‘Stay the course … draw courage,’ Henry urges

Alabama Baptists need to have courage and stay the course as they seek to share Christ with the world, said Jerry Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church, Fairhope.
   
“The Christ of the Bible and the Christ that we know are not the same thing as the Christ the world knows,” said Henry as he delivered the convention sermon Nov. 15 during the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting at Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover.
   
As sharing the gospel gets harder, Christians can draw courage from Paul’s experience in Corinth as related in Acts 18, Henry said.
   
Paul arrived in Corinth hurt and tired. Priscilla and Aquila welcomed him into their home and encouraged him, and he began preaching in the local synagogue. Friends like these, who refresh the spirit, are essential for Christians, Henry noted.
   
Just as Paul’s ministry started to grow, he faced attacks from the Jews there, led by Sosthenes, the ruler of the local synagogue. When the attempt to end Paul’s preaching failed, Sosthenes was beaten by those he led.
   
Paul, however, later mentions Sosthenes in his salutation to the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians, leading Henry to believe that Paul’s adversary became a good friend. “It’s amazing what God can do with attackers,” Henry said. 
   
It took courage for Paul to continue preaching in the spite of the fear engendered by the attacks on his ministry, Henry noted.
   
Fear can cause Christians to lose sight of their purpose and the fact that God is in control, Henry said.
   
“Fear can keep us from God’s victory — we back away when we ought to move forward,” he noted. “God tells Paul not to be afraid. ‘Don’t let fear define this moment; let Me define this moment.’”
   
Christians today need to courageously trust God just as Paul did, Henry said. As Christians trust God and continue the work to which He has called them, they will see Him work. 
   
“Some of the best blessings that you and I will ever experience is when you and I will stay the course.” (TAB)