Disciples. They were arrested. Beaten. Denied free speech.
And they rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And they kept preaching Jesus. They didn’t rise up against their adversaries.
Where is that church today? The First Church of the Willing and Worthy To Suffer Disgrace?
It sure seems like we are more offended by inconvenience than we are on the offense – preaching Jesus.
Acts 5:40-42 (NLT)
40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”