Tucker calls for commitment to Great Commission in spite of hostility

“Despite opposition from the world, the Holy Spirit is changing lives every single day,” said student preacher Todd Tucker during chapel, April 27. Preaching from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Tucker, an Advanced Master of Divinity student, encouraged students and faculty to remain diligent in sharing the Gospel even as they face rejection.

Tucker began by posing the question, “Will you be able to say that you lived your life with no reserves, no retreats and no regrets because of your service to Christ?” Tucker went on to explain that followers of Christ must expect opposition, rejection and even hostility as they share the message of the cross.

As he preached through the text, Tucker gave three implications of the Gospel that Christians should keep in mind. First, the Gospel demands a decision to either believe it is foolish or believe it is truth and so experience the power of God.

To many people, Tucker said, the message of Christ crucified sounds foolish. He continued, however, that “foolishness is also very powerful in the hands of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is so powerful, it doesn’t need our eloquent words—it is enough. As this passage says, to those who are being saved, it is the power of God and it is the wisdom of God.”

Next, Tucker said that the Gospel requires proclamation. “In this text, Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God,” he said. “People will trust in their own wisdom, yet none of it is good enough. People will be saved not by man’s wisdom but through the Gospel. Therefore, the Gospel requires proclamation.”

The final characteristic, Tucker said, is that the Gospel creates division between believers and unbelievers. “There is a completely different perspective for those who are called,” Tucker said. “For those of us who are saved, we understand that Christ is the power and the wisdom of God and that all of man’s efforts fall short.”

As a final encouragement to students and faculty, Tucker said that, although they will likely face opposition from the world, they must remain firmly rooted in the Gospel as they advance the Kingdom of God throughout the world. “Never stop proclaiming the message of the cross,” he exhorted his fellow believers. “Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, make it a priority in your life to share the Gospel message with anyone you encounter. You might be laughed at, you might be called a fool, but you will be honoring your Lord and Savior as you do so.”