Remembrance – Hillsong Worship
Being tracked down to be persecuted is a whole new perspective on counting the cost of following Jesus.
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. – Acts 14:19 ESV
It is a testimony that matters to me because I have decided to follow Jesus. It is about laying it all on the line in order to make a difference in the lives of others. It is about the willingness to suffer and face abuse from those who reject God. There is a price to pay for me.
There is a difference in the pain of life, life happens to all of us. There is another kind of pain that comes from being, if I may say, stupid. The pain that comes from reaching others for Jesus – is that worth it? Even as I am writing this post my perspective on this is a little bit weird because life is pretty good right now. Not sure I can even count the cost properly.
Regardless, I believe the life of an effective disciple maker has courage.
Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.[a] 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. – Acts 14:1-3 ESV
It is knowing that some will receive Jesus and others will reject Him and get mad at me. The pattern keeps happening over and over again all through the book of Acts. They knew that people would get mad and yet they still had the courage to tell them about Jesus. The thing about persecution is that it makes Christ the issue – as it grows so do the opportunities of talking about Jesus. I am learning that it isn’t the idea of not telling people about Jesus, it is the idea that if they do not want Him, go to another person who does. I believe that I have developed the courage I have because I have spent time with God and with people of courage. I also believe that my courage comes from my obedience. As I make disciples, I know deep in my heart, that God will grant me His marvelous grace and courage – it is a price to consider.
Disciple 