Redeeming the time

• Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, {16} making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Paul’s letters from prison in Rome•Ephesians•Colossians & Philemon•Philippians

Later trips, prison, death

63-68?

Chronology Of Acts and the Church

Paul SavedAD 35

1st Trip48-49

2nd Trip50-52

3rd Trip53-57

Tripto Rome

59-62

Acts 9

Acts 2

Acts 13-15

Acts 16-18

Acts 19-21

Acts 22-28Day of

PentecostAD 30

Titus, 1st & 2nd Timothy– Places and events after

Acts

Prison epistles

Prison Time 60-62

What to do in God’s Waiting Room

 

•Keep growing with God

•Keep serving God

•Keep relating to People

•Keep looking to the Future

What to do in God’s Waiting Room

 

•Keep growing with God

•Keep serving God

• (1 Peter 4:19) So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

What to do in God’s Waiting Room

 

•Keep growing with God

•Keep serving God

•Keep relating to People

Epaphroditus – Helper from Philippi

• (Philippians 2:25-30) But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. {26} For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. {27} Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. {30} …he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

• (Philippians 4:18) I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Epaphras – Prayer warrior and church planter from Colossae

• (Colossians 4:12-13) Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. {13} I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

• (Colossians 1:7) You learned it (the gospel)from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

• (Philemon 1:23) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

Tychicus – Paul’s messenger/letter carrier

• (Ephesians 6:21-22) Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. {22} I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

• (Colossians 4:7-8) Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. {8} I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Paul’s other coworkers in the Roman prison years

• (Philemon 1:23-24) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. {24} And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

• (Philippians 2:19-23) I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

• (Colossians 4:10-11) My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) {11} Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

What to do in God’s Waiting Room

 

•Keep growing with God

•Keep serving God

•Keep relating to People

•Keep looking to the Future

The Graciousness of Uncertainty– Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

• Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. …But that is not the nature of spiritual life. …Gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life.

• … We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time.

• … Spiritual life is the life of a child….When we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.