Persecution of a man of God
Bible Text: Acts 6:8-15 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Acts | Introduction
God does not look at the outward appearance
Yet our face shows our emotions
We have Stephen’s face (v15)
His face was like an angel
Example of Moses – whose face who shone like an angel
His opposition sees something in this face
The faces of Stephen’s opposition
Bitterness and hatred
They had murderous hearts
The bible says what we speak reveals our heart
To a certain extent our faces reveal what is in our heart
Example of Nehemiah
We can’t often hide our emotions
Fruits of the Holy Spirit vs the works of evil
Overview:
Looking at Stephen: God’s grace to a man
God’s grace to a man
Consider Stephen:
Chosen by men (v5)
A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit
Evidently all had this qualification but Stephen was singled out
He had more faith and a greater measure of the Holy Spirit
This was by God’s grace
Full of faith/the Holy Spirit
It means to trust God fully
Not to trust in our own devices
He probably wasn’t perfect – but he trusted God in a great way
Example of Joshua and Caleb
It means to trust God in situations that seem impossible
His first task was to wait tables
So the apostles were not distracted from the ministry of the word
He had a relief task
He needed the wisdom of God in his service
He was faithful in this service
He had a servant heart
He was full of grace (faith)
To those who didn’t deserve it
He was full of power
He was given the gift of preforming miracles
We are not like Stephen
He was not an apostle – yet worked miracles
Example of Philip (who also performed miracles) – Acts 8:6
These men were given greater gifts – of preaching and teaching, even of miracles (to authenticate the gospel)
Was he a deacon?
Surely it is the beginning of the division of elders and deacons
He was first a deacon, but then became a preacher
Just like Philip
He did not fit into a box – God called him to further ministry
We must be open to God giving us greater gifts
We must first be willing to be a servant
He comes into conflict with others as he is preaching the word of God – v9
People of the Synagogue of the Freedmen
Explanation
Not Jewish Jews
They were trying to stamp out the word of God
Yet they could not resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke
He had been studying under the apostles
God had instructed and gifted him tremendous wisdom
Isa 54:17, Jer 1:19
God is with His people
Example of Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego
The heart of the hostile
The Bible says the wicked are like the restless sea
We see that here – v11-14
These men are cowards
They induce others to do their dirty work for them
They cite false blasphemy
The work of the devil
These men think they are doing the will of God yet they are doing the works of the devil
What a contrast between Stephen and these men
They accuse Stephen of being against Moses
They have misinterpreted and twisted things
They accuse him of being against the law
They seek to malign Jesus’ name also
Behind of all this is the devil
We know that our battle is not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers
Today we face must opposition
Example of politician
There is a stirring up of others against the church
We need not fear for God stands with His people
God’s presence in the midst of persecution
Stephen’s face was like an angel
He preached the gospel
The people were cut to the heart and gnashed their teeth
Stephen was able to see Jesus
This was something supernatural
Some people may say ‘what was the point of that?’
Saul was present – this had an effect on him
Persecution and his death was used for the expansion of the gospel
This gives great comfort to the persecuted church
Example of David Brainard
God gave Stephen great grace when he needed it
We may not face the same trials, but we need grace
The Bible says the Lord is at hand
We are told to pray
May we know God’s grace when the burdens grow greater