So you want to be an apostle?

In Paul’s day as in ours there were spiritual superstars who would boast of their ministries and what they have achieved. 

Paul joins in but not as they expect. 

“To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about – I am speaking as a fool – I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised for ever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭21‬-‭33‬ ‭

Paul’s boasting is:

Prison time beyond number

Beatings that can’t be counted.

39 lashes from the Jews but times 5.

3 times beaten with rods.

Multiple brushes with death.

Stones once.

Shipwrecked 3 times.

A night and a day trying to survive in the sea.

Danger from rivers.

Danger from robbers.

Danger from the Jews.

Danger from the Gentiles.

Danger in the cities.

Danger in the deserts.

Danger from false leaders.

Toil.

Hardship.

Sleepless nights.

Hunger.

Thirst.

Cold.

“That’s a summary of what it’s been like for me since commencing my apostolic ministry”

Would you say this is success?

Would you want to go to his leadership seminar?

If you were to try and be like Paul, is this what you had in mind?

Only if you know this truth: that sufferings don’t disqualify you from ministry they authenticate it. 

So you want to be an apostle, prophet, pastor or whatever? Or maybe you just want to be known as a successful Christian?

• Focus more on being honest not successful.
• Be willing to go through tough moments without giving up your walk with God.
• Know that your strength is displayed through your weakness.

Then you will have something to boast about.