Sermon Central
-
A Faithful Prayer Warrior Series
Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Aug 18, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Today we look at the servant Stephen and his prays. In the last moments of his life we see his short observation and then his prayer.
“A Faithful Prayer Warrior”
Acts 7:54-56, 59-60
We again are looking at the prayers of the people of God; not to copy them but understand how they prayed and the effect of prayer.
There are only 650 prayers in the Bible and 450 that are answered.
Today we look at the servant Stephen and his prays.
In the last moments of his life we see his short observation and then his prayer.
We often hear of prayers that others have said, but has it ever occurred to you that there was a preparation?
A time of building one’s faith
A time of proving one’s life as a testimony
A time of confidence in the Lord because of God being faithful.
I. The Testimony Of The Prayer Warrior. Acts 6:1-8
With all growth in a church come problems that need attention.
There was no difference in Jerusalem;
Acts 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
A. Notice the Dispute. Acts 6:1b. “… their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
B. Notice the Dilemma Acts 6:2b. “…It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”
Sad that many churches believe the work at the church house is the job of the pastor.
They said, it was their responsibility to study the Word and then preach that truth. Acts 6:4
C. Notice the Decision. Acts 6:3. “…look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
D. Notice the Discernment Acts 6:5. “And the saying pleased the whole multitude:…”
II. The Choosing Of The Servants Vs.5
I believe each one had the same testimony or they would not have been chosen, but I find it interesting the Stephen had two statements after his name.
“Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,”
Full - filled up (as opposed to empty), of the soul, thoroughly saturated with, lacking nothing.
Full of faith – “conviction of the truth or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it”
And full of the Holy Ghost - the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son, sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his personality and character (the Holy Spirit) ,sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his work and power (the Spirit of Truth)
In these two statements we see a person who is sold out for God.
III. The Cost Of Service
Stephen A Man Of God as we see in Acts 6:8 was faithful in his testimony and in his work for the Lord, and it received the attention from the religious crowd.
I find it often true that the religious crowd are the ones who want to show everyone else how THEY should serve and then take all the credit for the work of others.
Acts 6:9-13 The condemnation from the religious crowd.
They were unable to beat him with truth so they enlisted the help of others to lie.
Sound familiar today? (Politicians do this all the time)
IV. The Face Of Contentment
Acts 6:15 “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
When you are in the service of the Lord, make a note: Satan is not happy and will do whatever he can to stop you.
V. An Answered Question
Acts 7:1 “Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”
Imagine Stephen just listening to the false statements be hurled about him and he just stands there with peace all over him (only God does that).
VI. Stephens Turn
You asked a question that demands an answer so here it is; and Stephen starts with Abraham and rehearses the history of the Jewish people.
Stephen even reminds them that he is part of this heritage.
Acts 7:38-39 “our fathers.”
When he finished the history lesson he then so eloquently and with a sweet tone said:
Acts 7:51-53 “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
VII. The Response Of Rebellion
