February 28, 2025

2 Corinthians 11:22-33 (HCSB)
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. 24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers;
27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, 33 so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

Pastor H.D. Jones
Why do we think success, especially in ministry, equals big crowds, big money, and celebrity status? Paul was thinking back over his ministry and all of the hardships he encountered. I bet no one in seminary today would sign up for Paul’s type of ministry. We must be aware that what the world calls “success” does not equate with God’s evaluation. The greatest preacher, evangelist, and disciple maker that ever walked on the planet traveled less than 200 miles from His hometown, ended His ministry with only a few hundred followers, and was murdered as a heretic. Jesus was not the class favorite; He didn’t have a wife or kids; He traveled around like a “homeless” man without even enough money on Him to pay the Temple tax. Yet, His ministry paid for the salvation of everyone that will be in heaven one day. Be careful what shiny, artificial objects keep you from a focused life on Jesus.