A. LEADERSHIP

SUMMARY - The serving disciples Witnessing for Christ Establishing believers Training laborers Training leaders

Produced men like Stephen. Servants Knew the Word Involved in the battle

ADDITIONAL NOTES

"The average Christian has eight non-Christians in his/her sphere of influence. Of these, one quarter would go to church with their friend...if invited." Robert Orr of Church Growth, Inc.

Make a list of eight. Spend some time praying over that list. Ask for an opportunity to share your faith. After that, ask them to a meeting and take steps to disciple them.

Select one person on your list to see come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Write the bare essentials of the Gospel message in words you think most appeal to that person. Pray for that one each day this week.

Differences in the way men and women talk... Men give each other reports, share information, and look for solutions to problems. The person with the most information on the topic is the best conversationalist. Boys playing a game will argue about rules, and the argument is part of the fun.

Women look for rapport in conversation. A good talk emphasizes personal interaction and creates a sense of equality and intimacy. Girls playing a game will often quit rather than risk losing a friend with an argument. Often, men and women figure the other hasn't "heard" or isn't interested because of these differences.

ACTS 6. Faithful Service In a new work of the Gospel, a wide variety of people and personalities are not automatically adapted to each other. Not everyone is the same, nor should they be. The Lord’s people are not cloned to be like someone else, without having responsibility for themselves as to how they live and serve the Lord. Their identities and positions in society do not instantly change, nor do their obligations from before the time they were saved go away. Partiality and favoritism may continue because of cultural and family connections.

The Complaint, v.1. “Murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration(distribution).” It is always good to watch out for the welfare of the widows, orphans and neglected among God’s people. Sorrow and suffering are often done in silence when grief and need occur. When there are cultural differences and perhaps language barriers, some of our brothers and sisters may be overlooked in our expressions of fellowship and interest.

The Remedy, v.2-4. “Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.” Ministering the word of God effectively and consistently is more important than distributing it to the poor and meeting physical needs because of the ultimate results in the future. However, that doesn’t mean that meeting physical needs is unimportant. Not just anyone can be trusted or qualified to deal with finances and accompanying matters. Making fair and right decisions consistently is a very difficult matter. The Lord’s people are not identical, nor can each one be helped in identical ways like you would feed cattle or sheep. Caution and compassion are needed when helping the poor and needy people the Lord saves.

They should not be overlooked, but their welfare is not the reason for establishing an assembly in an area. The word of God in the Gospel, and the spiritual well-being of God’s people, as well as being a place of spiritual safety, is why assemblies are so needed for the eternal good of believers.

The Results, v. 5-7. “They chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost…” The seven men chosen to oversee “this business” were not those who had been educated as social workers, psychiatrists, or psychologists. Those men were full of faith. They knew what it meant to trust God. They knew God, and they knew people. Their confidence was in God to guide them to do what was right. Their social position or education did not fit them for the work they were given for the Lord. They were filled with the Spirit to do the sensitive work of caring for and serving God’s people.

Distinguishing legitimate needs and meeting those needs best does not depend on what people say or do not say. One who serves needs to be able to look at a person, listen to them, and compare what they say with their own personal observation of a need. When trustworthy men of integrity and God-given wisdom do what is right for the people under their care, the word of God in the Gospel and in meeting the spiritual needs of the saints increase in power and fruitfulness. Instead of fear and doubt, there is faith and assurance.

ACTS 6. Faithful Servant The results of those brethren preaching the word of God and the Lord’s people being united in their testimony could not be ignored because it had such an impact on people in the city of Jerusalem. Likely, many of the various courses of priests were in Jerusalem at Pentecost and understood the whole purpose of sacrifices was past because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God that bears away the sin of the world.” Consequently, many of them became Christians when they understood the body of teaching called “the faith.”

Stephen Serving, v.8. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Faith, focus, and face are often linked when it comes to witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ. One who serves is to be available to serve at any time, and willing to do any service to which the Lord calls us. Faith comes through the word of God, and power comes when we take action guided by the Holy Spirit. These are not like garments we put on and take off. Rather, they are what forms our spiritual constitution. Faith and power are what is needed to be effective in service for our Lord Jesus.

Stephen Suffering, v.10. “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke.” The synagogue of the Freedmen was composed of Jewish ex-slaves of Rome who were from many parts of the Roman Empire. There were likely others like Saul of Tarsus from Asia Minor. There was no cause for the hatred shown against Stephen, but religious bigotry doesn’t wait for a cause. They formulate their own false narratives to preserve and protect their own agendas. No one can explain the illogical acts of carnal minds. When personal opinions take the place of biblical truth, moral standards established by God and reasonable consideration of observable facts, are abandoned. There is nothing that can be done to change the minds of those people who don’t want to be “confused by the truth.” They weren’t able to resist the truth of what they saw and heard, but still, they would not accept the truth. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not.”

Stephen Shining, v.15. “Looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” An angel’s face must have a certain glow as it reflects heaven's glory even though they have been sent to this sinful earth on a mission. When believers are filled with the Spirit, there is evidence of that in their words and how they speak. There is also an attitude of grace about them even though they may have corrective work to do. There is a calm assurance that what they are doing and saying is according to the will of God. When we are in fellowship with the Lord, there is quietness of spirit and a sense of purpose about what we are called upon to do.

Kindness and confidence can be seen visually because one filled with the Spirit is not just looking at things that are seen but at things that are not seen. Temporary things lose their impact on us as we look by faith to the future beyond death. All those who looked at Stephen as he spoke to the Sanhedrin saw that.

GOD'S GREAT PLAN