1. Doing the right thing:
A man dies, arrives at the Pearly Gates, and (as always in stories like this), St. Peter is there and asks him to relate a good deed he had done. He thinks for a moment then says, “Well, there was the time I was driving down a road when I saw a group of hoodlums harassing a girl. I stopped my car, grabbed a tire iron, and walked up to the leader of the gang. He was huge—6 foot 4 inch, 260 pounds, with a studded leather jacket, tattoos, and a chain running from his nose to his ears. As I approached him, the others circled me and told me to get lost or I’d be next. So I grabbed the leader’s chain, ripped it out of his face, and smashed him over the head with the tire iron. Then I yelled at them, ‘Leave this girl alone! You’re acting like a bunch of animals! Go home before I teach you a lesson in pain!’”
St. Peter, impressed, says, “Wow! When did you do all that?”
“Oh [looking at his watch], about three minutes ago.”
Sometime you get killed for doing what is right, don’t you? Stephen, the first deacon, told people about Jesus, and so they killed him.
2. Sometimes it is not popular to do the right things – it can cost politicians an election; a Christian employee a promotion (or a job); a martyr his life
3. In his quest for man, God breaks into the world from time to time to get our attention (he sends a baby – Moses; John the Baptist; Yeshua (Jesus), he doesn’t create a commotion)
4. Then WE have to respond with our Quest for God
Not like the pagans trying to get the attention of Baal at Mt. Carmel
God is already watching
5. How DO we respond?
Stephen’s Sermon shows his commitment to God’s Quest for him in Yeshua (Jesus)
This sermon relates the history of God’s Quest and the response of some Key people in theirs
I. Stepping Up to Serve (6.8-10)
A. Stephen Displayed a Powerful Spirit in His Service (Acts 6.1-6)
Justin Martyr (early 2C) – early community of God’s actions when they came together:
On day called “Sun Day” believers gathered in one place [day of Helios – Greek Sun god]; writings of apostles or prophets [were] read; then when reader has ceased, the President instructs to imitation of these good things; pray; bread and wine and water brought; President in like manner gives prayers and thanksgiving; people say amen and there is a distribution to each; to those absent a portion is sent by deacons; each gives according to what they see fit; the President gives to those in need – widows, orphans, sick, in bonds, strangers, etc.; but Sun Day is when we hold common assembly because it is the day when God changed darkness to create world; Yeshua rose from dead; Yeshua crucified before day of Saturn and appeared to disciples on day of Sun.
1. Key Qualities of these Servants
Good Reputation
Full of HS
Full of Wisdom
Stephen – Full of Faith and HS
2. They Played a Unifying Role
a. Possible Division Averted
b. Increased Outreach – 6.7 (Priests)
B. There Was Decisive Action Associated with Church Growth
1. Issue with the Hellenists – LXX; Priests
2. Power of gospel
3. Power of faithful service in displaying the gospel
a. Displays a “Whatever it Takes” Mentality
b. General Washington
During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, “Sir, I am a corporal!”
The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, “Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again.” It was none other than George Washington.
Stephen accepted the offer of his church to serve them and to get in the trenches and love those around him. The Apostles had a job to do and needed men like Stephen to serve. He, along with six other men, accepted and were ordained. He was not perfect, but he worked with the Holy Spirit to use his gifts and talents among the people. He allowed himself to be used by God as a witness.
II. Speaking Up for Truth
A. Alone Against Adversarial Authorities
1. Alone but not – full of HS
The story is told of an old lady who had moved to the United States from Europe when she was a child, but now she wanted to officially become a citizen of this country. After months of going through all the necessary red tape, she was finally ready to take the required oath.
"Raise your right hand, please." She raised her right hand.
"Do you swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all its enemies, domestic or foreign?" was the first question. The little old lady's face paled and her voice trembled as she asked in a small voice, "Uhhh . . . all by myself?" I know the feeling. When I read what the apostle Paul had to say about the great spiritual battle going on, I tremble a bit. Paul said,
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).
The thoughts of waging such a battle alone is enough to cause even the most stout-hearted to tremble. But we don't go into battle alone! We go forth as a part of the army of God, led by the Son of God in all his glory, and side by side with every brother and sister in Christ on the face of this earth. The battle is still a difficult one. There will be many casualties along the way. But, thank God, we do not fight it alone!
2. Times to stand – even alone: Fiery furnace; lions’ den; before Caesar; before Pilate
B. Alone Against False Witnesses
1. Destruction of Temple (as Yeshua (Jesus))
2. Changing Traditions – “You have heard . . . but I say unto you. . . “
In the Oral Law, Avot 1.1 – Moses received the Torah at Sinai and handed it on to Joshua; Joshua to the elders; and the elders to the prophets. And the prophets handed it to the men of the great assembly. They said three things: Be prudent in judgment; raise up many disciples; Make a fence for the Torah.
3. Recounting the Hand of God in the Nation’s History
C. Alone – In Spite of Prejudices
Synagogue of the Freed Men
Hellenistic beginnings with Alexander the Great in 323 BCE
General Pompey captured Jews in 63 CE; used as slaves in Rome/Corinth; released in Rome
Some returned with hatred toward the Roman-Hellenistic influences – Stephen was a Hellenist and follower of Yeshua
III. Seeing Above in Trust
A. The Place of Yeshua (Jesus) – the Right Hand of the Father – 7.56; Psalm 110.1
41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? 45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Matthew 22.41-46
1. His Role as High Priest
Sacrifices for sin – 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2.16-18
Intercessor – Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7.25
2. Sits in Completion of service – no chair in the HP or MPH
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10.11-14
B. The Peace of Stephen – 7.59-60
Michael Faraday, the great physicist, was taken ill. When it became evident that the sickness that had fastened itself upon him would soon result in his death, a group of fellow scientists came to see him--not so much to talk about science as to talk about death. One of them said to him: "Mr. Faraday, what are your speculations about your future?" With evident surprise to them he replied: "Speculations! I have none. I am resting on certainties." Then he quoted II Tim. 1:12: "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
1. Impassioned Assurance – Receive my Spirit
2. Intercession for Assailants (as Yeshua (Jesus))
So What? It may be an interesting story about Stephen’s courageous faith, but what does that say to us?
In our Quest for God:
1. Take him at his word – really, really believe
2. Take Courage in the face of opposition
3. Believe in his presence with us (in the HS) and prayers for us (in our High Priest)
4. Stay the course – it impacts your life; lives around you; the kingdom of God (increased by the faithfulness of Stephen as a deacon and a preacher)
“Death reveals who we really are. Consider the famous French philosopher Voltaire, who … boasted, “In twenty years Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear.’ Voltaire was proud, confident and cynical. But when he died, he cried in desperation, ‘I am abandoned by God and man! I give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months life. Then I shall go to hell and you will go with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!’
In contrast, the moment of death also sometimes reveals spiritual beauty, John Wesley, (founder of the Methodist movement) died full of counsel, exhortations, and praise for God. His final words were, ‘ The best of all is, God is with us. The best of all is, God is with us. The best of all is, God is with us. Farewell!’ Adoniram Judson, the great American missionary to Burma, suffering immensely at death, said to those around, ‘I go with the gladness of a boy bounding away from school, I feel strong in Christ.’ Jonathon Edwards, dying from smallpox, gave some final directions, bid his daughter good-bye, and expired saying, ‘Where is Jesus, my never-failing friend?’” (R Kent Hughes. Acts: The Church Afire. [Wheaton, ILL: Crossway Books, 1996] p.102)
