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
