Is It Worth It? Lessons from Paul’s Ministry

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Is It Worth It? The Cost and Value of Following Jesus

Following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable; it often requires sacrifice, perseverance, and a willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel. Paul’s journey, as recounted in his letters and the book of Acts, was marked by suffering, persecution, and even imprisonment, yet he continually affirmed that his labor was not in vain. The question “Is it worth it?” is not rhetorical—it is a real and necessary question for every believer. When we pause to consider the cost, we are also invited to see the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and being part of His transforming work in the world. The sacrifices we make—our time, resources, and even our comfort—are not wasted when they are given to Jesus, who alone can change lives, families, and communities. [38:50]

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 (ESV):
"For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where following Jesus has cost you something? How might God be inviting you to see that sacrifice as worthwhile today?

Day 2: Boldness in the Midst of Conflict

The Christian life is not free from conflict or opposition; in fact, faithfully proclaiming the gospel often brings resistance. Paul’s ministry in Philippi and Thessalonica was met with hostility, yet he continued to speak boldly about Jesus, trusting God to work through every circumstance. This boldness is not rooted in self-confidence but in the assurance that God is at work, even when the journey is hard. When we face challenges or pushback for our faith, we are called to stand firm and continue sharing the hope of Christ, knowing that God can use our witness in powerful ways. [39:26]

Acts 16:22-25 (ESV):
"The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."

Reflection: When have you experienced opposition or discomfort because of your faith? How can you choose boldness and trust in God’s presence in that situation today?

Day 3: Getting the Gospel Right—Avoiding Error and Idolatry

It is possible to run in vain if we are not careful to hold fast to the true gospel. Our hearts are prone to create idols—even naming them “Jesus”—when we stop growing, stop learning, or only seek a version of God who always agrees with us. The riches of knowing Christ are infinite, and we are called to continually open ourselves to His Word, allowing Him to challenge, correct, and transform us. True discipleship means letting Jesus shape our beliefs and lives, not the other way around. [53:08]

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (ESV):
"For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."

Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to shape Jesus into your own image? What is one step you can take this week to let God’s Word challenge and grow you?

Day 4: Pure Motives—Serving God, Not Ourselves

Our service to God and others must be motivated by purity, honesty, and a desire to please God rather than people. Paul warns against impurity, deception, flattery, greed, and seeking glory for ourselves. Instead, we are called to serve with integrity, humility, and a clear conscience, making much of Jesus rather than ourselves. When our motives are pure, our ministry—whether public or private—becomes a true offering to God, and we avoid the trap of running in vain. [51:14]

James 3:1 (ESV):
"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."

Reflection: Examine your heart today—are there any areas where your motives in serving or giving have become self-focused? How can you realign your heart to serve God and others with purity?

Day 5: The Transforming Power of Surrender

The invitation of the gospel is not simply to do better or try harder, but to surrender fully to Jesus, who alone can forgive, transform, and make us new. We are broken by sin, but Christ offers grace, forgiveness, and new life to all who repent and believe. Surrender is not a one-time event but a daily posture—laying down our burdens, confessing our need, and trusting Jesus to lead and change us from the inside out. [01:01:43]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV):
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life you need to surrender to Jesus today? What would it look like to trust Him with that area and allow Him to transform you?

Sermon Summary

What a beautiful and powerful name we gather under—the name of Jesus, our King. In worship, we remember that Christ brought heaven down to us, conquering sin and death, and now reigns with no rival or equal. This is the foundation of our faith and the reason we gather, serve, and sacrifice. But it’s also the reason we must ask ourselves a hard question: Is it worth it? Is the cost of following Jesus, of giving our time, resources, and even facing ridicule, truly worth it?

Paul asked this same question in his letter to the Thessalonians. He had given up everything—his home, his reputation, his safety—to preach Christ. He endured suffering, imprisonment, and persecution, not just once but repeatedly. Yet, he pressed on, believing that the work was not in vain because the gospel transforms lives, families, and communities. Paul’s journey was not one of ease but of continual hardship, and yet he found purpose and hope in the mission of Christ.

We, too, make sacrifices—giving up comfort, time, and sometimes facing misunderstanding or even opposition. The Christian life is not always easy or popular. Grace is free, but obedience is costly. If we never pause to ask if it’s worth it, our faith can become routine and lose its vitality. But when we reflect, as Paul did, we find renewed energy and purpose in the journey, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Paul warns us, though, that it is possible to run in vain if our motivations are wrong. He lists eight pitfalls—error, impurity, deception, people-pleasing, flattery, greed, seeking glory from others, and making demands—that can undermine our ministry and our walk with Christ. We must continually examine our hearts, ensuring that we are not crafting a Jesus of our own imagination, but are being conformed to the true Christ revealed in Scripture. Growth in Christ means daily discovering new depths of who He is and allowing Him to challenge and change us.

The invitation is simple but profound: submit your heart to Jesus, let Him transform you, and serve Him with pure motives. Whether you are just beginning to consider Christ or have walked with Him for years, today is a day to surrender all, to lay down burdens, and to let Him renew your purpose and joy in following Him.

Key Takeaways

1. The Cost of Obedience Is Real and Worth It Obedience to Christ often requires real sacrifice—of comfort, reputation, and even safety. Paul’s life shows us that following Jesus is not about ease but about faithfulness, even in the face of suffering. When we pause to reflect on the cost, we find that the transformation Christ brings is worth every sacrifice, energizing us for the journey ahead. [38:11]
2. Avoid Crafting a Jesus of Our Own Imagination It is dangerously easy to create an image of Jesus that simply affirms our preferences and never challenges us. True discipleship means allowing Scripture to confront and reshape us, discovering new depths of Christ’s character and demands. If Jesus never disagrees with us, we may be worshiping an idol rather than the living Lord. [53:08]
3. Examine Your Motives in Ministry and Service Paul warns that ministry can be in vain if driven by error, impurity, deception, or self-interest. Our service must spring from a desire to please God, not people, and must be free from greed or the pursuit of personal glory. Regular self-examination keeps our hearts pure and our labor fruitful, ensuring that we serve Christ and not ourselves. [51:14]
4. Grace Is Free, But Obedience Is Costly While salvation is a gift, living out the Christian life demands daily choices that may cost us dearly. The call to follow Jesus is a call to surrender, to let go of lesser things for the sake of knowing Him more deeply. This costly obedience is the path to true transformation and lasting joy. [38:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:38] - Worship: The Beautiful Name of Jesus
[28:18] - Christ’s Love and Sacrifice
[29:42] - Christ’s Victory Over Death
[30:22] - The Power and Authority of Jesus
[32:28] - Praising the Name Above All Names
[33:13] - Introduction to 1 Thessalonians 2
[33:50] - Is It Worth It? The Cost of Faith
[35:04] - Paul’s Sacrifice and Motivation
[36:20] - Our Own Sacrifices for Christ
[38:11] - The Costliness of Obedience
[39:26] - Paul’s Suffering and Boldness
[41:19] - Persecution in Philippi and Thessalonica
[45:00] - The Church’s Growth Amid Opposition
[47:30] - Paul’s Appeal and Motivation
[51:14] - Eight Pitfalls to Avoid in Ministry
[53:08] - The Danger of a Self-Made Jesus
[59:57] - Invitation to Respond and Surrender
[63:03] - Closing Worship: I Surrender All

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (ESV)
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Acts 16:22-26 (ESV)
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.
23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

Observation Questions

What hardships did Paul and his companions face in Philippi and Thessalonica as described in Acts 16 and 1 Thessalonians 2? ([39:26])
According to 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6, what are some of the wrong motives or pitfalls Paul warns against in ministry? ([51:14])
How does Paul describe his approach to sharing the gospel and caring for the Thessalonians in verses 7-8?
In the sermon, what question does Paul repeatedly ask himself and the church about the cost of following Jesus? ([38:11])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that his ministry was “not in vain”? What does he mean by this, and why is it important for the Thessalonians to know? ([35:04])
What does it reveal about Paul’s heart and priorities that he lists eight pitfalls to avoid in ministry? How might these pitfalls show up in our own lives or churches? ([51:14])
The sermon says, “Grace is free, but obedience is costly.” How does this tension play out in the Christian life, according to Paul’s example? ([38:11])
Why is it dangerous to “craft a Jesus of our own imagination,” and how can we tell if we are doing this? ([53:08])

Application Questions

Paul gave up comfort, reputation, and even safety to follow Jesus. What is one area of comfort or convenience in your life that you sense God might be asking you to surrender for the sake of following Him? What would it look like to take a step in that direction this week? ([38:11])
The sermon lists eight pitfalls—error, impurity, deception, people-pleasing, flattery, greed, seeking glory, and making demands. Which of these do you find yourself most tempted by in your own service or ministry? What practical step can you take to guard your heart against it? ([51:14])
The pastor said, “If Jesus never disagrees with us, we may be worshiping an idol rather than the living Lord.” Can you recall a recent time when God’s Word challenged your preferences or beliefs? How did you respond? ([53:08])
Paul’s ministry was marked by both suffering and boldness. When have you experienced pushback, misunderstanding, or even ridicule for your faith? How did you handle it, and what did you learn? ([39:26])
The sermon encourages regular self-examination of our motives. What is one way you can build a habit of checking your heart before serving, giving, or leading? ([51:14])
The invitation at the end of the sermon was to “submit your heart to Jesus, let Him transform you, and serve Him with pure motives.” What does surrender look like for you right now? Is there a specific burden or area of resistance you need to lay down before God? ([59:57])
Paul found renewed energy and purpose by reflecting on the cost and worth of following Jesus. How can you make space in your week to pause, reflect, and let God renew your purpose and joy in Him? ([38:50])

Sermon Clips

“Is it worth it? Well, that's a question Paul asks at the beginning of the second chapter of this letter and it's not a rhetorical one. Here's what he says. He says, "For you know yourselves, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain." that word in vain, that phrase, uh, we find it in a few of Paul's letters, in a few of Paul's writings. It's a concern on his mind. Why? What has Paul left for the cause of Christ? He's left his country, his vocation, his occupation, his family. He's left behind his name and cultural identity to leverage his entire life to this enterprise that if we go and we preach Christ and him crucified, people are going to believe that he's the Messiah. We're going to start these communities of faith, these churches, and and Jesus is going to transform lives and families and communities, and and and through this, he's going to change the world. And he's leveraged everything for this job. We don't know the outcome as we read through this letter. And Paul didn't know the outcome as he was writing it. But looking back on it, we know Paul is going to give not just his livelihood, but his life for the cause of Christ.”

“Because for the cause of Christ, we're doing some weird things. We're doing some weird stuff. Let's start with what we're doing this morning. Somewhere somewhere in Southwest Georgia, there is an empty deer stand because you are here. Now, guys, that's Let's be honest, that's a little weird. And some of you guys like I see the the twitch in your eyes like it's the nervous tick. I get it. I understand. But here we And some of you guys are like, "I went this morning before I came in." Cool. Good on you. We are here. Not only are we here, guys, but we're we're we're giving of ourselves to be here. Some of you are committed to the to the spiritual principles of of tithing and giving offerings and supporting the the local work of the church and you give sacrificially to make that happen. Some of you are practicing giving your time and your energy to volunteering. You're you're volunteering to work with other people's kids and other people's babies in order for them to have the opportunity to be in this room to learn and to grow in their faith.”

“We're leveraging huge amounts of our resources and our time, things we don't ever get back because we, like Paul, believe that, hey guys, if we give everything we can to this enterprise that Jesus is going to change individual lives and families and a community and maybe just maybe the world. And we're willing to do that in the face of all kinds of ridicule. We say that Jesus is and is the best way to live our lives. We could have slept in this morning. We could be doing what we want to with our Friday nights and our Saturday nights. We could be living the way we want to. But we say, "No, we believe he is is the best way to live. We're going to submit to his authority and live his way, not our way." Guys, that's weird. And it costs you. Grace is free, but living a life of obedience is costly. Is it worth it? Or do we run? Do we live? Do we walk in vain? Fair question. Just pause. That is a fair question.”

“If we can pause and think about that and come to the same conclusion that Paul does it is energizing for the sacrifice for the journey for the walk for being obedient to what Jesus has called us to do and who he has called us to be. That's the question. Is it worth it? What's it caused? What's it cost the apostle Paul? quite a bit. 1 Thessalonians chapter 2:1, for you yourselves, brothers, know that our coming to you was not in vain. Our ministry to you is not in vain. Our leaving home and going on this adventure not in vain. This pursuit not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.”

“In other words, this trip, this journey, this voyage, this enterprise, this walk that Paul is quite literally on has cost him quite a bit. What? Let's check it out. Let's get in the way back and go back in Paul's life just a short while. Look with me in Acts 16. Are you there? Put your finger on 22. What's happened? Well, Paul has gone on this church starting, church planting, missionary journey and enterprise. And he's left he's left Judea. He's left his his home base of Antioch. And he's pushed into the modern-day country of Turkey, what we would have called then Asia Minor. He's going from Roman province to Roman province. Wherever there's a Jewish community, he'll go into that community, into their synagogue. He'll open up the scrolls and he'll preach Christ and them crucified from the Bible, that is to say, the Old Testament and people would believe invariably, but it would also create a conflict and a rift and would get him into trouble.”

“Everywhere he's met with opposition and in many places, in most places, he's met with persecution. In other word, Paul's journey of ministry and disciplehip is a hard one. It's a difficult one. It's far more an accurate picture of our lives than what we imagine them to be. So, what happens when he gets into Thessalonica? I'm so glad you asked. Acts 17 verse one. Now, when they had passed through um Amphipilolis and Appalonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Paul went in and as was his custom on three Sabbaths day, that is over the course of three weeks, he reasoned with them from the scriptures, that is to say, the Old Testament, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead and saying, "This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”

“But the Jews were jealous. Now, whenever you see that word in our New Testament, it's not a an anti-Semitic slur. Paul is Jewish. The disciples are all Jewish. The churches are being founded largely by Jewish people because Jesus is a Jewish Messiah and his disciples are Jewish people. It simply used to differentiate between those who were in the family of God as Jews and those who were re Greeks or Romans or pagans. It differentiates them as two separate groups. So we see that devout Greeks come into the church, leading women of the town, Greeks come into the church. But the Jews were jealous and taking some wicked men of the rabble. They formed a mob, set the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason. So they're meeting in this guy's house, Jason. He's a leader in the town. He's a leader in the community. They go to get Paul. Paul can't be found. So they do the next best thing. They get the guy who he's renting the Airbnb from. That's how it works.”

“Again, we go to do good things in the city of Philippi. We're going to preach Jesus. We're going to start a church. It's a noble task. It's a high calling. It's beautiful ministry. He's persecuted for it. So I'm going to go down to the next town to Thessalonica. And I'm going to do the same thing, right? Going to preach Jesus. We're going to see a church for him. We're doing good things for good reason. What happens? Persecution. and all of his friends get drugged into the persecution as well. Here's the question. Is it worth it? It's a valid concern. It's a real question.”

“He preaches Christ and him crucified, right? Christ crucified, Christ buried, Christ raised from the dead. This is the message that the Christ had to suffer these things in order to be our savior. This is the appeal. Our appeal to you then is to believe. That's the appeal. He preaches Christ and him crucified, resurrected, triumphant over sin, death, and hell. And now we believe. And in believing we belong to him. Whether Jew or Gentile, whether in Israel or a pagan down at the temple, we believe Jesus. We follow Jesus. He changes us, makes us new. We're his.”

“Whenever someone stands in front of you with a microphone and a spotlight and a crowd, if you're like me, you ask the question why. And if you don't, I'm going to encourage you to ask the question why. What motivates me to stand or anyone to stand behind this desk in this place and say these things to you? That is a fair question. Why? Because you've got your kids sitting here listening to me for the next 45 minutes or less. It's a fair question to ask particularly since you have the responsibility of being the disciplemaker and chief in your family and of those kids. It's a heavy weight.”

“It is possible that he runs in vain if he's running for the wrong reason. It's possible that he ministers in vain. If his ministry is motivated by the wrong things, he gives eight in this next little paricopy. This next little section of scripture, we're going to read it. unpack it and we will be done. Here's the pitfall. Eight ministry landmines that Paul and Silas and Timothy avoided. But in falling into them, it guarantees that we run in vain. And not just for me as the guy who's preaching, not just for me who the guy who's the professional Christian in the room, but for each and every one of us who are leveraging our time, our energy, our talent, our treasure for the cause of Christ. You too can run in vain if you fall into these traps.”

“If we're going to preach Jesus, we've got to get Jesus right." And here's what we fall into way too often. You and I all in this room, if you're in this room, you probably are here because you say, "I like the idea of Jesus." And for some of us, we're going to say, "I love the person of Jesus." And for most of us, I pray all of us, we're going to say, "I know Jesus, and he knows me." Like, that's the relationship. That's what mo that’s why we're here. Like, I met Jesus. He changed my life, and I'm following him. The problem is is that each and every one of us, as Calvin said, are factories of idols. and our capacity to take a good thing and make it meh. To take a good thing and make it bad, to take a godly thing and twist it to make it carnal.”

“If you are not growing and learning from God's word daily, you might be worshiping an idol of your own invention. You just know who he is. You've got it settled and there's no growth in your life. Why? Because the riches and the knowledge and the depth of knowing Christ Jesus is infinite. I am discovering every day of my life new and fresh things about who Jesus is and what he demands of my life. It's a beautiful thing. It's a journey. It's a walk, not just a moment of decision.”

“If you in reading your Bible and studying your Bible and pursuing growth never have a moment where Jesus disagrees with you. Guess what? You've probably just invented a God. You've made an idol and you call that idol Jesus. Why guys? Because Jesus is not like us. Was not like us. Demands more of us. Calls us to something higher. A new way of thinking and living and being. And every day as I open up God's word, I discover things where he pushes back against me. Why? Because he's God and I ain't. I'm not. And in that gap, in that tension, I discover that my life has to conform to the will of God in order to be conformed to the image of the beloved son.”

“There are people who have figured out the racket that you can take any ideology, any any feelgood methodology, wrap it up, put a bow on it, put it in a box, and so long as you attach Jesus to it, people will buy it. Don't you buy it. There should be no attempt to deceive the people of God. This is why James says in in chapter 3:1, "It's good that not many of you become teachers. because those who do will be judged more severely. And those people who in the name of Christ have robbed little old ladies of their pensions, have robbed volunteers years of their lives. Guys, I promise you, they will stand before God. Vengeance is his and he will repay.”

“But in as much as there is encouragement to be found in the message of Jesus, so too there is challenge in our lives as we continue to be conformed into his image. I hope we're not just speaking to please men or we never came with words of flattery. We're not just trying to make you feel good, but to point you to Christ. We never came with a pretext for greed. He's going to go on and elaborate how, hey, look, I could have made demands and you could have, you should have taken care of us financially, but we tried to work alongside of you as we preach not be a burden to you. There's no greed. It should not be greed or greediness. That could by be for financial gain guys. That could be for personal satisfaction or glory. Like that is a huge deal. People can come into a family of faith like this like emotional vampires and just want attention. And it this is not the place where you come to make much of yourself. This is where we come together to humbly make much of Jesus.”

“Truth is, the only way that it makes sense is if we actually know this Jesus and are being transformed by him. Your hope is not me making an appeal for you to do better. Your hope is in submitting and giving your heart to Jesus. Here's the gospel. You're broken and busted by sin. You're dead, Paul says, in your sin and trespasses. But Christ came to die on that cross in your place that he might forgive our sins, conquer all of God's enemies, transform us, and make us new from the inside out. Like, that is the offer of grace, and it's given to you freely when you repent and you believe.”

“For some of us in the room, we've realized, hey, we maybe have been trying to do some of this ministry stuff of our own power under our own and maybe we have stepped over the line, crossed over the line. Our motivations have been glossed so that they're blurry. We're not sure that we've not crossed some of those lines. Here's the deal, guys. Today, you can leave with a clear conscience. The stairs could be an altar. Your chair is going to be an altar. cry out to your savior and have him show you what in your life he would have you to correct as you take this step in ministry together.”

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