Sermons on Acts 6:1-8:1:

"When Life Seems To Be Closing In"

Contributed by David Washburn on Mar 25, 2002

We will each have a time in our lives where life seems to be closing in. We can turn to Stephen and draw stength and wisdom from how he coped when life closed in around him.

One day a man falls off a cliff, but manages to grab hold of a tree limb on the way down. The man calls out, “Is there anyone up there?” A voice answers back, “I am here. It is I, the Lord. Do you believe in me?” “Yes, Lord I believe, I really believe, but I can’t hold on much longer.” “That’s all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

The Face Of An Angel Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 11, 2002

This sermon illustrates how we can have peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances when when we let go of everything else and simply seek God.

The Face of an Angel Acts 6:8-15 April 14, 2002 Intro: A. [Change, 1000 Windows, Robert C. Shannon, Standard Publish Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1997, p. 20] Gaston Bachelard wrote, "If one were to give an account of all the doors one has closed and opened, of all the doors he would like to reopen, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stephen's Sermon Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 18, 2002

This sermon encourages us to let go of human tradtions and seek God only--just as Stephen said to the religious leaders.

Stephen’s Sermon Acts 7 April 21, 2001 Intro: A. [Seeing Yourself in a Sermon, Citation: From a cartoon by Lee Johnson, The Best Cartoons from Leadership Journal, Volume 1 (Broadman & Holman, 1999)] Following the Sunday morning service, the pastor stood at the back of the church, shaking hands ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60, Acts 7:55-60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing Pains

Contributed by Daryl Bahn on Apr 22, 2002

The danger of growth is great. The need for growth is even greater. The love of Jesus, the Good Sheperd for his people is the greatest of all!

GROWING PAINS (Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60) Intro: Wouldn’t it be great if our church suddenly grew by the thousands? The book of Acts demonstrates that this is possible. It also reminds us to be careful what we wish for, because growth isn’t always easy or painless. It often means we have to deal ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-9, Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Lutheran

When The Spirit Moves Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 25, 2002

This sermon describes the predictable attacks of Satan when the Spirit moves in a church or a person’s life and how we should respond to those attacks.

When The Spirit Moves Acts 8:1-8 April 28, 2002 Intro: A. [illustration: From the sermon, "Spreading Power through Persecution" by John Piper, senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota] On January 9, 1985, a Congregational pastor in Bulgaria named Christo Kuleczef, was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prepare For Persecution

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 29, 2002

Have you ever noticed how much the Bible teaches about suffering for the cause of Christ? Are you ready to walk with Jesus through the valley of suffering in order to receive a crown of life? Let’s get ready.

Preparing for Persecution A couple of years ago we had a bad wind storm and afterward, as Jenny and I walked around our block we saw where a huge tree had fallen on top of a neighbor’s van. The van looked like a new one, but it was totaled by the tree. There were lots of other big trees in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church...built On A Rock

Contributed by Maurice Schaus on Apr 30, 2002

In a world where "sticks and stones" can hurt and tear people down, we are called to be "living stones," builting up one another with Chtist’s own love.

The Church…Built on a Rock “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” This refrain has been used by many a generation of children to ward off the attacks of teasing peers. The image of children throwing rocks at one another has taken on new meaning of late, as our news ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60

Denomination: Lutheran

How The Holy Spirit Develops Essential Traits Within Leaders

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit furnishes leaders with problem-solving abilities without bogging them down in daily palavers. "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. We will give our attention to prayer and the

How the Holy Spirit Develops You Into a Leader (Acts 6:2-8) The Spirit of God led the disciples to avoid getting bogged down in micro-management when they were led to say, "It is not wise for us to devote our energies to waiting on tables, but we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:2-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Philip - The Evangelist

Contributed by Derek Adamsbaum on Oct 18, 2000

1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-40

How To Overcome Challenges To Your Leadership

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Remember that there are plenty of cycles of ups and downs in every relationship, ministry and group. While the first century church grew in maturity they were faced with the tensions between Grecian and Aramaic speaking Jews.

1. Remember that there are plenty of cycles of ups and downs in every relationship, ministry and group. While the first century church grew in maturity they were faced with the tensions between Grecian and Aramaic speaking Jews. The differing tribal perspectives meant that Grecian Jews felt that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are Positive And Negative Ways That Power Is Utilized

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Saul abused his religious powers in persecuting Christians, the early church and encouraging others to have Stephen put to death for preaching Christ.

1. Saul abused his religious powers in persecuting Christians, the early church and encouraging others to have Stephen put to death for preaching Christ. Since such a prominent figure as Paul practiced persecution, many people wrongly followed his example by whipping up opposition to growth of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From Stephen's Faith

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Stephen was full of faith. All areas of Stephen’s life were influenced by his belief in God and His promises. When a person is full of faith it indicates that they have allowed the mind of Christ to control the emotional, financial, moral, interpersonal a

Stephen was full of faith. All areas of Stephen’s life were influenced by his belief in God and His promises. When a person is full of faith it indicates that they have allowed the mind of Christ to control the emotional, financial, moral, interpersonal and spiritual aspects of their lifestyle. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Progress Is Facilitated With God Directed Delegation Of Responsibilities 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered why some organizations seem to languish in mediocrity? In the early days of the church, the apostles learned how to delegate responsibilities so they were not sidetracked from their major ministries.

1. Have you ever wondered why some organizations seem to languish in mediocrity? Quote; Poor delegation leads to jealousy, mistrust and ineffectiveness. Example: In the early days of the church, the apostles learned how to delegate responsibilities so they were not sidetracked from their major ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Faith Triumphs Over Prejudice

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Prejudice is at the heart of much of the resistance to Christ and His message. In the first century, the religious leaders thought of their knowledge of truth to be superior to that of Christ, the upstart carpenter’s son. Things have not really changed al

1. Prejudice is at the heart of much of the resistance to Christ and His message. In the first century, the religious leaders thought of their knowledge of truth to be superior to that of Christ, the upstart carpenter’s son. Things have not really changed all that much in 2000 years. People ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:7-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Faith Triumphs Over Priestism 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. A Spirit led faith has the capacity to help everyone overcome the tendency to grow too dependent on priestism.

1. A Spirit led faith has the capacity to help everyone overcome the tendency to grow too dependent on priestism. Priestism is a faulty notion that only certain people are qualified to act as mediators between God and man. Some ministers become so proud of their positions that they use them as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational