Our text is the last two verses of the Scripture I just read to you. As we consider the vision of Dr. Barry, that the Missouri Synod will grow into a church that will boldly tell the Good News of the Gospel, our text begs us to evaluate ourselves. I see two questions that will determine whether we are and remain a people who boldly speak the Gospel. There are a number of ways of answering that question. Most people believe that they belong to themselves.
Some people feel that they belong to a cause, or to their family, or to a passion in their lives.
There is no third option. The Disciples obviously belonged to Jesus. I don't think so . But here they were, counting suffering as cause for rejoicing. Because they belonged to Jesus, they knew that their suffering went with belonging to Jesus, and they were faithful.