The Patience of Paul - The promise of being a witness in Rome

We really have "NO" Patience.

At least not when you compare what the Apostle Paul had to endurance.

Can you imagine having a vision and then having to wait over 2 years for it to come true.

And to get stuck in a storm at sea for over 2 weeks, and only after many more months,

to finally reach Rome ( as promised ).

Paul was taken into custody at Jerusalem. 

And the Jews wanted him dead, but that was not God's plan for Paul at this time.

Act 23:11  And the following night the Lord stood by him and said, 

Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you have testified of Me in Jerusalem, so you also must bear witness at Rome. 

Act 24:27  But after two years Felix welcomed a successor, Porcius Festus. And wishing to show a favor to the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. 

Act 27:1  And when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' cohort. 

Act 27:9  And much time having been used up, and the voyage already being dangerous, because the Fast was now already past, Paul warned them, 

Act 27:10  saying, Men, I perceive that this voyage is about to be with much harm and loss, and not only much cargo and of the ship, but also of our souls.

Act 27:20  And neither sun nor stars appearing in many days, and no small tempest pressing hard, now all hope that we would be saved was taken away.
Act 27:21  But there being much fasting, then standing up in their midst, Paul said, O men, being obedient to me you ought not to have set sail from Crete, and to have come by this harm and loss.
Act 27:22  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there will be no casting away of life among you, only of the ship.
Act 27:23  For tonight an angel of God stood beside me, whose I am and whom I serve,
Act 27:24  saying, Fear not, Paul! You must stand before Caesar. And behold! God has given you all those who sail with you.
Act 27:25  Therefore, men, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it will be so, according to the way it was told me.
Act 27:26  But we must fall on a certain island.
Act 27:27  But when the fourteenth night came, we being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors thought that they drew near some country. 

Act 28:11  And after three months we sailed in a ship of Alexandria 

Act 28:16  And when we came into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the camp commander. But Paul was allowed to dwell by himself, with a soldier guarding him.

Act 28:30  And Paul remained two years in his own hired house. And he welcomed all who came in to him,
Act 28:31  proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom, and without hindrance. 

And Paul shared his "outlook" on life in all his letters.

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but let us have joy in our troubles: in the knowledge that trouble gives us the power of waiting;
Rom 5:4  And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5  And hope does not put to shame; because our hearts are full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is given to us. 

2Ti 3:10  But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience,
2Ti 3:11  persecutions, afflictions, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra. What persecutions I endured! But the Lord delivered me out of all.
2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

And finally Paul exhorts Timothy,

2Ti 4:1  Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom,
2Ti 4:2  preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3  For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear.
2Ti 4:4  And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths.
2Ti 4:5  But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.
2Ti 4:6  For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is here.
2Ti 4:7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
2Ti 4:8  Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing.