Transformed to Preach

June 22

(Acts 13:13-16 NIV) ““From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. {14} From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. {15} After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." {16} Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said:””

(1 Corinthians 9:16-23 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! {17} If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. {18} What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. {19} Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. {20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. {21} To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. {22} To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. {23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

When Paul and Barnabas reached Pisidian Antioch, Paul got a request that every preacher loves to hear: “If you have a message, please speak.” Saul the persecutor has become Paul the preacher. When Jesus takes hold of our life, He changes us so much that our old names don’t fit anymore. Paul had experienced the transforming power of Jesus and was determined that the world should hear the gospel message. When he heard about Christ’s call to “go and make disciples”, he believed God and set out to intentionally evangelize as many as he could. And so Saul the murderer became Paul the missionary. Has Jesus transformed your life? He doesn’t change us just so our life will be better… He changes us so that we can preach the gospel in some way to someone. We may never step behind a pulpit, but we are all called to share the gospel somewhere. Go! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day