Welcome to Music for Life, enhancing the Armstrong concert experience. I'm your host, Ryan Malone. In today's episode, we continue a three-part series where we play the entirety of the musical, Paul, Ambassador, and Bonds. This new musical premiered at Armstrong Auditorium in December 2020, featuring staff, students, and alum of Herbert W. Armstrong College and Imperial Academy of Edmond. The studio recording of this new production is now available in album form, which we will continue going through today. So stick around as we hear more of the full-length musical, Paul, Ambassador, and Bonds, today on Music for Life.
In our previous episode, we began hearing the final studio recordings this new album of a brand new musical titled Paul, Ambassador, and Bonds, which debuted here at Armstrong Auditorium in mid-December 2020. As we hear this in its entirety, I'm interjecting on occasion to give an outline of the plot, as will be heard in these numbers. In our last episode, we were in a flashback in our story, hearing about how Nero, the emperor, added musical events to the AD 67 Olympics in Greece when he was visiting the area. And as the lyrics indicate, he demands every possible prize. And so the first number we'll hear today is called Dance of the Crowns, which is an instrumental number meant to depict how Nero is crowned with the top prize in every event he enters. If you saw this production live, you might pick up on the fact that this number was not in the original stage production. We cut it for some time constraints, but we included it in the album. We did use a portion of this also for our curtain call music at the end of the show when everyone was bowing.
After Dance of the Crowns, our plot moves back to present day into the home of Aquila and Priscilla, who receive a letter from Paul's assistant, Luke. This is where the Ephesus brethren, including Paul's protege, Timothy, learn of Paul's final imprisonment on death row. Timothy is shaken by the news, and his mother Eunice encourages him by reminding her son of Paul's conversion, how the road we start out on does not always take us where we expect it will. After that, the deacon Onesiphorus, who, if you remember, is about to travel to Rome, asks Eunice and Timothy to tell about their history with the Apostle Paul. So we get another flashback from 20 years earlier, where Paul is being dragged out of the city and left for dead. In the song, Through Monday,
So we'll hear this set of numbers again, starting back with Dance of the Crowns. news described. Reports of harm God's servant now sustains. Our apostle has been thrown in some dungeon there in Rome. So writes his helper Luke about these chains.
When Geraldine roamed before, for two years all that lay in store Was waiting for indictments to be purged His accusers never appeared, but neither was his record cleared Now charges of sedition re-emerge The contrast is quite stark, these new conditions far more dark A place where flames of fellowship have fled Now treated as a traitor, some hostile agitator A deadly sentence lingers overhead I'm already bound for Rome, where God's man is being held. To visit him in his distress, my spirit is compelled. But this particular decision, two strength and one forlorn, would draw danger and derision, uncertainty and scorn.
Persecution, we expect. But this, this changes everything. And you ask, what happens next? Well, we had it all planned perfectly. But God directs it all. Just remember what once happened to a Pharisee once named Saul.
He began with aspirations, with a zeal none could outshine. But before his destination, something thwarted his desires. So renowned was his conversion, when a new ambition flowed. It began on this excursion, on an unexpected road to Damascus. On this road to Damascus, he was struck down.
so convinced he was right so convicted of his mission it took losing his sight to truly see the vision of where his journey would go and it started on an unlikely road on the road away to Damascus When we bring this to remembrance, his adventure should recall the remarkable resemblance of what happens to us all. Now we understand our calling, but the Lord above us, as we find one voyage stalling, then another hand as plans take flight. On this road to Damascus, we are struck down by the light. So convinced we are right, so convicted of our mission, it takes losing our sight to truly see the vision.
We should go, often starting on an unlikely road. Just when we think we hold the reins, never our life is certain. We find our plans are vain, that we're the beast of burden. We can carve our own cores, which yields its violent pride. Or defer to destiny's course, and yield unto our good. Claiming victory and surrender, taking pleasure in defeat. Our names reduce to numbers, we are perfect with new heat.
that we must follow, this new path that we now face. Oh, the street and narrow, we will run it. On the road to Damascus, hear the grandest landscape fight. On this road to Damascus, we are lifted by the light. Now we know we are on, but by physical ambition, the spiritual sight, we truly see. When did you first meet God's apostle?
Barnabas brought the gospel to Lystra. Is that where your family dwelled? Yes, and my son was just a youth when mother and I heard God's truth. What miracles and wonders we beheld. People soon would come from Antioch and Iconium. A nearby city from which both men had fled. And since Paul was the spokesman, the adversary stoned him. They dragged him out and left this man for dead.
The Lord will take away, and so shall he give. How precious in his sight the death of a saint. If we have died with him, with him we shall live. If we endure with him, with him we shall reign. God's man cannot be diminished if his work is not yet finished, though struck by many pressures and concerns. They come with the territory, but I count it all as glory, so right back to this city I return. While this might make some timid, my faith becomes more rigid, for death is just a temporary sleep.
In fact, every day I perish, so one day I will cherish the recompense this confidence shall reap. Through much tribulation we enter the kingdom. Through many afflictions we achieve the prize. The adversity we suffer will only make us tougher. Our base for just a moment we shall rise. We shall rise.
I will magnify the Lord in life or death. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. If we have died with him, with him we shall live. If we endure with him, with him we shall reign. We are pressured from a side, yet not distressed. Perplexed on points of faith, but not devoid. Persecuted for, but not forsaken. Oppressed. Yes!
but not destroyed. Through much tribulation we enter the kingdom. Through many afflictions we achieve the prize. All the grief with Christ we share truly cannot be compared to the majesty we soon shall realize. Our momentary woes are light upon the scale when weighed against our infinite rewards.
Our momentary foes, unable to prevail, can never shut divinely opened doors. But if we are bound for God, then we are bound for greatness. And if we suffer loss, then we gain even more. We've cast down for Christ, we are grounded in hope. If we are put to flight, then to great heights we soar. Through much tribulation we enter the kingdom, through many afflictions.
We achieve the prize. And the hardness we endure makes our victory secure. Any fire just lights the crown before our eyes. The one base for just a moment we shall rise. And may these words now offer strength and fortify your hearts. So continue in the faith while shame and fear depart. The one base for just a moment we shall rise. The one base for just a moment we shall rise.
have offered strength and fortified my heart to forge ahead in faith while shame and fear depart some are made a spectacle others are stoned some are casting dungeons others disowned now he has suffered all of these now cast with those condemned But he said, remember those in chains as though we are bound with them. When brothers suffer ridicule, our reflex to retreat must yield to godly confidence and join in their defeat. My Lord is not ashamed to call me brother, to bless my name in melodies of praise. So why should I feel shame toward another whose humble state the crown of Christ displays? For there is no shame, no dishonor, no disgrace.
In his chains, he knows this honor shall displace Any ridicule he canes, there is never a shame When we suffer for his name Those who went before me were despised for his name, for this they did rejoice. If I were counted worthy to accomplish the same, then that would be my choice. My God is not ashamed to be my father. He builds for me an everlasting place. He promises a sacred seat of honor. So anything he asks, I will embrace. For there is no shame, no dishonor, no disgrace.
God's man is not embarrassed of the gospel. His boldness is not fettered by his puns. In this is wrought the signs of an apostle. And God observes how each of us responds. Yet, if his spirit falters for a moment...
And in that our reproach begins to build, then I will bear his burden and shoulder his shame, for in this is the love of God fulfilled. There is no shame, no dishonor, nor disgrace, just great acclaim. I know this honor shall displace any ridicule I gain. There is never a shame when we suffer for his name. But if we are bound for good, then we are bound for greatness.
And if we suffer loss, then we gain even more. If cast down for Christ, we are grounded in hope. If we are parts of light, then to great heights we swore. Through much tribulation, we enter the kingdom. Through many a great chance, we achieve the prize. First greater claims, any famous Christ we share. Truly cannot be compared, to the majesty we soon shall realize. To the majesty we share, if our gates for just a moment we shall rise.
So I will not draw back, but desert all pride and fear. And by drawing close to him, so Christ to me draws near. You are listening to Music for Life. I'm your host, Ryan Malone. This is KPCG. In today's episode, we are listening to the entirety of a new musical that was premiered here in December 2020, Paul, Ambassador, and Bonds. We're doing this over the course of three episodes, and this is the second of those three. These are the studio recordings of this new production, which are now available in album form.
As I mentioned last time, I'm not giving any performer information as we talk through this, other than the fact that this is the original Armstrong Auditorium cast. But you can find the liner notes for free at pcg.church. You just go to that website and click on the resources link, and then click on the music link, and you can find it there. I'll also put the link in the show notes to the liner notes. It's a direct link to the PDF. That will not only give you performer information, but also complete access to all the lyrics.
We just heard the portion of the plot where the disciples learn about the apostle Paul's imprisonment and impending execution. And our point of view character, Onesiphorus, after hearing about the history of Paul reviving after being stoned and left for dead, determines that he will visit the jailed apostle while he visits Rome. So act two opens on Onesiphorus arriving in Rome. In the next three songs, we hear him interact with some prominent converts in the area. Paul's half-brother, Rufus Pudens, Rufus's wife, a British princess, Claudia, and their four children. In their house are two of her relatives, Eubulus and Linus, as well as Luke, who pledged to help track down where Paul is being held. Toward the end of the scene, Rufus and Claudia recount with Onesiphorus their history with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment, which ended about six years earlier, and how mightily the word of God grew while their apostle was detained there, how he was writing and working diligently with men.
like Timothy, Luke, Tychicus, John Mark, and some faithful female converts. So here are the songs at the beginning of Act 2, support, seek, and the work. I'm looking for the house of Rufus Prudens. He is our father, and this is our home. My name is Onesiphorus. I travel here from Ephesus. Welcome, Onesiphorus, to Rome.
I heard you are disciples with connections. Our great apostle is prisoner here. I heard he also is your brother. We share the same mother. To you then let me make my mission clear. When I heard God's man was cast in prison, deep within desire began to grow.
Coming here to this community gave a precious opportunity To find him in his greatest hour of war Some unseen things are cloaked in the apparent A shadow marking greater things to come Some simple things just stand for something grander The smallest parts reveal a greater sum. An ambassador reflects a higher power. A saint embodies Christ within his flesh. And if we offer aid unto a brother.
It truly is our Lord we have refreshed. If we honor the Son, then we honor the Father. If we visit the servant, then we visit his Lord. What profit we receive, if we receive a profit, it profits a profit's reward. Our daily habits form eternal features.
Our qualities define our very core And if we can be faithful with our little God knows we will be faithful with much more. We acknowledge the author by embracing the message. We identify heaven by God's chosen on earth. And if man is just, we trust it's Christ he follows and what his example is worth. He needs our backing and support. He needs our positive report.
Encouragement whenever he can hear it. Whatever burdens we can share, along with bold and virulent prayers. Whatever might rejuvenate his spirit. God's man, we discover God's mercy. By hosting his brethren, with him we converse. And when we give a drink to the least of his disciples, he pledges we never shall thirst. Faith helps me discern the bigger picture. So my vision is not dim.
I see God behind the man, therefore I must find God's man. He needs me, and I... Princess of Britannia, we know Rome without. And within... Eubulus and Linus can be of service. To certain key officials they can speak. Employing our position to aid you in your mission. To help discover all...
that you seek. If we seek the Lord, if we search the hidden treasures of his mind, if we ask, we will receive. If we knock, doors will open and all that we seek, we will find. A Christian knows the hunger and then the satisfaction.
of finding hidden treasure from unrelenting action of selling all we have to buy one fruit because what it contains to us has been revealed if you seek the law if you search the hidden treasures of his mind if you ask you will receive if you knock doors will open and all that you seek you will find This Christian knows the value of leaving former fortunes. Exchanging bygone glory for everlasting portions. Possessing next to nothing truly will suffice. Because we have discovered of great Christ with the power of God that searches all things. We delve to new decks. We strike lasting springs. Seek the Lord with all your hidden treasures.
is based here with us, helping God's servant in multiple ways. As Paul's scribe and physician, he can also aid your mission. What history your ministry portrays? The first trip to Rome for God's apostle. Began as a prisoner, as you know. It was something he would glory in. I attest as his historian. This concluded six years ago. Here to see you, your half-brother Rufus.
And Claudia, his bride. God has doubled our choice. We now have two boys. What pleasure your presence provides. The name of our newest is Novatus. Our firstborn is named after Timothy. And may they be praised because they were raised upon the apostles' knee. Nearly two years inside this confinement, our apostle endured few constraints. He has published instruction without any obstruction. Receiving.
and employing these saints. You know Luke, the scribe and physician. The devoted historian John Mark. He's a relative of Barnabas. This minister is Titicus, who delivers Paul's epistles of four. Our efforts demand faithful women, like Mary, who greeted you there. The Lady Trofina, the laboring Trofosa, and Julia, what is it you share?
Epaphroditus has arrived from Philippi. He delights us with his safe return. The Philippians have sent a special gift. Another one. To help your spirits lift. My deepest thanks these brethren have earned. What other congregation shares such communication? Their charity truly knows no end.
This gift of sweet fragrance, like the ancient cloud of incense To God may this aroma ascend We must write those in Philippi at once. The achievements here these many months. For these kinds of letters have conquered these fetters. What a marvelous work God has done. Now you shall witness the secretary's deeds. Mix the ink, score the paper, and sharpen the reeds. Imploring our God with thanksgiving and zeal. For what we will publish, this is our appeal. This is our appeal.
May it sail upon our pending ship, approaching every shore. On wings of parchment, may these words now soar. The fruits of this sentence are clear. The increase in spite of these chains. The truth is proclaimed without fear. The gospel has not been restrained. Remind them the word of the Lord cannot be constricted by bonds. Unaltered, unfettered, unhindered, the work carries on. Yes, the work of God carries on. Yes, the work of God always carries on.
My bonds give them boldness of voice, a faith and a love that abounds. In God I will always rejoice, for they are my joy and my crown. Commend them for how they've obeyed and labored while I have been gone. So borderless, boundless, and endless, the work carries on. Carry on, carry on. Yes, the work of God carries on.
This is how I respond. Shake off that serpent into the fire and carry on. Carry on, carry on. Yes, the work of God carries on. We are ready to write! Carry on!
You are listening to Music for Life. I'm your host, Ryan Malone. This is KPCG. In today's episode, we are listening to the entirety of a new musical that was premiered here in December 2020, Paul, Ambassador in Bonds. We're doing this over the course of three episodes, and this is the second of those three. These are the studio recordings of this new production, which are now available as an album. More information on how to obtain this album is available in today's show notes. You could also go to iTunes and simply search Armstrong Auditorium, which will pull up this and other musical productions that we've made available in this format. We appreciate any rates and reviews that you can post.
We just heard the song, The Work, a flashback song from Paul's first Roman imprisonment, where the work of God actually flourished in spite of Paul's imprisonment. This helps set up the contrast of our next scene where Paul is in prison again, but in a dark dungeon awaiting execution. This is the last movement we'll hear on today's episode, and you'll want to tune in next week to hear how it all ends. This is the instrumental number, Dance of the Chains. And if you remember from the live production, if you saw it, this is a dramatic dance number produced by our Irish dance program here. So I hope you enjoy.
You have been listening to Music for Life, a production of KPCG 101.3 on the FM dial in Edmond, Oklahoma. From the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus, I'm Ryan Malone. Thanks for joining me.