The Disturbing People of the Way

October 1

(Acts 19:23 NIV) “About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.”

(Acts 4:1-4 NIV) “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. {2} They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. {3} They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. {4} But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”

(Matthew 2:1-3 NIV) ““After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." {3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.””

The early church had been derisively called “Christians” at Antioch. In Ephesus someone decided to label them as “The Way”. Both labels were meant to be derogatory. Wherever those early disciples lived, they caused a disturbance as they lived out their faith. As others became believers, their lifestyle and spending habits changed. They were rocking the boat, messing with the system, stirring the pot, and this caused friction. They didn’t fit the mold, and what they had seemed to be contagious. They disturbed the status quo. Contrast that with many church people today, whose main goal seems to be blending in. We wouldn’t want anyone to think we are weird, and so we become adept at flying under the radar. Something has been lost in the translation. We were saved to shine! Live out your faith, and pray that you can become part of the disturbance in a way that honors the Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Call to Go

September 30

(Acts 19:21-22 NIV) ““After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." {22} He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.””

(John 20:19-22 NIV) ““On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {20} After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. {21} Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." {22} And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.””

(Matthew 10:16-20 NIV) “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. {17} Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. {18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. {19} But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, {20} for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Paul was a missionary apostle -- he never stopped thinking about where he should go next to share the gospel and strengthen the church. He wanted to preach in Rome, but first he would return to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Achaia. He sent Erastus and Timothy as an advance team to Macedonia, while he stayed in Ephesus a little longer. He had been discipling these two young men, and now he sent them out on the road. When we follow Jesus, he may send us on the road too. He may not send us across the ocean -- our call may be just across the street, or a few miles down the road. But as followers of Jesus, we have all been called to go somewhere, and if we never go anywhere with the gospel, perhaps it is not Jesus we are following. Christ’s call is to go into all the world and make disciples. Near or far, let Jesus direct your steps as you obey His call. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Costly Repentance

September 29

(Acts 19:19-20 NIV) “A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. {20} In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

(2 Corinthians 9:13 NIV) “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…”

(Matthew 3:8 NIV) “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

(Jonah 2:8 NIV) “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”

When the Ephesians saw the power of God, they responded with a costly repentance. They publicly burned all their expensive sorcery books. Their lives and their values had changed. When was the last time that your relationship with Jesus cost you anything? What have you sacrificed as a result of repentance? Churches today have become adept at touting what they offer to those who attend. Seldom is anyone asked what they have to offer to the church, or told what they must surrender in order to come. We try to make Christianity as easy and as cheap as possible. Costly repentance does not sell very well in a consumer-oriented culture. Advertising benefits will always draw a bigger crowd than calling for sacrifice. But here is the truth: God’s grace is offered freely, but following Jesus will always cost you something. Any gospel that tells you otherwise is a false gospel. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Fear of the Lord

September 28

(Acts 19:17-18 NIV) “When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. {18} Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.”

(2 Corinthians 5:11 NIV) “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.”

(1 Peter 2:17 NIV) “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”

(Revelation 14:6-7 NIV) ““Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. {7} He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.””

Those living in Ephesus were struck by the power of God. They were in awe of the healing and deliverance Paul did in the name of Jesus. Convicted of their sins, they began to call upon the name of the Lord, proving their repentance by their deeds. Fearing God is not a bad thing. It may have been overdone in days gone by, but many today have gone to the other extreme, reducing God to a harmless do-gooder who loves everything about us. They have made God into a doting grandparent. This is not the God of Scripture. The God of Scripture died on a cross for our sins, but this same God also drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, and consumed the false prophets of Baal with fire from heaven. God is holy and sovereign. He holds the power of life and death, and the keys to heaven and hell. A healthy fear of God is not a bad thing. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day