Lessons from the Journey

Sacrifice was modeled by ALL of the early church leaders and should be today.  However, many of us in western Christianity have to battle against convenient living as it clashes with Kingdom priorities.  For most of us it is not intentional but rather comes natural in a culture that celebrates convenience (fast food, 711's, Walgreen's, pizza delivery, microwaves, etc.).  

I am certainly not advocating an abandonment of all things of comfort as I am a creature of comfort but I am encouraging an inspection as to how deep this desire for convenience has penetrated our spiritual decision making.  Sacrifice is the foundation of the church and is resisted in many parts of our lives.  I truly believe that nothing of eternal significance will ever be accomplished apart from sacrifice!  This may be why Christianity is at an all time low in influence in the US and is thriving in most other places in the world.  Is it possible that our spiritual decision making is influenced greatly by our pursuit of ease?  Below are some Scriptures that have pushed me into inspecting my lifestyle in comparison with God's expectations for His children...

• Luke 9:23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 
  
• 2 Timothy 3:12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
  
• 2 Corinthians 11:21What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22Are they Hebrews?  So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
  
• Acts 7:54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.