SERIES: “LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH”
TEXT: ACTS 6:8-15
TITLE: “LIVING LIFE ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES”
INTRODUCTION: A. Some of you may have heard of Wilma Rudolph. She was a successful Olympic
athlete in the 1960’s, but most do not know her story. She was born the 16th of 18
children in a poor black family in middle Tennessee, weighing only 4 lbs. and 1 oz. At
the age of 4 she contracted polio and lost the use of her left leg.
The battle with polio left her weakened and she immediately developed chronic
pneumonia and scarlet fever. Even though she managed to survive those deadly
diseases, she spent the bulk of her childhood as a cripple. It was only through years of
therapy, which her mother carried her to on her one day off a week, and determination
that Wilma was able to regain the use of her left leg.
She went on to play high school basketball setting a single season record for most
points scored: 803 in 25 games. In 1960, Wilma Rudolph represented the United
States in the Olympics, which was held in Rome, Italy and she won gold medals in all
three of the events in which she competed. In both the 100-meter dash and the 200-
meter dash, she finished at least three yards in front of her closest competitor. She tied
the world record in the 100-meter and set a new Olympic record in the 200. And in the
400-meter relay she brought her team from behind to win the gold.
1. Webster defines “circumstances” – “a fact or event accompanying another;
conditions affecting a person”
2. Somebody: “It’s not the circumstances that matters; it’s your reaction to the
circumstances that matters.”
B. As Christians, we’re not exempt from circumstances
1. Every day we live we’ll face circumstances that are unpleasant and challenging
--Circumstances that cause us to put our faith into action and cause us to draw
closer to God and the leading of His Holy Spirit
2. Two anonymous quotes that speak volumes to our circumstances:
a. “If circumstances find us in God, we shall find God in all our circumstances.”
b. “Don’t look to God through your circumstances, look at your circumstances
through God.”
3. Chuck Swindoll makes a statement about circumstances in his book Laugh Again
that gave me the title for the message tonight:
--He talks about people who ask, “Under the circumstances how could I be anything
but grim?” To which he replies, “What are you doing under the circumstances?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the Christian life to be lived above the
circumstances?”
C. Title of tonight’s message: “LIVING LIFE ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES”
1. TEXT: ACTS 6:8-15
2. Some important lessons about living life above the circumstances
I. USE WHAT GOD GIVES YOU TO SERVE HIM
--1 Pet. 4:10-11 – “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering
God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised
through Jesus Christ.”
A. The general biblical in the New Testament is that every Christian receives at least one spiritual gift
designed for service within the body of Christ.
1. Some Christians receive more than one
--as is evident with Stephen
2. Others receive only one
3. Eph. 3:12-13 tells us the purpose of these gifts: “…so that the body of Christ may be built up until we
all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the
whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
B. Exactly what we see Stephen doing
1. Introduced to Stephen in 6:1-7
--one of the 7 men chosen to administrate the ministry of food to the widows of the church
a. Gift of service
b. Gift of administration
2. We see from these verses that Stephen was endowed with gifts of healing and miraculous powers
--also in Chapt. 7, that Stephen has gifts of teaching and evangelism
3. Stephen gave everything he had for the cause of Christ and the church
II. BE PREPARED FOR GOD’S TRUTHS TO UPSET SOME PEOPLE
A. Who were the people that were upset
1. Identified here as being members of the synagogue of the “Freedmen”
--Jews who had once been slaves but have been given or had earned their freedom
2. Where they were from
a. Cyrene
1). Important city in the part of N. Africa known today as Libya
2). Mentioned in Acts 2 that there were people from Cyrene in Jerusalem for Pentecost
3). Scholars estimate that 25% of entire population in Cyrene was Jewish in the first century.
4). Also know that a man named Simon from Cyrene helped Christ carry the cross to Golgotha
b. Alexandria
1). Was an important city of learning and knowledge in Egypt.
2). Scholars estimate that 40% of that city was Jewish
3). LXX
c. Cilicia
1). Was in southeastern section of modern Turkey
2). Capital city of Cilicia at that time was Tarsus
d. Asia
1). Northwestern section of modern Turkey
2). More properly known as Asia Minor
3. In many instances in the ancient world slaves were teachers and business managers
a. Coming out of slavery, they thought they had something to prove
--So their synagogue was known for their strict doctrinal and interpretive positions on religious
matters
b. When petty people get into influential positions, they carry their pettiness around like a trophy
--These kinds of people only tend to generate dissension and strife rather than unity and outreach
B. What upset them?
1. Hellenistic Jews (those who were raised and/or lived outside of the Jewish homeland) suffered some
severe persecution.
--Therefore, if they ever got the chance to move back to what we know today as Israel, they did not
take certain things for granted (such as the Temple and the Old Testament Law)
2. Some statements from Jesus (especially taken out of context) would have upset them.
--Some examples:
a. Jn. 4:21 – “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this
mountain nor in Jerusalem.”
b. Mk. 13:1-2 – “As He was leaving the temple, one of the His disciples said to Him, ‘Look,
Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’ ‘Do you see all these great
buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown
down.’”
c. Mt. 12:6 – “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.”
d. Later on, the writer of Hebrews would say in Heb. 8:6-8 (teaching about the ministry of the high
priest) – “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is
mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been
nothing wrong with the old covenant, no place would have been sought for another.”
C. Important to remember: When people’s preconceived notions about right and wrong, religion, or
authority are challenged, they get upset!
1. The Jews misunderstood being a “chosen people”
--They thought they were chosen for special privilege instead of special service
a. They believed God had no use for people of other ethnicities or heritage
b. A worldwide Gospel would have not been acceptable
2. In our society today, people get upset when what they WANT to believe is declared to be incompatible
with the word of God.
a. Years ago, Rick Warren wrote about this operating system:
--He referred to a very popular book about 30 years ago written by Thomas Harris and entitled I’m
OK, You’re OK
b. In that book, Harris says there are four ways to treat people:
1). I’m not OK, you’re not OK
2). I’m not OK, but you’re OK
3). I’m OK, but you’re not OK
4). I’m OK, you’re OK
c. Warren then commented: “The truth of the matter is: I’m not OK and you’re not OK. But because
of Jesus, that’s OK.”
3. People want to hear that they’re OK
a. They ignore the fact that their lifestyles, attitudes, and beliefs are contrary to scripture
b. When faced with Rom. 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – they get
upset
c. Our post-modern culture has accepted a skewed view of tolerance
--These statements are indicative of that skewed view:
1). “Why cant you be more tolerant? You’re just a bigoted, hateful, and intolerant nut!”
2). “What do you mean when you say that one religion is not as good as another? Buddhist, Hindu,
or Islamic - we’re all going to the same place!”
3). “How dare you say that homosexuality is an abomination before God? You’re just a homphobe
and you’re mean and nasty, too!”
4. I saw a T-shirt several years ago that reads on the front: “If I’m OK and your’re OK…”
--On back is a picture of Jesus on the cross and caption reads, “Why did this have to happen?”
III. WHEN PEOPLE ARE UPSET BY THE TRUTH, THEY’LL DO ANYTHING TO HURT YOU
A. This particular item is something that occurs often even in our age
--Look at what happens in vss. 11-14 – “Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, ‘We have
heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.’ So they stirred up the
people and the elders and teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the
Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against
this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy
this place and change the customs handed down to us.’”
1. Rather than recognizing their own need to change, they go on the attack
2. They plot and plan and enter into conspiratorial relationships to get the person or persons with whom
they’re upset.
3. They operated in secret, stirred up the leadership, and misrepresented what Stephen was saying and
trying to accomplish
B. It happens in the world
--In an Associated Press article dated just two days ago, Friday, 6-11-04 written by Justin Bergman:
Gay activists are urging a boycott of Virginia because of a new ban on civil unions and other marriage-
like arrangements for same-sex couples.
VirginiaisforHaters.org, a Web site created by two Seattle men, urges people not to buy products or
services from Virginia-based companies and suggests tourists visit states that are friendlier to gays. The
name is a play on the state’s tourism motto, "Virginia is for Lovers."
Another group, Make Love Legal, is urging a boycott of the 400th anniversary celebration of the
founding of Jamestown in 2007. The state is expecting millions of visitors for the yearlong event.
C. Sadly, it also happens in the church
1. I call these people “church terrorists”
2. Characteristics of “church terrorists”
a. They’re never happy about anything
b. There is always something they’re complaining about
c. They want things to go their way even if it’s unbiblical and harmful to the body of Christ
d. They don’t fight fair
--They are snipers who use the cover of gossip, downright lies, and twisted logic to destroy
anyone who teaches the scriptural truth that threatens their comfort zone
e. They claim their only goal is to make the church better and to stop things that are harmful
D. When people are offended by the truth they will lie, cheat, steal, throw temper tantrums, boycott both
businesses and churches, and be both verbally and physically hostile
--Both people of the world and supposedly “good church members” will exhibit these tendencies in
behavior.
1. Their ultimate goal is total annihilation of the person or persons who would dare say anything that
might offend them
2. They behave like their father, the Devil who is a liar and a murderer
--Jn. 8:44-47 – “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s
desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in
him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45Yet
because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!”
IV. ALWAYS LET THE LIGHT OF JESUS SHINE THROUGH YOU
--vs. 15 – “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was
like the face of an angel.”
A. If you leave tonight only comprehending one point of the message, this is the one you should get.
1. If we are Christians then our goal is to live a life that honors Jesus Christ
2. The only way we can honor Him is to let His light shine through us
3. The only way His light shines through us is when we have spent enough time in His presence that
some of His glory rubs off on us
B. Biblical precedent:
1. Ex. 34:29-30 – “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in
his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When
Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.”
2. Acts 4:13b – “…they took note that these men had been with Jesus
3. When Christ is at the center of our lives, it is evident!
--People will know that there is a difference
C. What do people see when they look at you?
1. On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas is a portrait with the following
inscription: James Butler Bonham – no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major
James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is place here by the family that
people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.
2. No literal portrait of Jesus exists either.
--But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers.
3. When we allow Christ to shine and live through us, we can live life ABOVE the circumstances
CONCLUSION: A. Helen Mallicoat writes about living life above the circumstances:
I was regretting the past
And fearing the future…
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
‘MY NAME IS I AM.” He paused.
I waited. He continued.
“WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE PAST,
WITH IT’S MISTAKES AND REGRETS,
IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE.
MY NAME IS NOT I WAS.”
“WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE,
WITH IT’S PROBLEMS AND FEARS,
IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE
MY NAME IS NOT I WILL BE.”
“WHEN YOU LIVE IN THIS MOMENT,
IT IS NOT HARD.
I AM HERE.
MY NAME IS I AM.
B. The circumstances don’t matter.
1. Only Christ matters
2. God will do for us what must be done
--Phil. 1:6 – “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until
the day of Christ Jesus.”
