Welcome to Music for Life, enhancing the Armstrong concert experience. I'm your host, Ryan Malone. In today's episode, we conclude a three-part series where we play the entirety of the musical Paul, Ambassador in 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 finish going through today.
So stick around as we hear the final third of the full-length musical Paul, Ambassador, and Bonds, today on Music for Life. In addition to prepping our listeners for performances to occur in Armstrong Auditorium, Music for Life has started occasionally replaying performances as well. And in December 2020, Armstrong Auditorium hosted the premiere of a brand new musical, Paul, Ambassador, and Bonds, portraying the final imprisonment of the famous New Testament figure. So as part of this particular replay, we are playing the studio recordings from this production, which are compiled on an album available for streaming and purchase online.
We'll finish the story here today, and where we pick up in the plot is where our point-of-view character, Onesiphorus, finally finds where Paul is being held and visits him in a dark dungeon. Upon his arrival, Onesiphorus tells Paul of Timothy's grief at this situation. Paul, now determined to write a final letter to his protege Timothy, asks Onesiphorus to bring Luke. While awaiting Luke's arrival, Paul prays for Timothy, and meanwhile, Timothy also prays for Paul. The next day, Luke arrives with materials ready to help Paul dictate a letter. Paul asks Luke to take the letter back to Ephesus, but Luke pledges to stay with Paul until the very end. The minister Tychicus is known to be available, so Paul determines to send him to Ephesus with the final epistle. They work each day while daylight peers into the prison. Dancers depict the flight of Tychicus back to Ephesus with Paul's letter in an instrumental number called Dance of the Dispatch. And this represents traveling first over sea and then over land. And I think you can hear that programmatically depicted in the music. After that, we hear how the letter arrives and is recited to Timothy in Ephesus. And as the brethren...
there hear some of that letter read, imagining it in Paul's voice, those of the house hear the encouragement and exhortation contained therein. Eunice, in particular, the mother of Timothy, sees a theme in the letter of how there is no such thing as standing alone when we stand for God. Not many would hazard such shame for my sake. This place is not found with much ease. Nor condition brings my heart, but no shame will it impart. With your sacrifice, God is well pleased. Your labor God remembers, your love is not ignored. Your despair is not despised. I receive you as the Lord.
Give no thought to my lack of this truth, there is no doubt. We brought nothing to this world, and surely we can carry nothing out. I bear in my body the box of the Lord, an emblem of righteous renown. These chains are an ornament more priceless and glorious than the jewels in the emperor's crown. That Timothy now could be here in my place, regaining the courage that waits. Much comfort has fled through the tears he has shed, but you could rekindle his flame. The servant...
of the lord must not be disillusioned all the godly in christ shall suffer persecution I must write unto Timothy at once, one more charge from a father to a son. This may be my last gift, fetch me Luke and be swift, with his presence this work can be done. Tell him my objective, inform him of my needs, bring the ink and the paper and well charm and beads, and I'll return after bringing comfort and care. And here in your absence, I will offer prayer.
Abba, Father, your son now cries. My every need your love supplies. I give you thanks for all your grace that overflows and grows my faith. I fall on my knees and lift up my hands, my eyelids enclosing my thoughts. As I intercede, the silence expands.
My lips are now at loss. That you would count me worthy and extend to me your mercy, forgiving the transgressions of my past. Though done blindly in unbelief, of all sinners, yes, I am chief, you still hear each petition that I ask. So now I come, for what should I ask, for your throne, for what should I pray, about Hassan, I call my own, your Holy Spirit, in him restore, he has your strength, but he needs more.
I know I shall be heard, but I don't know the words Yet your spirit will prevail, where words will often fail Composing our request, the unspoken is expressed I need that spirit, the need is sore I need that spirit, please give me more Like a son works with his father, we have both excelled the gospel. Together in the spirit we have walked. No other man is like him, no elder as like-minded, extending my compassion to the flock.
I know why I groan. I know why I cry. I know what I inwardly want. But there are unknowns beyond here flies. What is your will to be done? Take charge of my request.
For I don't know what's best But your spirit will prevail Where ours will often fail Composing our appeal Though at odds with what we feel I need that spirit The need is sore I need that spirit Please give me more I also now obtain, if I may so implore, with what little sight remains to see my son once more. Like a father with his son, what a force we would become, empowered by a love I'd never known. When gallant hearts grow hollow, his faith I now must follow, and imitate the courage he has shown.
Father, I know my hero. Your son now cries. My every need. Your own surprise. Your Holy Spirit. But there are unloved. In me restored. I have your strength. But I need more. But your spirit will prevail. Where ours will often fail. Could he also now obtain. If I may sow him more. That he see his son.
It is I, your servant, Luke, here at your request. What comfort to welcome your voice. Of all prisoners, I am most blessed. I have gone to the ends of the realm.
to the uttermost shores of the west my father will shortly exhale my moment to enter his rest we must work while it is day before my life dismissal to act without delay to write one last epistle they say my pen has weight and strength but my speech is less respected I've literally bored a man to death, though he was resurrected. Now to Timothy we write, O diligent recorder, so may our minds unite to set God's house in order. Now who could deliver your message? Are you not the one I should use?
I have promised to attend your needs unto the end. Is there another minister to choose? Some elders deserted the cause. Some faithful are serving abroad. Prescott sees in Galatia. Titus to Dalmatia. While others are fighting our god, these names must be recorded. As for carriers, there is one.
With Tychicus at hand, he can meet this demand. Agreed, so let it be done. He prepared this parting gift, putting all faith, love, and hope in, though caged beneath the dark. His heart was never more open. Fewer words could be more eloquent. No more zeal could he exert. Though a prisoner facing his final charge, he offered this final charge his most assuring, most inspiring work.
So Luke was ready to write. You may begin to recite. I will start with Paul, an apostle. An apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. By the will of God. According to the promise. According to the promise. The promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. Of life which is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, my son. My dearly beloved son. Then the typical greeting. Grace, mercy, and peace from. One moment, sir, to record.
Peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. And your statement of thanksgiving. I thank God whom I serve, just as my fathers did, with a conscience clean and pure. Tell him of my ceaseless daily prayers, longing to see him mindful of his tears. Command him for the pure faith he retains That has dwelled within his family many years Remember your grandmother Lois Your devout mother Eunice as well Recall when I laid my hands on you So within you God's spirit would dwell Stir those embers, stoke that fire, fan the flames that inspire. Be filled with the gift of Father above, not the spirit of fear.
What of soberness, power, and love So the words flowed from his mouth Like the pen of a ready writer In shadows of demise His eyes were never brighter Fewer words could be more confident No more faith could he assert Like a soldier poised for his final charge He offered this final charge His most assuring, most inspiring word With this prison
One last devotee. Since I sent Tychicus to you in Ephesus. Luke remains with me. For Rome soon embark. But first find John Mark. Useful for missions to come. Your haste I compel. The books bring as well. Especially the parchments. My son. When he first was a man stood at his. To share the guilt of which he was acute.
His faith would not be shaken, and though he was, they might be excused. For the Lord stood right there, so I could declare his truth to the crowd God gave. Christ stood in the breach and strengthened my speech, and from lions' mouths I was saved. For I know the Lord shall deliver me.
from every evil endeavor and save me for his heavenly kingdom forever desert island feeling crowded by seclusion When loyalty turns to loneliness and faith could turn to fear, companionship approaches, assurance soon draws near. Our righteous judge in heaven stands ready to defend us. We say, if God be for us, then who can be against us? If only foes surround us and start to cast their stones, we can see our elder brother standing from our father's throne. When we stand for God!
We never stand alone. Our feet stand ready, the gospel's proclamation. With this, our mind is guarded, the helmet of salvation. With righteousness, our breastplate. With truth, our belt is bound. Equipped with sword and shield, the faith to stand our ground.
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 third and final one of those three. These are the studio recordings of this new production, and this recording is now available as an album.
As stated in the other episodes, I'm not giving any performer information, for sake of time, other than stating that this is the original Armstrong Auditorium cast. But you can find a free copy of the liner notes at pcg.church. Just click on the resources link, and then on the music link. I'll also put a link directly to that PDF in the show notes for this episode. That will not only give you performer information, but complete access to all the lyrics. We just heard the majority of two scenes in Act 2, the first of those being the dungeon scene, where Paul labors to write one final letter to his evangelist, Timothy. The second of those two scenes was back at the house in Ephesus, where Timothy and his mother Eunice, among a couple others, hear the final...
will and testament, so to speak, of the Apostle Paul. After this, the plot moves back to the imperial court in Rome. Emperor Nero, realizing his plans to increase public favor have backfired, has fled Rome. Simon Magus hatches a scheme of how to eventually take down the Christian movement, and then we move back to the house in Ephesus for a final scene of Act 2. Heeding Paul's letter, Timothy has sent for the minister John Mark to plan a visit to Rome to see Paul and Luke. But Luke arrives in Ephesus with news of the apostles' martyrdom. Timothy realizes Paul's impact will now be through the addition of his writings to the scriptural canon. Before the men embark on their mission in earnest, Timothy takes another look at the final words of Paul's letter.
in a song called Departure.
Reports of revolt in Africa, news of mutiny in Gaul. Protests and flots in the Senate, foreshadowed our Emperor's fall. Our Caesar has met his demise, and some of the last words he'd speak. Qualis artist ex perio, when an artist dies in me. When goals cannot be reached, and walls cannot be breached, a tactic that those Parthians have employed.
is crouching from afar, well hidden from the war. As archers, distant targets are destroyed. A hunter with his game will make his deadly aim, though all the while proceeding with great stealth. His vision must be sharp, unclouded by the dark, though all the while invisible himself. My darts with tips of flame, I make my deadly aim. What shield can extinguish my barrage? The genius that I am, this forward-thinking plan, will execute unrivaled sabotage. I'll ride the long-term course, astride my pure white horse, outlived by all the acts that shall transpire. For as they often say,
Rome wasn't built in a day. And so into the future, so into the future, so into the future, I shall fall! John Mark has arrived to see you. I thank you for answering my call. It sounded quite pressing. Yes, I must express things contained in this letter from Paul.
He charged me to bring you to see him, to come before winters with Luke. With parchments in hand. That was his command, to bring them to him and to Luke. Another guest has joined us. Luke? Why are you not still in Rome, attending God's servant? My message is urgent. If you're here, then his fate is known. At last, to Caesar's blade, his neck he would give.
How true the king bears not the sword in vain. If we have died with Christ, with him we shall live. If we endure with him, with him we shall reign. Are these all the parchments in question? His writings compiled in one place. This set represents many letters he sent, a task I have gladly embraced. My codex contains twelve epistles, and I possess two sent to me. So fourteen in size, this number implies, his legacy is doubly complete.
The fruits of these matters are clear. A saint may be sentenced and slain. Though the faithless could cower in fear, God's objective will still be attained. I see how the word of the Lord cannot be constricted by bonds. Unmultered, unfettered, unhindered, God's word shall live on.
Living on, living on Yes, the word of God shall live on Yes, the word of God always lives on These epistles that we have compiled, from the mouth of our God they descend. His words are the words of the Lord. This was God's design all along. Outspoken, unshaken, unbroken, God's word shall live on. Living on, living on.
Yes, the word of God shall live on. Enduring strong, the word of God always lives on. God has appointed men once to die. Of this we are assured. Fading like flowers, withering like grass. But God's word endures. Living on, living on. Yes, the word of God shall live on. Enduring strong, though men are gone. The word of God always lives on.
Enduring strong, though we are gone, the word of God forever shall live on. Are we ready to go with all these components to our apostle in the east? I'll be right there, just give me one moment. I see my ship, now docked at the harbor, its final trip.
is set for departure, my captain calls me aboard. Uncoil the rope and draw up the anchor, embark with hope, raise victory's banner, I journey to claim my reward. I have fought the good fight, I have guarded the faith, I have joyfully finished my race.
At the end of this plight is a crown that awaits and an honor we all may embrace. I see my cup poured out on the altar. Its final drop is soon to be offered. I've given till there was not. May God now drink of my last libation. I'm at the brink.
of tasting salvation. I know that my work here is done. I have fought the good fight. I have guarded the faith. I have joyfully finished my race. At the end of this plight is a crown that awaits and an honor we all may embrace. Ready, I know. Yes, I know in my heart.
I am ready to go, the time is at hand the time to depart. This crown that I will hold, made of silver and of gold, is not just something one man can attain. Truly, as that day is nearing, all who long for his appearing shall from our righteous judge receive the same. I have fought the good fight. I have guarded the faith.
I have joyfully finished my race And the end is a crown that awaits An honor we all may embrace I know in my heart I am ready to go The time is at hand The time to depart The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Grace be with you Amen 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 third and final one of those three. These are the studio recordings of this new production, which are now available in album form. 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 that format. We appreciate any rates and reviews that you can post.
We just heard the last three songs of Act 2. The first of that set was called Deadly Aim, and it wraps up the plot for our antagonists, what becomes of Emperor Nero and Simon Magus. After that, the song titled The Word is where Timothy finally learns of Paul's martyrdom, but how the word of God will live on. And in the final song of the act, Timothy reads the final words of the Apostle Paul in that song we just heard, titled Departure. There is one more song in the production, technically an epilogue, so outside the action of our story, where some of the main characters sing about the spiritual battle that God's church is engaged in. This is called Fight the Good Fight, and in the middle of it, you'll hear a dance break, complete with the sounds of the Irish dancers' hard shoes, the dance itself being dubbed Dance of the Christian Soldiers. I hope you enjoy this finale to Paul, Ambassador in Bonds.
But does he still yet? Their venomous tactics are much greater than yet We shall put them to flight We battle the devil, we wrestle with sin The evil without and the darkness within So stand as the children of light And fight! Fight the good fight, the fight of faith With honor and fight with strength To finish and never back down Fight for the Lord, fight for the crown Ranting at God's command. By kneeling in prayer, we surely can stand. Our weapons are honed with a spiritual spark. Their blades proven powerful, nimble and sharp. More than a two-edged sword. No part of our armor is iron or steel. But fashioned from elements truly more real. So be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. And fight. Fight the good fight, the fight of faith.
Fight with honor and fight with strength! Fight to finish and never back the- Fight for the glory and fight for the crown! We suffer our struggles and strife To lay hold on immortal life We battle our way to the force With God on our side we will make it It is therefore the taking soul Take it! Behold! How we take it by force! The force!
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.