"Fly high" - Acts part 5
On The Lighter Side of Life: More funny photos
Thesis: The book of Acts was written to show what God can do with ordinary people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Text: Acts 2: 42-47:
42They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Introduction:
The book of Acts demonstrates what happens to a person when they are filled with the Holy Spirit. If you recall prior to Pentecost the disciples had frequently got into trouble and seemed to be powerless in their witnessing role for Jesus. At the time of Jesus arrest one tried to stop the arrest by the power of the sword. His name was Peter! The others ran like mice running from a cat. Others scattered and hid for cover. The church of Acts was not represented well before the Day of Pentecost. It seemed as if the church was in big trouble because of its frequent failures but Jesus went to the cross and then rose again on the third day and commanded his followers to go to Jerusalem to wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
It’s interesting if you read the life of the apostles before the Day of Pentecost and then read about their lives after this pinnacle day because you must admit the group changes dramatically. Something happened!
So what was the difference? It was the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It was the infilling from the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. I honestly believe that the primary focus in the book of Acts is not the Apostles but it is actually the Holy Spirit. I believe Luke penned this book as the Lord directed to show the church and His followers that their power and ability to do ministry was linked with the Holy Spirit. The power to be a witness for Jesus would only come from the Holy Spirit’s enablement.
The book reveals that power does not come from our own strength or abilities but from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts tells me that if I want to do marvelous and supernatural things for the Kingdom of God then I need to yield my life to the Holy Spirit. I need to allow the Holy Spirit to fill me and dwell in me so that I can be empowered by the Lord from the inside to do and fulfill His purpose for my life. The point Luke makes is we must allow the Spirit of God to affect our head and allow Him 100% reign in our heart. When I let this happen then I will do great and mighty things for the Kingdom of God.
I must remember that it is not by my might or my strength but it is by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that I am able to work effectively for the Lord.
Acts reveals what God can do with ordinary men and women who commit themselves to Jesus and then allow the Holy Spirit to fill them and direct them in their lives. A key that stands out in the book of Acts is how the Holy Spirit empowers individuals to be witnesses for Jesus. This supernatural empowerment to witness comes from being devoted to the teachings of the Word of God and also by allowing the Holy Spirit to perform miracles through our lives.
Testimonies: This last week we had the privilege of witnessing the Lord move through the ministry of Tom Stamman and his associates. This morning we are going to take some time to take testimonies from those who feel this ministry and its gifts touched their lives.
Video Illustration: Mercy Me and Rebecca Saint James talk about serving the Lord and its struggles and rewards.
T.S. - Today we will look at an individual named Stephen: We read about him in Acts 6:5-7:60. We discover that he was a man full of the Holy Spirit. He was a witness and he testified to the Jewish nation about the validity and the truth of Jesus Christ. He was arrested and martyred for his faith and his teachings on Jesus. Let’s learn some lessons of what it means to be a witness for Christ from this man filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom.
I. Stephen was a servant leader filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom.
a. It’s important to note the link between the filling of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
i. These two go together because if you do not have the Holy Spirit living in you then you do not have wisdom!
1. Mankind’s mind and thinking will not produce wisdom without the Holy Spirit.
b. He waited on tables and he served the church by physically meeting the needs of the poor of the church.
i. He was chosen with 7 other men - these men were chosen by the 12 because they demonstrated that they filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom (Acts 6:3).
1. Note: this means that everyone involved in the church did not have these same characteristics.
a. This is important: Not everyone who comes to church has these two godly characteristics in their lives!
b. But these men exemplified the attributes of a servant leader in their lives by how they lived on a daily basis.
i. They had the fruit of the Holy Spirit being manifested in their lives.
1. What is this fruit?
a. Galatians 5:22, 23: 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
ii. They were seen and viewed by others as men of wisdom and insight.
1. This came because of their connection to the Holy Spirit!
ii. We are told in our text that they were filled with the Spirit: What does that mean?
1. Spirit:
a. Holman defines the Spirit this way:
i. SPIRIT The empowering perspective of human life and the Holy Spirit bringing God¡¦s presence and power to bear in the world. A translation of the Hebrew word ruach and the Greek work pneuma which can be translated as wind, breath, or spirit; depending upon the context. In both Testaments, spirit is used of both God and human beings. Spirit, whether used of God or of human beings, is difficult to define. The kinship of spirit, breath, and wind is a helpful clue in beginning to understand spirit. In His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3), Jesus said that the Spirit is like the wind in that one cannot see it but one can see its effects. This is true of both the Spirit of God and the spirit of a human being.
2. Filled with the Spirit:
a. Means an individual is overflowing with the presence of the Spirit who is living inside of them.
i. It means that they are producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit with their lives ¡V this is proof that the Holy Spirit is living in them!
ii. It means that they are allowing the Holy Spirit full control in their lives and as a result the actions and characteristics of the Spirit are being manifested by this person’s spirit filled lifestyle.
iii. Remember the book of Acts was written to show what the Holy Spirit does with those who are filled and empowered by His indwelling.
iv. If the Spirit lives in you then their will be a marked difference in the life you live and the fruit you produce!
iii. The second characteristic the 12 were looking for in their leadership search was that they had wisdom. What does it mean to have wisdom?
1. Wisdom:
a. Holman states this about wisdom: Real Wisdom Is the Fear of God Three basic definitions of wisdom summarize the status of the field of study very well. Note that the first two of these definitions are quite secular in nature while the third is religious.
i. First, wisdom is considered by many to be simply the art of learning how to succeed in life. Apparently, ancient persons learned very early that there was an orderliness to the world in which they lived. They also learned that success and happiness came from living in accordance with that orderliness (Prov. 22:17-24:22).
ii. Second, wisdom is considered by some to be a philosophical study of the essence of life. Certainly, much of the Books of Job and Ecclesiastes seem to deal with just such existential issues of life (see particularly Job 30:29-31).
iii. Third, though the other definitions might include this, it seems that the real essence of wisdom is spiritual, for life is more than just living by a set of rules and being rewarded in some physical manner. Undoubtedly, in this sense wisdom comes from God (Prov. 2:6). Thus, though it will involve observation and instruction, it really begins with God and one¡¦s faith in Him as Lord and Savior (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28).
b. Knowledge can be memorized, Wisdom must think things through. Wisdom is the something that enables us to use knowledge rightly. Wisdom resists group pressures, thinks for itself, and is the use of its own judgment.
c. Wisdom from above sees things through God’s eyes and starts with purity and ends with purity. We need to listen to His wisdom and not the wisdom from below. Let’s not forget to put to memory these key verses:
i. James 3: 17, 18, "But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice." (CEV)
iv. Stephen was chosen and given the responsibility along with the other 6 to meet the shortcoming of the overlooked widows who needed daily provisions.
1. He was chosen to wait tables is what the scriptures tell us.
a. This was the position of leadership to wait tables,to serve those in the Body Christ who needed help and assistance.
2. The twelve chose these 7 men because they were too busy doing the preaching and teaching of the Word.
a. They were busy praying for the sick, holding services, and doing other ministerial duties.
b. Therefore they were to busy to handle the administrative side of the church which was seeing to the poor and the widows and making sure that they were cared for. They were to handle the fiscal side of the church.
3. So the 12 did what good leaders do they delegated the responsibility to 7 other men (The first deacons of the church in my view). They were to handle the fiscal side of the church of running the Acts New Testament church.
c. I find it interesting how our text quickly jumps from Stephen’s divine appointment as a servant leader in the church and then moves to show how this man went from serving tables to going out and preaching the word with signs wonders and miracle. This man did great wonders and miracles for the Kingdom of God all because he was filled with the Holy Spirit and manifested a life filled with wisdom.
T.S. - Stephen was picked by the 12 because he was filled with the Spirit and because he was a man of wisdom. The Holy Spirit led him and taught him that God honors those who serve in the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit also enabled an ordinary man to have great spiritual wisdom in everyday life and ministry.
II. Stephen was also a man filled with grace and power.
a. Stephen goes from waiting tables to preaching the word with signs wonders and miracles accompanying his ministry. The reason for such success in the kingdom of God was he is said to be filled grace and power! Notice the two are linked together again in our text!
i. What is grace?
1. Charles Swindoll has this to say about this gift called grace that came from Jesus: To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver (9). He also notes: But when grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ,a long-awaited revolution of the heart began to set religious captives free. Fear-full bondage motivated by guilt was replaced with a fresh motivation to follow Him in truth simply out of deep devotion and delight. Rather than focusing on the accomplishments of the flesh, He spoke of the heart. Instead of demanding that the sinner fulfill a long list of requirements, he emphasized faith, if only the size of a mustard seed. The change spelled freedom, as the Lord himself taught, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!¨ (John 8:32). Rigid, barren religion was, at last, replaced by a grace-orientated, relationship-liberating grace. His followers loved it. His enemies hated it, and Him. Without a doubt, the earliest grace killers were the Pharisees (10).
ii. Grace came as a result of Jesus. Once again Grace is defined as receiving a gift that we do not deserve - that gift is salvation - right standing in the presence of God - even though our sinful lives do not deserve that position of honor.
1. Stephen was noted for being a minister of grace and because of this the enemy’s of grace went into action against him. There where known as the Grace-killers!
a. This individual fits the person described in Romans 2:1-11: 1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God’s will give to each person according to what he has done.¨ 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
i. This person’s strategy in life is - to compare their life with others life.
ii. They like to line up back to back to measure their spiritual height with others and say "I am taller than you- I am better than you!¨
iii. This person’s goal in life is - to be better than others and to let others know they are better.
iv. They love to watch their neighbors with a telescope and point out their shortcomings.
v. They love spying over the fence.
vi. This person is described as - the one with the finger.
1. Illustration - the finger of grandma in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
2. It points at others but it’s crooked and twisted itself.
vii. This person’s personality is - "I am better than you are!¨
1. Lucado says they are, "stuck up!"
viii. Their view of themselves is - "I may have problems but I am not as bad as them!"
b. Their theology is - "Hey God look at how bad they are!"
i. They love being the snitch to God - the tattle tale!
ii. Their Bumper sticker says - "God is watching you and so am I!" (Lucado).
iii. Their complaint to others is - "I wish I knew what happened behind their closed doors!"
c. Their view of Grace? AS "You are not saved you sinner!" "Yes you need Grace!" "Beg for mercy from me and Him!" They desire to stab grace in the back.
d. Their view of sin? - "Yes they are guilty- hammer down!"
e. Boundaries - "If they look happy- make them feel guilty!"
f. Condition: Grace robber or grace killer.
g. Bible’s warning - "Who gave you the authority to judge your brother?"
i. Key Verse Romans 2:1 Message, "Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself."
2. We have learned that Stephen was filled with grace and his grace connection, connected him with the power of God!
iii. What is power?
1. Holman’s Bible Dictionary defines power this way:
a. POWER The ability to act or produce an effect; the possession of authority over others. These two aspects of power are often related in Scripture. Because God has revealed His power in the act of creation, He has authority to assign dominion to whomever He wills (Jer. 10:12; 27:5). God revealed His power by miraculously delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery (Ex. 4:21; 9:16; 15:6; 32:11) and in the conquest of Canaan (Ps. 111:6). God’s acts are foundational for His claim on Israel. God’s power includes not only the power to judge but also the power to forgive sin (Num. 14:15-19; Jer. 32:17-18). 2 Kings 3:15 links the onrush of the power of God with prophecy. Here power approximates God’s Spirit (compare Mic. 3:8; Luke 1:35).
b. Christ’s miracles evidenced the power of God at work in His ministry (Matt. 14:2; Mark 5:30; 9:1; Luke 4:36; 5:17). Luke highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering the ministry of Jesus (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38) and the ongoing ministry of the church (Acts 1:8; 3:12; 4:7, 33; 6:8). Paul stressed the paradox that the cross¡Xwhat is apparently Jesus’ greatest moment of weakness¡Xis the event in which God’s power to save is realized (1 Cor. 1:17-18; compare Rom. 1:16). This scandal of God¡¦s power revealed in Christ’s death continues in God’s choice to work through the powerless (1 Cor. 1:26-29; 2:3-4; 2 Cor. 12:9). In some texts, powers refer to angelic powers (Rom. 8:38; Eph. 3:10; Col. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:22).Author Chris Church
c. Power then is the ability to do the supernatural for the purposes of the kingdom of God.
2. It says he was filled with grace and power! It says he did great wonders and miracles among the people he served. Why? The key characteristic of Stephen was he had grace for the people and because of the attitude of grace he connected or tapped into the power of God!
b. Here comes the reality check for us all to note: When you live a life filled with grace for others then you tap into the power of God for others and this will make people angry. They or some will get so angry they will want to kill you. It says because of his willingness and commitment to doing the work of the Lord then opposition rose against him.
i. But when they opposed him Stephen¡¦s wisdom from above made them look foolish.
1. Acts 6: 9, 10: 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
2. Remember the Holy Spirit inside of him made these men fall and fail in opposition to him.
a. Man’s wit will not match the wisdom of the Holy Spirit!
b. Man cannot outwit the Spirit of the Lord!
ii. So these so-called men of God secretly set out to destroy Stephen by creating lies about what he said and did.
1. They lied about him to others, in other words they gossiped and spread dissension among others to destroy the ministry of Stephen.
a. They recruited religious leaders in their plot of deception/
b. They recruited people in authority into their deception plot.
2. There planned worked because they had him arrested and brought for trial before the religious and political body of Israel.
a. They produced false witnesses who lied against this man of God.
b. The truth is they did the same thing to him that they did to Jesus! He was in good company! He was following the same path as Jesus!
iii. But it says in verse 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."
1. Note: He was lied about but he did not get mad or revengeful, he let the Holy Spirit shine through his life.
a. He forgave them - just read Acts 7: 59-60 even when they were killing him he prayed for them to be forgiven. Does this sound familiar? Jesus did the same thing on the cross "Father forgive them they know not what they do!"
2. Acts 7:59-60: 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
3. Colossians 3:12-15 tells us that as the chosen people of God we are to do the following: 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
4. This tells us what we are to look like and what we are to wear as part of the kingdom of God.
a. The characteristic of a chosen person of God are clear:
i. We are to be holy.
ii. We are to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
1. All fruits of the Spirit!
iii. We are to bear with each other.
iv. We are to forgive each other.
v. We are to love each other.
1. Play video illustration from Jars of Clay!
vi. We are to do all for the glory of Jesus!
1. Stephen did!
c. Because of Stephen’s godly character traits this man ends up doing supernatural things for the kingdom and the result was he paid the price with his life.
i. But look at the vision that this man received from the Lord at his martyrdom! After his history lesson to the religious leaders and his prophetic word in 48-53 the crowd goes insane with rage. Not the sign of wisdom! Or a sign of the fruit of the Holy Spirit! Not a sign of grace or even divine power!
1. Acts 7:54-60: 54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
ii. Why did they get so angry? It’s because of the prophetic word that Stephen preached to them about Israel and their rebellious hearts see Acts 7: 48-53:
1. 48 "However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says:
49 "Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?
51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him, 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."
iii. Prophets of the Lord are hated by some because they do not want to hear the truth!
1. Tom shared how some have tried to destroy his ministry and they have even lied about some of his prophetic words to other church leaders to get him barred from churches.
a. Same spirit of division and dissension is working against the church today.
b. This religious demonic spirit seeks to deceive others so that the truth will be rejected and the deception will continue.
iv. The reality check is - people do not like when God rebukes them for sin and rebellion so instead of repenting these religious individuals go insane and become mad and seek to lie against or even kill another prophet of God.
Conclusion:
* Stephen - A servant turned great spiritual leader. Why? Because he was filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
* Stephen - A servant leader filled with grace and power and he did miracles for the kingdom.
* Stephen was killed because of his message but he knew the power of forgiveness and he followed in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus.
* You could say, "He finished Strong!"
Finishing Strong: Thoughts from Steve Malone
Have you ever noticed in life that a good start isn’t always enough. Now there is nothing wrong with a good start mind you, but it is often not enough to get us to the finish line, or to the winners circle.
And if you don’t believe me, ask the Atlanta Braves who won the first 2 games of the 1996 years world series against the Yankees in New York. I think the scores were 12-1 and 6-0. They were pretty excited about their start. But winning those 2 games gave little comfort as they watched their opponents hold that trophy 4 games later.
Or you can ask the 1969 Baltimore Orioles. Who dominated the majors that year. Won 109 games -- more than any other team. And their opponents in the World Series were the New York Mets. Everyone expected the Orioles to win easily, and then when they won the first game -- it seemed as though they had it in the bag... But in just 4 more games it would be all over, and the New York Mets would be the ones wearing that World Series ring. In 1969 the Orioles and all of Baltimore were convinced of the truth that a good start isn’t enough.
Or take the Buffalo Bills who in their 4th Super bowl led the Dallas Cowboys going into to halftime...(watched game at church...I was abnoxious - if you can belive that) But as good as that first half was , the Bills will be the first to tell you that at the end of the contest - when the Dallas Cowboys were the one holding the trophy - that a good start is not enough... The week following the game the city of Buffalo did not throw a parade to celebrate the half time lead...
And I think we all have experienced the reality of this truth in our own everyday lives.
Perhaps, we start out real good on a new diet or exercise program....
Or on a project around the house, a class in school, a job in church or in paying off some bills.... I mean we are out of that starting gate like hungry grey hounds chasing a rabbit.....
But time passes and the diet ends, the exercise stops, we fail the class, the job doesn¡¦t get done and the bills are still where we left them. You see, though there is nothing wrong with a good start -- it just isn’t enough (Sermoncentral.com - Sermon "Finishing Strong!").
The truth is we can start out strong but finish defeated and weak. Our hero of the faith Stephen started strong and finished stronger. He died having a clear vision of Jesus Christ and His glory. He saw the Lord at the right hand of the Father and it inspired him to stay the course and it enabled him to have compassion and mercy even on the one¡¦s taking his life. Why? All because his focus was on Jesus! This spiritual insight helped him to finish strong! He had the right focus, Jesus glorified in Heaven waiting for him to come home!
Holman¡¦s summary of Stephen’s life and death:
STEPHEN (stih’ fehn) Personal name meaning, "crown." The first Christian martyr; foremost of those chosen to bring peace to the quarreling church (Acts 6:1-7) and so mighty in the Scriptures that his Jewish opponents in debate could not refute him (Acts 6:10) as he argued that Jesus was the Messiah. Saul of Tarsus heard Stephen’s speech to the Jewish Sanhedrin accusing the Jewish leaders of rejecting God’s way as their forefathers had (Acts 6:12-7:53). Saul held the clothes of those who stoned Stephen to death; he saw him die a victorious death. Stephen may well have been the human agency that God used to conquer him who would become the great Christian missionary.
Stephen was in the forefront of those who saw Christianity as much more than a Jewish sect. They took seriously the commission of Jesus to carry the gospel to the whole world and led to the founding of the world mission movement that took the gospel to the whole Roman Empire in the first century. The believers had to flee Jerusalem after Stephen’s death while the apostles alone remained there (Acts 8:1). Fred L. Fisher
Application Point:
Stephen learned how to be empowered to do the supernatural!
He was filled with the Holy Spirit and this gave him wisdom to discern the truth and live by it, which was a life filled with grace for others, and this lifestyle gave him the ability to tap the power of God and see miracles happen in others lives.
