Calling for a Response

January 26

(Acts 2:38 NIV) "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

(Matthew 3:1-6 NIV) "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." {3} This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" {4} John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. {5} People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. {6} Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River."

(Acts 26:20 NIV) "First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

The gospel always calls for a response. When Peter preached the gospel, people asked what they could do. He said, “Repent and be baptized.” Those who came to hear John the Baptist were called to repent and be baptized. Paul’s preaching called for repentance and a response in keeping with repentance. Jesus called people to repent and to follow Him. Repentance demands a change of heart and a change of direction. Baptism is the genuine response of a repentant heart. It’s not something that saves people -- it’s something that saved people do. It’s an act of obedience for those who declare Jesus both Lord and Christ, and who ask Him to wash away their sin. Peter promised that if the people responded to God, God would respond to them and send them the Holy Spirit. The gospel always calls for a response -- and if you respond to God, He will respond to you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Cut to the Heart

January 25

(Acts 2:37 NIV) ““When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?””

(John 16:6-8 NIV) “Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. {7} But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. {8} When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:”

(2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV)  "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

Peter boldly preached the truth. What happened next was truly divine. God’s Holy Spirit convicted those who heard Peter’s message. They were cut to the heart and began to cry out for mercy. They experienced a conviction that only the Holy Spirit can produce. Preachers and witnesses take note: there is a fine line between laying guilt on someone and leading them toward godly conviction. Earthly guilt can only take people so far -- heavenly conviction can take them all the way to Jesus. Carnal guilt drives people away -- godly conviction brings them to the foot of the cross. Guilt is used to manipulate, and keeps people in bondage -- godly conviction is designed to set us free. Anyone can dish out guilt -- a few are gifted to help God do surgery on hardened hearts, which promotes true healing. When the Holy Spirit is involved, it’s a good thing to be cut to the heart. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Lord and Christ

January 24

(Acts 2:33-36 NIV) “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {34} For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand {35} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. {36} "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." "'

(Matthew 26:62-68 NIV) "Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" {63} But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." {64} "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." {65} Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. {66} What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. {67} Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him {68} and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?""

(Romans 10:8-11 NIV)  "But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.""

Peter preached that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ. This is the declaration that got Jesus killed, and the truth the apostles would be martyred for teaching. These words can still get you killed. People are beheaded, stoned, or thrown off tall buildings for believing this. At the minimum, you will likely be ostracized and ridiculed for witnessing to this truth. Why? Because, if Jesus really is both Lord and Christ, we must do what He says. He is the Boss. You cannot ignore His words just because they are inconvenient or difficult. You cannot selectively obey someone who is both Lord and Christ. We serve Him. We bow down to Him. If you preach this truth, and live it out today, you will likely be persecuted. But it’s still the truth, and Peter was willing to risk his life and his reputation to preach it. We should be willing to do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

He is Risen

January 23

(Acts 2:24-32 NIV) ““But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. {25} David said about him: "'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. {26} Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, {27} because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. {28} You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' {29} "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. {30} But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. {31} Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. {32} God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.””

(1 Corinthians 15:12-22 NIV) "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? {13} If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. {14} And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. {15} More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. {16} For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. {17} And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. {18} Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. {19} If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. {20} But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. {21} For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. {22} For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

The foundation of our faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The early church rose up declaring this truth. They didn’t just believe it -- they lived and died for it because they were witnesses of the fact. In the church’s first sermon, Peter declared its centrality. He preached that death could not keep Jesus down. By God’s power, Christ had risen from the dead. Peter noted that the great Jewish hero, King David, had seen the resurrection coming and had spoken of it. Don’t miss the fact that Peter explained current events of his day by looking deeply into God’s word. But more than David’s prophecy, Peter declared that he and many others were witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. It wasn’t just theory -- it happened, and they had seen it. This was a bold and dangerous statement that put the lives of the apostles on the line. They were willing to testify to what God had done. Are you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day