A Costly Gospel

 Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14

“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul…Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

Acts 14:19, 21, 22

Paul’s preaching and Gospel-centered approach to Church-planting attracted new disciples, but also persecution. Threatened with stoning in Iconium, Paul moved on to Lystra where the fickle mob switched from worshiping Paul to attempting to kill him. The constant harassment and threats from jealous, angry Jews followed Paul wherever he went. Instead of avoiding Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, the very places he had faced persecution, Paul returned to these cities and reminded the new disciples that they had embraced a costly Gospel. 

When we avoid the reality of the cost of the Gospel for every disciple, are we really strengthening and encouraging one another?

There is a cost for every disciple to enter the kingdom of God. We avoid that message to our peril.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the ultimate price for me to enter your kingdom. I offer my life and surrender all to you in response, for your glory.”