The Cost of Being a Christian

Acts 14:1-28 (Part I)

Introduction: The Cost of Being a Christian

They'll stone you when you're trying to be so good
They'll stone you just like they said they would
They'll stone you when you're trying to go home
They'll stone you when you're there all alone

—Bob Dylan (“Everybody Must Get Stoned”)

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. (2 Cor. 11:24-25)

You…have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Tim. 3:10-12)

Conclusion

• We need encouragement & our souls need to be strengthened

• We must continue in the Faith

• We enter the Kingdom of God through many tribulations