Illustrating the Consequences of Serving God

2 Corinthians 11:23-28

It is an inescapable fact. If you get serious about being shaped into Christ’s image, you’ll have to learn to cope with the consequences of being a servant of God. Those who serve will suffer. Read these verses slowly:

Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23–28)

What stories Paul could tell! You remember the four words from 2 Corinthians 4we’ve studied? Today’s verses—from the same letter of Paul—amplifies each. The comparison looks like this:

CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 11
Affliction “in far more labors”
Confusion “in far more imprisonments”
Persecution “beaten times without number”
Rejection “often in danger of death”

You see? Paul not only told us what a servant could expect, he verified it with his own experience. What a model Paul was!

Taken from Improving Your Serve by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1981 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

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Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading programme in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.