Stephen is the first recorded person
who died for the cause of Christ. Let us examine a few facts of his life and
try to learn something for it!
Qualifications for him to be chosen
were: honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom
Stephen gave himself fully to the
work he was picked out for. He went beyond mere serving in excess
STEPHEN'S SELECTION
Act 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of
the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
When you are to be entrusted with
the assets of the church it's essential that people have confidence in your honesty.
Having the Holy Ghost is vital in
all aspects in the service of Christ.
A lot of sticky situations may arise
requiring wisdom.
He was described as a man full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the
whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Ghost,
STEPHEN'S SERVICE
He was also called a man full of
faith and power
Act 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the
people.
Stephen gave 100 % and more. How
much do we give?
Ecc 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in
the grave, whither thou goest.
1Co 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God.
STEPHEN'S STAND
Act 6:9-10
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of
the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of
Asia, disputing with Stephen. (10) And they were not able to
resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
When honest men full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom take a stand for God there will always be someone to oppose
and dispute. It is important that we trust not in our own wisdom and abilities
but to depend on the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Jas 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him
ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man
think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A
double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
STEPHEN SLANDERED
Act
6:11-14 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. (12)
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came
upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the
council, (13) And set up false witnesses, which said, This man
ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the
law: (14) For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of
Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses
delivered us.
STEPHEN'S SERMON
In Acts 7 Stephen
demonstrates his knowledge of the Scripture.
It indicates insight into the
success of Stephen's ministry.
He studied and meditated on the word
of God.
Many spend all their lives studying
everything else except the Word of God.
We may much rather prefer to read
some cheap fictitious story than the Word of God but there is simply no
comparison to, or substitute for, the Word of God.
Ecc 12:12 And further, by
these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no
end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Paul's exhortation to Timothy was:
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou
in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom
thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
Some may want to say all this
God...God...God thing is not good but we need to understand that if it not all
God...God...God then it will be the opposite
Stephen also demonstrated that not
only does he know the Word but is able to apply it effectively. So effectively
that his opponents resorted to the only thing weak men do when they are shown
to be wrong..they killed Stephen
STEPHEN'S SACRIFICE
He died for the faith the first
recorded martyr for Christ. It may have seemed foolish and in vain but it was NOT
in vain. It is NEVER in vain when you seek only His glory. It is NEVER in vain
when you serve Him alone.
It is NEVER in vain when you stand
up for your faith in HIM. You very life, words, and deeds for HIM becomes a
seed planted. It will bear fruit for He said
Isa
55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and
returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11)
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto
me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
They stoned Stephen but The Lord
stood ready to receive him
Act
7:55-60 But he,
being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the
glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (56) And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (57) Then they cried out with a loud voice, and
stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, (58) And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their
clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. (59) And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit. (60) And he
kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
He died asking the Lord not to charge his killers with his death!!!
Saul a witness to this slaughter and giving consent to
the same, had the seed planted. It may not have sprung up immediately but when
it did there was mayhem in hell as Saul (Paul) made an about face from
persecuting the saints and waged full warfare against the forces of evil.
History is full of men
and women and children who have willingly laid down their lives for the cause
of Christ. It is NEVER in vain! It will NEVER be in vain when it is done for
Christ
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