The Gospel of Hardship

July 15

(Acts 14:22b NIV) "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."

(John 15:20 NIV)  "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."

(John 16:33 NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(1 Peter 4:12 NIV) "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you."

Paul and Barnabas experienced hardship as they preached the gospel. Their gospel was different from the one we often hear today -- it was a gospel of hardship. This gospel may not match up with our theology of prosperity and blessing, but it is documented in the pages of Scripture, and has been written in the blood of believers who have lived before us. This may sound like heresy in these days when the church is married to comfort and ease, but it would appear that hardship is sometimes God’s will for His people. Jesus promised us that in this world we would have trouble: the apostle Peter said not to be surprised by painful trials we suffer, and Paul preaches that we must go through “many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”. How many voices will it take before we get the message? We will need an enduring faith because the gospel is a gospel of hardship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Stronger Disciples

July 14

(Acts 14:21-22a NIV) “Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, {22} strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” 

(Matthew 28:18-20 NIV) ““Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Revelation 3:1-3 NIV) “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. {2} Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. {3} Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

Paul and Barnabas knew it was important to disciple those that they had evangelized. They went back to the cities where they had preached the gospel, and taught them Christian basics. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples.”, and so Paul and Barnabas discipled. Being a Christian is about more than just being saved -- it’s about becoming more like Jesus every day, and growing progressively stronger in the faith. Any Christian who is not growing and strengthening their spiritual “legs” on a continual basis is not following the biblical pattern. Too many believers today think they have arrived. They think they’ve learned everything they need to know, but no one can ever reach that state on this side of heaven. Get back to learning in some way. Take a class. Read a book. Watch a good video series. Stretch, grow, and be strengthened. Become a genuine disciple. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Continue to Evangelize

July 13

(Acts 14:21 NIV) "They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.”

(Acts 6:7 NIV) "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

(Acts 9:42 NIV) "This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord."

Wherever Paul and Barnabas went, they preached the Good News. They never stopped sharing the gospel. They never stopped witnessing and evangelizing. Many Christians today assume that most of those living and working around them have heard the gospel. That assumption is wrong. Reliable sources estimate that the un-churched population in the USA is near 150 million. The percentage of adults who do not regularly attend church continues to rise yearly. Statistics are even worse in many other nations around the globe. Believers, we have work to do. We must follow Jesus in a way that attracts people. Our witness must be consistent. We must find ways to lovingly share the gospel. Evangelism is more than an altar call. It is a life lived for Christ that shines like a light in the darkness. It is a loving and caring community. Never stop evangelizing. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

He Got Up and Went Back

July 12

(Acts 14:19-20 NIV) "Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. {20} But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe."

(2 Corinthians 1:8-11 NIV) "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. {9} Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. {10} He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, {11} as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

As Paul preached in Lystra, religionists from Antioch and Iconium came and spoke against him. Convinced that Paul was a threat to their way of life, the crowd decided to stone Paul. When they finished, they dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. Being a disciple is not all fun and games. But the faithful gathered around him, and it would be foolish to think they weren’t praying. Miraculously, Paul got up, and walked right back into the city where he had been attacked. He seemed to have no fear. Don’t miss the importance of the community of faith praying here. We can do things we couldn’t ordinarily do when we have the support and prayers of a community. That’s why “lone ranger” Christianity is such a bad idea. But also don’t miss the power of a life fully surrendered to God’s sovereign will. Paul got up and went right back. That’s courage! That’s faith! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day