Win Some Lose Some

August 20

(Acts 17:4-5 NIV) “Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. {5} But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.”

(1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV) “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

(Luke 4:42-44 NIV) “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. {43} But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” {44} And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

After being beaten and jailed in Philippi, Paul and Silas moved down the road to Thessalonica. They weren’t looking for a friendlier place, or a better deal -- they were looking for more people who needed the Lord. When they preached in Thessalonica, some received the truth and joined with them. Others chose to oppose the message of God and stirred up trouble. It has always been that way, and it will always be that way. We win some, and lose some. Some will respond to the gospel -- others will reject it. We don’t get to choose who does which. God’s Spirit opens the ears and eyes of some, but others will go to their graves deaf and blind to the grace of God. Nothing you or anyone else can say will soften their hard hearts. But still, we keep saying it. We cast out God’s seed and where it falls and sprouts is God’s business. We aren’t called to be successful -- we are called to be faithful. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Reason and Faith

August 19

(Acts 17:1-3 NIV) “When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. {2} As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, {3} explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said.”

(Matthew 16:13-18 NIV) “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” {14} They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” {15} “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” {16} Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” {17} Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. {18} And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

(Acts 10:39-43 NIV) “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, {40} but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. {41} He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. {42} He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. {43} All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Even though Paul was sent to evangelize the Gentiles, he never gave up on his fellow Jews, and often went to the synagogues to preach. At Thessalonica he taught three weeks in a row, reasoning with them “from the Scriptures”, or what we call the Old Testament. Using the Old Testament, Paul proved and explained that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. Paul echoed Peter, who taught that all the prophets testified about Jesus and that through His name, all who believe in Him will receive forgiveness of sins. Some say reason and faith do not mix, but Paul would disagree. He often reasoned from the Scriptures to bring people to faith. He wanted everyone to believe that Jesus is the Christ, for through faith comes forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. That was true in Paul’s day, and it is still true today. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. It’s the reasonable thing to do. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Blessing of Persecution

August 18

(Acts 16:40 NIV) “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.”

(Matthew 5:10-12 NIV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

(John 15:18-21 NIV)  ""If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. {19} If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. {20} Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. {21} They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me."

When Paul and Silas got out of prison, they went back to Lydia’s house for some renewal and rest. They met with the new believers there, and then headed out again to share the gospel in another place. Paul and Silas traveled a road that few are willing to travel. Instead of being thwarted by persecution, they were motivated. Persecution does a strange thing to a committed believer. Instead of silencing us, it often ends up strengthening us. If we are active enough to receive persecution, and we endure it with grace, it often gives us a greater platform from which to share the gospel. If you are undergoing persecution in some form, remember this story. Endure it with grace. Live with hope in your heart. Stand strong and humbly praise God. If you do that, your Jesus star will rise and be seen by more people than ever, and God’s kingdom will grow because of your faithfulness. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

So That Some Might Be Saved

August 17

(Acts 16:14 NIV) “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.”

(Acts 16:16-18 NIV) ““Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. {17} This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." {18} She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.””

(Acts 16:29-33 NIV) ““The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. {30} He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" {31} They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." {32} Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. {33} At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.””

(Matthew 7:13-14 NIV) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. {14} But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

(1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV) “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. {20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. {21} To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. {22} To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. {23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

When Paul and Silas went down to the river and met Lydia, she responded to the gospel. Others were there and heard, but we have no record that anyone else was saved. When Paul and Silas delivered the slave girl from demonic spirits, there were many witnesses. But not everyone who saw the miracle was converted. When Paul and Silas led the Roman jailer to Christ, there were others who heard the truth. But not everyone at the jail became a believer. Even though God so loves the world and Jesus died for the sins of the world, not everyone in the world will be saved. Jesus said the road is narrow and only a few will find it. Paul recognized that even with the best of preaching, “by all possible means”, only “some” would be saved. Be faithful in sharing the gospel, but do not be discouraged when only a few respond. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day