What Do You See?

We are continuing in our sermon Series in the book of Acts called “A People For The World”

It is worth reiterating that our purpose in this series is gain from Acts a blueprint for living with purpose and clarity in a complex and often hostile world.

How can we show up in the world not only as preachers of the gospel, but as living examples of its peace and power?

Today, we have in view chapters 6 and 7 of Acts.

In lieu of reading all 75 verses…

For the sake of time, allow me to offer a bit of a summary.

As the early church grew rapidly, tensions arose—Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in daily food distribution. To solve this, the apostles appointed seven Spirit-filled men, including Stephen, to serve. But Stephen didn’t just serve tables—he preached with power and performed miracles. His boldness angered religious leaders, who falsely accused him and dragged him before the council. In Acts 7, Stephen delivers a fiery sermon, tracing Israel’s history and calling out their rejection of God’s messengers—including Jesus.

We pick up the narrative in Acts 7 verse 54

Acts 7:54–60 ESV

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

This scene in Acts rouses within me, one the most profound questions we can ever ask ourselves or others:

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Not “what are you looking at”

How do you perceive the thing that you are looking at?

I believe that one of the greatest blessings that the Gospel offers is a radical change in perspective.

Albert Einstein once said: "We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

The gospel not only revives the heart, but it renews the mind.

The trouble is too many times and in too many ways, we reject this new perspective.

It’s not automatic. That’s why we have passages in scripture like:

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Ephesians 4:22-23 – “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds…”

BELOVED, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

So, I want to look at Stephen’s testimony today and allow Holy Spirit to challenge us with this question: What do you see?

Some of us have been talking to God about what we are looking at — the things that are happening in our lives and in our world.

But, God wants to ask us a question today: What do you see?

PRAYER

What do you see? A Small Assignment For You Or Big Opportunity For God?

Take a close look at the beginning of Stephen’s testimony

Acts 6:2 ESV

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

Acts 6:9–10 ESV

Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen …rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

STEPHEN DID NOT HAVE TO RESPONDED TO THE CALL:

“You know, I’m a pretty good preacher myself. I’m not about to be serving tables. I’ll wait until they get ready to expand the preaching team.”

But Stephen didn’t see serving as a step backward—he saw it as stepping into the work of the Spirit.

Stephen’s story is a reminder of Zechariah 4:10, where the prophet asks a question of Zerubbabel the Governor: “...who has despised the day of small things?”

Zerubbabel was called to rebuild the temple after Israel’s exile.

But the plans for the new temple looked insignificant compared to Solomon’s glorious temple.

He couldn’t seem to get the building program off the ground.

The people were discouraged, thinking, “This isn’t grand enough. This doesn’t seem like God’s work.”

But God declared that His Spirit, not human strength, would bring the work to completion: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6).

Some of us are holding back, waiting for the “right” opportunity.

We think, “I’ll serve when I’m in the right position… when they recognize my gifts… when they ask me to do something significant.”

But God’s Kingdom doesn’t work that way.

The Holy Spirit, not your resume, determines Kingdom influence.

Beloved, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

What Do You See? A Box Or A Launching Pad?

Look at Acts 6:8

Acts 6:8 ESV

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Wait… I thought Stephen’s job was to serve tables?

Who told Stephen that miracles were in his job description.

Who told Stephen that preaching was part of the “table ministry.”

Here’s the key:

Stephen didn’t wait for a title change before letting God use him in supernatural ways.

He didn’t have to switch assignments in order to step into his full potential.

He just opened himself fully to the Holy Spirit—right where he was.

Stephen could have shrunk his expectations to fit his role:

“I was chosen to serve tables—that’s my lane.”

“I’ll let Peter, John, and James handle the preaching.”

“The miracle-working is for those with more authority than me.”

But he refused to let the devil put him in a box.

He served tables, but he also proclaimed the Gospel.

He distributed food, but he also laid hands on the sick.

Don’t Let Your Role Define Your Reach

Some of us are limiting what God wants to do through us because we’ve put ourselves in a box.

Classroom teacher…warfare assignment.

Cosmetologists….deliverance assignment.

Mail Carrier/Garbage Pickup…intercession assignment.

Look around. What are the ways that God wants to use you right where you are?

You don’t have to change roles to change lives.

You don’t have to switch positions to step into God’s power.

You don’t need a title to walk in anointing.

Some of us think that God has us in a box, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes, we’ll see that we are not in a box, we’re on a launching pad?

What Do You See? A Beatdown Or A Setup?

Stephen had stepped into the fullness of God’s calling.

But instead of applause, he was met with resistance.

The people were “enraged” (v. 54), gnashing their teeth at him. They dragged him out and stoned him.

For many of us, resistance can feel like a sign to quit.

When things get difficult, it’s tempting to believe that maybe we missed God’s direction.

But God does some of His greatest work in the moments of opposition—

if we can see beyond the stones.

Look at what Stephen saw in verse 55:

“But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”

This is the only place in the New Testament where Jesus is described as standing at the right hand of God. Everywhere else, He is seated (Hebrews 1:3, Ephesians 1:20).

Jesus stood up for Stephen.

Jesus is the Great High Priest, who “sits” after His finished work on the cross.

But here, He stands in honor of His faithful servant.

I believe He stands to encourage Stephen.

I see you Stephen!

Go head Stephen!

I’m pulling for you Stephen!

Beloved, when we step out in faith and face hardship, Heaven takes notice.

Jesus is not distant from your suffering—

He sees you.

And I believe that Jesus is standing up for you!

And here’s what I love about it: Stephen’s Faithfulness Shapes A Kingdom Future

You see there is a man named Saul in the crowd.

He held the coats of those who stoned Stephen.

He approved of his execution.

But, Saul is impacted by Stephen’s Faithfulness

A seed in Saul’s heart..

Saul recognized that Stephen had a way of seeing that he did not have.

This same Saul would become Paul—the greatest missionary in church history…But started right here with Stephen.

Beloved, God will setup your legacy right in the middle of your difficulty!

What stones are being thrown at you right now?

Criticism?

Rejection?

Delayed dreams?

Spiritual attack?

Are you tempted to retreat because of the opposition?

Stephen didn’t let earthly rejection blind him to heavenly reality. He saw what others couldn’t see—that Jesus was standing in his defense.

Beloved, when opposition comes, don’t just see the stones—see the Savior.

I don’t know about you, but I want a fresh perspective from the Holy Spirit.

This is not a one time deal, beloved.

The moment you stop being able to have your perspective refreshed by the word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God…you have started down the road of walking in the flesh.

I’m reminded of the prayer that Paul…Stephen’s legacy…prayed for the Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:17–19 NRSV

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit, of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

That’s what Stephen had:

It wasn’t just his gifts.

It wasn’t just his courage.

It wasn’t just his willingness.

Stephen had keen spiritual sight.

And beloved, that’s what we need today.

Not just in this church, but in our homes.

Not just in our ministries, but in our workplaces.

Not just in our personal lives, but in our neighborhoods.

We need fresh oil.

We need a fresh filling.

We need fresh Holy Ghost perspective.

I believe God wants to do something right here, right now.

This is not just a word to hear—this is a moment to respond.

If you’re saying, “Lord, I don’t just want to hear this—I want to live this.”

If you’re saying, “Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit.”

If you’re saying, “I need you to open my spiritual eyes.”

Come forward now. Let’s pray for a fresh perspective from the Holy Spirit.