Paul was under house arrest in Rome.  He was guarded and chained to a soldier 24/7.

Paul was a prisoner but each soldier who guarded him was actually a captive audience, weren’t they?  Can you imagine the conversations which Paul began with each of them?

How do you make the most of the opportunities to speak of your Savior Jesus to others?

Paul had a lot of freedoms…those freedoms did not include moving about Rome.

After being there three days, he called together the leading Jews in Rome.  (Acts 28:17) When they gathered, Paul told them the following:
(NASB) Acts 28:17-20 “…Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 ‘And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.
19 ‘But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.
20 ‘For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

Paul…imprisoned because of his faith and belief in “…the hope of Israel.”

Jesus is “…the hope of Israel.”
Jesus Christ ~ died on the altar of the cross
Jesus Christ ~ physically resurrected from the grave
Jesus Christ ~ the living Lord and Messiah
Jesus is “…the hope of Israel.”

Moses prophesied of Messiah…Genesis 3:15

Isaiah prophesied of Messiah’s birth…Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah prophesied of Messiah’s life…Isaiah 9:1-3
Isaiah prophesied of Messiah’s death…Isaiah 53

David prophesied of Messiah’s death…Psalm 22
David prophesied of Messiah’s resurrection…             Psalm 16:10
David prophesied of Messiah’s being the King over all the earth…Psalm 2

Isaiah prophesied of Messiah’s reign also…            Isaiah 9:7

He is the living hope…
(NASB) 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Jesus is “…the hope of Israel.”