JUNE THEME – SET Free To LIVE Free – Embracing Liberty Through Christ
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
The Weight of Glory
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17
There are days when the pain feels like it will crush you. The weight of unanswered prayers, personal loss, or prolonged struggle presses against your soul. But Scripture dares to call it light affliction—not because it’s painless, but because it’s purposeful.
The apostle Paul, who endured beatings, shipwrecks, rejection, and imprisonment, looked at it all and said, “This is light… compared to what’s coming.” Why? Because affliction, surrendered to God, becomes a tool for transformation. It doesn’t just happen to you—it works for you. It produces something more lasting than comfort: glory.
Glory weighs more than grief.
Glory lasts longer than pain.
Glory is the unseen result of every surrendered sorrow.
God never wastes a wound. The ache in your heart, the trials you silently bear, the groans you whisper in prayer—they’re not signs of defeat. They’re evidence of formation. What feels like pressing is actually preparing. What feels like breaking is birthing something eternal.
This “momentary” burden may seem long now, but from the perspective of eternity, it’s a blink. And it is working—actively, faithfully, invisibly—producing in you a weight of glory far greater than anything you could imagine. The more deeply you suffer with Him, the more clearly you’ll shine for Him.
Don’t let the pain tell the whole story. Let God define the meaning. Every tear becomes a seed. Every season of suffering shapes a soul that cannot be shaken. This is not about temporary comfort. It’s about eternal character.
Jesus didn’t avoid the cross—He endured it for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). And now He invites you to do the same: carry the cross today; wear the crown tomorrow. Let the ache point your eyes to what can’t be seen. Let the pressure make you holy. Let the pain prepare you for the weight of divine glory.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned for boldly preaching Christ. But as the stones flew, Scripture says he looked up and saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55–60). His face shone like an angel, and his forgiveness echoed that of his Savior. His moment of suffering became a timeless testimony—and his death bore eternal weight.
A caterpillar must fight through the resistance of its cocoon to develop wings. If the struggle is bypassed, the butterfly will be weak, unable to fly. In the same way, your struggle is not pointless. The pressure is forming something inside you—strength, depth, maturity, endurance. The glory is not in spite of the pain, but because of it.
Prayer: God, remind me today that what I carry is not in vain. Let me not waste my afflictions, but surrender them fully to You. Open my eyes to the weight of glory You are producing in me. When the burden feels too heavy, remind me that You are with me and that this is working something eternal. Give me strength to endure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge: Today, when the burden feels overwhelming, don’t give in to despair. Instead, whisper this truth out loud: “Glory is being produced in me.” Say it as often as you need to. Let it shift your focus from the pain to the purpose. From the present to the promise.
Carry the cross now.
The crown is coming.
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sarah Parker
Ann Stanley
Doug Stephens
Mary Williams – Rehab
Paula Ferus
Sadie Almand & Unborn Baby
Scotty Nix
Lynn Garner’s Daughter
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Jill Haines
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Mike, Gwen, Michael Rice Family – Friends of Blount’s – Car Accident
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Loyd
Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter
Tom Witcher