Paul, a man beaten, stoned, jailed, and persecuted for the Gospel of Christ, said these light afflictions couldn’t compare to the joy in store for him as a faithful believer and follower of Christ. Stephen, while being stoned, cried out for God to forgive those who were stoning him. The early Church prayed for their persecutors, they had joy even when they were persecuted, but the Church (in the West) today seems to have the complete opposite outlook. We scream judgment and revenge for those who have done wrong. We recant our faith and Christ at the slightest amount of discomfort. Why? What do we lack that the early Church had? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the Joy of Serving in his new message series, The Cost of Following.
Acts 5:20
Romans 13:1
Hebrews 10:25
Acts 5:20–21
The Joy of Serving Verses
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10
The cost of following is great. It’s not an easy road that we have set before us, but God has given us a joy like no other. We have been given the Joy of the LORD as our strength.
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Was greatly blessed! Praying that God will continue to grow His kingdom through your ministry.
Thank you for your prayers! God Bless!