Unpacking Paul’s Missionary Journeys | Acts 15:36-41 (Part 2) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right. All right. Join the Journey All right. All right. Join the Journey family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks [music] for joining. This week, we're [music] for joining. This week, we're [music] for joining. This week, we're reading Acts 15 36-41. reading Acts 15 36-41. reading Acts 15 36-41. But today, we're actually going to zoom But today, we're actually going to zoom But today, we're actually going to zoom out and look at the book of Acts as a out and look at the book of Acts as a out and look at the book of Acts as a whole. And as we do so, we'll be whole. And as we do so, we'll be whole. And as we do so, we'll be answering the questions, when people answering the questions, when people answering the questions, when people talk about Paul's missionary journeys, talk about Paul's missionary journeys, talk about Paul's missionary journeys, what are they referring to? And why are what are they referring to? And why are what are they referring to? And why are these journeys so important? these journeys so important? these journeys so important? And I want to begin this conversation And I want to begin this conversation And I want to begin this conversation with a little history lesson. In the with a little history lesson. In the with a little history lesson. In the early 1800s, the United States had early 1800s, the United States had early 1800s, the United States had doubled in size with the Louisiana doubled in size with the Louisiana doubled in size with the Louisiana Purchase. But much of that land was Purchase. But much of that land was Purchase. But much of that land was still a mystery. Maps were incomplete. still a mystery. Maps were incomplete. still a mystery. Maps were incomplete. Huge portions of the West were uncharted Huge portions of the West were uncharted Huge portions of the West were uncharted territory. No one really knew what territory. No one really knew what territory. No one really knew what rivers connected and what mountains rivers connected and what mountains rivers connected and what mountains stood ahead or what dangers waited on stood ahead or what dangers waited on stood ahead or what dangers waited on the journey. So the president the journey. So the president the journey. So the president commissioned an expedition about 40 men commissioned an expedition about 40 men commissioned an expedition about 40 men to travel thousands of miles into the to travel thousands of miles into the to travel thousands of miles into the unknown. Their task was simple. Map the unknown. Their task was simple. Map the unknown. Their task was simple. Map the land, establish relationships with land, establish relationships with land, establish relationships with indigenous tribes, and find a route all indigenous tribes, and find a route all indigenous tribes, and find a route all the way to the Pacific. It was brutal.

the way to the Pacific. It was brutal. the way to the Pacific. It was brutal. They fought freezing winters, disease, They fought freezing winters, disease, They fought freezing winters, disease, hunger, dangerous waters, seemingly hunger, dangerous waters, seemingly hunger, dangerous waters, seemingly impossible terrain. At one point, they impossible terrain. At one point, they impossible terrain. At one point, they hauled canoes and supplies over the hauled canoes and supplies over the hauled canoes and supplies over the Rocky Mountains with just about no food Rocky Mountains with just about no food Rocky Mountains with just about no food left. They depended on guides. They left. They depended on guides. They left. They depended on guides. They built relationships with tribes and kept built relationships with tribes and kept built relationships with tribes and kept moving forward even when what might have moving forward even when what might have moving forward even when what might have resembled a path disappeared. Now, resembled a path disappeared. Now, resembled a path disappeared. Now, what's remarkable is that their journey what's remarkable is that their journey what's remarkable is that their journey changed the way a nation understood the changed the way a nation understood the changed the way a nation understood the world. Places that were once unknown world. Places that were once unknown world. Places that were once unknown became mapped, named, and reachable. became mapped, named, and reachable. became mapped, named, and reachable. Their mission opened doors for Their mission opened doors for Their mission opened doors for everything that came afterward. And that everything that came afterward. And that everything that came afterward. And that expedition was led by Merweather Lewis expedition was led by Merweather Lewis expedition was led by Merweather Lewis and William Clark, or as you probably and William Clark, or as you probably and William Clark, or as you probably know them, Lewis and Clark, with a know them, Lewis and Clark, with a know them, Lewis and Clark, with a little help from Zachia. little help from Zachia. little help from Zachia. And in some ways, when we read the book And in some ways, when we read the book And in some ways, when we read the book of Acts, Paul's missionary journeys feel of Acts, Paul's missionary journeys feel of Acts, Paul's missionary journeys feel a little bit like their journey. While a little bit like their journey. While a little bit like their journey. While he wasn't exploring unknown land, he was he wasn't exploring unknown land, he was he wasn't exploring unknown land, he was carrying the gospel into places it had carrying the gospel into places it had carrying the gospel into places it had never gone before. City by city, road by never gone before. City by city, road by never gone before. City by city, road by road, opposition after opposition.

road, opposition after opposition. road, opposition after opposition. God was using Paul to map the spread of God was using Paul to map the spread of God was using Paul to map the spread of Christianity, the spread of the good Christianity, the spread of the good Christianity, the spread of the good news of salvation by faith in Jesus news of salvation by faith in Jesus news of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ across the ancient world. And for Christ across the ancient world. And for Christ across the ancient world. And for us now, it can be easy to read about us now, it can be easy to read about us now, it can be easy to read about Paul's missionary journeys and kind of Paul's missionary journeys and kind of Paul's missionary journeys and kind of let your eyes glaze over town after let your eyes glaze over town after let your eyes glaze over town after town, region after region, names we can town, region after region, names we can town, region after region, names we can barely pronounce, places we've never barely pronounce, places we've never barely pronounce, places we've never been, and roots we've never heard of. We been, and roots we've never heard of. We been, and roots we've never heard of. We can't picture them. Even looking at a can't picture them. Even looking at a can't picture them. Even looking at a map of Paul's journeys can feel map of Paul's journeys can feel map of Paul's journeys can feel overwhelming or disconnected from our overwhelming or disconnected from our overwhelming or disconnected from our lives today. And when that happens, we lives today. And when that happens, we lives today. And when that happens, we can miss the point by getting lost or can miss the point by getting lost or can miss the point by getting lost or confused by geography. confused by geography. confused by geography. But these journeys are so much more than But these journeys are so much more than But these journeys are so much more than travel walks. They show us how God was travel walks. They show us how God was travel walks. They show us how God was strategically, intentionally, and strategically, intentionally, and strategically, intentionally, and powerfully moving the gospel from powerfully moving the gospel from powerfully moving the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, just Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, just Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, just as Jesus promised his followers he would as Jesus promised his followers he would as Jesus promised his followers he would in Acts 18. These these journeys reveal in Acts 18. These these journeys reveal in Acts 18. These these journeys reveal the cost of the mission, the courage it the cost of the mission, the courage it the cost of the mission, the courage it takes to carry the gospel into hard takes to carry the gospel into hard takes to carry the gospel into hard places, and the faithfulness of God to places, and the faithfulness of God to places, and the faithfulness of God to build his church through ordinary build his church through ordinary build his church through ordinary people. If we slow down enough to people. If we slow down enough to people. If we slow down enough to understand where Paul went and why, we understand where Paul went and why, we understand where Paul went and why, we begin to see that this isn't just begin to see that this isn't just begin to see that this isn't just history. It's the story of how the history. It's the story of how the history. It's the story of how the gospel got from there to us. In one gospel got from there to us. In one gospel got from there to us. In one sense, because as followers of Jesus, sense, because as followers of Jesus, sense, because as followers of Jesus, we're all part of the family of God.

we're all part of the family of God. we're all part of the family of God. This is the story of our family. If This is the story of our family. If This is the story of our family. If you're listening right now and you're a you're listening right now and you're a you're listening right now and you're a follower of Jesus, this is the story of follower of Jesus, this is the story of follower of Jesus, this is the story of your family. As you read about Paul's your family. As you read about Paul's your family. As you read about Paul's missionary journeys, how would your missionary journeys, how would your missionary journeys, how would your approach be different if you thought, approach be different if you thought, approach be different if you thought, "This is my family's history. This is "This is my family's history. This is "This is my family's history. This is our story." So, today we're answering our story." So, today we're answering our story." So, today we're answering the questions when people talk about the questions when people talk about the questions when people talk about Paul's missionary journeys. What are Paul's missionary journeys. What are Paul's missionary journeys. What are they referring to? And why are these they referring to? And why are these they referring to? And why are these journeys so important? It's widely journeys so important? It's widely journeys so important? It's widely agreed that Paul went on three primary agreed that Paul went on three primary agreed that Paul went on three primary missionary journeys. His first missionary journeys. His first missionary journeys. His first missionary journey runs from Acts 13:1 missionary journey runs from Acts 13:1 missionary journey runs from Acts 13:1 to Acts 14:28. to Acts 14:28. to Acts 14:28. And you probably remember the beginning And you probably remember the beginning And you probably remember the beginning when we read Acts 13. The early church when we read Acts 13. The early church when we read Acts 13. The early church fasted and prayed, and as a ascending fasted and prayed, and as a ascending fasted and prayed, and as a ascending church, they sent out Paul and Barnabas church, they sent out Paul and Barnabas church, they sent out Paul and Barnabas in response to the spirit's leadership. in response to the spirit's leadership. in response to the spirit's leadership. Paul's first missionary journey shows us Paul's first missionary journey shows us Paul's first missionary journey shows us that the spread of the gospel was never that the spread of the gospel was never that the spread of the gospel was never random. It was deeply strategic and random. It was deeply strategic and random. It was deeply strategic and often costly. Beginning in Antioch, often costly. Beginning in Antioch, often costly. Beginning in Antioch, which was a city uniquely positioned at which was a city uniquely positioned at which was a city uniquely positioned at the crossroads of the ancient world, the crossroads of the ancient world, the crossroads of the ancient world, Antioch wasn't just where Paul happened Antioch wasn't just where Paul happened Antioch wasn't just where Paul happened to be. It was a launching pad to the to be. It was a launching pad to the to be. It was a launching pad to the nations. As TA said in a sermon back in nations. As TA said in a sermon back in nations. As TA said in a sermon back in June, which we'll link in the show June, which we'll link in the show June, which we'll link in the show notes, Antioch was quite similar to notes, Antioch was quite similar to notes, Antioch was quite similar to Dallas in this way. It was a city of Dallas in this way. It was a city of Dallas in this way. It was a city of great influence and affluence where many great influence and affluence where many great influence and affluence where many people from lots of nations were

people from lots of nations were people from lots of nations were gathered. And just like we've got DFW gathered. And just like we've got DFW gathered. And just like we've got DFW International Airport, it was a International Airport, it was a International Airport, it was a launchpad launchpad launchpad to other locations, to other locations, to other locations, but yet it was just an everyday city in but yet it was just an everyday city in but yet it was just an everyday city in the ancient world. And that's the ancient world. And that's the ancient world. And that's significant because it reminds us that significant because it reminds us that significant because it reminds us that God often uses ordinary places with God often uses ordinary places with God often uses ordinary places with strategic influence to accomplish strategic influence to accomplish strategic influence to accomplish extraordinary kingdom purposes. And from extraordinary kingdom purposes. And from extraordinary kingdom purposes. And from there, Paul and Barnabas moved city by there, Paul and Barnabas moved city by there, Paul and Barnabas moved city by city. We've got a map highlighting some city. We've got a map highlighting some city. We've got a map highlighting some of these main points through Cyprus, of these main points through Cyprus, of these main points through Cyprus, Pacidian, Antioch, Iconium, Lististra, Pacidian, Antioch, Iconium, Lististra, Pacidian, Antioch, Iconium, Lististra, and Derby. As we've read, they preached and Derby. As we've read, they preached and Derby. As we've read, they preached first in synagogues, then to the first in synagogues, then to the first in synagogues, then to the Gentiles, watching the gospel take root Gentiles, watching the gospel take root Gentiles, watching the gospel take root in new places. Everywhere they went, the in new places. Everywhere they went, the in new places. Everywhere they went, the pattern was the same. Proclamation, pattern was the same. Proclamation, pattern was the same. Proclamation, opposition, perseverance, fruit. What opposition, perseverance, fruit. What opposition, perseverance, fruit. What might stand out most is that Paul kept might stand out most is that Paul kept might stand out most is that Paul kept going. He faced spiritual opposition in going. He faced spiritual opposition in going. He faced spiritual opposition in Cyprus, rejection in Antioch, threats in Cyprus, rejection in Antioch, threats in Cyprus, rejection in Antioch, threats in Iconium, and was literally stoned and Iconium, and was literally stoned and Iconium, and was literally stoned and left for dead in Listra. And yet, after left for dead in Listra. And yet, after left for dead in Listra. And yet, after reaching Derby, instead of taking the reaching Derby, instead of taking the reaching Derby, instead of taking the shorter, safer road home, he turned shorter, safer road home, he turned shorter, safer road home, he turned around and retraced his steps back around and retraced his steps back around and retraced his steps back through the very cities where he'd through the very cities where he'd through the very cities where he'd suffered to strengthen new believers and suffered to strengthen new believers and suffered to strengthen new believers and appoint elders. This reminds us that the appoint elders. This reminds us that the appoint elders. This reminds us that the early church wasn't just a sending early church wasn't just a sending early church wasn't just a sending church. It was a shephering church

church. It was a shephering church church. It was a shephering church committed to caring for souls long after committed to caring for souls long after committed to caring for souls long after the gospel was first received. That's the gospel was first received. That's the gospel was first received. That's God's design for his church. Paul wasn't God's design for his church. Paul wasn't God's design for his church. Paul wasn't just interested in making converts. He just interested in making converts. He just interested in making converts. He was committed to being used by God to was committed to being used by God to was committed to being used by God to help strengthen these local churches. help strengthen these local churches. help strengthen these local churches. Paul understood that gospel work isn't Paul understood that gospel work isn't Paul understood that gospel work isn't just about starting something new, but just about starting something new, but just about starting something new, but staying long enough to faithfully staying long enough to faithfully staying long enough to faithfully invest. invest. invest. By appointing elders, he made it clear By appointing elders, he made it clear By appointing elders, he made it clear that disciplehip doesn't end at that disciplehip doesn't end at that disciplehip doesn't end at conversion. God's people need shepherds conversion. God's people need shepherds conversion. God's people need shepherds to guide, protect, and lead them toward to guide, protect, and lead them toward to guide, protect, and lead them toward maturity. Which raises a question for maturity. Which raises a question for maturity. Which raises a question for us. us. us. Are you simply consuming from the Are you simply consuming from the Are you simply consuming from the church? or are you willing to invest to church? or are you willing to invest to church? or are you willing to invest to commit yourself to a local body and commit yourself to a local body and commit yourself to a local body and place yourself under the care and place yourself under the care and place yourself under the care and shephering of godly elders? And if you shephering of godly elders? And if you shephering of godly elders? And if you have committed to being shepherded, are have committed to being shepherded, are have committed to being shepherded, are you regularly praying for the leaders you regularly praying for the leaders you regularly praying for the leaders God has placed over you? A healthy God has placed over you? A healthy God has placed over you? A healthy church isn't built by passive attenders, church isn't built by passive attenders, church isn't built by passive attenders, but by committed members and faithful but by committed members and faithful but by committed members and faithful shepherds walking together toward shepherds walking together toward shepherds walking together toward Christ. But that said, let's take a look Christ. But that said, let's take a look Christ. But that said, let's take a look at Paul's second missionary journey.

at Paul's second missionary journey. at Paul's second missionary journey. Acts 15:36-18:22 Acts 15:36-18:22 Acts 15:36-18:22 captures it. And his second missionary captures it. And his second missionary captures it. And his second missionary journey reminds us that following God journey reminds us that following God journey reminds us that following God doesn't always mean we have a clear road doesn't always mean we have a clear road doesn't always mean we have a clear road map. It often means learning to trust map. It often means learning to trust map. It often means learning to trust him in his redirection. him in his redirection. him in his redirection. Paul set out with a plan. Revisit the Paul set out with a plan. Revisit the Paul set out with a plan. Revisit the churches from the first journey and churches from the first journey and churches from the first journey and strengthen the believers there. But strengthen the believers there. But strengthen the believers there. But almost immediately the journey took almost immediately the journey took almost immediately the journey took unexpected turns. He and Barnabas split. unexpected turns. He and Barnabas split. unexpected turns. He and Barnabas split. The Holy Spirit prevented him from going The Holy Spirit prevented him from going The Holy Spirit prevented him from going into Asia. And then again, he was into Asia. And then again, he was into Asia. And then again, he was blocked from entering Bethnneia. Yet blocked from entering Bethnneia. Yet blocked from entering Bethnneia. Yet what looked like closed doors was what looked like closed doors was what looked like closed doors was actually divine redirection. actually divine redirection. actually divine redirection. God was steering Paul toward Macedonia God was steering Paul toward Macedonia God was steering Paul toward Macedonia where the gospel would enter Europe for where the gospel would enter Europe for where the gospel would enter Europe for the very first time. It's one of the the very first time. It's one of the the very first time. It's one of the clearest reminders and acts that open clearest reminders and acts that open clearest reminders and acts that open and close doors are often one of the and close doors are often one of the and close doors are often one of the ways God guides his people. Sometimes ways God guides his people. Sometimes ways God guides his people. Sometimes his no is what gets us to his better his no is what gets us to his better his no is what gets us to his better yes. And once Paul arrived in Europe, yes. And once Paul arrived in Europe, yes. And once Paul arrived in Europe, the pattern continued. Gospel the pattern continued. Gospel the pattern continued. Gospel proclamation, suffering, perseverance, proclamation, suffering, perseverance, proclamation, suffering, perseverance, and fruit. We've got a map if you're and fruit. We've got a map if you're and fruit. We've got a map if you're watching this podcast on video. A map watching this podcast on video. A map watching this podcast on video. A map that highlights some of these main that highlights some of these main that highlights some of these main locations that Paul traveled to. In locations that Paul traveled to. In locations that Paul traveled to. In Philippi, Lydia believed a jailer was Philippi, Lydia believed a jailer was Philippi, Lydia believed a jailer was saved. In Thessalonica, in Berea, saved. In Thessalonica, in Berea, saved. In Thessalonica, in Berea, churches were planted. In Athens, Paul churches were planted. In Athens, Paul churches were planted. In Athens, Paul stood before philosophers. In Corenth,

stood before philosophers. In Corenth, stood before philosophers. In Corenth, he stayed for 18 months and built deep he stayed for 18 months and built deep he stayed for 18 months and built deep relationships with people like Priscilla relationships with people like Priscilla relationships with people like Priscilla and Aquilla. That's what stands out in and Aquilla. That's what stands out in and Aquilla. That's what stands out in this journey. God God didn't just spread this journey. God God didn't just spread this journey. God God didn't just spread the gospel through Paul's preaching, but the gospel through Paul's preaching, but the gospel through Paul's preaching, but also through the people who joined him, also through the people who joined him, also through the people who joined him, hosted him, and suffered with him and hosted him, and suffered with him and hosted him, and suffered with him and strengthened him along the way. Which strengthened him along the way. Which strengthened him along the way. Which raises the question, when God redirects raises the question, when God redirects raises the question, when God redirects your plans, do you trust that he's still your plans, do you trust that he's still your plans, do you trust that he's still at work even when you can't see where at work even when you can't see where at work even when you can't see where he's leading? Next, we get to Paul's he's leading? Next, we get to Paul's he's leading? Next, we get to Paul's third missionary journey. His third third missionary journey. His third third missionary journey. His third journey is covered in Acts 18:23 through journey is covered in Acts 18:23 through journey is covered in Acts 18:23 through Acts 21:17. Acts 21:17. Acts 21:17. And his third journey feels quite And his third journey feels quite And his third journey feels quite different from the first two because the different from the first two because the different from the first two because the focus certainly shifts. Earlier journeys focus certainly shifts. Earlier journeys focus certainly shifts. Earlier journeys were definitely were definitely were definitely primarily driven by the desire to break primarily driven by the desire to break primarily driven by the desire to break ground and take the gospel where it ground and take the gospel where it ground and take the gospel where it hadn't been. Though at times he did hadn't been. Though at times he did hadn't been. Though at times he did visit churches he'd already already visit churches he'd already already visit churches he'd already already planted, but the main focus was the planted, but the main focus was the planted, but the main focus was the gospel going forward. But here, much of gospel going forward. But here, much of gospel going forward. But here, much of Paul's energy was spent strengthening Paul's energy was spent strengthening Paul's energy was spent strengthening the churches who'd already been started.

the churches who'd already been started. the churches who'd already been started. We've got again a map showing you some We've got again a map showing you some We've got again a map showing you some of the key locations he visited on this of the key locations he visited on this of the key locations he visited on this third journey. He revisited churches in third journey. He revisited churches in third journey. He revisited churches in Galatia and Faria. But the center of Galatia and Faria. But the center of Galatia and Faria. But the center of this journey became Ephesus, where Paul this journey became Ephesus, where Paul this journey became Ephesus, where Paul stayed, scholars believe, for 2 to three stayed, scholars believe, for 2 to three stayed, scholars believe, for 2 to three years, his longest recorded ministry years, his longest recorded ministry years, his longest recorded ministry stop. Sometimes the most fruitful stop. Sometimes the most fruitful stop. Sometimes the most fruitful ministry isn't on isn't about moving on ministry isn't on isn't about moving on ministry isn't on isn't about moving on quickly or seeing how much you can quickly or seeing how much you can quickly or seeing how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time. accomplish in a short amount of time. accomplish in a short amount of time. Rather, it's staying put long enough to Rather, it's staying put long enough to Rather, it's staying put long enough to build deep relationships. In Ephesus, build deep relationships. In Ephesus, build deep relationships. In Ephesus, Paul taught daily. Disciples were Paul taught daily. Disciples were Paul taught daily. Disciples were formed. False worship was confronted. formed. False worship was confronted. formed. False worship was confronted. And the gospel spread so widely that it And the gospel spread so widely that it And the gospel spread so widely that it disrupted the local economy built around disrupted the local economy built around disrupted the local economy built around the worship of the Greek god Artemis. the worship of the Greek god Artemis. the worship of the Greek god Artemis. The message of Jesus wasn't just The message of Jesus wasn't just The message of Jesus wasn't just changing individual lives. It was changing individual lives. It was changing individual lives. It was reshaping a city. And as the journey reshaping a city. And as the journey reshaping a city. And as the journey continued, there was a growing sense continued, there was a growing sense continued, there was a growing sense that Paul knew suffering was ahead. He that Paul knew suffering was ahead. He that Paul knew suffering was ahead. He revisited churches, wrote letters, revisited churches, wrote letters, revisited churches, wrote letters, gathered with believers, and then gave gathered with believers, and then gave gathered with believers, and then gave an emotional farewell to the Ephesian an emotional farewell to the Ephesian an emotional farewell to the Ephesian elders in Mylettus. He warned them to elders in Mylettus. He warned them to elders in Mylettus. He warned them to guard the flock, knowing fierce wolves guard the flock, knowing fierce wolves guard the flock, knowing fierce wolves would come. Then even as prophet after would come. Then even as prophet after would come. Then even as prophet after prophet warned Paul not to go on toward prophet warned Paul not to go on toward prophet warned Paul not to go on toward Jerusalem, he kept moving forward.

Jerusalem, he kept moving forward. Jerusalem, he kept moving forward. Why? Why? Why? Because faithfulness to Jesus had become Because faithfulness to Jesus had become Because faithfulness to Jesus had become more valuable to him than comfort, more valuable to him than comfort, more valuable to him than comfort, safety, or even his own life. Third safety, or even his own life. Third safety, or even his own life. Third journey reminds us that maturity in journey reminds us that maturity in journey reminds us that maturity in Christ isn't measured by how much we can Christ isn't measured by how much we can Christ isn't measured by how much we can start or accomplish, but by how start or accomplish, but by how start or accomplish, but by how faithfully we can endure and persevere. faithfully we can endure and persevere. faithfully we can endure and persevere. And in that end, end endurance and And in that end, end endurance and And in that end, end endurance and perseverance, we're conformed to look perseverance, we're conformed to look perseverance, we're conformed to look more and more like Jesus. Romans 5. So more and more like Jesus. Romans 5. So more and more like Jesus. Romans 5. So that raises the question, that raises the question, that raises the question, are you building your life around what's are you building your life around what's are you building your life around what's comfortable comfortable comfortable or around what is eternally valuable? or around what is eternally valuable? or around what is eternally valuable? What's shaping the decisions you make What's shaping the decisions you make What's shaping the decisions you make every day? Comfort or conviction? For every day? Comfort or conviction? For every day? Comfort or conviction? For us, in a city like Dallas, it's pretty us, in a city like Dallas, it's pretty us, in a city like Dallas, it's pretty easy to build your life around comfort. easy to build your life around comfort. easy to build your life around comfort. taking the higherp paying job, even if taking the higherp paying job, even if taking the higherp paying job, even if it leaves little to no margin for church it leaves little to no margin for church it leaves little to no margin for church or community. Filling every night with or community. Filling every night with or community. Filling every night with networking, workouts, and social plans, networking, workouts, and social plans, networking, workouts, and social plans, but leaving no space for discipling but leaving no space for discipling but leaving no space for discipling others. Dating someone you know doesn't others. Dating someone you know doesn't others. Dating someone you know doesn't share your convictions because you're share your convictions because you're share your convictions because you're tired of waiting, or staying silent tired of waiting, or staying silent tired of waiting, or staying silent about Jesus at work because you don't about Jesus at work because you don't about Jesus at work because you don't want to be seen as that person. Comfort want to be seen as that person. Comfort want to be seen as that person. Comfort isn't always bad, isn't always bad, isn't always bad, but if comfort is your compass, but if comfort is your compass, but if comfort is your compass, it'll almost always pull you away from it'll almost always pull you away from it'll almost always pull you away from costly faithful obedience. Let me say

costly faithful obedience. Let me say costly faithful obedience. Let me say that again. If comfort is your compass, that again. If comfort is your compass, that again. If comfort is your compass, it will likely pull you away from it will likely pull you away from it will likely pull you away from faithful obedience to Jesus. faithful obedience to Jesus. faithful obedience to Jesus. Paul kept walking toward Jerusalem Paul kept walking toward Jerusalem Paul kept walking toward Jerusalem knowing suffering was waiting for him. knowing suffering was waiting for him. knowing suffering was waiting for him. Now most of us, we won't face prison for Now most of us, we won't face prison for Now most of us, we won't face prison for following Jesus, but we will face following Jesus, but we will face following Jesus, but we will face choices. choices. choices. Will I stay committed to my local church Will I stay committed to my local church Will I stay committed to my local church when it's inconvenient? when it's inconvenient? when it's inconvenient? Will I open my home to others when it's Will I open my home to others when it's Will I open my home to others when it's easy to protect my privacy or binge on easy to protect my privacy or binge on easy to protect my privacy or binge on the couch watching TV? Will I attend a the couch watching TV? Will I attend a the couch watching TV? Will I attend a worship night even though I'm tired from worship night even though I'm tired from worship night even though I'm tired from a long week of work? Will I give a long week of work? Will I give a long week of work? Will I give generously if it affects my lifestyle? generously if it affects my lifestyle? generously if it affects my lifestyle? Will I tell the truth when it costs me Will I tell the truth when it costs me Will I tell the truth when it costs me influence? influence? influence? The question isn't whether following The question isn't whether following The question isn't whether following Jesus will cost you. It will. The Jesus will cost you. It will. The Jesus will cost you. It will. The question is, do you believe he's worth question is, do you believe he's worth question is, do you believe he's worth it? it? it? That's all we've got time for today.

That's all we've got time for today. That's all we've got time for today. Special thanks to our summer intern, Special thanks to our summer intern, Special thanks to our summer intern, Wesley, for helping with today's Wesley, for helping with today's Wesley, for helping with today's episode. And as always, I'm so glad episode. And as always, I'm so glad episode. And as always, I'm so glad we're all on this journey abiding in we're all on this journey abiding in we're all on this journey abiding in [music] Jesus together.