(NIV)Acts 6:8-15 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. [9] Opposition 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---who began to argue with Stephen. [10] But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. [11] Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” [12] So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. [13] They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” [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.
What four words do people use to des ribe you? Stephen was givin power to speak up. He represented the community. He spoke as one w power ...
Stephen was full of grace.
We cannot earn the favor of God- He gives grace freely. Stephen gave it. God is grace. Stephen was full of power and grace. Our prayer should be: Jesus will you change us? Will we be a community? v.10 (NIV)Acts 6:10, 15 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. [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.
Spending time w God is where wisdom comes from. When you're pushed into a corner- where would you go? Look @ Stephen ...
(NIV)James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James talks about what to do. When you can't make sense - ask God. Wisdom gives us vision. We need it.
(NIV)Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Sirach 6:19-31 another look @ wisdom. Be fettered to wisdom.
Jesus is the incarnation of wisdom. Imagine if grace, wisdom & power comes together.
Stephen is full of grace and power. (NIV)Acts 7:52-53 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him--- [53] you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” (NIV)Acts 7:54-60 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. [55] But 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.” [57] At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, [58] dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
When we see the glory of God- we see our perspective fall away. We need a vision of the Glory of God.
We see the glory of God in Jesus. He did what He did under the power of the Holy Spirit. It's available for us. Stephen understood grace. In death he asked for forgiveness against those who killed him.
(NIV)Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in 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. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. (NIV)Acts 7:58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Stephen had an effect on Saul who would be Paul later- you don't know what effect you could have on some people. May we be a people full of grace and peace and the Holy Spirit.
(NIV)Acts 6:8-15
ReplyDeleteNow Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. [9] Opposition 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---who began to argue with Stephen. [10] But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. [11] Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” [12] So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. [13] They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” [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.
What four words do people use to des ribe you?
Stephen was givin power to speak up. He represented the community. He spoke as one w power ...
Stephen was full of grace.
We cannot earn the favor of God- He gives grace freely.
Stephen gave it. God is grace. Stephen was full of power and grace.
Our prayer should be:
Jesus will you change us? Will we be a community?
v.10 (NIV)Acts 6:10, 15
But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. [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.
Spending time w God is where wisdom comes from.
When you're pushed into a corner- where would you go? Look @ Stephen ...
(NIV)James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James talks about what to do. When you can't make sense - ask God.
Wisdom gives us vision. We need it.
(NIV)Matthew 11:29-30
ReplyDeleteTake my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Sirach 6:19-31 another look @ wisdom. Be fettered to wisdom.
Jesus is the incarnation of wisdom.
Imagine if grace, wisdom & power comes together.
Stephen is full of grace and power.
(NIV)Acts 7:52-53
Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him--- [53] you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
(NIV)Acts 7:54-60
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. [55] But 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.” [57] At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, [58] dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
When we see the glory of God- we see our perspective fall away. We need a vision of the Glory of God.
We see the glory of God in Jesus. He did what He did under the power of the Holy Spirit. It's available for us.
Stephen understood grace. In death he asked for forgiveness against those who killed him.
(NIV)Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of their killing him.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in 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. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
(NIV)Acts 7:58
dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Stephen had an effect on Saul who would be Paul later- you don't know what effect you could have on some people.
May we be a people full of grace and peace and the Holy Spirit.
Pray for the kids @ camp :)