(2 Co) 11:23-27 CJB “Are they servants of the Messiah? (I’m talking like a madman!) I’m a better one! I’ve worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over. Five times I received “forty lashes less one” from the Jews. Three 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. In my many travels I have been exposed to danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. I have toiled and endured hardship, often not had enough sleep, been hungry and thirsty, frequently gone without food, been cold and naked.”
Paul is defending his ministry.
But he doesn’t do it the way we would.
He doesn’t list numbers.
He doesn’t highlight success stories.
He doesn’t point to buildings, budgets, or crowds.
He points to suffering.
Pain.
Loss.
Danger.
Sacrifice.
That is how Paul measures faithfulness.
If we are honest, we boast differently.
We boast in:
How many people attended.
How much money was raised.
How many were served.
How many were reached.
How big the ministry became.
None of those things are wrong.
Paul had plenty of fruit.
Churches planted.
People saved.
Leaders trained.
Miracles performed.
Yet he chose not to highlight them.
Instead, he highlighted the cost.
Why?
Because fruit can be misunderstood.
Suffering cannot.
Anyone can serve when it is easy.
Anyone can follow when it is comfortable.
Anyone can talk about Jesus when it costs nothing.
But suffering reveals sincerity.
Paul’s life testified:
“This matters more than my comfort.”
“This matters more than my safety.”
“This matters more than my reputation.”
“This matters more than my life.”
That is discipleship.
If most of us had to list our suffering for Christ, what would we say?
We might mention:
A donation.
A service project.
A volunteer shift.
A busy season.
Good things.
But suffering?
Loss?
Rejection?
Sacrifice?
Risk?
For many of us, it would be minimal.
And that should humble us.
Jesus said:
“Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Discipleship is costly by design.
Suffering does not always mean persecution.
Often, it means sacrifice.
I recently met a man who quit a job he loved—one he worked hard to earn—because his son said he saw him on television more than at his games.
He gave up income.
He gave up status.
He gave up recognition.
To disciple his family.
That is suffering for Christ.
That is obedience.
That is leadership.
It may also look like:
Turning down promotions to protect your home.
Serving in difficult places.
Going where comfort is absent.
Giving generously when it hurts.
Speaking truth when it costs relationships.
These are modern crosses.
We are not called to chase pain.
We are called to honor Christ.
Paul did not suffer for suffering’s sake.
He suffered for Jesus’ sake.
The goal is not hardship.
The goal is obedience.
If obedience leads to hardship, so be it.
Jesus is worth it.
True disciples push everything to the middle of the table.
Time.
Money.
Skills.
Dreams.
Plans.
Comfort.
“All Yours, Lord.”
Use it anywhere.
With anyone.
At any time.
For any purpose.
That is what Paul did.
That is what Jesus modeled.
That is what disciples follow.
Too many believers are playing church.
Attending.
Consuming.
Commenting.
Observing.
But not surrendering.
Not sacrificing.
Not laying down their lives.
Jesus did not die to make us comfortable.
He died to make us faithful.
Run Today’s Play:
1. Examine Your Cost
Ask yourself honestly:
What has following Jesus cost me?
What comforts have I surrendered?
What risks have I taken?
If the answer is “very little,” ask why.
2. Reorder Your Priorities
Put Christ first.
Before career.
Before comfort.
Before reputation.
Before possessions.
No exceptions.
3. Sacrifice for Your Family
Men, lead at home.
Give time.
Give energy.
Give presence.
Give attention.
Your family is your first mission field.
4. Offer God Everything
Pray this daily:
“Lord, take my time, my money, my gifts, my future. Use them for Your glory.”
Mean it.
Then obey it.
