Called, Affirmed, Sent Out

June 15

(Acts 13:3 NIV) "So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

(Luke 9:1-2 NIV) "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, {2} and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

(John 17:13-18 NIV) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. {14} I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. {15} My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. {16} They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. {17} Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. {18} As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

There is a sense in which all who follow Jesus are “sent”. The call to “go and make disciples” in Matthew 28, and the call “be my witnesses” in Acts 1, are standing orders for all who believe that Jesus is Lord. All Christians have been “sent” in some way, to someone, somewhere. But the Holy Spirit led the church in Antioch to bless Saul and Barnabas for a special mission. They were sent out as traveling evangelists and church planters. They were called, affirmed and sent out by a local church just like yours and mine. God’s blessing came through the church where they were serving. Today, we have too many “lone rangers” who see gifts in themselves and call themselves. They seek counsel from no one, and have little, if any accountability. But the pattern set by the early church is for those who feel a call to seek the counsel and blessing of their church. That’s still a good plan. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Set Apart and Called

June 14

(Acts 13:2 NIV) "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

(Romans 1:1-4 NIV) "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- {2} the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures {3} regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, {4} and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

Saul and Barnabas were “set apart” and “called” by God. Is this still important? Many churches today look for a leader with a higher education, rather than a leader with a higher calling. Too many see ministry as a profession rather than a calling. To be truly effective for God’s Kingdom, a call is essential. Without a calling, we may become good employees of a church, but seldom excel as great servants of Jesus Christ. Without a calling, we are doomed to being duty- bound workers rather than Spirit-filled laborers. Without a calling, we will lack the stamina and zeal necessary to complete the difficult missions set before us. Barnabas and Saul would need that sense of calling to carry them through lonely nights when they’d been rejected, beaten, and jailed for disturbing the peace. Being called and set apart would keep them going when others were giving up. It still works that way. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Gifted Prophets and Teachers

June 13

(Acts 13:1 NIV)  "In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.”

(Romans 12:4-8 NIV) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, {5} so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. {6} We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. {7} If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; {8} if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

The church at Antioch was blessed with gifted prophets and teachers. Among them were Barnabas and Saul. The Holy Spirit had gifted them to preach the word and teach the great truths of Jesus. These gifts of the Spirit helped them grow the church in Antioch, and qualified them to be the first formally commissioned missionaries. The church at Antioch eventually sent Saul and Barnabas out to evangelize and plant churches in other places. Those with prophetic gifting speak the truth of God boldly into their cultures, even when that truth is difficult. Prophetic teaching is not always positive. It disturbs our peace, and calls us to change. But prophets preach and teach God’s word regardless of the consequences. You too have been given a gift to use for Christ’s glory -- perhaps even more than one. Discover it, and use it to grow God’s Kingdom. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Labeled a Quitter

June 12

(Acts 12:25 NIV) "When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark."

(Acts 13:13 NIV) "From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem."

(Acts 15:36-40 NIV) "Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." {37} Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, {38} but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. {39} They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, {40} but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord."

(Colossians 4:10 NIV) "My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)"

(2 Timothy 4:11 NIV) "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

John Mark had some ups and downs in his ministry. He eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark, but not before he was labeled a “quitter” and caused a deep disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. They took Mark on a missionary journey, but he left the team and went back home. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on a subsequent trip, Paul said no. He saw Mark as unreliable. They disagreed so strongly that they parted ways. But later in Paul’s letters, we see that Mark once again became a trusted companion. Most of us go through times in our faith when we fail to follow through or complete our mission. All of Christ’s disciples failed Him at some point. But with Jesus, failure is never final -- the “quitter” label need not stick forever. Our God is a God of second chances. Accept His offer of grace and get back in the game. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day