Skip to content The Happy Prisoner - Part B Dec 15 · 26 min ...more
The Happy Prisoner - Part B
December 15, 2025 · 26 min
What happens when you feel chained by circumstances? Pastor Skip shows how God can turn every restriction into an opportunity to share His truth.
Series Connect with Skip Heitzig Podcast December 15, 2025 · 26 min · Connect with Skip Heitzig Podcast
What happens when you feel chained by circumstances? Pastor Skip shows how God can turn every restriction into an opportunity to share His truth. ...more Show the full description Show less What happens when you feel chained by circumstances? Pastor Skip shows how God can turn every restriction into an opportunity to share His truth.
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Skip Heitzig ministers to over 15,000 people as senior pastor of Calvary Church in Albuquerque. He reaches out to thousands across the nation and throughout the
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0:01 This is Connect with Skip Heitzig. Thanks for joining us today. Here at Connect with Skip, our mission is to help you know God's word and apply it to your life through clear, practical bible teaching and real0:12 encouragement every day. And if you'd like to keep growing in your walk with Jesus, sign up for pastor Skip's free weekly devotional. You'll receive biblical insight, teaching highlights, and exclusive resource offers0:24 straight to your inbox. Everything designed to help you stay strong in your faith. It only takes a minute to sign up. Go to connectwithskip dot com and join the list today. That's connectwithskip dot0:35 com. Now let's dive into today's teaching from Pastor Skip Heitzig.0:40 So here's Paul. He's got this passion, the gospel, the gospel, the the gospel. But then he says in verse 12, but I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened0:52 to me stop right there. Something happened to Paul. He's mentioning it. Something happened to this passionate man. What was1:04 it? He's in jail again. That's what happened to him. He's been there many times before. He's been beaten many times before. He's had1:16 hardship many times before, all because of his passion for the gospel. That's what happened to him. So now he has a jail ministry, a prison1:27 ministry, but not like he expected. If you have a prison ministry, you go to the prison, you visit the prisoners, you go home, and have a nice meal with your family. Not Paul. He lived there. That was his prison1:38 ministry. It is not what he expected. Now, sitting in a Roman prison, he does not have the freedom to go out and plant churches and share the gospel here and train up1:50 leaders there. He's stuck. You should know that Paul, he's in Rome. He always wanted to go to Rome. It was part of his passion. He wrote to2:01 the Romans, he said, pray for me that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and may be refreshed together with you. But that's2:13 not exactly what happened. Something bad happened to this man. And here's what happened. After his third missionary journey, he goes back to Jerusalem. He's in the2:25 temple area with another fellow going through a ceremonial ritual. Some of the leaders spot Paul there. They start a riot, and they attack him. A2:37 Roman soldier arrests Paul, not to punish him, but to protect him from the mob. Takes Paul, is about to have Paul beaten. Paul pulls his Roman citizenship2:49 card out. So you can't beat me. I'm a Roman citizen. So he is then taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea by the sea, where he spends 2 years. And he goes through 33:00 trials in 2 years. He stands before Felix. He stands before Festus. He stands before Herod, Agrippa. And after 2 years, he finally says, I'm done. This judicial process is3:12 crazy. I appeal my case to Caesar in Rome. Every Roman citizen had that right. So they put him on a ship. It is not a cruise ship. It's not a princess3:24 cruise. It is a prison cruise. And they put him on this boat. They send him to Rome. He almost doesn't make it to Rome. The ship sinks. He has to swim to shore. But he finally goes to3:36 Rome, where he's put in jail again. All of that is under this banner, but the things which happened to me. That's what he is referring to. Now that set3:48 of circumstances is enough to change any tiger into an eeyore pretty quickly. You know that incarceration will3:59 always challenge your joy. Restriction of any kind is a challenge to your joy. Confinement of any sort will challenge your joy. Some of you feel chained to a4:11 job. It's a tyrant to you. Some of you feel chained to a relationship or a set of responsibilities you didn't sign up for. And maybe because of that, your passion4:23 is gone. It's dried up. This is not what you had in mind. You're thinking back to that moment when you finally said, I surrender my life to you, Jesus. And I don't just mean salvation. Maybe you came to the point after4:35 salvation where you said, now I'm going get serious. I'm going to really live for Christ from this day forward. But here you are today, and you're thinking back to that day. This is not what4:46 you had in mind that day. In fact, could it be is it possible that when you said, Lord, I surrender to your plan, that you said that like the couple who went4:58 to the architect and asked the architect to design a house for them. The architect discovered the couple already designed it for themselves, just wanted the architect to sanction it. Maybe when5:10 you said, Lord, I surrender my life to you, what you meant is, I surrender my will. I hope it is your will, Lord. Here are my plans for my life. I just want your stamp on it because you must5:22 want what I want. And now you're going, this is not what I thought I signed up for. Well, Paul is about to say something very revolutionary. This is5:34 where we really need to listen. So we move from his passion to his problems to his perspective. How does he view all that has happened to him? Now, as5:46 we dive into this, I'm just going to review. What is the theme of this letter? Joy. 16 times, 16 times in this letter, the word joy, the word5:58 rejoice, or the word rejoicing are found. No less than 16 times. We've already seen the object of Paul's joy, the gospel. We've seen the challenge to Paul's joy, the things that6:10 happened, the prison, the beatings, etcetera. Now let me show you the reason for his joy. And that can all be summed up by a single word in verse 12. It's the word furtherance.6:22 But I want you to know, brethren, verse 12, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole6:34 palace guard and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ. And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the6:46 word without fear. Now back to that word, furtherance. You may have a Bible that doesn't say that. It might say advancement, or advance, or spread,6:58 or progress. Those are all good translations. Mine says furtherance. The Greek word is prokope. And prokope means to advance or to make7:10 progress, but it means something very, very unique. It means a forward movement in spite of obstacles. Obstacles are involved. It makes7:22 motion forward, but in the midst of obstacles. So the word prokope was used of pioneers cutting their way through brushwood, cutting the undergrowth away so you7:33 could go on it. It was also used for soldiers advancing through obstacles. It was also sometimes used as a nautical term for ships making headway while there7:45 was a headwind. You get the idea? There's always an obstacle involved. It's going forward, forward, forward, but in the midst of obstacles. So what Paul wants them to7:57 know is, I want you to know, brethren, that all that has happened to me the incarcerations, the beatings, the mistrials, the further incarcerations none of that8:09 has stopped the advance of the gospel. In fact, it cleared the way. It actually furthered it. It made progress in it. Now, I8:20 want you to see that. So look at verse 13. He's going to give you 3 ways the gospel is furthered. Number 1, it is furthered for Roman soldiers.8:32 God's plan has been furthered for Roman soldiers. Verse 13, so it has become evident. Now watch this. To the whole palace guard.8:44 The word is praetorion. We get the word praetorium from that. And the praetorium guard was the elite8:56 personal soldiers for the emperor. There was about 10000 of them in the Roman Empire. They were the bodyguards of the emperor. Now Paul is incarcerated in Rome, so he is somehow attached to the palace. Now9:08 he's not in the palace. He's in a rented home, the book of Acts tells us. He's chained to a guard 24 hours a day in a rented house. But the people chained to9:20 him are the Praetorian guard. That'd be like being chained to the Secret Service or to the CIA, that elite. Now,9:32 let me just stop for a second. I believe, and I'm guessing, that somebody in the Church of Rome, maybe when they got together for a prayer meeting of some kind, they got together and 1 of the9:44 prayers was something like this, Lord, you're doing such a great work here in Rome. But man, if there was any way possible that the Praetorian elite guards of the emperor himself9:55 in Caesar's household could somehow hear the gospel, they are unreachable. I don't know how we could ever get the gospel to them. And God said, Okay, I'll answer that prayer. How? By10:07 Paul's chains. Now Paul's chained to them. Now think. Think of what it was like to be chained to Paul the Apostle for 6 hours. That's how it would work. There are10:19 24 hours a day, 4 soldiers chained 6 hours at a time to Paul. So Paul couldn't eat without being chained. He couldn't sleep without being chained. Everything he did 24 hours10:31 was chained to a guard. Now we often think, oh, Paul was in chains. But think of it the other way. So was the soldier. Can you imagine what it's like to listen to Paul? What do you think Paul10:43 brought up during that 6 hours? The gospel, the gospel, the gospel, the gospel, the gospel. That's his passion. You couldn't shut him up. Have you ever shared with somebody in a10:55 conversation, you bring up the gospel, they don't like what you have to say, so they walk away? They can't walk away. Talk about a captive audience. F. B. Meyer tries to11:07 paint the picture of what it would be like. He said, and I quote, At times, the hired room would be tronged with people to whom the apostles spoke words of life. And after they withdrew, the enemy would11:19 or the sentry, excuse me, the soldier, the sentry would sit beside him filled with many questions as to the meaning of the words which this strange prisoner spoke. At other11:30 times, especially at night, the soldiers and the apostle would be left to talk. And in those dark, lonely hours, the apostle would tell the soldier after soldier11:43 about his own proud career in early life, of his opposition to Christ, his ultimate conversion, and would make it clear that he was there as a prisoner, not for any crime, not11:55 because he raised a rebellion or a revolt, but because he believed that he whom the Roman soldiers had crucified under Pilate was the son of God and the savior of man.12:05 You're listening to Connect with Skip Heitzig. As 20 25 comes to a close, generous support from friends like you is vital to keep Connect with Skip Heitzig strong in the year ahead so more people can hear God's word12:17 and find real hope in Jesus. Your year end gift today helps reach even more hearts with verse by verse teaching and resources that connect people with God's love. To thank you for your generous gift of12:28 50 dollars or more, we'll send you pastor Skip's new resource, the daily God journal, along with the digital companion devotional, the daily God book. These resources will help you align your heart with God's,12:40 let go of anxiety, and grow in steady faith through his word each day. So give your year end gift today at connect with skip dot com slash offer or call 8 0 0 9 2 212:52 1 8 8 8. Now let's get back to today's teaching.12:56 Now, what is the result of all of this chained to a Roman guard mean? It means some of them got saved. I know that to be a fact, because when he closes this letter, Philippians, in13:08 chapter 4, verse 22, almost tongue in cheek, he says, all the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. Wink,13:20 wink. Isn't that great? Some of those soldiers who were unreachable got reached, and there's only 1 way they could by being chained to a Christian. So the13:32 incarceration, the suffering that Paul experienced, it furthered God's plan for Roman soldiers. But there's a second I want you to notice. It furthered God's plan for Roman citizens. Go back13:44 to verse 13. So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, comma, and to all the rest that my chains are in13:56 Christ. Paul didn't just write words without meaning. He didn't say, I just need to fill that sentence in, so I'll just put to the rest. It means something. He was14:08 chained to soldiers, but it's become evident to not only them, but to the rest. What does that mean? Here's what it means. Paul was under house arrest, we're told in Acts 28. House arrest meant that there14:20 were certain freedoms the prisoner had. He lived in a house, but chained to a soldier 20 fourseven. He could not leave the house, but people could come and visit him. So Acts14:31 28 tells us that Jewish leaders came to visit him. Christian leaders came to visit him. Citizens of Rome came to visit him. Acts 28 says, For 2 whole years, Paul stayed14:43 there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Now listen to these words. Boldly and without hindrance, he14:55 preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Amazing. Here's the principle. Don't miss this principle. The longest15:07 period of Paul's incarceration was the greatest period of Paul's impact. Staggering. The longest period of Paul's15:18 incarceration was the greatest period of Paul's impact. In other words, Paul's confinement was God's assignment. That prison became his15:29 pulpit. Oh, and by the way, just a little FYI, Paul wasn't just being chained to a soldier and giving Bible studies to people. He spent a lot of time writing books.15:42 The very book you are reading was written during that time. Ephesians, written during that time. Philippians, during that time. Colossians, during this prison stay. Philemon written those 4 prison15:53 epistles all written during this time. And he's having Bible studies at the expense of the Roman government. How cool is that? There was16:05 never an issue back then with the separation of church and state. They paid for it, he preached. Now, here's what I'm wondering. The next time you are tempted to think,16:17 man, I'm stuck with this job. Hate it, but I'm stuck here. Or you think, I am shackled to this desk, or I am imprisoned by this person.16:29 You could see it as an opportunity, not an incarceration, an opportunity. If, if and only if,16:41 your passion is the gospel. I'll guarantee you, if your passion is not the gospel, it's just an inconvenience to you. It's just a horrible, bitter experience of suffering. Why would God allow it?16:53 Unless you see it as an opportunity. If you see it as an opportunity and it's your passion to preach the gospel, you'll see it as a pulpit. You'll see it as a way to get the gospel out. So Paul's17:05 suffering, his jail sentence, was an opportunity for the furtherance of God's plan for Roman soldiers. It furthered God's plan for Roman citizens. And finally,17:17 we'll close with this, it furthered God's plan listen for reluctant saints, reluctant saints. I find there's a lot of reluctant saints. I find them all over the place, just a little ashamed of17:29 the gospel, a little reluctant to say anything that they believe. So verse 14 is about that. And most of the brethren in the Lord those are fellow believers having17:40 become confident by my chains, my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now, you know what that tells me. That tells me that people17:52 in Rome, Christians in Rome, were scared to say anything. They were timid. They were frightened to announce, I'm following Jesus Christ. He's my Lord18:04 and Savior. Here's my testimony. They were afraid. And understandably, Paul ended up in jail. They could too. But in watching and18:16 hearing about Paul being so bold and unhindered to soldiers and to people who visit him, the citizens of Rome, they started thinking differently. They started having thoughts18:27 like, if God can use Paul in jail, God can certainly use me out of jail. So they became a little more bold. And so they're not in prison,18:39 Paul is. They're citizens that live out there in Rome, live in that house, this house, the Roman Forum, work in that market. So now these citizens who can go out are emboldened18:51 by Paul who's stuck in prison, and now they're reaching the kind of people that Paul couldn't reach. So it furthered God's plan for these reluctant saints.19:03 So think of it. Instead of seeing those prison guards as a nuisance or those prison chains as a hindrance, Paul saw them all as a furtherance.19:15 What a perspective. I'm sure that I'm speaking to people right now who are feeling chained to something. Let me give you an19:26 example. You may be a mother. You've given up a career. You went to college for that career. You quit your career. Now you're devoted to raising children at home. All of that19:38 investment is sort of not being used. And you may feel like many do. I'm in prison here. Let me encourage you with the example of Susanna Wesley.19:50 Susanna Wesley had 19 children. Do you think she ever felt confined? 19 kids. Last week on the platform, we had a mom who had 8 children,20:02 another 1 who had 10 children. Susanna Wesley had 19 kids. She was often feeling very constricted. But she had 2 sons,20:14 John Wesley and Charles Wesley, who shook the British Isles with the gospel, 1 as a preacher, 1 as a hymn writer. By her imprisonment,20:26 she furthered the gospel. Maybe you feel chained to a job or a career. Now, it could be that you're even successful in your job, successful in your career. In20:38 fact, the more successful you get, you're feeling more imprisoned. You're sort of stuck there. You have to produce more and more and more. And so you think thoughts like, well, I'd love to do more for Christ,20:50 but I'm stuck here, and I'm very successful, and I've got to keep this going. I have employees, and I have responsibilities. Let me encourage you with the story of JCPenney, who made an21:02 enormous amount of money in his corporation. Still does, even though he's long gone. JCPenney, a Christian businessman who felt sort of imprisoned by what he21:13 did, but decided, well, he could give the money away to gospel work. So get this, 90 percent of his income he gave away. He kept21:25 and lived on 10 percent. Now, most Christians give away 10 percent. That's their tithe. They live on 90 percent. He decided, I'll reverse it. I can live happily. And I make a lot of21:37 money. I can live on 10 percent. I'll give 90 percent away to those people preaching the gospel. He used that confinement, so to speak, to get the gospel out.21:49 Maybe you feel chained to a sick bed. You're not here, but you're going to hear this message in a hospital or a convalescent home. You feel chained to a bed, imprisoned within22:01 those 4 walls. Let me encourage you with the story of Charlotte Elliott, who was an invalid. Charlotte Elliott, as an invalid, wrote 150 hymns. Some have become22:13 very famous. The most famous 1 was sung at all the Billy Graham crusades, Just as I am without 1 plea, but that thy blood was shed for me. And that thou bids me come to thee, oh, lamb of God, I come.22:26 I come. Written while Charlotte Elliott was an invalid and couldn't get out. And perhaps this message is going to be heard by a prisoner. I mean, a real22:38 prisoner in a prison cell. We get letters from all over the country where prisoners will tune into the radio broadcast and they'll write. Let me encourage you. Maybe you came to faith in Christ if you're a prisoner and22:50 you're hearing this message. You came to faith in Christ while you were in prison. Understand that's Martin Luther translated the Bible in jail, in the Wartburg prison in Germany.23:03 Then there's the story of John Bunyan. John Bunyan was a preacher in England, and he was fiery. And he saw great results. And so they arrested him put him in the Bedford jail. He didn't stop preaching there. He23:14 shouted so loud that his voice could be heard over the walls, and people would gather outside the walls to listen to him. And so they thought, can't have this. And they put him in solitary confinement deep below in the23:26 dungeon, and so he decided to write. And he wrote Pilgrim's Progress there. Millions of people, millions of people have been inspired by that book.23:38 I like to read it at least once a year. So let me conclude with this. Maybe, just maybe, you could be a happy prisoner. I23:51 can't do anything for your shackles. Health, circumstances may restrict you. They do all of us at some point. But maybe you could become a happy prisoner, not a sappy prisoner,24:02 not, moe is me, life's a bummer. Not a scrappy prisoner, where you're fighting and lashing out at people, but a happy prisoner.24:14 Worked for Paul, and I daresay this larger than life figure named Paul the Apostle had it far worse than I've ever had it. And I've had loss in my life. You have had loss in24:26 your life. I'm feeling restrictions of all kinds as my age increases. And 1 day it will increase to the point where I won't be able to do what I did.24:38 But like Paul wrote to Timothy, he said, I'm in these chains, but the word of God is not chained. There's always a way if and only if that's your24:50 passion. Thanks24:53 for listening to Connect with Skip Heitzig. Before you go, don't miss your opportunity to request the Daily God Journal along with the companion digital devotional, the daily god book. These resources are our25:05 thanks for your generous year end gift of 50 dollars or more to help connect with Skip Heitzig finish 20 25 strong and reach more people with the truth of god's word in the year ahead. Call25:16 809 2 2 18 88 or go to connect with Skip dot com slash offer. Thanks for spending time with us today, and we'll see you next time on connect with Skip Heitzig.25:49 Connect with Skip Heitzig is a presentation of Connection Communications, connecting you to God's never changing truth in ever changing times.
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