Grace Out of Darkness

October 7

(Acts 19:35 NIV) “The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?”

(Ephesians 2:1-9 NIV) “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, {2} in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. {3} All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. {4} But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. {6} And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, {7} in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. {8} For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.”

One of the greatest truths of Scripture comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. This “amazing grace” letter becomes even more significant when you consider that Ephesus was a very dark and idolatrous city. The Temple of Artemis was huge and ornate. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The worship of Artemis was sophisticated, upscale idolatry, but idolatry nonetheless. Those who worshipped at her altar were part of the darkness. They were even willing to kill for her, as evidenced by the mob that went after Paul. But God poured out His grace at Ephesus -- people were saved, and a church grew there. The love of God overcomes the hate of the world. Light dispels darkness. Darkness may despise the light, but the light continues to shine. This is our calling as disciples of Jesus. Shine! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Religious Competition

October 6

(Acts 19:33-34 NIV) ““The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. {34} But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!””

(Matthew 24:7-14 NIV) “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. {8} All these are the beginning of birth pains. {9} "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. {10} At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, {11} and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. {12} Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, {13} but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. {14} And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

When religion drives the hearts of people and their economy, it will not tolerate dissent. It is easier to eliminate those who challenge the system than to compete in the marketplace of ideas. Mob violence becomes a standard response. We see it here in the near-death experience of Paul and his friends in Ephesus. We see it in the killing of Jesus, and in the angry crowd surrounding the cross. We see it in our world today in the public beheadings of those considered infidels, and in the sinister character assassination of anyone foolish enough to challenge the secular gods of political correctness. Even Christianity, when twisted just a bit, can become a toxic religion that burns heretics at the stake, and drowns those suspected of witchcraft. This is not the way of Jesus! He offers love, and heals hearts with grace and forgiveness. We should do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Chaos Reigns

October 5

(Acts 19:29-32 NIV) “Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. {30} Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. {31} Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. {32} The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.”

(Romans 1:18-23, 28-31 NIV) “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, {19} since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. {20} For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. {21} For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. {22} Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools {23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles…. {28} Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. {29} They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, {30} slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; {31} they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

The God of Scripture is a God of order. Chaos is of the devil. Mob violence is evil -- it is not of God. Where people are in an uproar and rush as one man to ruthlessly destroy and do senseless harm, Satan has taken control. When people reject divine guidance, one finds heartless depravity, futile thinking, and confusion about purpose and direction. Chaos reigns, and we end up not even knowing why we are here. This can happen with crowds, and with individuals. God offers peace and light, but we are addicted to chaos and darkness. We turn away from God, and then can’t figure out why our lives are so disordered and empty. We worship false gods, and our main purpose in life becomes survival. There is a better way. Jesus offers peace and light in the place of calamity and darkness. Let Christ reign instead of chaos. Embrace Jesus and be set free. Our God reigns! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Gods of Culture

October 4

(Acts 19:26b-29 NIV) “He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. {27} There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty. {28} When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" {29} Soon the whole city was in an uproar."

(2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV) “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. {4} The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

(Deuteronomy 4:23-29 NIV) “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. {24} For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. {25} After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time--if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God and provoking him to anger, {26} I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. {27} The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the Lord will drive you. {28} There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. {29} But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Many today would say they are not religious, but they are not being truthful. We are all religious in some way. We all worship something or someone. Some worship science. Some worship nature. Some worship the stars. Some worship money. Some worship sex. Some worship power. Some worship sports. Some worship their addiction. Some worship themselves. The gods of culture are many, and if you faithfully follow Jesus, you will come into conflict with these gods. As the influence of Christ grows in your life, the power of cultural gods will begin to wane. They will begin to get less of your time and money, and they will squeal their displeasure. They may even threaten you. The gods of the culture despise Jesus and those who serve Him, but remain steadfast. Those who worship the gods of culture will perish, while those who follow Jesus receive eternal life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day