Maintaining Accountability

July 17

(Acts 14:24-27 NIV)  "After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, {25} and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. {26} From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. {27} On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

(Luke 10:16-17 NIV) ““He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” {17} The seventy–two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.””

(Mark 6:30-31 NIV) “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. {31} Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

When Paul and Barnabas had finished their first missionary/church planting journey they returned to their home base in Antioch, and reported on what was accomplished. That’s accountability. They gave glory to God for what He had done, and it wasn’t for the purpose of raising funds. They were simply reporting -- being accountable to the brothers and sisters who had sent them out. Accountability is in short supply today. Be it individual Christians or large church bodies, we all covet “independence”. One of the first questions asked by many church-shoppers is, “Are you part of a denomination?” Being “independent” is now seen as a great spiritual virtue. But this is not what we see in the New Testament church. Accountability was highly valued… by Jesus, and by Paul the apostle. In light of the biblical record, perhaps we need to rethink our penchant for valuing “independence”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Appointing Leaders

July 16

(Acts 14:23 NIV)  "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

(Mark 3:13-15 NIV) “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. {14} He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach {15} and to have authority to drive out demons.

(Hebrews 5:1-4 NIV) “Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. {2} He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. {3} This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. {4} And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.”

Paul and Barnabas knew that the churches they planted would need godly leaders. So they fasted and prayed for wisdom, asking God to show them who He wanted to lead His churches. When they discerned those leaders, they appointed them to be elders. Notice that this wasn’t an election. It was an appointment to godly leadership by godly leaders. In doing this, Paul and Barnabas followed the ways of Jesus, who had also prayed and appointed disciples based on gifting and calling, rather than on popularity or education level. Too many times today, church leaders are chosen because of status, degrees, popularity, or how many books they have written. Paul and Barnabas looked more at whether or not a leader was gifted by God to teach the word, and whether or not that leader had a call to ministry. Churches would do well to follow that pattern today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Gospel of Hardship

July 15

(Acts 14:22b NIV) "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."

(John 15:20 NIV)  "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."

(John 16:33 NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(1 Peter 4:12 NIV) "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you."

Paul and Barnabas experienced hardship as they preached the gospel. Their gospel was different from the one we often hear today -- it was a gospel of hardship. This gospel may not match up with our theology of prosperity and blessing, but it is documented in the pages of Scripture, and has been written in the blood of believers who have lived before us. This may sound like heresy in these days when the church is married to comfort and ease, but it would appear that hardship is sometimes God’s will for His people. Jesus promised us that in this world we would have trouble: the apostle Peter said not to be surprised by painful trials we suffer, and Paul preaches that we must go through “many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”. How many voices will it take before we get the message? We will need an enduring faith because the gospel is a gospel of hardship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Stronger Disciples

July 14

(Acts 14:21-22a NIV) “Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, {22} strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” 

(Matthew 28:18-20 NIV) ““Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Revelation 3:1-3 NIV) “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. {2} Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. {3} Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

Paul and Barnabas knew it was important to disciple those that they had evangelized. They went back to the cities where they had preached the gospel, and taught them Christian basics. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples.”, and so Paul and Barnabas discipled. Being a Christian is about more than just being saved -- it’s about becoming more like Jesus every day, and growing progressively stronger in the faith. Any Christian who is not growing and strengthening their spiritual “legs” on a continual basis is not following the biblical pattern. Too many believers today think they have arrived. They think they’ve learned everything they need to know, but no one can ever reach that state on this side of heaven. Get back to learning in some way. Take a class. Read a book. Watch a good video series. Stretch, grow, and be strengthened. Become a genuine disciple. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day