Strengthening Ministry

September 14

(Acts 18:18-23 NIV)  "Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. {19} They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. {20} When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. {21} But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. {22} When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. {23} After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”

(Acts 14:21-22 NIV) ““They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, {22} strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.””

(John 8:31-32 NIV) ““To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

Paul was an evangelist at heart, but knew the importance of strengthening disciples. He gave much of his time to this task. When Paul left Ephesus, he went back to strengthen and disciple believers in those places where he had started churches. Christ’s Great Commission calls for the church to teach obedience along with preaching salvation. We must produce followers as well as converts. Teaching people to obey is as important as baptizing them. Discipleship and evangelism are two sides of the same coin. Jesus taught that we can’t really be set free by His truth unless we are His disciples. Many today will walk to the front of a church to be saved, but never walk into a classroom of the church to be discipled. The result is biblically illiterate believers with half-baked theology. If you have time for hobbies or recreational activities, you have time for discipleship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Religious Thuggery

September 13

Acts 18:17 NIV) “Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.”

(Acts 23:6-10 NIV) ““Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead." {7} When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. {8} (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) {9} There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" {10} The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.””

Religion often turns violent when it is frustrated. Just ask Sosthenes! He had become the new synagogue ruler in Corinth, replacing Crispus, who became a Christian. Sosthenes eventually led an attack on Paul and took him to court, but after the proconsul Gallio dismissed all the charges, the crowd turned on Sosthenes and beat him. Religion often turns on its own when it doesn’t get its way. There are no spats as nasty as religious spats. Religious thuggery is never pretty. It destroys the church’s moral authority. This is why it’s important to move away from “religion” and toward a relationship with Christ. And notice here that Gallio did nothing to intervene. The state does not care if religious people tear each other apart. As the church grows weaker, the state grows stronger. Don’t go the way of the Corinthian synagogue. Christ will not bless thuggery in the church. – Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God Keeps His Promise

September 12

(Acts 18:12-16 NIV) “While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. {13} "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." {14} Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. {15} But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." {16} So he had them ejected from the court.”

(Psalms 140:1-5 NIV) “Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, {2} who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. {3} They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. {4} Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet. {5} Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.”

(Psalms 46:10-11 NIV) ““Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." {11} The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.””

God promised to take care of Paul, and almost immediately Paul was detained and dragged into court by those hostile to the gospel. Paul may have been thinking, “I thought you said you’d take care of me, but here I am in danger again.” But before Paul could even open his mouth, the proconsul Gallio dismissed the charges. He told Paul’s accusers that he had no time to argue over “questions about words and names”, and ejected them from his courtroom. Of course, we know that those “questions about words and names” are life changing and have eternal significance, but on this day God told Paul, “Stand back and watch me move.” Paul didn’t even have to speak. It would not be his smooth speech that delivered him, but God’s Spirit moving on the heart of Gallio. It probably works that way far more often than we know, as God whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Conquering the Spirit of Fear

September 11

(Acts 18:9-11 NIV) “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. {10} For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." {11} So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.”

(Luke 12:4-5 NIV) “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. {5} But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

(1 Peter 3:13-15 NIV) ““Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? {14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened." {15} But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,””

Even apostles need reassurance now and then. How many times must one be beaten up and run out of town before they consider changing their tune? Paul must have been dealing with some fear, because the Lord came to him in a vision, telling him not to be afraid, and to keep on speaking the truth. Paul believed God and obeyed the Lord. He never stopped sharing the gospel, even though he continued to suffer persecution for his faith. He shared Christ boldly wherever he went, at great risk to his personal well being. If we are going to be faithful disciples of Jesus and obey our calling, we too will need to conquer our fears. We must not allow fear to silence us. We must rise above our earthly anxieties. Conquer the spirit of fear that haunts you! Stop running from it. Turn and face it in the name of Jesus. Stare it down with the help of the Holy Spirit. Trust God and walk by faith. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day