AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS Paul, A Prison Perspective
A one man play in two acts by Karl E. Wagner
Copyright © 2002 by Karl E. Wagner
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
Page 1 Published with permission DramaShare 2000
SETTING Mamertine, a Roman prison, circa 60 AD. A three-sided set made to be cold, stone walls and floors. These are slimy and covered with mold and mildew. A warm, but not too bright light comes down from overhead. This is where Luke and the others will be. There is nasty matted straw in a corner as a bed. A heavy canvas bag is near the bed, as well as a few parchment scrolls. Some pieces of papyrus lay about. It is relatively dark.
COSTUMING Paul wears an off-white colored woolen garment, essentially a long shirt, which extends well below his knees. It is dirty, patched, and ragged, with many holes, well worn. He is wearing, or at least has, a worn out pair of sandals. He wears an old woolen yarmulke, and has a worn out tallit, or a prayer shawl. It should be much longer than the present day ones, faded, and patched as well. He is also wearing shackles on his arms connected by about four feet of chain. An actor who can use a real chain adds much realism to the show, due to the noises, and inconveniences of these chains. The chain would be better if it were blackened or rusty appearing, with square links, and the shackles would be riveted instead of locked.
ACTS ACT I
Early morning
ACT II later that afternoon
WRITER’S NOTES Writing a play about Paul was an unusual experience. It was an opportunity to learn more about this great teacher, and what his revelations concerning the faith truly were. To try and relive his experiences. It was a journey of discovery through time and history, and into another culture.
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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It is, I believe, impossible to portray Paul showing his basis of belief; the scriptures, fulfillment through Jesus. I introduce just phrases to establish his Jewish heritage, as citizen. I chose to give just enough of his establish his life’s background.
without and their enough Hebrew a Roman history to
My thought then, was he was writing the second letter to Timothy. He is then visited by friends. From the scriptures we have the opinion that Paul tended to be a bit long-winded, and I have tried in some way to show this, without it taking all night. As the story unfolds, I tried to use Paul’s words through all the epistles and eventually worked back to what he would have written to Timothy, before the point at which the play begins. To go full circle, so to speak. I urge the actor to use his own emotions and interpretation of this play. Every actor will provide a different interpretation, which is, to me, the joy of theatre. Your servant in Christ, Karl Wagner
“…and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19-20, NKJV
I-1
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ACT I (LIGHTS UP, dimly, on PAUL, who is in chains, laying on the floor of the prison cell. A length of chain is shackled to his wrists. An older man in his 60’s, he has seen hard labor and his clothing is ragged. Bodily there are scars from stonings and beatings. His hair is shaggy and streaked with much white. He has a scraggy white beard. He wears a yarmulke. He speaks as if he is not alone, directing his words to his invisible companion.) PAUL (Awakens, yawning and stretching, looks about, then “sees” Luke through the hole above.) Lucas, can you move, you’re blocking the only light I have. Luke…
Look at you up there.
A highly educated doctor by
trade, and a Gentile no less, asleep above the prison cell of an old Jew, me, who awaits his own inevitable fate. Go ahead, Lucas, and sleep some more. yet.
I won’t wake you,
You are as exhausted as I am, my friend. (Rising, with soreness)
Baruch Ha’shem, Praise the Lord! morning.
I have seen another
I thank you God, Eternal One, for lovingly
restoring my soul to me, filled with Your eternal trust. (Putting his Tallit over his head) I-2
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Blessed are You, our God, Creator of time and space, who enriches our lives with holiness, commanding us to wrap ourselves in the tallit. (A single shaft of light comes from above, drawing PAUL’s attention) Oh, boker tov, Lucas, good morning. It’s hard to sleep up there isn’t it?
You should try sleeping down here.
Yes, I’ve been up for awhile. What?
Oh, just praying and thinking.
I’ve been thinking about Timothy some more. very much.
I miss him, so
He has been such a comfort and such a breath of
new life in the ministry. (Sits, and speaks, looking up to Luke) Sliha, forgive me. not been a comfort. for you daily.
I didn’t mean to imply that you have You have been faithful and I thank God
I have no desire to hurt your feelings,
Luke, but, The Holy Spirit has made it clear to me that Timothy is very special, and he is needed.
I just hope he
can come before winter. Yes, a lot does depend on whether the letter reaches him in time.
If it does, Timothy will be here, if the Lord wills.
All in God’s time, …all in God’s time. Luke, there is something I,…feel I,…need to share with you. I have needed to talk about it for some time. I-3
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Luke, my time is growing very short, I can feel it.
I will
not leave prison alive. No, the Spirit hasn’t really told me specifically, but I do sense some closure to my ministry.
I feel, that the torch
is being passed to another runner. Yes, I do, I do feel that Timothy is that runner. Oh yes, I am sure he is ready. (Laughs) He does have a lot on him now doesn’t he?
Young for a
teacher, not even forty years old. But Timothy is, …is fed, and, …and led, by the Holy Spirit. He will serve faithfully. You know, if you are up to it, I’ve been thinking about continuing with the letter to him. Yes, please, take your time. as you wish.
Make yourself as comfortable
We’ve nearly come to the end as I recall. (A long sigh and pause)
Near the end…
Luke, let me know when you’re ready.
can’t see you up there.
I
You’re ready now? Good.
(PAUL rises; then to pace and dictate) Now, uh, let’s see… all right. come to me soon.
Ummm, ah, …Do your best to
For Demas, because he has fallen in
lovewith this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.
Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus I-4
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has gone to Dalmatia--only Luke is with me.
Take Mark and
bring him with you, because he is very useful to me in the work.
But, Tychicus, I have sent to Ephesus.
When you
come, bring the coat that I left in Carpus with Troas, also the scrolls, and books, but especially the parchments… (He is interupted) What is that doctor?
Salutor?
wish, but not Latin.
What are you saying? Guests?
guests?
Luke, speak Greek if you I have
I thought only Onesiphorus and yourself were not
ashamed to admit knowing me.
But someone else is here?
Let them move closer to the opening Luke, so I can see them. (LIGHTS RISE brighter as PAUL addresses the audience) Shalom, B’Shem Yeshua HaMashiach. Peace, in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. Thank you for coming, friends!
It is
wonderful to have company, though my accommodations are a… a bit Spartan, to say the least.
Although I understand it
is has been the home of many notables,… just before they were executed.
So I suppose I should be honored.
The mold and mildew are provided, at no extra cost to me. I have very captive audiences in the other prisoners, pets in the rats…there go a few now.
And the guards, well the
guards are a, …a constant source of entertainment, as you I-5
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will probably see at some point in your visit.
But, well,
make yourselves as comfortable as possible. (Slight pause) Is there, uh, any news from Timothy yet? bad.
Oy, that’s too
I’m, …I’m sorry, please forgive my rudeness.
That
was impolite to ask about someone other than yourselves. After all, it does take quite a bit of effort to visit me in here.
It’s just that, …well, …we were just this moment
writing to Timothy, …and, …uh, he’s very much in my mind and in my prayers these days.
But we can continue the
letter later. I want to fellowship with you, our brethren, who have joined us. (Sighs, and turns to address audience) Brothers and sisters, I am Paul. (Raises his arms) As you can see I, …I am an ambassador in chains. prisoner for our Lord Jesus. What is it like?
Still a
But I do count it all joy.
Oh, …it is a magnificent time alone with
God, but, …I miss the people.
I miss the faces of those
who hear about our Lord for the first time.
I miss seeing
the yearning to know Him better, to know Him personally.
I
do, however, have a lot of time to reflect on my life, and to seek revelation from God.
And He does grant it from
time to time. I-6 Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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What are the guards like? (Laughing, with a shrugging gesture) Mostly they pretend to be tough Roman soldiers, but I see some of them secretly listening as I share with the prisoners, or when we’re writing letters to the churches. (Move to speak to someone specific) The truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so compelling, even the worst non-believers have to puff themselves up to avoid it.
They feel as though they have to vehemently
argue and deny it, because, if they do listen, it captures them. It, …uh, also seems that stories about some of my past experiences have found their way here.
For instance, not
long after I first arrived in this prison, before I was placed down here, there was a earth tremor or two. (Getting excited) You should have seen the guards!
Immediately each of them
grabbed a door and held on tight, in case they were going to swing open, and free all the prisoners.
They showed no
fear, but they also kept a close watch on my chains.
They
watched intently, waiting to see if the chains would fall from my arms as they did years ago. (Raises his arms looking at the chains) But, alas, it was not to be. I-7 Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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(Looking up to Luke) Luke, who called to me? (To the audience) Excuse me, please, another prisoner is trying to ask me a question. (Back to the prisoner) Yes, my friend, what can I do for you? be here?
How did I come to
Well, have you heard us speaking of Jesus, the
Christ? You have?
Do you know Him as your personal Savior? (Laughs)
I’ll explain it in depth in just a few minutes. (Pause, and a deep sigh, leaning with his back against the cell wall) Jesus is the reason that I have come to be here. (Laughs) No, it was not Jesus who turned me in to the Roman authorities. arms.
As you must know, Nero’s persecution has long
But this is not the first time I have been
imprisoned in Rome. ago.
No, no.
The first time was some years
No, Jesus didn’t turn me in then, either.
I did that
myself. Yes, I did. No, I am not insane.
Who said that? (Recognizes voice)
Oh, a blessing.
Marius, my favorite guard, is here. I-8
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You love to mock me, Marius, don’t you?
You do, too.
What
do you call warning people about falling asleep when I’m speaking?
Huh?
“Be careful, don’t fall asleep, or you’ll
fall to your death!”
I’m sick of hearing about that.
Besides the man didn’t die. there, I was.
He did not.
You weren’t
What is that, you said?
Your cousin, a coppersmith from Ephesus, was visiting there when it happened, and he heard about it. (Some anguish) Coppersmith, huh?
His name wouldn’t happen to be Alexander
would it? Of course it is. (Looking up to heaven) Adonai, gam zu l’tovah?
Lord, this is also for the best?
(Returning to the guard) Oh, yes, Marius, I know your cousin Alexander. and his buddies from the idol making guilds. well do I know them?
I know him
What?
How
Let’s just say they would be happy to
find out that I am in this prison. You do that, you send word to them, and I’ll just wait… (Calls after the guard) Why are you laughing?
It’s not even funny. …Guards.
(To heaven) I should show kindness, I know.
But don’t I have enough
problems, Lord, without such a blessing?
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I-9 (Back to the audience) I am sorry, my friends, for that interruption.
I was
telling you about my first imprisonment in Rome.
It is
difficult to explain and harder to understand. You see, I am a Roman citizen.
I had some trouble back in Jerusalem.
The Sanhedrin wanted me dead and gone, so I decided to appeal my case before Caesar. (Responds to the prisoner) Yes, I made the request.
So they had to take me to Rome.
It seemed like my only true option at the time.
I
empathize with your feelings of disbelief, though.
Just
understand this, your unbelief, does not make the faith of God ineffectual.
I’ve learned that, and have seen it
proven, in my own life.
You see, after all these years, I
can truly say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ: for it is the power of God’s salvation to everyone that believes Jesus is the Son of God.” Yes, God’s Son.
You see, it is by Him that all things were
made in heaven and in earth.
Whether you can see it or
not, it was created by Him. (Nodding his head) Yes, it is true.
It is true.
manifested here on earth.
Jesus is even more than God
Let no one deceive you.
In
Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-10 knowledge.
I can understand how it may seem hard, at
first, to grasp the concept.
As I have said, I fought it
for quite awhile, myself. What made me believe?
Oh, it is a long story my friend.
(Laughs) Yes, I suppose you do have time enough to listen. And I do have time enough to tell it, so far.
But I warn you, Nero
may decide any minute that he needs me as a special attraction at the new arena, …or as a lamp for his garden. For such a young, self-proclaimed god, he has a voracious appetite for Christian sacrifices. But my story… well… (To the audience) You see, friends, I am a Jew, and I was a Pharisee. strict believer in the Law of Moses.
A
I was born in Tarsus,
and brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, perhaps the greatest of teachers, in his day.
I was taught
according to the Law of the Fathers, and I was zealous towards God, and towards that Law. (Looking back on this) At that time, thirty-some-odd years ago, Pontius Pilate ruled as procurator in Judea.
We, in Jerusalem, began to
hear of an itinerant teacher, named Jesus.
He was
reportedly performing miracles in and around Galilee.
The
people there were proclaiming this Jesus as the Messiah, Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-11 the long awaited, and anticipated, Savior of the Jews; the anointed one of God. (Remembering) When Jesus came into Jerusalem, and seemed to be performing miracles, we began to watch Him closely.
He was a good
man, that could not be denied, but we Pharisees felt he was dangerous.
He once became angry, and in a fit of rage, He
went through the Temple and overturned the moneychanger’s carts and drove them from the Temple courts.
He associated
with known sinners, like prostitutes, tax collectors, and lepers, …and He even violated the Laws regarding work on the Sabbath.
Yet, the people adored Him.
We, of the Pharisees, knew what must be done.
If Jesus
gained too much support of the people, He would be nearly impossible to stop. (Trying to explain) He had no respect for the Sanhedrin, or we felt, for the Law, which had guided our people for thousands of years. So, with the help of one of His disciples, we had Jesus arrested and quickly crucified. But then His body disappeared on the third day after His burial. We felt His disciples had stolen the body, in order to further their cause.
They, on the other hand, claimed that Jesus had
risen from the dead. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-12 They further asserted that this was the prima facia evidence, the primary proof, that He was the Messiah. These disciples continued to meet with families and in private locations.
Their numbers increased. (Almost with unbelief, acting it out)
Then, on the Day of Pentecost, following Jesus’ crucifixion, 120 of them were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem, praising and worshipping God.
There, the Ruach
HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit of God, came upon them, and they began to speak in other tongues.
A multitude had gathered
in the courtyards below and all that had gathered understood the words as the disciples praised God.
This
despite the fact that the disciples who assembled in that upper room were Galileans, and basically unschooled.
You
see, there were all manner of foreign visitors in Jerusalem that day, and there were very many, for as I said, it was Pentecost.
These visitors heard the praises of God in
their own individual languages, all at the same time. (Emphasize this point) Imagine, being able to recognize one, out of 120 voices, raised in loud, joyous, praise to God. Over 3000 people were converted into the way of Jesus on that day alone.
The disciples of this sect gained strength
and they began to preach fearlessly. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
They even preached in
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I-13 the Temple itself.
These followers were leading the people
away from strict adherence to the Law of Moses and into this new belief, which we Pharisees felt was wrong. (A deep sigh) Finally, we brought some of them forward to answer to the council.
First, Peter, and eventually, many of the
disciples were brought in, and questioned strongly, then warned to stop preaching in the name of Jesus.
This was
done, I might add, against the wishes of the rabbi Gamaliel.
He tried to warn me, and the whole council. (Becoming Gamaliel)
“Men of Israel, take care what you intend to do regarding these men. Some time ago a man named Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. hundred, joined him.
A number of men, maybe four
Theudas was killed, and all who
obeyed him were scattered, and came to nothing.
After this
man, Judas of Galilee, rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. all who obeyed him were dispersed.
He also perished, and
And now I say to you,
keep away from these men and let them alone.
If this plan
or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if itis of God, you cannot overthrow it——you may even find yourselves fighting against God, Himself."
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I-14 (Almost with tears in his eyes) That worked, for a while. them.
But then I started back after
It began with Stephen, …when we had him stoned to
death, while I guarded the clothes of those who stoned him. (A long sigh, shaking his head) Later I received permission from the courts, and with their consent, I persecuted this way, even to the death of some of its leaders.
I moved, quickly and fearlessly, binding
and delivering into prisons both men and women.
I received
letters from the council, and went to Damascus, intending to bring the believers, which were there, as prisoners to Jerusalem, to be punished. (Reliving this event) On my journey, not far from Damascus, …about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light around me. (React to the “bright light”) It was so bright, and I was so startled, I fell from my horse. (Falls to the ground) As I lay there on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (With fear) “Who are you, Lord?”
I answered.
And He said to me, “I am
Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.” Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-15 The rabbis and guards who were with me saw the light, and were afraid.
They also heard a thundering, but they did
not hear the voice that spoke. (Back to that moment) I said, “What shall I do, Lord?”
And the Lord said to me,
“Arise, and go into Damascus; and there, you will be told all the things which you have to do for Me.” (Getting up, and acting it out) I was blinded by the glory of that light, and I had to be led by the hand.
The men with me were quite bewildered,
but they guided me anyway.
With their help I came into
Damascus, to the home of Judas, on the street called Straight.
I stayed there, and prayed and fasted.
There wa a devout man, named Ananias, who lived there in Damascus.
He was directed by Jesus to come to me, and only
by Jesus’ reassurance, did he come to me.
He knew of my
actions in Jerusalem, and why I had come to Damascus.
But,
he came, and stood beside me. Ananias said to me, “Jesus of Nazareth has appeared to me and told me to come to you.”
Then he said, “Brother Saul,
receive your sight.” (Remembering) At that instant, I looked up at him.
Something like, …like
scales, …fell from my eyes, and I could see again. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
I was
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I-16 at that moment, overwhelmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Ananias then said, “The God of our fathers has
chosen you, that you should know His will, and see Jesus, and hear His voice.
You shall be His witness to all men of
what you have seen and heard.
Waste no more time, arise,
and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
I did so and then ate some food to
regain my strength, for as I said, I had been fasting. (With emphasis) I began to immediately preach in the synagogues about the risen Christ.
At first, the people were amazed, and asked,
“Isn’t this the man who persecuted those in Jerusalem, who preached in this name?” Of course I was no longer the same man inside, but was unfortunately, outside, still Saul.
Our Lord strengthened
me daily and I began to prove to many that Jesus was indeed, the long awaited Messiah. uproar, as I recall.
It created quite an
So much so that I had to be lowered
over the wall in a basket to keep from being killed. (Reacts to the guard) No, Marius, I was not disguised as a loaf of bread. (To the audience quietly) See, the truth is so compelling, they can’t help themselves, they have to listen. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-17 (Return to the story) I eventually came again to Jerusalem, but the believers there were still afraid of me, and what I had done in the past.
But one devoted believer, named Barnabas, came to my
defense, and told the others of my conversion, and my preaching, in Damascus.
I began to speak boldly again of
Jesus, and even debated with the Greek speaking Jews.
But
some of them conspired to kill me, and the disciples in Jerusalem brought me down to Caesarea, and eventually back to Tarsus.
I studied, and prayed, and learned well, while
I was there.
Several years later I was ready to embark on
my first missionary journey. (Teaching) You see, brethren, even though we are changed on the inside, we are still who we were on the outside.
But, if
we continue to live for Jesus, and to serve Him, in spite of when others remind us of our past, eventually, they will see and recognize the change.
Don’t give up or give in,
but give yourself wholly to Christ. all the while trusting in Jesus. or forsake you.
Persist, and believe,
He will never leave you
People can change, if they want to do so,
and if they give Jesus control of their lives, they can change.
But it is not easy, and requires God, guidance of
the Holy Spirit, and the fortitude to keep getting back on Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-18 track when they fall flat on their face, and fail God. Believe me, I know.
I know. (Reflection, and a pause)
While in Antioch, one night while we were all worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to us “Set aside for Me, Barnabas and Saul.”
Then the others lay hands on
the two of us, and with prayer, sent us on our way. (Describing) We went to Seleucia and from there to Cyprus.
At this
point I was using my Roman name of Paulus, …Paul. John Mark was also with us.
While we were at Salamis, we preached to
the Jews in the synagogues. (Remembering this event) Sergius Paulus, the deputy in that country, called for us. Now, he had this sorcerer named Bar-Jesus with him.
As we
were sharing the gospel with the deputy, this sorcerer was trying, to turn the deputy away from the faith. (With conviction) I became filled with the Holy Spirit, and I said to the sorcerer, “You are full of deceit, and tricks, and you are a son of the devil.
You hate all righteousness, and will
you forever be turning the people from the right ways of the Lord?
The hand of the Lord is on you and you will be
blind for a time.” Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-19 (For emphasis) And he was blind; and the deputy believed. (Back to the story) We sailed for Perga in Pamphylia, and there, Mark left us to return to Jerusalem. Antioch.
Barnabas and I journeyed to
We entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and
after the usual readings, we were invited to share a word of comfort for the people.
I began by reaffirming for them
the history of the fathers, and the fact that God had chosen Israel as His people.
I lovingly told them of the
crucifixion of our Lord and His burial.
I continued with
the fact that although King David died and was buried, his body has disappeared with time; that he is gone, returned to dust.
But that Jesus was raised from the dead, by God,
and His body did not decay. (As if interrupted) Yes, my friend, God raised Him from the dead.
That is a
key element you must understand, and believe.
No, I am not
kidding, and as Simon Peter bar Jonah once said, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables.” (Raising right arm and looking up) God has raised Jesus from the dead, and He sits at the right hand of God.
Oh, I will tell you more, I will tell
you everything you need to know. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-20 But for now, back to Antioch.
As I spoke in the synagogue,
I pointed out that through Jesus was forgiveness of sins, and freedom that could not come from the Law of Moses. Many of the Gentiles, and some of the Jews, followed us afterwards and asked more questions.
The following
Sabbath, people came from all over to hear the truth. But the Jews, seeing the multitude, grew afraid and began to talk evil about us, and to dispute the truth about Jesus. I told them that God had offered the truth to the Jews first, but because they rejected it, we would take it to the Goyim, the Gentiles.
This made the Gentiles happy,
and the Jews absolutely furious.
We literally shook the
dust off our feet and left them behind. We began traveling from city to city, preaching and sharing the good news of Jesus.
In Lystra there was a man there
who had been lame from birth.
As I spoke, I couldn’t help
noticing the attentiveness of this man, and I saw that his faith was strong.
So I turned to him and said in a loud
voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” and began walking around.
The man jumped up,
The people were amazed at the
sight of this miracle working of God. (Relive this again) But, instead of giving praise to God, they began to proclaim Barnabas as Jupiter, and myself as Mercury. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-21 I was devastated!
They had defiled the miracle of God by
attributing it to a man!
Barnabas and I cried out in
anguish, and in the Jewish display of this pain and distress, we began to tear our clothes. (With distress) “We are only men,” I cried out. “Men just like you.
Don’t
make an offering to us, we have given you the good news to show you the futility of this type of worship, and to turn you towards God.” Then some Jews turned it into a near riot, and I was stoned, and taken outside the town and left for dead. (React as if being stoned, and then fall to the floor. After a pause, get up to one elbow) Just like what I did to Stephen in Jerusalem.
But I lived.
(Rising) We journeyed farther and spread the Gospel of Jesus. Many churches were started, and many were saved.
We returned to
Antioch, shared the ups and downs of our journey, and settled in there, for some time. (Emotions here again) Then there came the great debate over circumcision, which led to my return to Jerusalem.
We arrived there after
visiting some other cities, and then the debate was renewed.
Finally, Peter stood up and reminded the others
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-22 that he had been instructed by God to bring the good news to the Gentiles. (Becoming Peter) “Why should we place a yoke on the Gentiles that our fathers couldn’t bear?
Are we intending to test God?”
Then James spoke to the gathering. (Become James) “Brethren, concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided this.
They must keep themselves away
from things offered to false gods, from the evil desires of the body, from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the Law, and from eating meat with the blood.” Barnabas and I left Jerusalem, headed back to Antioch, with Silas and Judas Barsabbas.
We were carrying a letter,
explaining these points, to the churches. After some time in Antioch, I desired to return to the churches we had started and to follow up on them.
Barnabas
agreed, and wanted Mark to come along. (Sadness and distress) I disagreed, and there followed an argument, which separated Barnabas and myself forever. (Explanatory) You see, I had felt that John Mark had deserted us once, and showed a lack of faith, and Barnabas felt otherwise. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-23 (Looking above, nodding in reaction) Yes, Luke, the same Mark that I now so desperately want Timothy to bring back. thank God.
I was ultimately wrong about him,
So Barnabas took Mark, and I took Silas, and we
went our own ways. Silas and I then began, what would become, my second missionary journey.
We traveled to my hometown of Tarsus,
and then to Lystra, where I met Timothy, and asked him to join us. (Lovingly) I was so impressed with depth of his faith and his foundation in the scriptures, thanks to his grandmother Lois, and his mother, Eunice.
We lay hands on him, and in
prayer, brought him into the ministry. I wanted to go to Asia, but the Holy Spirit clearly said no.
Later, while in Troas, I had a dream of a young man
asking me to come to Macedonia.
So we set sail for
Phillippi. (Recalling this event) While we were there, as we moved about the city, a slave girl, who was possessed of an evil spirit, followed us. She made a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. But even the evil spirit within her, recognized the Holy Spirit of God within us. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
She followed us everywhere we
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I-24 went, proclaiming, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” began to grow very weary of this after a few days. understand.
I Please
It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the truth
being proclaimed by an evil spirit. its presence.
I was just annoyed by
Finally, I had enough, and said, “I command
you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (Distracted) Yes, it did come out, and her masters were so angered, they went to the authorities, and had us beaten and thrown into jail.
They had lost their source of income. (Recalling with joy)
That night, as we were singing psalms and praising God, there came an earthquake, and the chains fell from our arms, and the prison doors flew open. (React to the prisoner above) Yes, that’s why the guards here looked at me so strangely when the earth shook. You remember don’t you? (Back to the audience) The prison keeper came running, and seeing the prison doors open and fearing the prisoners gone, he started to kill himself.
He knew he would be held responsible.
I stopped
him and showed him that all the prisoners were still there. He became amazed and dropped to his knees asking what he Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-25 needed to do to be saved. Lord Jesus.
I told him to have faith in our
He and his whole household were baptized, and
saved, that very night. (Distracted) What do I mean by being saved? must stop.
In order to begin, I
My life has been changed by my encounter with
Jesus on the road to Damascus.
I have started churches and
I have preached, and that is enough about me. (Paul is now addressing the audience. He moves about the stage and/or the audience, as he begins his “sermon”.) It’s time to really learn about Jesus, and living for Him. (Pause, gathering thoughts) To live successfully as a Christian, as a believer in Jesus as the risen Christ, consists of three things.
Work that
flows from faith, labor that flows from love, and patient endurance that is born of hope; that is, a living hope in Jesus.
We must be faithful to intercede for other
believers, and their churches. in this together.
Pray for them, we are all
Also, we must live our lives to please
God, not ourselves.
He chose us, from before the
foundations of the world, to be holy, and without blame, before Him.
For, surely, one day we will stand before God
and give an accounting of what we did while in this earthly body.
The wages of a life of sin will be death,
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-26 and being cast into the lake of fire.
But for a life of
service and devotion to Jesus, the gift of God will be eternal life. So, live a quiet and peaceful life, and never gossip. Resist the temptation, and recognize when you are doing it. Be diligent in the work you choose and earn the respect of others, through a good reputation.
Don’t encourage and
support those who will not work, but those who cannot. a man will not work, neither will he eat.
If
But, encourage
them in the faith. (Teach this point) Accept and receive the teaching and the preaching as God’s Word, and refuse to let your mind be convinced that it is the just opinions of men you are hearing. Spirit.
Discern with the
Don’t try to cancel out the authority of God’s
Word, and therefore make its effectiveness null and void. The Word of God is quick and powerful.
It is sharper than
any two-edged sword, and it pierces so deeply, that it can divide soul and spirit, as well as joints and marrow. It can discern your thoughts and your heart. (A slight pause) Remember, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things pass away and all things become new.
Put off
the old man and put on the new, which is created after God Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-27 in holiness and righteousness.
As I just said, encourage
your brothers and sisters in Christ, and remind them of the hope we have in the eventual return of our Lord. (React to the prisoner, feel this) Yes, my friend, I said His return. has gone before us for a reason.
For Jesus said that He
He has gone before us in
order to make a place for us in heaven.
Jesus died as a
living sacrifice for our sins, to atone for us, once and for all.
For all who will believe in Him, and follow Him
by faith. That’s it.
That’s our only requirement.
Believe
in Jesus as the risen Christ, and to pray for, and ask for the forgiveness of our sins.
To accept Him as our Lord and
our Savior, and to turn our life over to Him.
Salvation
cannot be obtained through works, but only through faith in Jesus; it is the gift of God. What is faith?
Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen. Simply, it is believing that although we cannot see God, He is there. Through faith we understand that the Word of God created the world. (An aside to the prisoner) Yes, created the world. Later I’ll explain that more fully. But, without faith, it is impossible to please God.
You
see, if a person desires to come to God, he must first believe that God is there, and that God will reward those Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-28 who diligently seek Him. faith.
That is some of what I mean by
And just as Jesus left us, we must have faith that
He will return again one day, in a great triumph over our adversary the devil.
He will take vengeance against those
who would not listen to His Gospel.
He will likewise come
to reclaim His followers, in glory and in admiration of those saints. (Some excitement) You see, we will not be dead, but will change in the twinkling, or blinking, of an eye.
The dead in Christ will
rise first, and all will be free from death. If you believed in Him, and in God’s Word.
Yes, there are great
trials and tribulations in the world today.
Right here in
Rome, countless Christians are being fed to Nero’s lions, or set on fire and used as torches in his garden.
Other
persecutions may well exist where you live, and more are sure to follow in the generations to come. But you see, the life I now live, I live by faith in Jesus, for He loved me, and died for me.
I know He is with me,
even through all this humiliation that I am having to suffer.
Even through all the evils of this world.
So, I
encourage you, persevere and maintain your faith through the persecution and tribulations. Don’t lose the faith. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
Don’t be deceived by those saying
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I-29 that the end is near, so why work or pay your debts?
All
of this will not take place until the son of perdition has showed himself.
And, as Jesus told the disciples, it is
not for us to know the timetable that God has for us. Who wouldn’t try to come to God if he knew when the end was coming?
That isn’t faith.
But Satan always tells us we
have time… just wait… Realize this, Satan will turn himself into an angel of light in order to deceive you.
Whatever it takes, to
deceive, he will try. Understand and recognize the nature of satanic signs and wonders. reject the truth.
They will deceive those who
They are counterfeit, and although look
as though they are from God, their very nature will prove them as lies. of God, first.
False truths appear real.
Seek the kingdom
Luke here understands what I am about to
say, but please, listen. Recognize and honor your leaders. Whether you believe it or not, their leadership comes from God-given authority.
Likewise that authority must be based
on the Word of God as truth. If any man, or even any angel, should give to you a word that is not of the risen Christ and salvation through Him, let that person or angel be accursed.
God’s Word is truth.
Hold onto it with all your might, and stand on it.
If a
person claims to be a brother but does not follow the Word, Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-30 don’t associate with him.
But don’t hate him either.
Take
him by the hand and urge him back into the fellowship with the truth and in love.
And don’t give in to
frustrations, and never grow weary of doing good, for in due course you shall reap a great harvest.
Remember
whatever you sow, that is what you will reap. (Moves across to look up) What my friend, how can you be saved as well?
If you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
For with the heart men believe the righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made for salvation.
Pray
to Jesus now, that He would forgive your sins and He will save you.
Then you must be baptized in Jesus’ name. For
you see, through baptism you are symbolically buried with Christ, and then raised from the dead, the now dead old man you once were. You must give your life over to Him completely, for understand this, He knows your heart. cannot be deceived.
He
Only you, or perhaps others, can be
deceived. What about your sins?
Will He forgive them?
My friend, it does not matter what your sins are, for sin is sin to God.
Besides, God has said that if you will seek
Him, and if you will believe in Jesus, and confess Him as Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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I-31 your Lord and Savior, and ask for the forgiveness of your sins, then God will cast the very memory of your sins as far as the east is from the west, and He will remember them no more.
God, Himself, told the prophet Isaiah to tell us,
God forgives and forgets your sins for His own sake, not yours.
Find comfort in this, all people have sinned and
therefore all fall short of the glory of God.
But God, in
His infinite mercy and grace, offers forgiveness of sins to all people who seek Him and ask for that forgiveness. There is therefore, no condemnation for those who live in Christ.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ, makes us
free from sin and death.
And Jesus, Himself, said,
“Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father, who is in heaven.”
Jesus, will intercede
on our behalf, when we stand before God in judgment. (Illustrating) I, myself, sometimes do what I should not do and fail to do what I should.
But I repent, and seek forgiveness, and
forget the past and seek God’s blessing for the future. Jesus has come, and through baptism, we put Him on as you would a garment.
We are now able, through Jesus, to be
sons and daughters of God, and therefore, joint heirs with Christ.
We are no longer Jew, or Greek, or slave, or free
man, but the children of God. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
God is no respecter of
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I-32 persons, for everyone is equal in God’s sight. Yes, I will pray with you, brother.
Luke, do you have some
water up there, so that in some form, we can baptize our new brother? (Responding to Luke) A small basin?
Yes, it will have to do.
Thank you,
doctor. (Paul kneels and he begins to pray) Father God, creator of the universe, we come before you with our new brother.
We boldly call upon You to hear his
prayers and honor his request… (FADE TO BLACK) END ACT I
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-1 ACT II
(At LIGHTS UP, PAUL is talking to Marius who has made some unheard comments) PAUL (Almost satirical) Marius, tell me, why do you Romans find this concept of one God, so difficult?
Huh?
What do you mean one god is not enough? if nothing else ever does. some god.
That sounds Roman
You attribute everything to
You seem to have one for every situation.
What
you don’t realize is that they aren’t gods, but spirits, and they themselves serve a master.
They will all receive
their reward in the judgment. (Building sarcasm throughout) So what happened during the fire. Marius?
Was your god of
fire, Vulcan, meditating, or perhaps he was busy?
Maybe he
was asleep, or was he possibly on a journey? (As an aside) From what I could see of the remains of the Circus Maximus, it looked like he was on the job. (Back to Marius) You even have Robigus, the god of mildew and grain rust. If you wish to pray and sacrifice to him, just move in down here.
His handiwork is everywhere.
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-2 (As an insult) Even the your emperor Nero thinks he himself is a god. (Indignation to Marius’ response) Watch my tongue?
Watch my tongue, you say!
watch my tongue?
Hundreds of Christians are being
sacrificed.
Why should I
I’m in here for no real reason, waiting for
Nero’s whim, knowing death is imminent; so why should I watch my tongue? (Distracted, and with some fear, lifts his eyes to heaven) I hear Your call, Lord.
Your servant is here.
(Looks up to heaven and listens, intently. Then, Paul drops his head as his sin is revealed, then lifts it again to address the Lord.) Yes, Lord.
Yes, the Proverbs.
I remember them.
The
tongue of the wise uses knowledge correctly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
You are, as ever, correct.
(Returns to talking to the guard) I am sorry, Marius, I, uh…
Now you’re laughing.
You find
it funny that my God speaks to me? (A slight pause) Don’t you wish that your gods would speak to you? you?
Don’t
Have any of your gods manifested themselves here on
earth and walked among you?
Ever have one of them come to
a wedding supper and provide the wine? Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
Huh?
I didn’t
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II-3 think so.
You will see, one day, Marius, you will see.
Jesus will return and He will gather us to Him.
You can
still join us, and be with us on that great, and joyous day.
Where are you going?
talk louder if I have to.
Don’t just walk away.
I’ll
Well, fine then, you have to
work out your salvation on your own anyway. Great, now he is certain I am meshuggah, mad, insane.
I
try Lord, I try, but … (Shrugs, and turns back to the audience) Sorry for that, it’s, uh, my daily dose of the gods according to Rome.
I pray for these soldiers, but like a
lot of people we love, they sure can make it hard at times to do so. (Looks up to heaven) Yes, Lord, just like I have done. (Back to the audience) I don’t mean to make fun of these men, I just want so much for them to accept the truth.
I want everybody to feel,
and enjoy, the comfort and security of a personal relationship with Jesus, and with God the Father. Gentleness, kindness, and the Word of God is the always the way to go.
However, as you can see, I too, can be guilty
of jamming it down their throats.
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-4 That inevitably leads to an argument. (React to a statement from Luke) Yes, you’re right Luke, you’re right. Timothy of that in the letter.
I just warned
I remember. “And the
servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, ready to teach, patient, and in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves: in case God will give them repentance for acknowledging the truth.”
Overzealousness
can be our worst enemy, even if it’s for God. (Sit down to reflect) It is unity that we need.
King David told us in his psalm.
Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brothers to dwell together, in unity.
Jesus told the disciples that,
during the Passover meal, the night before He was crucified.
He compared them to Himself and the Father.
That they be united in Him, Jesus, as Jesus was one with the Father.
That was how the world would know that the
disciples were sent from Jesus, who was sent from God. (Standing up to involve audience) I was just remembering, one of the songs that Silas and I sang that night in the prison cell.
Would you like to sing
it as well? (A short pause) Good, good. It’s perfect for what I have just talked about. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-5 It is from the Psalm I just mentioned.
It’s very simple.
Here’s how it goes: (Beginning to sing) Hinei ma tov umanaim shevat achim gam yachad. Hinei ma tov umanaim Shevat achim gam yachad. (English lyrics) Behold How good and how pleasant, For brothers to dwell together. Behold how good and how pleasant, For brothers to dwell together. Hinei ma tov umanaim shevat achim gam yachad. Hinei ma tov umanaim Shevat achim gam yachad. (Repeat 3 times) (Sitting down, with joy) Oh what a night!
A glorious working of God. (A deep sigh)
God has done so much in my life.
And God has brought me
through so many, many trials and tribulations.
I have
learned so much that I want others to not have to make the mistakes and errors I have made. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-6 (Emphasis here) But it doesn’t really work that way.
I mean, we can teach,
lead, and be examples, but that is all. must make the decision, alone. and we can’t make them do it. intercede for them.
The individual
We can’t make it for them, We can, however, pray, and
It always seems that time is so short,
and yet even I can forget, that time is in the hands of God.
We can do only our part, and the rest is up to the
non-believer, and to God. (Sighs, rising) Well, back to what I started telling earlier. far and wide.
I journeyed
There were new believers and new churches.
There were beatings, a stoning, imprisonments, and even a shipwreck.
That’s right, and a snakebite, too. (Explaining)
But these are all about me, and not about living for and serving our Lord.
My story is not about what I have or
have not done, but how I have served, and the revelations the Lord has so graciously given me to share with you. I said it earlier.
In God you have wealth in all things;
in word, and in all knowledge.
In the hope of Jesus’
return, and the forgiveness of and freedom from all sins. God is faithful, and it is by Him that you were called into the fellowship of Jesus. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-7 (With love, building) So, don’t argue and have divisions, but be perfectly joined, and of the same mind.
Do not be carnal, of this
world; but be spiritual, of God’s world.
Never forget, our
work will one-day be tested in the fire and if it is consumed it will be our loss, but if it comes through the test, the reward will be great.
So, don’t say I follow
Paul, or Peter, or this church, or that. Can Christ be divided? baptized in my name?
Follow Christ.
Did I die for your sins?
Were you
You were not! (Come down and talk to the audience from their vantage point, moving about, picking people to talk to.)
I did baptize some people, but not in my name, but in the name of Jesus.
Christ did not send me necessarily to
baptize, but to preach His Gospel, and I do.
I preach, not
with wise words, for that would make the gospel of the cross, worthless. (Teaching) It feels like foolishness to those who will not believe. But to the followers, it is the power of God.
By the same
token, what seems foolish to God is greater wisdom than man will ever know.
Your faith must be based on no man’s
wisdom, but on the power of God.
The wisdom of God, which
He has so graciously shared with us through Christ. But Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-8 didn’t God say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
He
has confounded the so-called sages of the world, and God is not dependant upon the wisdom of wise philosophers or leaders of religions. (Teaching again) God’s guarantee of salvation is devoid of the influences of men, and cannot be changed by them, or their systems of religion.
Who has knowledge of the things of man, but
man’s spirit?
It is likewise with God.
Only the Spirit of
God has knowledge of God’s ideas and thoughts. us knows the mind of God? His counselor?
Who among
Have any of you, or have I, been
I think, not. (Reaching for understanding)
You see, those who have not received the Spirit through Christ, cannot understand, and they think the ideas foolish.
However, we who have received the Holy Spirit,
are able to perceive understanding of the Word of God. You see, at first you receive the Word as babes, as milk, then as you grow you receive the meat of the Word, so to speak. God continually grants growth through time in His Word. Maybe this will help.
It is like someone, maybe myself,
who plants a seed, and another, like Apollos, waters it, but God gives the increase. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
God makes it grow.
We who
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II-9 plant and we who water are nothing; we will receive our reward based on our efforts.
But, by the grace of God, the
plant grows and its branches reach out to others. More seeds are dropped from that plant, and they in turn are watered and grow.
Again, God makes the increase.
goes on and on, if we remain faithful.
It
If, however, we
turn from God, the tree withers, and dies, and eventually the dead branches and plant are thrown into the fire as firewood.
The lake of fire.
Hell.
Jesus taught that parable when He was here among us. We are the branches, Jesus is the vine, and God, the Father, is the vinedresser. That is how we grow as a part of the body of believers. Now, what about each person’s own responsibility towards God, individually?
Think of yourselves as a building.
are God’s Holy house, His Temple. Temple. us.
You
Let no man defile that
We hold the treasures of God in earthen vessels,
While we are at home in this body we are apart from
the Lord.
But one day this earthly tabernacle will be
dissolved and we will trade it for one of God, that will not pass away.
You are a part of the body of Christ.
were bought with a price.
Glorify God in your body and
spirit, for they are both His.
Present your bodies as a
living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable to Him. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
You
So,
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II-10 let there be no sins of the flesh among you.
One man may
have only one wife, and they are one. (Seek an answer in the audience) Do you know why the Jews search their homes for leaven prior to the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
Do you?
Right.
They understand that only a tiny bit of leaven will permeate the whole batch of bread. Just one or two sinful people among you can affect everyone.
Remove the old leaven, the sin, and become new.
Now, don’t go on some senseless, self-appointed, crusade to seek out those who are sinful.
I tried that once, and
although I have been forgiven and been given a full and joyful life serving our Lord, believe me, it has not been a camel ride.
It has been a long walk on rocky ground, with
worn out sandals.
For everyone to whom much has been
given, from him, much will be required.
Never forget that.
Remember the sufferings I told you about? beatings?
Can you see these chains?
Stonings,
Do you understand
that I am about to die for my beliefs?
Many will die for
God, but for most of you, God wants people who will live for Him.
You want to impress God?
Try living for Him.
(Pause) Now, I told you earlier to not associate with those who choose to live in sin, and I meant those who are of the Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-11 brotherhood of followers.
You can’t avoid all who sin
without leaving this world. But again, I urge you to take the fallen brother by the hand, and urge them back into the faith, with the truth, and in love.
We do have to judge
those people who are of the believers, in fact we will oneday judge the angels. But, remember, by whatever standard you judge, you will also be judged.
You have heard those
words before, but I beg you, let them sink in and think about them.
Your actions and your heart to others are
exactly how you, yourself, will be judged by God. (Building a change of emotion) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
That way you can prove what is
the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
We must
learn to discern what is right and what is wrong.
We are
free to do all things, but not all things are wise. some things are sin or lead to sin. accordingly.
And
We must act and live
We cannot come under the power of anything,
save the power of our Lord Jesus. What about the power of Jesus?
The power of Jesus is so
great, that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
I’ll tell you this, I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-12 height, nor depth, nor any other creature, is able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That’s the real power of Jesus.
Of course bad
things will still happen, sometimes terrible and horrible things.
But the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared to the glory which will be revealed in us at Christ’s returning.
But never put God to the
test.
Don’t talk bad about God when troubles and problems
arise.
No man is able to say Jesus is accursed, if that
man is filled with the Holy Spirit.
By the same way that
you cannot, of the Spirit, call Jesus accursed, you cannot call Jesus Lord, except through the Spirit. (More explanation) Along with the bad things that will happen in your life, there will be continual temptations from Satan.
Remember,
that there is no temptation that you are subjected to that is uncommon to any other man.
God will never allow more on
you than you are ever able to bear.
Though I agree that
sometimes we wish God did have so great faith in us.
I
assure you, I myself have suffered from that thought. But, remember this, God will always provide a way of escape from the temptation.
Just search for it.
It’s an old
Hebrew saying, “If a man guards himself against a sin three times, then God guards him from then on.” Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-13 (Teaching) But I warned you, don’t put your faith in anything other than the Word of God.
God’s own Word to us, “If my people,
who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
If a burden has been given you to bear, God
believes you can bear it.
Now, who do you want to believe,
you or God? (As an example) I have a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, which three times I have prayed for God to remove. know what God’s answer to me was?
And do you
I’ll tell you.
His
words to me were these: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (Shrugs, then with emphasis) So you know what I do now?
Well, again I’ll tell you.
I
take pleasure in any infirmities, or needs, or cruel attacks, for in my weakness I am made strong in Christ. (Reaction to comment from above) Yes, pleasure. I take pleasure in them. madman?
Who thinks I’m a
Oh… look who’s been listening! Having second
thoughts are we, Marius?
You think only a crazy man would
suffer the hardships I’ve suffered, sit here facing probable death, yet still continue preaching this Gospel? Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-14 If it will give me greater faith in God, then smite me with that craziness and may I never recover! By the way, why are you listening to the rantings of a madman?
Oh, just walk away again, but you’ll be back.
truth will drift on the air to wherever you go.
The
Yes, you
will smell it over this prison stench because the saved are as a sweet smelling aroma to God, so it will get through to you, too. (Back to the audience) Guards, you just gotta love ‘em. I remember.
Now where was I?
Oh yes,
Think back on when I described us like
branches and Jesus as the vine. Another way to look at that, is as if the body of believers is like our own bodies.
You see, as our body is one thing
comprised of many parts of which each has its own unique function, hands, arms, legs, so is the body of Christ.
We
each comprise different parts with Christ as the head.
Now
even as we are each different parts, each of us has different giftings, given through the Holy Spirit.
Some of
us are given words of wisdom, some of knowledge, some the gifts of faith, or healing. Some have been given the gift of miracles, or of prophecy, or the discerning of spirits. Some are given the gift of speaking in tongues or perhaps the ability to interpret these tongues. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
But the same
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II-15 Spirit, as He sees fit, gives them all.
Please, do you see
that they are all different parts of the same body, not different bodies.
They are all required for the body to
live as one entity, so to speak. There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
There is one God and Father of all.
Now then, God has placed some positions in the church. First Apostles, then prophets, third teachers, then those who can work miracles, then the healers, helpers, those who govern, and then the diverse tongues. all?
No.
Can everyone do them
Are those who perform the workings great?
Or is
the Spirit who grants these workings great? Tough questions, easy answer.
God is great, we are not.
Let me give you an example. (Feel this, this is 1 Corinthians 13) If I make use of tongues, without love, I am no different than a tinkling brass cymbal, or a loud bell.
If I have a
prophet’s power, or all knowledge, or I am a great giver, but have no love, I am nothing.
Love is patient and kind.
It is never jealous or boastful.
It is not proud, rude or
selfish, and not easily angered.
Love keeps no record of
wrongs.
It takes no delight in gloating over sins but
takes delight in truth.
It always lifts you up, always
trusts, always hopes, and love will always endure. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-16 Love has no end, but all other things will pass away, because what we have is only partial, not perfect.
But
when the perfect comes, all the partial things will pass away.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, and
thought like a child, and I argued like a child. a man, and have put away my childish things.
I am now
What we see
of God’s ways now appears to us darkly, like through a looking glass. clearly.
But the day will come when we will see
But for now three things last-—faith, hope, and
love; the greatest of these is love. (Teaching again) Christ must dwell in your hearts by faith, rooted and grounded in love.
Walk in love, as Christ has loved us.
Stop lying to one another, and live in truth. of the devil, not of God. sin.
Deception is
Even if you get angry, don’t
It is possible to do. Jesus, himself, got angry, but
did not sin.
And don’t let the sun set on your anger
either. Don’t give a place in your life for the devil. Stop being bitter or using evil words in regards to one another. Let any words that come from your mouth be edifying or comforting.
Be kind, tenderhearted, and have
forgiveness for each other. Remember, that God, through Jesus Christ, has forgiveness for you.
You are no longer
in darkness but walk in the light of Christ. And above all, Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-17 do not grieve the Holy Spirit, for through Him are you sealed for redemption. Don’t do things to excess, especially drinking wine. Hey, you want to do something to excess?
Huh?
Want to
sing and dance about while neighbors wonder, “What is he up to?”
Fill yourselves with the Holy Spirit, all you can
take in.
It’s a whole lot more fun than wine, you won’t do
anything embarrassing; maybe surprising, but not really embarrassing.
You’ll feel great in the morning, you won’t
go to jail… (He looks at his chains, long pause) Well, I suppose it does make a difference what country you’re in.
It would still be worth it though, I promise. (Start the list)
What should we all do, then? to your husbands.
Well, wives submit yourselves
Husbands, you must love your wives as
Jesus loved the church, and gave Himself to it.
If you do,
I imagine your wife would gladly submit to you.
Each man
leaves his father and mother to be joined to his wife and they are one.
Treat her as such.
A part of yourself.
(Next point) Children, obey your parents in the Lord; well, it’s only right.
Remember the first commandment with promise: Honor
your father and mother, that it will be well with you, and Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-19 you may live long on the earth.
Likewise, fathers do not
provoke your children to anger. Servants obey your masters. Workers, obey your bosses, they are placed there by God. Remember all that you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord. Be strong in the Lord.
You know what else?
(Gestures to audience to wait a minute) Marius, you might be interested in this, if you’re still listening. Put on the entire armor of God, so that you can stand.
Yes, God has provided you with armor.
I say the
armor of God because we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood. Our opponents are principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness, as well as spiritual wickedness in high places. So put on the armor and stand.
What is the armor you ask?
(Looking up through the hole) Oh, welcome back Marius.
We missed you.
(Make each with emphasis.) The armor of God. You must be clothed in truth, with the breastplate of righteousness.
The shoes on your feet are
the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Faith in God is
your shield against all the fiery darts of the enemy.
Your
helmet is salvation, and to defend yourself, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
Pray always with prayers and
supplication, and watch with perseverance and strong prayers for all saints. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
And, outfitted in this armor, be
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II-20 confident in this, that He, who has begun a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it, until Jesus returns to us.
As servants of Jesus we will suffer, it is
inevitable.
Just as our Lord suffered.
example to us as well.
But He was another
Don’t strive to be the best, but be
a servant to all, just as Jesus was.
He, who was in the
form of God, did not consider that He had been robbed of His equality with God. Instead, Jesus came to us as a man, as a servant, and humbled Himself.
He humbled Himself even
to the point of death. For you,… for me,…for all of us. (Building joy and excitement) But God also exalted the name of Jesus. Name above all names.
He has made it the
At the name of Jesus everything and
everyone shall bow, in heaven and on earth.
Every tongue
will confess that Jesus is Lord, all for the glory of God the Father.
So continue to obey, and work out your
salvation with fear and trembling. His will and His good pleasure.
God works in you to do
Do everything without
grumbling or complaining so that you can be blameless and harmless.
You can be children of God, without fault, in
the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Smiling, and with love) Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-21 At this stage of life, brethren, I count all that I once thought was gain as loss.
The only gain in life is the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For Him I have
suffered the loss of all things and now realize that they are nothing more than waste, compared to a life for Christ. Brethren, I am not perfect, nor do I consider that I have know everything, but I know this: I have forgotten everything that is behind me and I reach forth, and I press forward towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God, in Jesus Christ. I have learned one thing else. state I am in.
To be content in whatever
All things work together for good for those
who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Be careful in nothing, but in every way, through
prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.
And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe, through Jesus Christ.
Come boldly to the
throne of grace, so that you can find mercy and grace to help in your time of trouble. (Deep insight) Just remember, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-22 good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.
Serve God with joy,
enduring any sufferings because of it. If God is for us who can be against us? It makes no difference if you are young or old. young, like Timothy.
You may be
As I told him, let no man despise
your youth; but be an example to the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
Think about these
things, and give yourself wholly to them. Don’t focus your whole life on material gain and money. For the love of money is the root of all evil.
You came
into this world with nothing, and that is how you will leave it.
Fight the good fight of faith, and grab hold of
the eternal life it offers.
I said it before.
I am not
ashamed of whom I have believed, our Lord Jesus.
He can,
and will, hold onto what I have committed to Him.
Endure
all things for the ultimate salvation in Jesus. Study the scriptures, to show yourself approved of God.
A
workman who has no shame, because you correctly divide theword of truth.
Avoid the carnality of this world and
you will be a vessel of honor, useful and available for God. come.
Remember that in the last days perilous times will For men will love themselves, they will be covetous,
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-23 boasters, and proud.
They will be blasphemers,
disobedient to parents,
unthankful, and unholy.
They will
not have natural affection, but will be trucebreakers, false accusers, unable to control themselves, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
Oh,
they will have a form of godliness, but will deny the power of God.
Please, I urge you, from such people turn away.
Yes, it does sound like today, but like Jesus said, it is not for us to know the exact days and times for the future events.
We cannot count on the fact that the end is near.
Of course it is, in the timeline of eternity, the end has been near ever since Jesus arose from the dead.
But we
must live for today, with the hope of our eternal rest in God, and continue to spread the gospel of Jesus, until the day He returns for us. (Making a point) But the scene is set.
Evil is coming to power, and one day
the evil one will set himself up to appear to be God. not be deceived.
Do
Continue with what you have learned in
Jesus, and know, that you know, that you know. Preach the word; be ready in season, or out of season.
If you must
rebuke, or reprove, give comfort with patience and sound doctrine.
For all scripture is inspired by God and is
Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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II-25 profitable for such uses. The time is coming; no, the time is here, when men will begin to fall away from the truth.
They seek out teachers
that will tell them only what they want to hear.
They deny
and avoid the truth.
The truth in the Holy Scriptures and
of the risen Christ.
It will become like a fable to them.
It just won’t make sense, can’t be possible.
Don’t let
them deceive you or cause you to stray from what you know is the truth.
They will urge that there is no
solid evidence, and their deceiving tongues will try to trip up your defenses, and responses. (Teaching) These people do not have a faith, they wish to absolve themselves of any responsibility in the matter. an answer which makes the choice for them. that way.
They seek
It doesn’t work
You have free choice, and the choice is yours
and only yours to make.
And you must make that choice
freely. (Illustrating) Jesus warned some followers of the very same thing.
He
told them they followed Him not because of the signs and miracles, but because they ate the loaves of bread.
He
urged them not to work for the food that will perish, but for the food that will endure eternity. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
Remember, Jesus
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II-26 said that signs and wonders would follow those that believed in Him, and acted in accordance with His Word and in His name.
The signs and wonders follow you, don’t you
follow after signs and wonders to believe in.
Believe in
our Lord Jesus, and in His name you can work miracles yourselves, and signs of God’s power will be evident in your ministry and lives.
These blessings are not the
emphasis of your ministry, though.
Jesus said rejoice not
that spirits are subject to you in His name, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven, in The Lamb’s Book of Life.
That is the ultimate blessing, and it is a gift
from God.
The gift of eternal life through the Son, who
was sent by the Father. of God.
It is the Word of God, the promise
You must stand firmly on the Word of God.
God has
forewarned you that these types of events I have mentioned will happen.
This is where and why you must have faith.
His Word has stood, and will stand, the test of time. for an inner devotion, and understanding. something you have seen alone.
Seek
Don’t rely on
There can be what seem to
be miracles that are not of God.
Look within, and seek a
spiritual understanding of the truth, for as I have said, God is spirit.
Don’t test God, but come boldly before the
throne of grace, so that you may obtain mercy, and God’s grace to help in your time of need. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
Then you can say, “The
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II-27 Lord, Jesus, is my helper, I will not fear.
What can man
do to me?” (A revelation) Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Brethren, my time is at hand; I am about to be poured out like a drink offering.
But I have fought the good fight; I
have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
Now there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give me on that day.
But not to me alone, but to all
those who have stood on Christ’s promises. Each of us must travel his own path.
I pray that you all
will travel the good path, the one that is straight and narrow. (Pause) It is a sad fact of this life in prison, all good fellowship has a time limit, and we have come to the end of ours.
So, before we part company, come, let us pray
together. (Paul drops to his knees, facing the audience. He stretches out his hands to heaven.) Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the world! God, maker of heaven and earth. and all honor and all glory. they travel their own ways. Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
Father
We give to You all praise
Go with these our brethren as I lift them to You.
God of
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II-28 peace, who made that great keeper of his flock, even our Lord Jesus, come back from the dead through the blood of the eternal agreement, make these people full of every good work and ready to do all Your desires.
Work in them
whatever is pleasing in Your eyes through Jesus Christ; and may the glory be given to You.
So be it.
And may these
dear brethren, Lord, take kindly the words that I have spoken today.
Spoken for their profit, and for Your Glory.
Lord, I know you will keep safe what has been entrusted to You.
B’Shem Yeshua, in the name of Jesus, Amen. (Paul rises and with great enthusiasm)
Remember my brethren, don’t follow or count on the ungodly babblings and the argumentative opposition that is falsely called “knowledge.”
For many who follow this so called
knowledge have missed the mark of the true faith. grace be with you all.
May
And the Lord will deliver us from
every evil work, and will preserve us for His heavenly kingdom.
To God be all glory for ever and ever.
friends, as you go, a small Hebrew lesson.
And my
L’Shana Tovah
Teekatayvu, may you be inscribed in the book of life, …as having had a good year.
Shalom uv’racha B’Mashiach Yeshua.
Go, with peace and blessings, in Messiah Jesus. (FADE TO BLACK) THE END Ambassador in Chains Copyright Karl E Wagner
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