“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
Acts 7:2-50
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
Acts 7:54 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”
We see this today when truth is spoken the wicked crowd does not want to just shut us up they would rather chew us up and spit us out.
With their teeth?
The same today is being executed through any means necessary; destroy a life rather than admit they are wrong.
VIII. Observation and Prayer
Acts 7:55-56 “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.”
Acts 7:59-60 “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.”
Not one rock hit him before Stephen was already in Glory!
Application:
1. Life is tough and we do not always see the enemy, but it is always right to speak the truth of the Gospel when given opportunity.
2. The World hates the truth that it cannot deny.
They will tolerate us right up until the time we preach “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life” and then hell will be unleashed against us.
3. There is a cost to serve the LORD but the reward is out of this world.
Salvation is my home and I will see Jesus face to face one day.
4. Truth is not ugly and hurtful to those who know the truth, but is condemning to those who reject the truth.
Conclusion:
Do you know Jesus?
Will you / can you stand and testify of this truth no matter the cost?
Esther Kerr in 1941 wrote this song; suffered from ill health (dying at the age of 53)
It Will Be Worth It All
1. Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God’s eternal day!
2. At times the sky seems dark,
with not a ray of light;
We’re tossed and driven on,
no human help in sight.
But there is One in heaven,
Who knows our deepest care;
Let Jesus solve your problems,
just go to him in prayer.
3. Life’s day will soon be o’re,
all storms forever past;
We’ll cross the great divide
to Glory, safe at last!
We’ll share the joys of heaven:
a harp, a home, a crown;
The tempter will be banished,
We’ll lay our burdens down.
CHORUS:
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ.
