Participants: Tony Moore
Series Code: IFP
Program Code: IFP000019
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01:39 Paul had finally arrived in the capital of Rome.
01:42 He had set his heart on coming to this city years 01:45 earlier while at Ephesus. 01:47 While it was not the entrance that he anticipated, 01:50 he was now entering the city with chains. 01:53 He was confident that his coming to this city 01:56 would cause to advance the message of Jesus Christ 02:02 throughout the empire. 02:03 Paul must have been thankful as he entered the city for 02:07 the positive report that the Roman centurion, Claudius 02:10 Lysias had given about him in Jerusalem. 02:13 How that the Roman governors of Palestine, both Festus 02:17 and Felix, had said that there was no basis in the 02:20 charges lodged against him. 02:22 How even King Agrippa had come and said this man should 02:25 be released, he has done nothing worthy of being in 02:29 prison, and certainly not of death. 02:31 But as Paul looked forward to his date before Caesar's 02:35 Court, he was confident he would be released, but if not 02:39 that was okay, he was willing to die for his Lord 02:43 here in this city. 02:45 As Paul entered into the magnificent city, he was taken 02:49 before the captain of the Praetorian guard. 02:53 We know his name at this time was Afrianus Burrus, 02:58 he was the tutor of Nero. 03:03 Paul was thankful for the positive report that had been 03:06 given by the Centurion and the two Roman generals and 03:09 King Agrippa, for this influenced General Burrus to 03:13 allow Paul to live in a rented house, in his own quarters 03:17 under the watch of one of the Praetorian guards. 03:20 When Paul was brought before the Imperial Tribunal, 03:24 on the Palatine Hill, 03:26 He would have walked into the great forum of Rome. 03:29 The splendid ancient ruins here would not have looked 03:32 quite the same in Paul's day. 03:34 Several of the buildings have not yet been built. 03:38 The beautiful arches of Titus, Septimius Severus, 03:41 and Constantine had not yet been erected. 03:44 Nor had the columns of Trajan, or Marcus Aurelius, 03:47 and of course the most recognizable building of the 03:51 ancient city, the Coliseum had not yet been constructed. 03:54 This building will be built largely from the spoils of 03:58 the Jewish war and the bootie taken from Jerusalem. 04:02 It was built by Vespasian and his son Titus near a 04:06 colossal statue of Nero had stood. 04:08 The name stuck and today it is known as the Coliseum. 04:12 This was the place of the games, but it is not clear 04:16 that Christians were actually martyred here. 04:18 The building was used as a quarry to construct new 04:22 buildings until Pope Pius IX declared it to be a holy 04:26 place, saying that Christians had given their lives for 04:30 Jesus in this place. 04:32 This preserved the remains of the buildings that 04:35 we see and love today. 04:37 As Paul was brought to the forum to be interviewed by 04:41 the Imperial Tribunal, he would have been passed by 04:44 the great temple of Castor and Pollux. 04:47 This great temple was dedicated to the twin 04:50 sons of Zeus, who were said to be 04:52 the patrons of Mariners. 04:54 The Alexandrian grain ship that he had sailed on from 04:57 Malta to Pots-Wally actually had the figureheads of 05:01 Castor and Pollux, but Paul recognized it was not the 05:04 twin sons of Zeus that had delivered him from certain 05:08 death in the sea, but it was the Lord Jesus Christ who 05:11 had commissioned him to come here, to the city of Rome, 05:14 to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 05:18 As Paul walked amongst the great forum he would have 05:21 passed by the Senate and other outstanding buildings 05:25 of iniquity, thanking God that finally he had arrived. 05:29 Finally he had the opportunity to witness even 05:33 to Caesar's household. 05:34 Perhaps Paul came and paused here by the rostrum, 05:39 and as he did he must have thought of how Mark Anthony 05:42 had addressed the nation after the assassination 05:45 of Julius Caesar. 05:46 Shakespeare put these words into Mark Anthony's mouth, 05:50 "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. " 05:54 "We do not come today to praise Caesar but to bury him. " 05:58 Yes Paul would have been very familiar with Mark Anthony 06:03 for he had built his Imperial Palace at Tarsus. 06:06 It was Tarsus that Cleopatra sailed up from Egypt to 06:10 meet Rome's most famous general. 06:13 Perhaps as Paul stood here by the rostrum, 06:18 he thought back to Philippi, because it was at Philippi 06:22 where Mark Anthony and Octavian caught up with 06:25 Caesar's assassins and it was there on the plains 06:28 surrounding Philippi that the assassins were 06:31 defeated and committed suicide. 06:33 Perhaps, as he was remembering that story, he must have 06:36 thought the lovely church at Philippi. 06:39 Perhaps as he began thinking about them, it prompted a 06:43 letter to them during his imprisonment here at Rome. 06:46 He looked back with special fondness to the church at 06:50 Philippi, he had a special place in his heart for them. 06:54 I wonder as he walked up before the Imperial Tribunal, 06:58 did he think about Lydia? 07:00 Was he reminded of this merchant princess from Thyatira, 07:04 and how she had accepted the gospel? 07:06 Did he think about that jailer and the miracle that had 07:09 taken place when he was imprisoned there in Philippi? 07:12 How the jailer and his entire family believed and were 07:15 baptized in the name of Jesus. 07:18 Did he think about that girl who had been possessed with 07:21 an evil spirit all of her life, and how she had been 07:24 delivered in the name of Jesus? 07:26 He must've thought about the church at Philippi and he takes 07:29 out is pen and writes a beautiful letter telling them 07:32 not to be discouraged about what has happened to him. 07:36 He was upbeat, Paul was full of courage. 08:01 Paul did not see his arrest as a great tragedy. 08:05 He saw that he had been brought to Rome at state expense 08:09 and as the soldiers of the Praetorian Guards switched 08:12 off, one by one they were having the opportunity to be 08:16 exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 08:19 This confidence was encouraging the believers throughout 08:23 the city to be more bold in sharing and witnessing 08:26 about their Lord Jesus. 08:28 Yes Paul could write to the church in Philippi to rejoice 08:32 always, and again I say rejoice. 08:34 Yes Paul was confident that he was here on a mission 08:38 and that Jesus would use his testimony, in this city, 08:42 to reach into the highest levels of Roman society. 08:47 For a man on trial before a corrupt system, Paul had 08:51 great peace in his heart, he must've been reminded about 08:55 this peace as he passed by the great Mausoleum of 08:59 Augustus Caesar and the great Altar to Peace. 09:03 Yes indeed the Roman peace had provided the basis for 09:07 Paul to move freely through the ancient world preaching 09:11 that Jesus was the Christ. 09:13 Rome had settled the world and had brought a tremendous 09:16 peace and security, and network of roads, but as Paul 09:20 read the testament of Caesar Augustus there by his mausoleum 09:24 on the Altar of Peace and it ascribed the title Prince of 09:28 Peace to him, Paul knew that that was hyperbole. 09:32 He knew there was only one Prince of peace, the true 09:35 Prince of peace was Jesus Christ. 09:37 The only One that can bring peace to the heart, 09:40 and peace to the soul was Jesus Himself. 09:43 Rome might bring peace to the world because people were 09:46 afraid of their swords and their spears, but the only 09:48 One who could change the heart and change the life, 09:51 was Jesus Himself. 09:53 Yes Paul wrote about this tremendous peace when he 09:56 wrote his letter to the church at Philippi, from here 09:59 in the city of Rome. 10:16 But Paul you are in prison! 10:18 You have a death sentence hanging over your head. 10:21 How can you not be anxious? 10:22 Paul said to be anxious in nothing but in everything 10:26 by prayer and supplication, make your requests known 10:29 unto God with Thanksgiving. 10:31 Yes the only reason Paul had peace in his heart was 10:34 because he surrendered himself to the Lordship of Jesus 10:37 Christ, he had the peace of Jesus within so he did not 10:41 have to be anxious about what the outcome would be. 10:44 He was confident that his life was hidden in the life 10:47 of God, he was confident that whatever happened would 10:50 be for the glory of God. 10:52 Yes the only way that we can be anxious about nothing 10:56 is to surrender ourselves to Lordship of Jesus Christ 10:59 by prayer and supplication. Notice what the benefit is. 11:03 "And the peace of God that transcends understanding will 11:06 "guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus. " 11:10 Isn't that precious? 11:11 While Paul is on trial for his life here in the city of 11:14 Rome, he has committed himself, he's submitted himself 11:17 to the Lordship of Jesus. 11:19 He's submitted himself in prayer, and he is confident 11:22 that whatever happens, it is for the glory of God. 11:25 He said in Romans 8:28. 11:35 Yes Paul had a great confidence in the Lord. 11:38 He was confident that this seeming tragedy would turn out 11:41 to be a great blessing for the advancement of the gospel 11:45 and for the cause of Christ, both in this city and 11:48 throughout the Roman empire. 11:50 Paul had a peace deep in his heart, a peace as he 11:55 described to the Philippians, that passed understanding. 11:58 A peace that only those that have experienced it can 12:02 know about, Paul had this great peace deep inside his 12:06 heart and he was confident that the gospel would triumph 12:10 both in the city of Rome and throughout the world. 12:13 Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, the church he loved 12:17 so dearly that he told them how the gospel was penetrating 12:21 right into the very house of the Caesar's. 12:33 Yes this was a tremendous development, even Caesar's 12:38 household had been penetrated by the gospel. 12:41 Paul was confident, and he was seeing the fruitage here 12:44 in the city of Rome, even Caesar's household had now been 12:48 exposed to the gospel and some were believing. 12:51 Paul was here in chains, and yet he did not complain. 12:56 He faithfully witnessed for his Lord. 12:59 Notice how Luke concludes the record of Acts 28:30. 13:19 For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented quarters 13:22 here in the city of Rome. 13:24 He was able to entertain guests who would come and go. 13:27 He was able to instruct the leaders of the church. 13:30 He was able to share with seekers about Jesus being 13:33 the Christ, the Messiah. 13:35 Yes it was a productive time of ministry. 13:37 Yes he was chained to a Roman soldier, they would change 13:41 off every four hours. 13:44 Although he was chained to the soldier, they were able to 13:47 listen to the interviews he would give with the church. 13:50 They were able to listen as he would share Jesus with 13:54 seekers, yes the gospel penetrated even this elite 13:58 group of guards and many became believers. 14:01 But what if Paul would have been sour? 14:03 What if Paul would have been complaining? 14:05 What he said after all I have done as a faithful soldier 14:09 of Jesus, look at me now, look what has happened to me? 14:12 Think of what would have been lost. 14:14 But instead Paul came believing that his life was 14:19 hidden in the life of God. 14:27 Yes today there is a strange brand of Christianity that 14:30 goes around, today there is a brand of Christianity I 14:33 call health, wealth, and prosperity. 14:35 If you only believe that God will bless you with all 14:38 kinds of things, and if you send money to my ministry 14:41 you will prosper, and nothing bad will happen and you 14:44 will reap multiplied material blessings here in this world. 14:48 Paul came in chains, yet he said I have learned to be 14:52 content, whether I have much or little. 14:54 I have learned to be content Jesus Christ, that my life 14:57 is trusting in Him no matter what happens. 15:00 Luke closes his record of Paul's life in the book of Acts 15:04 with this two-year imprisonment. 15:06 Scripture is actually silent on what happens to Paul 15:09 after this, but tradition has generally held that Paul 15:12 was acquitted before Nero of the charges lodged against him 15:16 by the Jews in Jerusalem. 15:18 Paul was free to go. 15:19 We do not know exactly where he went, we do know that he 15:23 had long had a desire to go to Spain. 15:26 We draw certain inferences from Paul's later letters to 15:30 Timothy and Titus that Paul would also return back to 15:34 Asia and to Macedonia and Acacia. 15:38 He would go to the island of Crete and 15:41 proclaim the gospel there. 15:43 In his letter to Titus, he tells them that I want to 15:46 meet you in Nicopolis. 15:49 Nicopolis was a city on the western shore of Greece. 15:53 On the eastern edge of the Adriatic Sea. 15:57 This was a place near the Battle of Actium and very 16:01 important in Roman history. 16:03 There was a roman colony established there and he wanted 16:07 to meet Titus there for the winter. 16:09 Paul was arrested in Nicopolis and sent in chains back 16:12 to the city of Rome. 16:14 This time Rome would not be so gracious to this Roman 16:17 Citizen, this time he would be cast into the Mamertinum 16:21 prison, held in a dungeon awaiting sentence. 16:25 He describes it in second Timothy how his first 16:28 defense everyone had fled, but God was faithful 16:32 and had sustained him. 16:50 According to the traditions, after the fires of Nero 16:55 in 64 A.D., Paul was rearrested and held here 16:59 in the Mamertinum prison. 17:01 This time it looks like a dismal future for Paul. 17:05 It does not look like the optimistic deliverance he had 17:09 anticipated when here a few years before. 17:11 For now Paul has been singled out as the scapegoat 17:15 for the fires of Rome. 17:17 As the leader of the Christians, yes Nero the insane Emperor 17:21 had trumped up charges against him. 17:23 Paul would be used as an example before the city of Rome. 17:28 Paul wrote some very precious words to Timothy. 17:54 All had forsaken him, yes he had sent some to minister in 17:58 different places, but now he was alone in the city of Rome and 18:01 only Luke, the doctor, was with him. 18:03 Paul the faithful witness, encouraged his friend Timothy 18:08 to bring Mark, bring the parchments, and bring his coat 18:13 and come before winter. 18:15 This would not have been his Roman mantle, his Toga, 18:18 but a heavy winter coat to protect him as he was in a 18:22 dungeon and winter was approaching. 18:24 It would be a miserable winter. 18:26 The Christians had drawn back and were afraid because 18:30 of the great persecutions that had followed 18:33 the fires of Nero. 18:35 Tradition says that he was incarcerated and held here until 18:40 he was taken out through the gates of the city to a spot 18:45 outside the walls where he was to be beheaded. 18:50 This spot has been beautifully preserved in the 18:54 Abbey of the Three Fountains. 18:57 We have come to this very beautiful spot where Paul is 19:02 said to have been led from the gates of 19:05 the city to be executed. 19:06 Since Paul was a Roman citizen he could not be crucified 19:10 like his Lord Jesus, or even like his friend Peter. 19:15 Paul was a Roman citizen, and the method of death for 19:19 citizens was to be quicker. 19:21 It was to be beheaded. 19:24 Tradition says, Paul was led to this very special spot 19:28 that has been preserved by the Abbey of the Three Fountains 19:33 to be executed. 19:35 We have followed Paul's footsteps for over 13,000 miles. 19:39 Yes, 13,000 known miles from Tarsus to Jerusalem to 19:44 Damascus, and through the greatest cities of the Roman 19:48 world, then finally to Rome itself. 19:51 Paul had faithfully followed wherever his Lord lead. 19:56 Now his Lord had led him here, faithfully, confidently, 20:01 triumphantly, Paul walked out of the city to this place. 20:06 This place, where according to tradition, Paul was tied 20:10 to a post and decapitated. 20:13 Paul came here witnessing for his Lord, witnessing to the 20:19 last moment, we don't have his last words but we 20:23 do have his last letter. 20:25 He wrote his dear friend, and son in the gospel, Timothy. 20:29 He encouraged Timothy to be a faithful pastor, to be a 20:32 faithful evangelist, to hang on to the word of God, 20:35 to teach faithfully, and to teach other younger men to 20:39 preserve the great teachings of the Gospel. 20:43 But then he told Timothy I am ready to be poured out like 20:47 a drink offering, let me read it to you. 21:15 Yes Paul had faithfully followed in the footsteps of 21:19 Jesus, he had run the race, he had finished the course, 21:23 he had been obedient to the vision. 21:26 Yes Paul was confident that he had followed wherever 21:29 Jesus had led, from that calling on the Damascus road, 21:32 to here in the great city of Rome. 21:34 He said I have finished the course, I have run the race, 21:39 I've kept the faith and I am confident that hereafter 21:43 is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, and not only 21:48 for me, but for all who love the Lord's appearing 21:51 on that great day. 21:53 Yes Paul would have come here triumphantly, confidently, 21:57 with great assurance, he knew his death would not be the 22:01 end, he believed that there was laid up for him a crown 22:05 of righteousness which the Lord Jesus will give 22:07 to him on that day. 22:09 Yes there may be corrupt governments in this world, 22:13 they have passed a death sentence on an innocent man, 22:17 on trumped up charges brought because of the insanity 22:21 of the Emperor Nero. 22:23 Yet Paul comes here, confident that even his death will 22:28 have a profound effect upon the believers. 22:31 Even upon the Imperial guard who was about to execute 22:35 him, Paul would have shared this confidence with the 22:39 believers who had gathered. 22:40 He would have had them to look forward to that day, that same 22:44 day that he had written to the church of Thessalonica about. 22:47 To encourage them. 23:12 Yes, Paul said to encourage each other with these words. 23:16 He must have encouraged the believers that day. 23:19 Yes, I'm giving my life today, but I will see you on 23:22 that glad morning of the resurrection when Jesus 23:25 comes again because I know there is laid up for me a 23:28 Crown of righteousness that He will grant me on that day, 23:32 and to you too. 23:33 Be faithful, he must have said, be faithful even unto 23:37 death and you will receive the very crown of life. 23:40 Paul had faithfully followed wherever Jesus led, and now 23:46 his footsteps came to this very special spot. 23:50 While he might have been executed here on this spot, 23:54 tradition does not point to this as a place of his 23:58 burial, tradition says that his disciples gathered his 24:02 body and took him back toward the city where he was 24:06 placed in a grave. 24:08 This is a very hallowed spot. 24:10 A stone of inscription was found here dating to the early 24:15 fourth century that said to, Paul Apostle and Martyr. 24:19 Yes it appears the believers brought the body of Paul 24:24 from the place of the Three Fountains to this location 24:28 where he was buried. 24:30 His body would later be moved to one of the catacombs 24:34 for protection and then moved back here in the beginning 24:37 part of the fourth century. 24:39 Constantine would build a church over the spot to 24:43 commemorated, today this beautiful Basilica provides 24:48 a majestic canopy over the grave of the apostle Paul. 24:52 Yes it is amazing that Jew from Tarsus, who traveled 24:56 the world proclaiming that Jesus Christ was Lord. 25:00 The one who been shipwrecked, and stoned and beaten 25:04 for his faith, would ultimately come to reside 25:08 under one of the most beautiful churches 25:11 ever constructed. 25:12 Paul resides in this grand cathedral with granite pillars 25:17 that seems to stretch forth into affinity. 25:20 Yes Paul's footsteps led to this place, this very 25:25 sacred place, and yet we know that this was not the 25:30 end of Paul's days, for Paul looked forward to that great 25:34 day when Jesus will come again. 25:37 That great day when he would receive 25:40 the gift of immortality. 25:46 And now from this very special place where Paul's 25:50 earthly journey ended, I want to encourage you to 25:54 continue your journey, to continue following in the 25:58 footsteps of Jesus. 25:59 Yes Paul's earthly journey ended here, but as you 26:03 surrender your heart and soul and mind to the 26:06 Lordship of Jesus, you will continue your journey. 26:12 If there is anything that separates you from Jesus, 26:15 I would encourage you to surrender that 26:17 to Jesus just now. 26:19 If during this series you discovered new teachings, 26:23 from God's word, teachings you did not understand 26:27 previously, I want to encourage you, like Paul, to be 26:31 fully obedient to what God has revealed to you, 26:34 and to follow wherever He leads. 26:36 Yes, Paul said I fought the good fight, I have run the race, 26:41 I have finished the course and I know that henceforth 26:44 there is laid up a crown of righteousness 26:46 for me and not just for me, but for all 26:49 who loves His appearing. 26:51 Oh friends, let's follow Jesus fully and completely, 26:55 by surrendering to His Lordship just now. 26:59 Join me as we pray. 27:00 Eternal God, what a joy it has been to follow in the 27:03 footsteps of the apostle Paul. 27:05 We seen how he encountered You on the Damascus road 27:08 and he was never the same. 27:10 How that You lead him to places in distant lands 27:13 proclaiming light for the Gentiles. 27:15 How he was faithful through all the great trials that 27:17 he experienced and how now he came outside the 27:21 city walls of Rome and triumphantly, faithfully 27:24 laid down his life for You. 27:26 Lord Jesus help us to follow wherever You lead. 27:29 Help us to accept whatever You reveal to us from Your 27:32 word, to be faithful to You Jesus, and to be faithful 27:35 to Your truth as You reveal it to us. 27:38 In Your holy word, we thank you for hearing our prayer 27:42 and blessing us on this very special journey. 27:44 We pray in Jesus name, AMEN! 27:47 It has been an incredible journey to follow in 27:50 the footsteps of Paul. 27:51 From Tarsus to Jerusalem to Damascus and throughout the 27:55 Roman world, and now to follow his footsteps here to the 27:58 great cathedral of St. Paul outside the walls. 28:03 This is where his earthly journey ended, but I want to 28:07 encourage you to continue your journey following, not in 28:11 the footsteps of Paul, but in the footsteps of 28:13 Jesus Christ Himself. 28:16 From here on the stairs of the great church of Paul, 28:20 I want to leave you with this blessing that Paul sent to 28:23 the church of Corinth long ago. 28:26 When he said, "Now may the grace of our Lord 28:29 "Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of 28:33 "the Holy Spirit be with you all, AMEN!" |
Revised 2014-12-17