Sacrifice for God’s Kingdom

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with Him, ‘This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.’ ” (Luke 7:4-5)
     Passage: Matthew 19:27-30

       Soldiers understand sacrifice. When they join the armed services, they are given an oath of service in which each one says, “I solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States . . . and that I will obey the order of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me. . .” Those orders almost certainly will involve making sacrifices: ie: moving locations, going on deployments without all the creature comforts of home, eating portable rations and potentially fighting in a battle where they may lose their lives. 

The centurion had made sacrifices in his own life for Rome, but he also made sacrifices of his own time and resources for God’s people in guarding their city and building their synagogue. As a soldier for Christ, God wants to use you. There will be times when that call will go over and above the normal service you give and may call for a sacrifice of extra time, talent and treasure. The question you may have might be, “Will it be worth it?” Believers through the centuries would answer, YES, and agree with Esther Rusthoi’s song chorus says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Our trials will seem so small, when we see Him. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.”

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)