When the accuser (Satan) stands against you.

Introduction

Good morning LaFayette Baptist Church and happy father’s day.

4th of July recognition

If you would all please go ahead and turn in your Bible’s to Acts , Acts 6:1-7 will be our sermon text today. For the sake of time today, we are going to do just like we did last week, and hop right into the scripture today.

Scripture

If you would all please rise for the reading of God’s Word today. The words to the scripture will be on the screen, please read along with me as we are reading. When I am done I will say “this is The Word of The Lord” if you will all please respond with “Thanks be to God.” Let’s Practice that for a second. Also, there are a few hard words to pronounce in the reading today. So, we are all just going to give it our best shot, no worries if we say it wrong. First, let’s pray.

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. 14 For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” 15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Context

This week we round out Acts 6. As a reminder and Just to give you a quick understanding of where we are going, so you can know what to be studying in your own personal devotional time; next week we will finish chapter 6. Then, we will take a one week break on it, and that week’s sermon will be about our VBS passages. Following that, we will hop back into Acts. Now, it would be a very good idea to start reading through Acts 7 right now. This is because that chapter will be a “2 parter,” but the first one will cover nearly 50 verses, so go ahead and start on Acts 7 in your own time.

Last week, we looked at a critical time in the early and what it implied for us today. During this time, the needs of the early church had changed dramatically. So, to meet the needs of the ministry of time, the apostles made a vital and necessary change, adding in other leaders so that the benevolence ministry could be better served and handled and in turn the ministry of the Gospel could be better served and handled. As a result of the early church’s faifulness to dedicate everything they did and operated about to sharing Jesus with other, God honored their necessary changes as 7 new men were added to the leadership of the early church to meet these needs, and last week’s text ended by sharing that more disciples were made every day. The same is true for us and true for any church today and ever more, that as time and needs change how and what we do to reach people and share the gospel may change, but the fact the people NEED the gospel doesn’t, so we have to do just as Jesus did, go out to them and speak to them in a way that they understand and help meet their needs. This brings us up to our text today, where we see what happened to one of the 7 men that were chosen to serve, Stephen who serves as an excellent example of how to serve Your savior and put everything aside for the sake of sharing the gospel with others so that more might come into God’s glorious kingdom while faced with lies and accusations from all around. So, From the text I want you to see and do these actions When the accuser (Satan) stands against you.

Message

The first action to see and do is: Serve in God’s Power

8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Again, we see the man Stephen, one of the 7 that was previously selected for service. It describes him here as full of grace and power. Now, that can mean a lot of things, but when looking at the original languages and how Luke (the author of this book) had used the words, grace had been used in a way that can be described as spiritual charm having an air of pleasing joy that was catchable and engaging to people. The use of the word power is the same as divine power, meaning that he was doing just as the sentence says, doing great wonders and signs (so miracles much like the apostles and Jesus had done) among and with people, so he was doing ministry much like the apostles had to this point. This power, and this ability wasn’t his own, It was not for himself, this was a gift from God for the purpose of serving the kingdom and making new disciples of Jesus Christ. So, this wasn’t for his use and benefit, it is for God’s use and through God’s Power as God Wills it.

We sing this one hymn pretty frequently, I think you have all heard it and most of us probably don’t need to even open the hymnal when it’s number is called. “There is Power in the Blood.” Power in the what? Power in the Blood of the lamb! Wonder working power! That will make you free from your burden of sin. There is POWER to free you from your passion and pride (and align yourself to God’s Will). Then the last verse says that there is power in the Blood of Jesus to lead you into, equip you, and prepare you to do service for Jesus, your king. FAMILY! When we sing this song, do you understand what it is saying? It’s saying because of God, because of God’s Sacrifice through Jesus Death we are giving wonder working power to free ourselves from sin and do kingdom work.

Now, I’m not saying that anyone in this room has the power of miracles that Stephen and the apostles clearly did. But, what I am saying is that God gave you, yes you the most powerful being ever (God the Holy Spirit) to help and lead you to do work for Jesus your king. He also gave each and every member of the Universal Church (So all Christians everywhere) certain gifts and abilities for the purpose of building of the Spiritual Body (The Church) and making new disciples as we all come together to further God’s kingdom. Now, everyone’s gift is different and we each have to personally explore what that is and use it for the kingdom. However, there is one way that we can ALL participate in the power of God? Let me read you a scripture verse from Romans,Romans 1:18, it reads: for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and then to the Greek. We (you) serve in the ministry of the Gospel, not just accepting it ourselves and living it out, but by sharing it and playing our part so that others can share it and accept it as well. We do these actions (explore our giftings and use it for kingdom and share the gospel without shame with others) as we serve in God’s power when the accuser stands against you.

The next action to see and do is: Rely on God’s Wisdom

9 Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

Here we see something that Christian’s should always expect, that as we go out and do kingdom work, that we are going to come into opposition, people who are actively working against us or made mad by us. This happened to Stephen himself here. Now we don’t know exactly what the opposition is, but what is really interesting is that the people who this passage says is opposed to Stephen, are the people (the Hellenistic or Greek speaking Jews) that Stephen was called into the ministry to serve. This passage says that they tried to stand against him and argue with about the faith, however because Stephen walked so much in the Spirit, fulfilling his kingdom calling on his life; God gave him wisdom through God the Holy Spirit as he spoke and perhaps even debated these people. So, Stephen went out evangelizing and sharing the word of Jesus and the cross and people didn’t like it, because those that are not in Christ are of the World; which means they (knowingly or unknowingly are slaves to both Satan and sin). Stephen did this boldly, and rightly, relying not on his own abilities or wit, but on the wisdom that God the Holy Spirit gave in that moment.

Not trusting in God’s wisdom and trusting your own is a big mistake and it’s one that mankind has made over and over again. One time for the Israelites, as told to us in the book of Numbers, chapter 21 the people doubted where God was leading them. The sinned against God and spoke against Him, saying that He had led them to die in the wilderness (despite the fact that God fed them miraculously EVERY SINGLE Day. As a result of their lack of faith God punished and tested them. He sent poisonous, burning, biting snakes to them. After realizing their fault, they begged Moses to intercede to God for them. So, God provided to them a way to be healed. He had Moses make a snake out of bronze, and put it on a pole. God told them, that every person that looks at the snake (which means they had to have faith in what God could do for them) would be healed and made well. We use this symbol and story all the time today, and don’t even know it. Look at this symbol, looks familiar? Probably because it’s on nearly every ambulance you’ve ever seen, it’s a symbol of being healed and made right. It’s a symbol of relying on God and the wisdom that He has in all things.

So, what does this mean for us today. We know that each and everyone of us here have a joyful job and duty to serve the kingdom, to serve Christ, to make disciples, and go and do whatever God is leading you towards. Now, this doesn’t mean to do so, you have to be super smart, or have a seminary degree, or even any schooling for that fact, or a good memory, or perfect people skills, it just means that you have to have a love for Jesus that runs so deep that you can’t help but turn to God for help in anything that you know is for God’s kingdom. This is what Stephen did, the wisdom wasn’t his……., it was God’s! So, how then do we get this wisdom? I’m glad you asked, the bible says in the James’s letter that all we have to do is ASK God for the wisdom, and HE is more than happy to give it to us. So, ask, and HE WILL give you this wisdom that you need to rely on when the accuser stands against you.

Another action to see and do is: Stand sure in God

11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. 14 For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” 15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Not being able to stand against the wisdom in Stephen in public, instead they decided to lie and scheme in private; they knew that they couldn’t withstand the Light of Truth in Him, so they did what sin loves to do, go and hide and work in private under cover of darkness. What’s more, this lie included that Stephen was speaking blasphemy against God, but also against Moses (who of course isn’t God so the fact that you can blaspheme Him shows that they gave to much reverence to Moses and the Law and not enough for God). So, they gathered the elders, the scribes, and the Sanhedrin (the group of ruling elders and teachers) and brought false charges against Stephen and took his words and their meaning out of context. Thinking that they had “got him” and that Stephen’s fate was sure punishment or death, they looked at him, expecting to see someone cowering in fear and begging for mercy before them. They were hoping to have their pride stroked in this moment where their power was on display. Essentially, they were deep in the sin of pride and self service and hope to have their egos stoked by Stephen. Instead……, they saw something quite different. Instead, they saw the divine, they saw God at work and standing against them. They saw a face that was calm (not fearful) and they saw a man that was standing sure (not cowering) before them. They saw Stephen stand sure in God.

If you’re like me, it’s hard to think of anything that I’ve ever stood so sure in as this example of Stephen. This is probably because I have a very questioning and skeptical kind of nature, for right or wrong. I can think of one example, and maybe some of you have a similar story. Flash back to January 1, 2021. Emily and my wedding day. As I was at the church getting ready for the ceremony, my mom was with me and asked me a question. That was, are you sure you want to do this? My answer to her was, “Yes, I can’t see any rout or path forward in life that I want that doesn’t include Emily as my wife.” This is what I want. As myself and my pastor were coming forward to the alter, and as I stood on the stage and turned around to look at the door, I asked myself that question, and added, “are you sure about that.” In that moment (and admittedly my knees were wobbly) I thought, “yes, this is what I want. I have no doubts with God at the center of it all.” So, we stood in front of God and family and made the joining vows of matrimony.

Brothers and sisters, with this same confidence and more is the same way we are to be when the accuser stands against us. He will do what he does, lying and deceiving, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy anyone and anything that he can. Guess what, it’s all a lie from the father of lies. To often Satan and sin whisper little falsehoods in our ears like, “you aren’t smart enough or you aren’t good enough or you think you’re so great, but look what you have done” do you really think God loves you, pssshhh no way, you are a lier and a fib.” Let me tell you right now, redeemed in Christ, you are smart enough, are good enough, you are forgiven, and God really does love you. Stand firm in that, know that because of Jesus’ PERFECT sacrifice on the cross, you are Holy and Set Apart and you are forgiven. So, when the accuser lies, rest in Christ’s sacrifice and know that Jesus is more than enough for you. Jesus sacrifice is more than enough for anyone who calls out to Him in trueness and faith. God’s love is enough to forgive anyone no matter how bad or irresponsible or hurtful or different they may seem to bring them into the kingdom of God, as adopted sons and daughters of the king, as members of the bride of Christ. Stand firm in your salvation, as Paul wrote in Romans 8, “38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing can separate you from the love God that is in Jesus. Period. So, don’t let Satan and sin and lies keep you from trusting from standing firm in God as the accuser stands against you.

Conclusion

Beloved brothers and sisters, know this. When you become a Christian, when you have faith in Christ. You are no longer of this world. Because of your faith, you will often not feel welcomed around your own family, it’s not unusual to notice that “everything” seems to work against you, it’s very normal to not understand what on earth society acts the way it does and responds the way it does. Persecution is normal, it’s a part of life, and it’s an expectation because everyone who has not truly taken Christ as their savior and Lord operates under a very different way with a very different (and incorrect) understanding of the world works. So, expect to treated meanly, unfairly, expect good ministry to be very difficult and test your limits every day. When these things happen, do just as the apostles did at the end of our last chapter, rejoice that in some small way we get to be a part in the punishment of Christ. As you are doing that, when the accuser (Satan) stands against you, do these actions. Serve in god’s Power, not your own, and you cannot fail. Rely on God’s Wisdom, not your own, and you will stand supremely wise. Stand sure in God, and not yourself or your abilities, know that you are saved and no real harm can come to your eternal soul no matter how hard Satan and evil push against you, because what lies in eternity is the only thing really matters everything else here on earth is only temporary.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.