No Hesitation

October 21

(Acts 20:27 NIV) “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”

(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

(John 3:16 NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s will for those who are lost is that they be found. God does not want anyone to perish. He sent His Son Jesus to rescue us. God gave the life of His Son so that we could be found -- so that we could have life. Jesus died to pay for our sin. This provides all people with the opportunity to obtain eternal life. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, providing both the awareness of being lost, as well as the desire for rescue. But the lost must hear the truth, and we who have believed are the truth-tellers. We have been called to provide the proclamation and the witness -- our lives, our words, laid out for the glory of God. The church is God’s rescue team – sent out to proclaim the gospel. As Paul neared the end of his life, he could say with integrity, “I have held nothing back.” Will you be able to say that? Paul had not hesitated to proclaim the whole will of God -- neither should we! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Innocent of the Blood

October 20

(Acts 20:26 NIV) "Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men."

(Psalms 19:9-14 NIV) "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. {10} They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. {11} By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. {12} Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. {13} Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. {14} May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Paul testified that he was innocent of the blood of all men. But before he became a believer, Paul had incited violence against the church and stood in approval of Stephen’s stoning. So when Paul says he is “innocent of the blood of all men”, he must be speaking spiritually. He was saying that when he stood before God, he would never be accused of not trying to lead people to Jesus. He did his best to persuade everyone to be saved. If they refused to believe, their blood would be on their own hands. Paul would be found “innocent of the blood of all men” because he shared the gospel with everyone he came into contact with. He preached salvation by grace through faith everywhere he went. Can you say that? This world would be a much different place if all Christians could stand before God and honestly declare along with Paul, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Radical Single-Eyed Mission

October 19

(Acts 20:22-23 NIV) "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. {23} I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. {24} However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

(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!"

(2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV) "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. {7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8} Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Paul had a double-barreled message and a double-barreled method, but he was single-minded in his mission. Compelled by the Spirit to preach the gospel, he was determined to finish the race and complete the task Christ had given him. He considered his life worth nothing, laying it on the line daily as he testified to the gospel of grace. He was consumed with completing his mission. He could not focus on anything else. Paul sacrificed his life for the sake of his calling. He was a radical for Jesus. Are you a radical? The word “radical” has taken on a negative connotation today, but most of the world’s great people were radical in their vision, their approach, and their sacrifice. Are you willing to consider your life worth nothing to yourself? Do you feel compelled, no matter what the cost, to testify to the gospel of grace? If so, then you could become a single-minded radical for Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Double Barreled Message

October 18

(Acts 20:21 NIV) "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

(Romans 3:21-24 NIV) "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Paul had a double-barreled method -- he shared Jesus in public places and in private homes. He had a double-barreled audience -- he shared the gospel with both Jews and Gentiles. Paul also had a double-barreled message -- turn to God in repentance, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is more than being sorry for our sins -- it is a willingness to turn away from sin, and turn toward Christ. Who we turn toward is as important as what we turn away from. The gospel is accessed through repentance, and is completed with faith in Jesus. If our faith is not in Christ, we do not have a Christian faith. Jesus loves us. Jesus died for us. Jesus rose for us. Jesus calls to us. Jesus saves us. Jesus walks with us. Is your faith in Him? This is the double- barreled message that Paul preached: earnestly repent of sin, and in faith, sincerely turn to Christ. Is this the gospel you have believed? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day