Proclamation

June 16

(Acts 13:4-5 NIV) "The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. {5} When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues."

(Colossians 1:25-29 NIV) "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- {26} the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. {27} To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. {28} We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. {29} To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."

(1 John 1:1-3 NIV) "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. {2} The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. {3} We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."

(John 12:32 NIV) "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.""

When Saul and Barnabas arrived at Salamis, their mission’s purpose immediately became clear. They had come to proclaim the word of God. They preached the good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of all who would repent and believe. As individuals and churches, we may use various methods to share the love of Jesus, and point people to the Lord… feeding programs, big events, great music, or children’s programs. We find ways to love people and give glory to God, but our highest calling is to share the gospel -- to proclaim the word of God. If we fail at this, we have failed our mission. Whatever it takes, we must proclaim it. We tell people about Jesus. We don’t save people -- only Jesus does that. But we lift Him up, because if we lift Him up, He will draw people unto himself. That’s our calling. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Called, Affirmed, Sent Out

June 15

(Acts 13:3 NIV) "So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

(Luke 9:1-2 NIV) "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, {2} and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

(John 17:13-18 NIV) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. {14} I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. {15} My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. {16} They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. {17} Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. {18} As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

There is a sense in which all who follow Jesus are “sent”. The call to “go and make disciples” in Matthew 28, and the call “be my witnesses” in Acts 1, are standing orders for all who believe that Jesus is Lord. All Christians have been “sent” in some way, to someone, somewhere. But the Holy Spirit led the church in Antioch to bless Saul and Barnabas for a special mission. They were sent out as traveling evangelists and church planters. They were called, affirmed and sent out by a local church just like yours and mine. God’s blessing came through the church where they were serving. Today, we have too many “lone rangers” who see gifts in themselves and call themselves. They seek counsel from no one, and have little, if any accountability. But the pattern set by the early church is for those who feel a call to seek the counsel and blessing of their church. That’s still a good plan. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Set Apart and Called

June 14

(Acts 13:2 NIV) "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

(Romans 1:1-4 NIV) "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- {2} the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures {3} regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, {4} and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

Saul and Barnabas were “set apart” and “called” by God. Is this still important? Many churches today look for a leader with a higher education, rather than a leader with a higher calling. Too many see ministry as a profession rather than a calling. To be truly effective for God’s Kingdom, a call is essential. Without a calling, we may become good employees of a church, but seldom excel as great servants of Jesus Christ. Without a calling, we are doomed to being duty- bound workers rather than Spirit-filled laborers. Without a calling, we will lack the stamina and zeal necessary to complete the difficult missions set before us. Barnabas and Saul would need that sense of calling to carry them through lonely nights when they’d been rejected, beaten, and jailed for disturbing the peace. Being called and set apart would keep them going when others were giving up. It still works that way. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Gifted Prophets and Teachers

June 13

(Acts 13:1 NIV)  "In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.”

(Romans 12:4-8 NIV) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, {5} so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. {6} We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. {7} If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; {8} if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

The church at Antioch was blessed with gifted prophets and teachers. Among them were Barnabas and Saul. The Holy Spirit had gifted them to preach the word and teach the great truths of Jesus. These gifts of the Spirit helped them grow the church in Antioch, and qualified them to be the first formally commissioned missionaries. The church at Antioch eventually sent Saul and Barnabas out to evangelize and plant churches in other places. Those with prophetic gifting speak the truth of God boldly into their cultures, even when that truth is difficult. Prophetic teaching is not always positive. It disturbs our peace, and calls us to change. But prophets preach and teach God’s word regardless of the consequences. You too have been given a gift to use for Christ’s glory -- perhaps even more than one. Discover it, and use it to grow God’s Kingdom. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day