Untitled Sermon (58)
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
I want to welcome you again this morning.
First, to those joining us online, we are so thankful for our online technology that allows you to be a part of our church family today.
I also want to welcome those who may be joining us for the first time today. I hope your time with us today is encouraging and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you.
I would also say if you are new to our church today, it would be helpful for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”. What that means, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Our goal, to better understand not only what God’s Word says, but what it means in our lives today.
Over the past couple of years we’ve been doing that through the NT book of Acts. A book written by a First Century disciple named Luke who wrote it for a couple of reasons:
First, to give us a history of how the church started, who was there, and the circumstances that surrounded it.
Second, in a way, to give us a template on how to accomplish the mission that Jesus gave us to take the gospel to the entire world.
With that said, if you haven’t been with us I would encourage you to go online to http://www.mcf.life or to our Facebook page where you can watch previous messages leading up to today.
Today however we are picking back up in Acts 21 as we rejoin the Apostle Paul in the Jewish capital city of Jerusalem.
You may recall, Paul’s journey to Jerusalem goes back to Acts 19 where through the Holy Spirit God gave Paul a new direction. Luke put it like this:
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Luke says as Paul finishes out his missionary work in Asia, the Holy Spirit is now leading him to go to Jerusalem and then eventually to Rome.
Which was a reminder for us, that if we want to go where God wants us to go, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us there.
But what we’ve also learned, is that while the Spirit was leading Paul to Jerusalem, from a humanly perspective, favorable conditions would not await him there.
And apparently Paul was well aware of this, because as he traveled towards Jerusalem, everywhere he went, he was being told that hardship awaited him. Paul himself puts it like this in Acts 20:
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Paul says, “I know two things about my journey to Jerusalem. First, God is leading me there. And second, hardship awaits me.”
Which then brings us to where we left off last as Paul enters Jerusalem and begins to experience the promised hardship.
You may recall it all started as Paul met with James and the elders of the church in Jerusalem. A meeting that went well, but also a meeting where Paul learned about the challenges that lay ahead. James put it like this:
20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
In this passage James tells us three things about the current situation in Jerusalem and what Paul is facing.
#1, he tells Paul since his last visit to Jerusalem, thousands of Jews have converted to Christianity. Which is a good thing. But theirs a catch. Because...
#2, while many Jews have converted to Christianity, these newly converted Jews have continued to hold onto Judaism and their Jewish heritage, which is what James means when he says they are zealous for the law. Which again, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However concerning Paul it presents a challenge. Why? Because...
#3, In Jersualem there is a rumor going around that Paul is teaching Jews who become Christians that they no longer need to follow Judaism. Which for the zealous Jewish Christians, is a point of contention.
And it’s a point of contention because according to Paul, in order for a person to be reconciled to God, all that was required was faith in Jesus.
But according to these zealous Jewish Christians, faith in Jesus wasn’t enough. That for a person to truly be saved, they would need to convert to Judaism as well, which involved circumcision and adherence to Jewish customs. And for Paul, that was a foul ball.
Now, does that mean that Paul was against Judaism? Of course not. In fact, Paul was a Jew and in no way was he trying to detour people from practicing Judaism. However, what he wouldn’t tolerate was Judaism being attached to salvation. Because as we said, Paul believed salvation came through faith and faith alone in Jesus.
But at this point, these zealous Jewish Christians have no desire to debate this with Paul, and James knows this. Which is why James says:
22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
James knows that once word gets out that Paul is in the city, all hell is going to break loose. And he’s right. Because picking up where we left off last time, look at what Luke says happened when Paul’s presence was eventually detected:
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
Luke says only a week goes by before Paul is spotted at the temple by a group of Jews from Asia who apparently know who he is. And it’s at this point Jame’s fears come to life as these Jews from Asia sound the alarm, make accusations against Paul, create a riot, and then physically assault Paul.
So, that’s where we left off and where we are picking up today.
The question now is, “Why is Paul having to face this hardship?”
It’s happening because this is the reality of following Christ. The reality of what being “All In” for Jesus will eventually bring into your life.
And when I say “All In”, I’m talking about when a person is 100% committed to following Jesus. Committed to the point that they are willing to accept and walk into the consequences that come with following Jesus.
And when I say “consequences”, I don’t mean that in a negative sense. Because I think many times we tend to see consequences as something negative. Something that results from a poor decision.
But really all a consequence is, is a result or outcome that is based on an a certain action, decision, or condition.
For example, if I’m committed to healthy eating and exercise, the consequence is going to be good health.
However, if I’m not committed to healthy eating and exercise, the consequence is going to be poor health.
Or, if I’m committed to driving the speed limit, the consequence is going to be a good driving record.
However, if I’m not committed to driving the speed limit, the consequence is going to be higher insurance rates.
All that to say, a consequence isn’t something necessarily negative or positive. It’s simply a result that comes from a specific decision, action, or condition. And to be honest, what often times makes it negative or positive is our perspective of the outcome.
And so when it comes to our faith in Jesus, and our decision to be “All IN”, what we have to understand is that there are consequences for that decision. Results or outcomes that naturally flow out of being a fully committed Christ follower. Outcomes that we will either see as positive or negative, depending on our perspective.
And today, that’s what I want to talk with you about. Because from this point on in the book of Acts, everything that Paul is about to experience and face is a direct result of his decision to be “All In” for Jesus.
In other words, the hardships Paul will face in the final chapters of Acts represent the consequences of his decision to follow Jesus.
Which is why this is so relevant for you and I. Because if we are going to be “All In” for Jesus, which I hope you want to be. Then it would be helpful if we understood what the consequences for that decision will be. So that when the consequences come, and they will, we won’t be surprised by them and we will know how to interpret them. Because the fact is, some of the consequences could be seen as negative.
That being said, as we approach our passage today, I have two goals.
Goal #1 - We are going to walk through our passage today, and based on what is happening to Paul, we are going to identify three consequences that you can count on when you are “All In” for Jesus.
Goal #2 - As we identify these consequences, we’re going to learn how to put them in the right perspective, so that instead of seeing them as a negative, we learn to see them as a positive. Because as far as I’m concerned, there is nothing negative about following Jesus.
So, with that as our basis, let’s jump into our passage as we identify the first consequence. Picking back up in verse 27, Luke writes:
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
As you can see there is a lot happening in this passage. And so to help us get a grasp on what’s going on and what the first consequence is, let’s start by identifying who is coming after Paul and why they are upset with him.
Notice what Luke tells us. He says seven days into his stay in Jerusalem, he is spotted by some Jews from Asia, who upon seeing him sound the alarm, which then leads to accusations, a riot, and Paul being physically assaulted.
So, a great first question would be, “Who are these Jews from Asia, and what’s their problem with Paul?”
Well, based on the context of the passage, more than likely they are Jews from the city of Ephesus. A city where Paul had spent three years ministering and planting a church. And also a city where Paul had made enemies both on the Greek and Jewish side of the aisle.
On the Greek side his enemies came from those in Ephesus who felt Paul was leading people away from the Greek gods. Gods that Paul considered false gods.
On the Jewish side his enemies came from those in the Jewish synagogue in Ephesus who felt Paul was leading people away from Judaism with his teachings concerning Jesus.
And as a result, Paul’s presence in Ephesus eventually became a great point of contention for Jews and Greeks, which then led to a riot against Paul prior to him leaving there. A riot that nearly cost Ephesus its good standing with Rome. Luke put it like this back in Acts 19 as he records the words of one of the Ephesian leaders:
40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
And if you recall, it’s at that point Paul left Ephesus and headed for Jerusalem.
Which is why, when these Jews from Asia, who are most likely Jews from Ephesus, spot Paul, they sound the alarm. Why? Because for them, what happened in Ephesus because of Paul is still fresh on their mind. And now here Paul is in Jersualem to start problems with his fanatical teaching.
And we know that’s what they are thinking because of what they say when they see him. Look again at how Luke says they responded to his presence at the temple:
“Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place...” Acts 21:28a
In their mind Paul has come to do what he did in Ephesus. He’s come to bring confusion and lure people away from Judaism.
And they’re so convinced of it, that they actually hurl a specific accusation against Paul. Look at what they go on to say:
“Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.” Acts 21: 28b-29
Luke says the accusation concerns a man named Trophimus the Ephesian. So, who is this guy?
More than likely he was a travel companion of Paul’s who had come from Ephesus with Paul to Jerusalem.
So, what’s the problem? The problem is that Trophimus the Ephesian isn’t a Jew, he’s a Greek. And apparently earlier in the day they had seen Paul with Trophimus, and now Paul is here at the temple. And so they make an assumption. And the assumption is, if Trophimus was with Paul earlier, he must be with him now, which means Paul brought Trophimus into the temple.
So, what’s the problem with that?
The problem is, Gentiles weren’t allowed in the Jewish temple. In fact, around the temple there was a court called the “Court of the Gentiles” that Gentiles were not allowed to go past. And if they did go past it, it was punishable by death.
And so after seeing Paul with Trophimus earlier in the day, and seeing Paul now at temple, these Jews from Asia, who already don’t like Paul, jump to the conclusion that Paul took a Gentile into the temple thus defiling the temple and once again degrading Judaism.
Which then leads to them sounding the alarm and getting the crowd all worked up. How worked up? Luke tells us:
30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
Luke says their cry against Paul is so intense that the entire city gets involved which leads to Paul being seized and dragged out of the temple. Which means, their intention at this point is to kill him. And we know that based on what Luke tells us next:
31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
Luke says at this point its utter chaos in the city with people now calling for Paul’s death.
Which leads us to the first consequence when it comes to being “All In” for Jesus.
Consequence #1 - When you’re ALL IN for Jesus, I can count on being misunderstood.
You thought I was going to say, “People are going to want to kill you.”
Well, it could come to that, but it begins with being misunderstood.
Here’s what I mean by that.
The fact is, the reason these Jews don’t like Paul, and the reason there is confusion in the city concerning Paul, is because for the most part they have a misunderstanding of what he’s done, what he’s teaching, and what his hope is.
A misunderstanding that is based on rumor.
A misunderstanding that is based on bad assumptions and emotion.
A misunderstanding that has now led to Paul being physically assaulted and threatened with his life.
Because all they know is what they’ve heard others say. All they know is what they assumed to be true based on seeing Paul talking to a Greek. In fact, they haven’t even talked to Paul to determine if their assumption has merit.
And now the misunderstanding has been blown up into an all out riot against Paul.
And the fact is, that’s exactly what happens when a person goes ALL IN with Jesus. A decision that often leads to confusion and misunderstanding with at least three groups of people in our life:
Group # 1 - The people who know you.
This would be family, friends, and close acquaintances. People who have spent intimate time with you.
Group #2 - People who know you from a distance.
This group typically consists of people in your community who know who you are, but they don’t really have a relationship with you. They just know you’re that person that works at such and such a place or the person they see at Walmart every once in a while. But they really don’t know you.
Group #3 - The people in the world.
And when I say the world I’m talking about people aren’t Christians and don’t know you. All they may know is that you are one of those judgmental Christian.
And what we have to understand, is each of these groups have a misunderstanding and are confused about us for different reasons.
For those closest to us, they misunderstand us and are confused because our decision to follow Jesus doesn’t make any sense, in fact it almost seems crazy to them. Why?
Because that’s not what you were raised to believe. That’s not how you’ve lived most of your life. I mean weren’t we just at the bar a couple months ago together, and now here you are, all of a sudden acting like a different person, going to the church out by Taco Bell, and raising your hands during the worship service. What in the world is going on here.
And this is where the misunderstanding comes in, because now you’re apparently a part of some kind of cult. You’ve joined the Jesus freaks. Which now makes your relationship tense, uncomfortable, and threatening to them. Because now you represent something that goes against what they believe and how they've chosen to live their life. It’s as if you’re saying, “I’ve got it figured out and you don’t.”
This then leads to the people who know you from a distance and are now hearing rumors about you. About how you’re all Jesusfied now. About how you think you’re better than everyone else now. About how you’re too good to go to the bar now. About how you’ve joined that crazy cult out by Taco Bell.
And then there’s the people in the world, who definitely don’t get what’s going on with you.
Because from their perspective, you’re now part of the problem. You’re one of those judgmental Christians that doesn’t accept other people. You’re what’s wrong with the world.
And what they can’t understand is how you can say you love them, but you won’t support or condone their way of life. It’s confusing. It doesn’t make any sense.
It’s like a meme I saw on Facebook that portrays a conversation between a Christian and non-Christian. Check this out:
Non Christian - I want to do “X”.
Christian - You are free to do it.
Non Christian - But you think “X” is wrong?
Christian - Yes.
Non Christian - Because you want to control me?
Christian - No, you are free to do what you want.
Non Christian - But you don’t think I should do “X”?
Christian - No. But only because I want your ultimate good.
Non Christian - But I want to do “X”.
Christian - You are free to do it.
Non Christian - But I want you to say that “X” is good and it’s ok for me to do it.
Christian - I can’t say that.
Non Christian - Why do you hate me?
You see how that works?
It’s confusing for them? Why are they confused? They’re confused because they have a misunderstanding of what the Gospel is and who Jesus is. They just can’t grasp that you could love them but not accept their lifestyle. Because in their mind love = acceptance. But that’s not how love works in God’s economy. Here’s how it works in God’s economy:
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Paul says God shows love not by accepting our sin, but by paying the price for it, so that we can be free from it.
But the world struggles to understand that.
And that’s the consequence. But it’s not a bad consequence. Because with that consequence comes an opportunity. An opportunity for you to share the truth. An opportunity for you to clarify what God has done for us. An opportunity to for you to share your testimony. An opportunity to clear up the confusion.
Because your life now represents who Jesus is. A savior who loved us, but couldn’t accept our sin. A savior who loved us despite our sin and gave up his life so we could be saved.
But for the person who doesn’t know Jesus, this doesn’t make any sense. But now you have an opportunity to make sense of it as you demonstrate the love of Christ to them. As through your love they see Christ in you. Paul puts it like this in Galatians 2:
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Now, does that mean they’ll understand and accept what Jesus offers? Not always. Paul puts it like this:
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
Paul says for the Jew that can’t get past Judaism, Christ is a stumbling block, and for the Greek who can’t get past the logic and emotion, it’s folly. It doesn’t make any sense.
But we have no control over whether they believe or not believe. Our job is to lovingly tell them the truth.
And whether you realize it or not, it will leave an impression.
This leads us to the second consequence that often comes with being ALL IN for Jesus.
Consequence #2 - When I’m ALL IN for Jesus, I can count on being falsely accused.
Look at what Luke says happened next:
32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
Luke says as the riot started to get out of hand, Roman soldiers stepped in, arrested Paul, and took him to the barracks. All along as people were shouting false accusations and calling out for his death.
And the truth of the matter is, when you’re “All IN” for Jesus, there are going to be times where those that misunderstand, those that are confused, bring false accusations against you. Accusations that aren’t true. Accusations that are going to make you look bad. Accusations that are going to bring your motives into question. It’s going to happen.
In fact we see it happening to Christians today. It happens when a baker refuses to bake a cake for a gay wedding. Or a florist refuses to arrange flowers for the same wedding.
It happens anytime a Christians stands up and takes a stand for biblical truth.
Because in that moment you’re a bigot, a homophobe, a transaphobe, a lesbophobe, a fundamentalist, a Jesus freak, your unwoke, your ignorant, your biased, your closed minded, and the list goes on of terms and accusations that are now made against you because of your faith in Jesus.
This is the consequence, and it should be expected. In fact Paul says this about it:
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Now, you might be thinking, “Wow pastor, that’s exactly right. But I guess that’s just one of the negative consequences we have to face, right?”
The truth is, it’s not a negative consequence if looked at correctly. In fact, if you look at it Biblically, it’s a positive for. Let me show you what I mean. Because in 1 Peter 4 Peter explains why this consequence isn’t a negative but a positive.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Peter says if you are being insulted because of your faith in Jesus. If you are being falsely accused, see it as a blessing. Why a blessing? Because when you are insulted or falsely accused for Jesus, it serves as evidence that the Spirit of God rests upon you.
In other words, it’s a sign of your faith. An identifier that you are indeed a child of God. And that is something to rejoice in. In fact Peter encourages us to. He says it like this:
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Peter says rejoice, because your suffering confirms that you are a child of the King.
Which now leads us to a final consequence. And I would state it like this:
Consequence #3 - When I’m ALL IN for Jesus, I can count on greater hardship to come.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. You’re thinking, “Wow, that’s discouraging. Not sure how you’re going to turn that negative into a positive pastor.”
Stick with me, because I think I can based on Paul’s situation. Because what we need to understand about Paul’s situation, is now that Rome has gotten involved, the hardships Paul is going to face are only going to intensify in the chapters to come.
For example, and just to give you a preview of what’s to come. Following his arrest:
Paul will have a contract put out on his life by the Jewish people.
Paul will spend two years in prison awaiting trial.
After two years in prison, he’ll be put on a prison boat for Rome.
On the journey to Rome, the ship he’s on will sink at sea leaving him shipwrecked on an island.
While on the island Paul will be bitten by a venemous snake.
After leaving the Island he will be imprisoned in Rome.
After several years in imprisonment he will be beaten and beheaded.
You see, Paul’s hardship goes from bad to worse.
Now, again, you might be thinking, “That’s terrible pastor. Do you mean to tell me that’s what I have to look forward to as a Christian? That the more I’m into following Jesus, the more challenges I’m going to face?”
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. In fact, I’m not the one who said it or promises it. Jesus is. Look at what He said about it.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus says if you follow me, hardships will come.
So, a great question would be, “How in the world could that be a positive?”
It’s a positive if you’re willing to look at it from a Biblical and heavenly perspective. Because with hardship comes opportunity. Opportunity for what? Several things. Here are just a couple for us to consider:
Opportunity #1 - An opportunity for growth.
The fact is, when you face hardship, you grow in your faith. Grow as you learn to trust God in situations that are out of your control. Look at what Paul and James have to say about this. Paul writes:
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Paul says suffering gives you greater endurance. And with greater endurance comes greater character. And with greater character comes more hope.
James agrees as he writes this:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James says trials and suffering test your faith, and faith produces steadfastness. The word “steadfastness” here means - to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances.”
In other words, it builds endurance in you. It makes you stronger.
All that to say, if you want to grow in your faith as a Christian. If you want to learn to trust God at a deeper level. Then it’s going to take greater hardship for that to happen.
But for that to happen, you’re going to have to change your perspective and see the hardship as an opportunity to grow and not as a curse to take you down.
I’ve seen this first hand recently with Crystal Martin, who was diagnosed with cancer last year. But in the midst of the cancer, she didn’t let it get her down. Instead, she embraced it and trusted that God had a plan.
And as a result, through the chemo, the uncertainty, and a recent surgery, her faith has grown. Her trust in God has increased. And while the last several months have been terrible, she now stands cancer free and stronger than she’s ever been in her faith. Why? Because she chose to see her hardship not as a curse, but an opportunity to grow. She looked at it through a Biblical perspective.
And the truth is, it took that hardship to grow her in ways no other hardship would.
This leads to another opportunity that hardship often brings:
Opportunity #2 - An opportunity to go where you would have never gone and reach people you would have never reached.
Here’s what I mean by that.
The fact is, as Paul faces greater hardship, each hardship will put him in closer contact with individuals and groups of people he would have never come in contact with outside of the hardship. People of both high and low status.
For example, as Paul’s hardship increases, he will find himself in front of governors and rulers. People he would have never come in contact with outside of being arrested.
And what an opportunity that will present him. To possibly lead a governing official to faith in Jesus. Imagine the difference that could make for the Kingdom.
It will also put him in contact with people society considered unwanted and unimportant.
For example, he will spend months on a prison boat with murderers and thieves. Individuals who desperately need Jesus. And now, because of his hardship, the Apostle Paul is sitting next to them in the boat, and don’t think for one second Paul isn’t going to tell them about Jesus.
You see, our hardships often put us in places we wouldn’t typically go and around people we wouldn’t typically rub shoulders with. People who desperately need Jesus.
It reminds me of a hardship I faced in 2011 when I ruptured my bicep tendon. A hardship that was painful and put me out of commission for about 12 weeks. But it was during those 12 weeks that God spoke to me in a way I don’t think He could have outside of the hardship. Why? Because I wouldn’t have listened. But now He had my attention as He started whispering the word “Kansas” into my heart.
And as a result, my hardship brought Denise and to Marysville. To be honest, a place I would have never considered if it hadn’t have been for my hardship.
And what it’s done, is it’s helped me realize that when hard things happen in my life, they happen for a reason. And at that point I have one of two choices. I can sulk in the hardship, or I can embrace it and consider what God might want to do in and through me. To consider who He might want me to minister too as my hardship takes me to a place I wouldn’t have gone before.
I have to think through Crystal’s hardship, she’s touched the lives of some people she would have never touched outside of cancer. People who have read her posts on Facebook. Other patients she came in contact with while at the hospital. Dr’s and Nurses she interacted with. Who knows the impact she might have had. Who knows what seeds were planted, because of her hardship.
You see how that works? It’s all about perspective. It’s about understanding when you’re all in for Jesus, your hardships now become opportunities to share your faith, reach people you would have never reached, and lead people to Jesus.
I’d say that’s a positive. And the good news is, when we embrace hardship with that mindset, it leads to reward.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus says when we see our hardship for what it is, it leads to reward not only in this life, but the lift to come. And that my friends is a positive.
That being said, as we close today, I’d like to challenge you to not only be ALL IN for Jesus, but to be willing to embrace and accept the consequences that come with it. And in order to do that, I’d like you to consider three action steps:
Step #1 - When misunderstood, look for opportunities to bring explanation.
In other words, when your faith brings confusion to people in your life, instead of getting discouraged or frustrated, look for opportunities to show them the love of Jesus and share your testimony of faith.
You might ask, “How do I do that?” We’re going to talk more about it next week. Because upon getting arrested, Paul is now going to share his testimony with those who are confused.
Step #2 - When falsely accused, don’t get discouraged, but be encouraged.
The fact is, if you’re facing backlash for your faith, let it be a reminder to you that you’re doing something right. That because of your faith in Jesus, because of the changes He’s made in your life, the world has taken notice.
And instead of letting it get you down, let it build you up. Let it grow you. Let it confirm in your spirit that you are a child of the King. Let it reaffirm that you are on the right path. In that moment remember the words of Peter encourage you:
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Step #3 - When greater hardships come, look for greater opportunities to grow and be used by God.
The fact is, in order to do that, you’re going to have to change your perspective. You’re going to have to start living your life with heavenly lenses on. That being All IN for Jesus means in every situation and circumstance you face comes an opportunity to grow and be used by God in ways you never could have before.
And I’m going to tell you right now, when you start processing life through those lenses, it changes everything. Because now the hardship has meaning. Now the hardship serves a purpose. Now you can rejoice as you begin to see the Lord working in and through your hardhip.
Let’s Pray