A Time to Remember

Today in recognition of Memorial Day, I want to examine one of the first saints of God to die in battle. His name is Stephen, and his story is told in Act. 6-7. He’s one of my favorite people in the Bible - one to certainly emulate. There’s some in the Bible that if I were compared to, I would humbly disagree, but inwardly rejoice just to be mentioned in like manner, and Stephen would be one at or near the top of the list.

I have mentioned before church that when we became Christians, it came with much more than simply a forgiveness of sins and a home in Heaven. That’s certainly some of the perks for being ‘on the team’, but there’s much more to Christianity than that. With it comes certain responsibilities, as well as certain ‘job hazards’.

One of the ‘job hazards’ when we face is the truth that when we joined the ranks of the forgiven, we enlisted in a Spiritual army. One that is in constant warfare. Most of us only face enemies that slander our name, lie about us and such - but in times past, the enemies of God did much more than that. They sought to kill you in the flesh, just as in earthly warfare.

Stephen was one of those martyrs.

Let me just say that I’m thankful for the men and women who have suffered and died for America. It’s because of their willingness and Sacrifice that we enjoy the blessings we have as Americans today.

Many were bound by a sense of duty. Duty to their country & countrymen, their fellow soldiers, their branch of service, the Constitution and freedom itself. They were Duty Led.

The same that we say about America and where we are today because of the American solider can be said of Christianity and the Christian solider. The Christian solider all over the world have suffered, bled and died to give us the Gospel today, so that we might experience the freedom from the penalty and pain of sin.

Just as we American’s enjoy America today because of great men and women that came before us who sacrificed to give us this country we have, we Christians enjoy CHRIST today because of the great men and women who sacrificed to give Him to us.

But here’s the difference: The American solider sacrificed because they were Duty Led. The Christian Sacrificed because they were Spirit Filled.

One such man was Stephen. As I mentioned, he was one of the first, but certainly in a long list of people who died for the faith.

And just as we take a day to Remember and Memorialize the American solider, today I want to Remember and Memorialize the Christian solider - who fights the good fight by being Filled with the Spirit.

So what does being Filled with the Spirit get you?

I. Being Spirit Filled will Cause you to Shine

The Wicked will see Divinity instead of the Devil

Notice for a minute the Scripture: Acts 6:15 “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

Now think about that for a minute: These were his enemies - they hated Stephen, what he preached and what he stood for - and yet when they looked at him, they saw something Divine.

They could tell that something was different about him - different FROM THEM.

These were wicked men:

When they couldn’t match his wisdom, they colluded against him. (They suborned (def) throw in stealthily, introduce by collusion - privately bribe) (v11)

Laid hands on him & brought him to Judgment (v12) where they…

Set up false accusers against him.

They were wicked people who when they looked at Stephen, saw what looked like an angel.

Let me ask you this: What does the heathen see when they look at you?

Unfortunately, when the heathen look at most Christians, they look just like they do. They don’t look different, dress different, act different, speak different, they listen to the same style music, watch the same worldly entertainment - there’s NOTHING different about them!

But that all changes once one is filled with the Spirit!

Do you know why there’s little to no difference between you and the heathen? Because you’re not filled with the Spirit - I’m not saying that you’re not saved - you can still be Sealed with the Spirit without being Filled with it.

Being filled with the Spirit will cause you to Shine - the Wicked will see Divinity in you - something different than they see in themselves.

The Wicked will Accuse instead of Accept

We see that the heathen there are rejecting Stephen. They have contempt for Stephen. They are accusing Stephen. This is what the heathen does when they encounter a Spirit Filled Christian.

I’ve stated before that a Christian shouldn’t yoke up to the lost. There’s many reasons for that, and certainly Bible: Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

But do you know what’s the truth - if you’re filled with the Holy Spirit of God, they’re not going to accept you - they will accuse you. They will run from you.

Do you know why? Light repels darkness. John 1:5 “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

If you’re ok hanging out with heathen, it’s because your light isn’t shining - you’re not filled with the Spirit of God.

The Wicked will Accuse instead of Accept

Being Filled with the Spirit will Cause you to Shine

II. Being Spirit Filled will Lead you to Speak

Stephen’s story takes place in Act. 6-7. The majority of the text is focused on Stephen’s message.

So we see that being filled with the Spirit will Lead you to Speak. The question is WHAT will it lead you to say: Basically Truth. Truth is in short supply these days, but the one who is Filled with the Spirit will speak truth.

Truth that is Difficult

Sometimes what needs to be said is hard to say. I am faced on a regular basis on saying what is easy to say or what needs to be said. Sometimes speaking the truth is difficult - but that’s what the Spirit filled Christian will speak, do you know why? Because the Truth is the only thing that can truly help whatever situation you find yourself in!

It’s what brings freedom:

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

It’s what Sanctifies:

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The Spirit filled Christian will steadfastly speak truth - difficult truth rather than speaking for convenience sake.

Truth that Difficult - but also, truth that’s Unpopular

Truth that is Unpopular

Guess what? What Stephen told them in Act. 7 was not the popular thing to say. In fact, it most unpopular.

(Ill.) I was at a “Christian” function (Cole’s Baccalaureate) recently. It went off as you would expect a ‘community’ Christian event to be. There were a handful of speakers speaking to a mostly lost audience - and what was offered by ‘preachers’ there was so shallow you couldn’t drown a snake. There was no mention of Hell, no mention of Judgment, no mention of how Jesus is ‘the Way the Truth and the Life’, no giving of the Gospel. Do you know why? Because these truths are unpopular - even in the church! And Shallow Christians breeds shallow theology that’s more interested in how they are perceived than who they are representing!

But Spirit Filled Christians will speak the Truth - regardless of popularity. Why? Because there’s Truth that is necessary

Truth that is Necessary

(Ill.) I had the opportunity to witness to a man this week. During the conversation, he’d said something like ‘you know I’ve thought about it (being saved). I’m older and I get kind of scared sometimes… and I interrupted him and said “You should be! Have you heard how Christ describes Hell? Can you imagine being in such torments that you thought a drop of water could help you? Jesus said it’s a place ‘where the fire is not quenched and the worm dieth not’. And I’ll tell you, there’s plenty of Christians that would frown at that type of witness - they’ll say ‘you’re just trying to scare them in’ - do you know what I say? Absolutely! Whatever it takes! Why do you think Jesus told us those things? It’s an awful place that He was warning mankind about! We need to stop treating Hell like it’s daycamp for the naughty instead of torments for the depraved!

Truth is necessary - because there’s a multitude of people who are dying and going to Hell each and every day!

The Spirit Filled Christian will speak truth that’s necessary

Being Filled with the Spirit will Cause you to Shine; Will lead you to Speak

III. Being Spirit Filled Might Require you to Suffer

Being Like Christ isn’t Comfortable

One of the problems with modern Christianity is that everyone’s perceptions of it is that it should be sunshine & roses all the time. When hard times come, they question God and wonder ‘Why is this happening to me?’

But church, being like Christ isn’t Comfortable!

Don’t you remember, that this is God robed in flesh that was laid in a manger?

He had nowhere to lay His head?

He was beaten, tormented & crucified, yet did no sin?

If Christ didn’t live in comfort on this side of Heaven, what gives you the right to expect it?

Being like Christ isn’t Comfortable, but also, Consider our Predecessors

Consider our Predecessors

Stephen

Taken, falsely accused and stoned to death

James (Act. 12:1-2)

Taken a killed with a sword.

It’s said in Foxes book of martyrs that James’ accuser was so struck by his steadfast willingness to die for Christ that he converted and was put to death as well.

Peter (Act. 5:40-42)

If we look in Act. 5 we can see Peter beaten. In Act. 12, Peter is in prison. Foxes book of martyrs tells us that Peter’s ultimately fulfilled Jesus’ prophesy of him in John 21 and was crucified - yet he chose to be crucified upside down as he felt unworthy to be killed like Christ.

Paul (2Cor. 11:24-27)

Let’s count some of Paul’s testimony: 2 Corinthians 11:24–27 “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

Paul would later on go to be beheaded for Christ.

All of these - and many others - were Great men of God - filled and led by the Spirit of God, yet they suffered greatly. It’s possible that may be you if you’re filled with the Spirit

Being Filled with the Spirit will Cause you to Shine; Will lead you to Speak; Might cause you to Suffer

IV. Being Spirit Filled will Lead you to Sacrifice

Not might, but Will

Now Stephen here Sacrificed his life. And while you MAY suffer being Spirit led, there’s no doubt that you will Sacrifice - something.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

So why will you Sacrifice?

The Spirit Seeks God’s Will, not Man’s

As men in the flesh, we have our own desires - and the flesh doesn’t mesh with the Spirit. Our flesh seeks OUR will, while the Spirit seeks God’s Will - and ultimately, IF you’re Spirit Filled, you’re Sacrificing your will for God’s.

This can come in any number of forms

It may cause you to Sacrifice monetarily

Instead of buying that fancy vehicle, the Spirit might lead you to give more to missions

It may cause you to Sacrifice of your time

Instead of going on that fishing trip Saturday afternoon, you go to visitation and fish for men

Time will not allow me to give example after example - but mark my words: You’ll have to give up on some fleshly desires if you are Filled with the Spirit.

But that’s not all - the Spirit will Supply you with God’s Joy regardless of circumstance!

The Spirit Supplies God’s Joy regardless of Circumstance

Question: Did y’all realize that Stephen didn’t complain at all? In fact, he prayed for those who were stoning him? This is a common trait that we see in Spirit Filled Christians who are suffering:

Peter & the others:

Acts 5:40–42 “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Paul and Silas

(While in the prison at Philippi) Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

Paul stated: Philippians 2:17 “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”

No, it’s not a bed of roses - you’ll suffer, you’ll sacrifice - but it’ll bring you more joy than anything else in this world possibly could!

The Spirit Supplies God’s Joy regardless of Circumstance

Being Filled with the Spirit will Cause you to Shine; Will lead you to Speak; Might cause you to Suffer; Will lead you to Sacrifice

V. Being Spirit Filled will Cause Christ to Stand

(v55-56)

Jesus was Attentive

Notice, Jesus wasn’t sitting back on His laurels while Stephen was suffering. No, Jesus was Standing for Stephen. He was letting him know in a very real way that He was right there with him.

Church, you’ll never suffer for the Cause of Christ where Christ is not thee with you.

Jesus was Attentive

Jesus Aided (v60)

Consider this church: This man is being stoned to death - yet, the Bible describes his home-going as him ‘falling asleep’.

Do you know what this is? Divine intervention.

God helps the Spirit Filled Christian through their infirmities, trials and tribulations!

Jesus Aided

Jesus was Active

Don’t think for a moment that Jesus was a typical bystander. Jesus was active.

Do you know that the Bible says: Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

God was going to use Stephen’s Sacrifice to put a man on a path that would ultimately lead him on a road to Damascus. We find him introduced in Acts 7:58 “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”

God would use this event to ultimately bring Saul to Jesus, change his name to Paul and lead multitudes to Christ!

Jesus will use your trials and sufferings for the Spirit Filled Christian, in ways you can’t imagine!

Jesus was Active

VI. Being Spirit Filled will Lead to the Salvation of Others

Some by Influence

We’d just mentioned Saul (Paul) here.

But what I mean is that as a Spirit Filled Christian you will by your direct influence lead souls to Christ - and there’s no greater feeling!

Some you’ll lead by Influence

Others Indirectly

As we consider Stephen, he wasn’t aware of anyone being effected by his Sacrifice while he lay there dying. But he not only effected Paul, but he’s effected countless souls both by his testimony recorded in the Scriptures and by proxy, Paul who would see first hand what a Christian example was to be.

One day I’m going to leave this world. And praise the LORD, God has allowed me to make an impact on a few people in this world for the Cause of Christ. But I hope that my life will have an indirect impact on others.

(Ill.) We just recently had our first grandchild. I’m looking forward to watching him grow and mature. And Lord Willing, I’ll have more - many more - through my children. But you know what? I may not live to see any of that. But it’s my prayer that if God takes me from this world - the impact I’ve had on my children will be felt unto the next generation and the next to come.

But the only way that will happen, is if I live a Spirit Filled Life.

Conclusion

Church, what kind of life & legacy do you want?

No one wants to Suffer

No one wants to Sacrifice

But everyone wants to joy that only those things (ironically) brings

Everyone wants to leave a legacy that’s more than money

But nobody wants to choose the Spirit Filled life necessary to do it

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