Free But Not Cheap – Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional June 25th

(Those Before Us Gave Their Lives For The Gospel)

TO THE BIBLE: Acts 20:24 TLB
“…Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love.”

LET’S TALK
“Why haven’t you attended church for a month now?” Pastor Phil inquired of Julius.
“I don’t know; do I have to be there every single time?” Julius responded sarcastically.

“Julius, do you understand that our fellowship with one another came at a cost? People sacrificed their lives—through sweat, blood, and tears—so that the Gospel could reach you. It’s freely available, yes, but it certainly wasn’t cheap.”

“I’m sorry, Pastor Phil. I didn’t realise the significance of my action. I’ll make sure to be there next time.”

In Acts 20:17–27, Luke tells us how Paul and his team left Troas and sailed to Miletus, where he gave his heartfelt farewell to the elders of Ephesus.

There, he reminded them of how he served the Lord with all humility, in tears, in the midst of adversity, affliction, and trials.

In the twenty-third verse, he said, “…The Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.

But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself…” (Acts 20:23-24 AMPC). What an inspiring commitment!

When you go through the scriptures written by Apostle Paul and the other apostles of the Lord, think about what it cost them to get the message across to us.

Study Church history, and you’ll discover that many of them were killed for the sake of the Gospel. Read about Stephen. His success in converting Jews drew the indignation of the Sanhedrin, and he was stoned to death.

Some were beheaded, crucified, and burned at the stakes, while others were thrown into cauldrons of boiling oil.

So, you have to count the cost. Nothing should be too much for you to give up, give, or go through for the Gospel.

No matter the sacrifices you make for the Gospel, be ready and willing to give your life for it if it comes to that.

Go Deeper
2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17

Pray:
Dear Father, I remain resolute and unapologetic about the Gospel; I stand for the Gospel everywhere, preaching it boldly with absolute convictions, even unto death if need be. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Acts 11:19-30, Nehemiah 1-3
TWO YEAR
Luke 4:1-13, Deuteronomy 23

Act:
Meditate on the words of the Master in Mark 8:35.