When the Lord Says Go to Rome, You Go

What if Paul Hadn’t Obey’ed?

Here was Paul in Jail. He had just been shamed and slapped by the High Priest for preaching the Gospel. Think about this, here was a grown adult they publicly humiliated because he challenged their authority, that includes their money and power. In fact, they were going to pull him in pieces, but the Roman military saved him and took him to the castle.

You see, when God speaks, His word is clear. His commands are not suggestions but divine directives, given with authority and purpose. I would like to take a journey and talk about the last journey of the Apostle Paul, a man who understood what it meant to obey the voice of God—even when the call led him to face storms, chains, and opposition.

I have been to Rome several times, one of my favorite places on earth. There I went to the prison they held him in before his execution, it is a cold dark cave meant for those who were high profile prisoners of the state. I also went to the place where they tell me his bones are buried, they call it St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. You see, I am saying he went there but his body never left.

You see, this call came with some perils. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel, and after a series of trials before Jewish and Roman authorities, after this promise by the Lord, he appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen. This legal appeal guaranteed him a trial in Rome.

Paul’s journey to Rome was full of danger. He was transported as a prisoner, and during the voyage, the ship encountered a severe storm, leading to a shipwreck on the island of Malta. Despite the hardships, Paul continued to minister, healing the sick and sharing the gospel the entire time.

When he arrived in Rome, he was placed under house arrest rather than in a traditional prison. He was allowed to live in a rented house but was guarded by a Roman soldier (Acts 28:16, 30-31). Despite his restricted movement, Paul was free to receive visitors and preach the gospel.

Paul used this time to continue to minister extensively. His work wasn’t done, his reach only expanded

He was able to:

• Preached to both Jews and Gentiles in Rome.
• Proclaimed the message of the kingdom of God and the teachings of Jesus to those who had access and were the leaders
• Wrote several letters to various churches and individuals, which are now part of the New Testament. These include Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon—they are collectively known as the “Prison Epistles.”

Despite all of this, he continued to be a prolific preacher and teacher.

But let’s back up a minute and let’s begin with a genuine view of the apostle as a person. He was being asked to leave his comfort zone and go to the capital of the Roman Empire, the most powerful empire the world had known at that time. He was not a welcoming place for someone like him.

You see Paul knew what he must suffer and that he would be leaving the churches he planted and those who loved him and he shared a bond with, never to see them again. He was being called to go speak truth to the power center of the world and the strongest military might there ever was. But because he obeyed, he saw lives transformed, and he preached the gospel to those at the center of the then power center. This spread the gospel like wildfire.

You see, Paul received a clear command: “Go to Rome.” And he didn’t hesitate because he knew obedience maintained his anointing and it wasn’t optional. God always gets his way.

Paul’s story reminds us that God’s call may not always lead us to comfort, but it always leads us to purpose. Today, we’ll dive into what it means to obey God’s call, no matter the cost.

God’s Authority in the Call

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Paul’s journey to Rome was filled with trials. He was beaten, imprisoned, and even shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Yet through it all, he held onto the promise of God. Why? Because Paul knew that God’s call wasn’t random—it was ordained. He understood that he is part of a larger purpose and a bigger call.

Let’s pause and reflect on that shipwreck. In Acts 27, Paul warned the crew that the journey would be dangerous. Despite his warnings, they sailed into a life-threatening storm. For fourteen days, they battled the wind and waves, throwing cargo overboard and losing all hope. Yet in the darkest moment, Paul stood up and declared, “Take courage! For I believe God that it will be just as it was told to me” (Acts 27:25).

Church, hear me: Even when the ship breaks apart, God’s promises will hold you together. The storm may destroy what you think you need, but God’s purpose will still prevail. Paul’s shipwreck wasn’t the end of the journey—it was a part of God’s plan to bring salvation to the people of Malta.

Paul’s obedience also highlights the authority of God’s hand in spreading the gospel. Rome was the epicenter of the known world, a hub of culture, politics, and communication. By sending Paul to Rome, God was strategically placing the gospel at the heart of the empire, where it could ripple outward to every corner of the world.

Faith in Opposition

Acts 27:24-25 – “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”

As Paul sailed toward Rome, a violent storm arose, and the ship was battered by wind and waves. The sailors lost all hope of survival, but Paul stood firm in faith. He shared the word of the angel who had visited him, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar.”

Even when the ship ran aground and broke apart, Paul held onto God’s promise. And just as God had said, not a single life was lost. More than this, Paul’s faith and leadership during the crisis turned the hearts of many toward God. On the shores of Malta, he continued to minister to the shipwrecked crew and even healed the father of the island’s chief official. Through Paul’s obedience, an entire island witnessed the power of God.

Spiritually, Paul’s journey reminds us that opposition is often confirmation of God’s calling. Satan does not waste his energy attacking those who are no threat to his kingdom. But when we are aligned with God’s will, storms will arise, and the enemy will try to stop us. Yet, like Paul, we must remember that God is greater than any opposition.

You see, your call is without repentance. So, since the enemy cannot stop the one who called you, he can work to stop YOU living into your calling. Think on that for a moment, how many obstacles are there to you living into what he has called you to do? How often do pitfalls, trials, and temptations try to take you away from the divine plan and attack you and your anointing. Think about this with Paul, he didn’t want to leave, in fact there were times he was scared and concerned. The Lord had to send an angel to assure him!  The most precious thing you can do is to guard your anointing.

The Importance of Testimony and Authenticity

Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

When Paul finally arrived in Rome, he wasted no time. He was under house arrest and in chains, but still he boldly preached the gospel. He talked of his journey; at one point he calls himself the “chief of sinners.” Here, someone who was leading the charge to transform the world, acknowledged he is a person and flawed, but by acknowledging his flaws, he is able to connect and show just how great Jesus is! His testimony, spoken with power and conviction, led to the salvation of many.

And don’t forget Paul’s testimony on the island of Malta. After the shipwreck, Paul ministered to the people there, healing the sick and sharing the gospel. What looked like a detour was really an opportunity for God to work through Paul in extraordinary ways.

Historically speaking, we know that Paul’s testimony in Rome laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. His letters, many of which were written during his imprisonment in Rome, became key parts of the New Testament and our understanding of the Christian journey. These writings continue to teach, convict, and inspire believers to this day. Paul’s testimony wasn’t just for his time—it was for all generations to come.

Your authentic testimony matters. Wherever God has placed you—whether in the workplace, your family, or the community—He has given you a platform to share His love. Don’t underestimate the power of your individual story. When you share how God has worked in your life, the things he brought you out of, the things you have overcome, and yes the things you are working on still,  it brings hope to others and glory to Him.

God’s Plan is Bigger Than You

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Paul’s obedience to God’s call wasn’t just about him—it was about the innumerable lives God would touch through him. From the prisoners on the ship to the people of Malta and eventually the believers in Rome, Paul’s obedience had a ripple effect that impacted generations.

Church history teaches us that Paul’s arrival in Rome marked a pivotal moment in the history of the church. Rome, as the center of the empire, became a springboard for the gospel to reach all nations. Paul’s ministry there influenced church leaders, strengthened the early church, and while it took a few hundred years, ultimately contributed to the Christianization of the Roman Empire.

Spiritually, Paul’s obedience demonstrates that God’s plan is always bigger than our limited perspective. Paul couldn’t have known that his letters and testimony would shape the foundation of Christianity for centuries. He likely didn’t know that his work would echo through the ages but he obeyed anyway, trusting that God’s plan was good.

God’s plan for your life is bigger than you, and it isn’t all about you. It’s not just about your comfort or convenience; it’s about His kingdom. When you obey His call, you become part of His larger story—a story that brings life and hope to others.

The Victory of Obedience

2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Paul’s obedience led to an eternal reward. He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.

When we obey God’s call, we too leave a legacy. Our faithfulness echoes into eternity, bringing glory to God and leading others to Him. Through Paul’s obedience, the gospel moved from Jerusalem to the rest of the Roman empire, fulfilling the Great Commission and changing really the course of human history.

As we close this discussion, I invite you to respond to God’s call. Whether He’s calling you to a new ministry, a deeper level of faith, or a specific task, say “yes” today.