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I. THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED UNTO ME (see history of Paul as the prisoner of Jesus Christ, Acts 21; Acts 28)

1. Popular tumult in Jerusalem.

2. Apprehension by Lysias, bound and ordered to be examined by scourging.

3. Placed at the bar of the Sanhedrim and ordered to be smitten on the mouth by the High Priest.

4. Conspiracy against his life, exposed, defeated.

5. Taken prisoner to Caesarea. Tried before Felix. Then before Festus, afterwards before Agrippa and Berenice.

6. Appeals to Caesar, shipwrecked, arrives at Rome.

7. In Rome delivered to the captain of the guard, permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him (Acts 28:30-31) for two years.

II. HAVE FALLEN OUT RATHER UNTO THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL. The development of events in a consecrated life —

1. Is the work of an overruling Providence.

2. Produces startling results, disappointing alike to the hopes of enemies and the fears of friends.

3. Whatever may be its starting point, attains its end in the advancement of the gospel.

4. Illustrates how moral principles when tried in suffering become mighty forces in the world's evangelization.

5. A pledge that suffering with Christ shall be followed by a fellowship of glory.

(G. G. Ballard.)

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KJV: But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

WEB: Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;