When Your Faith Is Tested

Acts 6:7-15

Stephen's persecution prompts us to evaluate our own commitment to our beliefs. Are we sometimes silent when we should speak out? Imagine standing before a group, proclaiming truth, when suddenly you encounter hostility. This is where faith is tested. Stephen faced such hostility with grace and bravery. His story encourages us to reflect on our willingness to endure discomfort and rejection for the sake of the Gospel—a powerful challenge for both adults and teens in their daily lives. Lets look at the story of Stephen “when your faith is tested. How many in here have had there faith tested if you haven’t just wait a while.

In this text we see Stephen a preaching deacon, doing the will of God. The bible says he was selected by the disciples to work as a distributor of food for the widows. Satan tried to sow the seeds of division between the Grecians and Hebrews in the way food was being distributed amongst the widows. He tried to separate the disciples from the word of God to serve tables. But God’s wisdom as always prevails. Further in the text in verse 7 says the word of God increased, disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem even the priest who didn’t believe in Jesus became obedient to the faith.

PURSUE OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD (vs7 & 8 )In verses 7 & 8 Stephen was identified as a man who was full of faith and power. He was not afraid to speak up for God. Even in the face of persecution. He was full of the Holy Ghost. All seven. By instruction they were told to find seven men of honest report and full of the Holy Ghost .Then the word of God increased after prayer. But how did the word of God increase. Well the text says disciples multiplied and priests were obedient to the faith. These men became obedient to the word. You can’t spread the word until you become obedient to the word. We are to pursue after the word and be filled with it. This is how we become spiritually healthy. The only way you become stronger in the word is by pursuing the word and be fed by it. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 It is written man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. It’s a sad commentary on some of today’s churches. People are being feed spiritual junk food and not the word of God. Men and women all over this country are spiritually unhealthy, because of the spiritual diets there on. But like the disciples and the priests and Stephen, their obedience to the faith pleased God! After pursuing the word we must,

(Pursue after wisdom vs 9-11) There were certain men who tried to dispute Stephen but his power and wisdom was to strong for them to resist. When God anoints you for a task he equips us for that task. But there are times no matter how much you speak the truth, there are those who will dispute and despise you because of who and what you stand for. I want to believe that these men who disputed Stephen were just like the men who disputed Jesus. Jealousy and hate will make people fight against you, an not only that they will lie on you. I know I’m not the only one in here that’s ever been lied on. But what they missed in their pursuit to discredit the man of God, they could have had the same Spirit, the same power, the same wisdom that they fought so hard against against. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God is willing to give you what you need to stand for Him if you only ask. But these men only could think of themselves. They didn’t want the pow that come from the Holy Spirit ,they wanted power from political gain. They couldn’t humble themselves to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, they hated what they should have loved. But you can’t love Jesus 2nd and everything else be first. the bible says in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Beloved make sure you pursue after wisdom!

Pursue Faithfulness over Fairness vs12-14

How many in here know GREAT FAITH DOSEN’T GARUNTEE FAIR TREATMENT. If you don’t believe it ask your Pastor or ask me. We can testify to that. Anybody who’s been faithful to God will be mistreated some kind of way. Stephen was carried before the council Just as his Savior was, people were paid to lie on Stephen just as Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. There’s a lie running rampant in our church’s today, that lie says if you have enough faith you’ll be healthy, rich and successful, this was certainly not the case with Stephen. Maybe if he had been a little more faithful his trouble would have ceased. But that’s not what the word of God says In this life you will have trails and tribulations, 1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” Stephen was tried by fire, He stood the test, he took the insults and lie his faith was tested and he stood strong for the Lord, we as God’s people have to stand strong now for our reward is in heaven waiting for us if we faint not. You may not be rich you may not be in the best of health, you may not have a 4000sq foot home your bank account might be in the red but if you just hang on your fair treatment is coming, your payday is coming. “ thou He slay me yet I will trust Him “ Stephen knew his fair treatment was coming . This is why he

Pursed A Radiant Relationship with Christ vs 15

As he sat in the midst of the council , the bible says the council looked steadfast on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. After all the accusations the Sanhedrin council were waiting for a response. His face gave the response they would never understand. His face glowed with the radiancy of Christ. Sometimes what you don’t say says everything, but how many know that at the right moment God will give you what he want’s said and done. They thought they had shut him down with their lies, with their tricks, with their false witnesses ( The Story called Checkmate). in Chp. 7 he tells them about their disloyalty to God after he had saved them so many time how they killed all the messengers of God, how God brought them out of Egypt how they were stiff necked and had uncircumcised hearts. How they even killed the just one Jesus. And when they could not take his words anymore they stoned him to death. But there is a parallel in something Step[hen said before they stoned him and what Jesus said. Lord lay not this sin to their charge , his lord before giving up the Ghost said Forgive them for they know not what they do. This shows us I would rather have a radiant relationship with Christ than walk in the council of the ungodly nor stand in the way with sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornful, for our delight is in the law of the Lord And in His law doth he meditate day and night. He was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.