Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8–12

Introduction

A. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, it seemed that his days of traveling about preaching the gospel were over.

B. In his prison epistles, Paul often describes himself as “the prisoner of the Lord” (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; cf. Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1, 9, 23).

C. Have you ever felt trapped somewhat like Paul was in Rome?

Discussion

I. Even with everything out of his hands, Paul seems unmoved.

A. He forbids his brothers and sisters in Ephesus to feel sorry for him (Ephesians 3:13; 6:19–20).

B. He tells the Philippians to rejoice (Philippians 4:4) because his situation is something that God is using for good (1:12–14).

C. From his letter to Philemon we learn that God was still using him to lead lost souls to Christ (Philemon 10).

II. Paul was always “the prisoner of the Lord.”

A. He could tolerate the idea of serving God in captivity because this was his normal state (Acts 16:6–10; Romans 15:22–29).

B. He could serve God in bonds because even in chains he was free (Ephesians 6:5–8; cf. Philemon 16).

C. If you ever feel trapped by your circumstances, you should know that you can serve God faithfully right where you are (1 Corinthians 7:20–24; 9:19–22).

Conclusion

A. If you are imprisoned to sin, you should know that the Son alone can make you free (John 8:31–36).

B. You should also know that there is no greater and no kinder master that you could ever serve (Matthew 11:28–30).