The Cost of Being First - Sarah Jakes Roberts

Main message: Being "first" in God’s purposes often carries a heavy cost — a season of sifting and shaking — but Jesus prays and intercedes so your faith will not fail through the process, and the one refined can become a foundation for others.

Key points:

• "Preliminary tremors" (sifts) often precede major change; pioneers can be overlooked and suffer privately (example: Claudette Colvin before Rosa Parks).
• Luke 22: Jesus warns Peter that the devil will sift him but adds, "I have prayed for you," showing Christ’s specific intercession.
• The sifting exposes weaknesses and forces a transfer of faith from self-reliance to trust in Jesus.
• If your faith endures the refining, you become a bridge to help others—Peter’s failure and restoration prepared him for leadership in Acts.
• Practical response: recognize the cost of being first, rest in Jesus’ intercession, embrace refinement, and allow God to redirect your faith to Him.

Scriptures mentioned: Luke 22, Hebrews, Romans, Acts