing their ministry or pouring scorn on their efforts. Nor does he say like the hypocritical Mr Pecksniff in Charles Dicken's, 'Martin Chuzzlewit,' "I forgive you." Instead Paul rejoiced because his rivals served and preached Christ. He writes, but what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. v18. Paul is glad because the men vying for power and influence amongst the Christians in Rome, if not on his side, were on the side of Jesus.

There is absolutely no doubt that the spirit of rivalry is common amongst Christians. It can occur amongst neighbouring churches that are competing for a shrinking pool of ready made Christians. Churches that lose younger members to more dynamic causes find it difficult to say, " What does it matter? The important thing is that Christ is preached." It is much easier to be bitter and resentful and to condemn those lively fellowships for poaching members. Envy can exist amongst ministers within denominations. Not every leader rejoices at the success of a brother pastor whose church is growing. It is not easy to bear the great blessing attending another man's ministry if you are experiencing disappointments. Can you rejoice, with Paul, that Christ is preached.

Pride rears its ugly head within the local church. I can remember being replaced as a Sunday school teacher by a personable young women who enjoyed better rapport with the children than I did. I have to say that I took it quite well. There was slight resentment but, on the whole, I was glad that she was so keen to do the work. I can remember another lady setting up a discussion group for women. This was not universally welcomed as a few ladies thought she was getting too much influence. I myself was not made a deacon for many years because there were those in my fellowship who did not want me to have any power. A small church can be awash with petty rivalries. It will contain those who do not like us that much and may even stir up a little low level trouble for us. Sometimes our opponents appear more blessed than we are. We do well if we remember, with Paul, that those who do not necessarily look on us with favour are on Christ's side and serve him in the same imperfect way that we do ourselves.

(D) Problem three: his future.

Paul realised as he sat in prison that there was a strong possibility his work was coming to an end and that a martyr's death awaited him. He writes about this in disjointed and fractured Greek which reflects his inner turmoil. Paul is agitated as he contemplates his great work of preaching the gospel to the unconverted and pastoring the churches drawing to a conclusion. It is not always easy to accept that your work is done. Winston Churchill felt very, very, hard done by when at the end of the Second World War the electorate rejected him and chose Mr Atlee's party to govern. He could not see that his work was done - and it was done, well done, none could have done it better.

I believe that Paul was an optimist. He ends the passage we are studying on an optimistic note: it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. v26. Now optimism is not the same as faith. Paul is confident that he will be released to continue his ministry and bring joy to believers. However if, as seems likely, Paul is writing towards the end of his imprisonment in Rome we know he was not released. His work was, indeed, over.

Before his optimistic outburst Paul deals with his uncertainties by faith. He believed that whatever happened he would be delivered either to serve the churches or to be with Christ. He did not consider it a disaster to depart to be with Christ! He reckoned that was the best option for him! He writes, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. v21. The little expression, to be with Christ, does cause me some problems that I will deal with in my article on, 'Heaven and Hell'. I believe that our next moment of consciousness after death will be of the resurrection and return of Christ to earth. However, it is not something to be too dogmatic about.

Secondly Paul believed he would be given courage so that he would have nothing to be ashamed of but be able to exalt Christ in his body whether by life or by death. v20. I find that very touching and realistic. It is our treacherous old bodies that we worry about. It is not easy to exalt Christ when the body is crying out in pain or in terminal decline. It is then we need courage. Thank God many Christians are given it.

The little illustration that Mr ten Boom used to comfort his little daughter when she said to him, "Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ,"has been a help to me and, I expect, to all those who have read Corrie's books. Mr ten Boom said to Corrie, "Tell me, when you take a train trip from Haarlem to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?"

Corrie replied,"No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train."

So Mr ten Boom was able to draw the valuable lesson for his daughter, "So it is with God's strength. Our wise Father in heaven knows when you are going to need things too. Today you do not need the strength to be a martyr; but as soon as you are called upon for the honour of facing death for Jesus, He will supply the strength you need - just in time."

That is the wonderful assurance that Paul knew by faith; that God would supply the strength he needed -just in time It has been proven true over and over and over again in the experience of his saints.

The future for all of us is uncertain. We must face it in faith believing that whatever happens our salvation is guaranteed. We can also share Paul's confidence that the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ and the help of his Spirit will ensure our eventual deliverance from sin and death and our eternal well-being.