The High Cost of Ministry

July 8

(Acts 14:5 NIV) “There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.”

(Mark 11:18 NIV) “The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”

(John 5:18 NIV) “For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”

(Luke 10:1-3 NIV) ““After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. {2} He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. {3} Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.””

Paul and Barnabas didn’t just start arguments. They caused plots to be hatched -- plots to do them harm and kill them. Sometimes ministry comes at a very high cost. Jesus said it would be that way. He told the disciples that He was sending them out like lambs among wolves. This may come as a shock, but the Lord’s greatest concern is not our personal safety. Instead, His chief concern is saving souls from hell. Jesus gave up His life to help accomplish that mission. What are you willing to give? When we do ministry, we may get roughed up. Sometimes the price may be even higher. But if we spend our lives avoiding danger, we will never excel at being a disciple. Paul’s ministry came at a high cost, and so will yours. Will you pay the price? Millions of other disciples down through history have given their all. How much will you give? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Truth Divides

July 7

(Acts 14:2-4 NIV) “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. {3} So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. {4} The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.”

(John 7:40-43 NIV) ““On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." {41} Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? {42} Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" {43} Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.””

(Luke 12:49-53 NIV) “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! {50} But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! {51} Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. {52} From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. {53} They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

(1 Thessalonians 2:2 NIV) “We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.”

Preaching and witnessing about Jesus causes division. The Name that brings peace also disturbs the peace. Jesus caused division. Truth always causes division. The church must never value holding the crowd, more than preaching the truth. We must not shade the truth, or compromise the gospel, in a quest to never be offensive. When the church values “unity” more than truth, and bodies more than souls, the gospel suffers. When we make “being together” more important than being saved, souls are at risk. The gospel brings salvation, but it also brings division. As witnesses for Jesus, we are not called to strive for unity, but to speak the truth in love. Some will believe and praise God -- others will mock the name of Jesus and curse us. Continue to speak the truth in love, and learn to live with the opposition and division it brings. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Speaking Effectively For Jesus

July 6

(Acts 14:1 NIV) "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.”

(1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NIV) "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, {9} because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."

(Colossians 4:3-6 NIV) "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. {4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. {5} Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. {6} Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Paul and Barnabas spoke so effectively in Iconium that great numbers of people believed. We are called to do the same. Speak effectively for the Lord. Never pass up the opportunity to witness about what Jesus has done in your life. You may face opposition from family, neighbors, our government, and perhaps even from religious people, but never assume this means your witness is ineffective. With words of grace and a life salted by Christ, press on and speak the truth in love. Become adept at sprinkling Jesus throughout your conversations. You don’t have to be a preacher to do this. We should be seasoned with the love of Christ to the point that our everyday lives invite questions, and then we should be ready with an answer for people who ask why we are different. Make the most of every opportunity to share your story of God’s mercy and love, and doors will open. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Filled With Joy

July 5

(Acts 13:52 NIV) “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

(Psalms 126:3-6 NIV) "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. {4} Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. {5} Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. {6} He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."

Paul and Barnabas and the disciples had plenty to complain about. Not everyone liked them. They had many enemies because of the gospel. They were run out of so many towns that they had automatic dust removers for their feet. They were disrespected, ejected, protested, arrested, and rejected. But they were filled with joy, because salvation and the Holy Spirit and joy go together. When people are being saved, it’s hard to feel sorry for yourself. When God is moving and working through you it is difficult to be a whiner. Paul and the others genuinely believed that their life here on earth was about glorifying God, not about finding happiness. If and when we come to that same realization, we too can be filled with joy, and produce fruit for God’s Kingdom in times of trials and testing. Difficult days will not defeat us when we see them as opportunities to glorify Christ. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day