Stephen: A Faith That Advances God’s Kingdom

Stephen

Prayer / Announcements

We are moving to the New Testament this week with our character series. Last week we moved to the new testament and looked at John the Baptist. John to me is a very interesting character. He knew his purpose early on, carried it out with strong faith and action, but even had times of doubt when the world pressed him.

This week we are staying in the NT and taking a closer look at Stephen. If you remember from our Acts series in class or church, Stephen is the first martyr at least that we have on record for the church, and gospel message of Christ.

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Modern Day Statistics place martyrdom in a fairly large range. Some estimate as many as 100,000 Christians die each year, others put the number around 10-15 a day.

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Hebrews 11:35–38 “35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

Like we saw last week the writer of Hebrews stops listing people by name an just starts listing categories of people. Stephen would fall in here.

We know he was martyred and we will look at that but our goal is to understand who was Stephen and what made him have a faith that advanced God’s kingdom.

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Acts 6:1–7 “1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith”

The early church faced internal tension

Remember this? its when the Hellenists were getting upset because their widow were not being cared for as well as the Hebrews. There are a couple things you have to keep in perspective here. These are all Jews. Both Hebrews and Hellenists are Jewish.

Hellenists embraced Greek culture, and Hebrews clung to Jewish tradition, but both Jewish, and by this time in the narrative. They already had a bit of a divide to begin with, they are neither Hebrew or Hellenist, they are Christians.

The word Christian was not established yet, but they were all followers of Christ, and were part of what the early church was referred to as “The Way”.

Here we start to see spiritual opposition rising up internally and not externally as we have seen in earlier chapters in Acts.

This whole thing about the widows not cared for properly, was not an accusation that it was intentional, it just was. It was an observation.

One writer says: Satan loves to use an unintentional wrong to begin a conflict.

This is why we know about Stephen. The apostles decided it would be best delegated to continue the work of preaching and prayer. They were not saying the task was menial or below them.

Stephen was chosen because of his godly character

The description here is full of Faith, and the Holy Spirit.

His character, not his charisma, qualified him. In a world that celebrates platform and popularity, Stephen reminds us that God promotes from the inside out.

Paul writes about this over and over in his letters. They may have been too infantile to understand this in Chapter 6 but as time goes on it becomes evident.

The Holy Spirit equips all believers

The Spirit of God in believers equips and gifts each of us differently.

Romans 12:4–8 “4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

It doesn’t say it here but most would say that this was the first appointing of Deacons within the church. We see that description in Timothy when Paul is writing to him on how to administer the church properly.

What do you think this description about Stephen means? Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Acts 6:8–15 “8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”

FAithful service in small things prepare for great impact

This is not a narrative about the deacons, and the widows. That is a detail thrown in but make no mistake this is a narrative about Stephen, and we quickly see the person and character of Stephen.

They were called to serve tables. Really just a way of saying mundane service of the day to day. The Deacons were put in place to perform mundane common service, but we see with Stephen, his testimony is anything but common. He is found doing uncommon things in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We don’t know but the same language is used for the apostles. Sometimes we get this idea that only the pastor or staff at a church can do certain things, yet God had equipped each of us not only with talents and gifts, but the same Holy Spirit. God in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Triune God is living in each of us.

Stephen was a man that experienced the work and power of the Holy Spirit in his life.

So much so, we see him called in just like the apostles. Remember Peter, and John, and James, they are all called in and at times beat. And told don’t preach in that name again, the name of Jesus.

Not only is Stephen called in but they set up false witnesses like they did with Jesus. We have this scathing, lying, deceitful, council that is called together, and then we end with this strange line.

Acts 6:15 “15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”

You know who I think was in the council when Stephen was being grilled? Paul, or Saul, of Tarsus. Tarsus is in Cilicia. Think about this how would Luke know that they setup false witnesses? Perhaps someone who was there that day that changed sides told him.

How do you take that phrase? What does it mean to have the face of an angel? It doesn’t have anything to do with Angels you have seen in artwork or movies.

His peace and courage came from a relationship with God

I think it was a Peace. God will give us peace in the storms of life. Stephen is accused and lied about, and his face did not show that he was worried, or scared, or more importantly intimidated. He trusted God, he had Faith.

After the council had heard enough of the accusations, Stephen is given a chance to speak for himself, and he delivers a whopper of a message. Remember v.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. We don’t know what he said in the earlier dialogue but we get his final message clearly.

Boldly spoke truth

Stephen begins preaching Israels history starting with Abraham, then moving to Moses, and the tabernacle, all the while pointing to Jesus, and he ends his message with a stern scolding.

He tells them they are stiff necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears. Now this is a serious. We don’t take nearly as much weight in this as they did then. A man today can be circumcised or not. We don’t really care. But to a jew in the first century, it was a defining factor. If you were a man, and Jewish, you were circumcised. Period.

But Stephen is playing on a metaphor that God Himself has stretched across the Old Testament.

Exodus 32:9 “9 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!”

Jeremiah 9:25–26 “25 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that I will punish all who are circumcised with the uncircumcised—26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all who are in the farthest corners, who dwell in the wilderness. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.””

Jeremiah 4:4 “4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, And take away the foreskins of your hearts”

And the clearest example.

Deuteronomy 10:16 “16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”

To be stiff-necked is to be stubborn and not submit to God’s authority. Think of an animal, horse, or ox that you would ride or plow with, and you give commands through the reigns to turn right, left, stop, go, and the animal stiffens its neck and does not do what is expected or commanded.

The uncircumcised heart is the problem of the Pharisee we see all in the NT. Clean on the outside, dead on the inside. God has been calling for inward transformation all the way back to Moses time. This circumcision on the outside is a badge of honor you wear, but does not have the significance you think it does.

Stephen understood this. He had been transformed by the Holy Spirit of God, he was not the same person that he once was and he knew it well. Jesus was the Messiah, and you have missed him.

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Acts 7:54–60 “54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

What Stephen said made them so furious they couldn’t keep their faces from showing. They gnashed their teeth. Once he reveals what he sees, with Jesus in heaven that is too much for them. They stop their ears, and rush him. This council has turned into a mob. Rational thought has left the building at this point.

Let’s talk about Stephens final act of Faith. If Jesus is our pattern. We are supposed to be more like Jesus each day in our walk with God, that is our goal we are shooting for, we can see Stephens faith in full form.

Sees Jesus standing, not seated

He sees the heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. We have talked about this before but after the ascension of Jesus we always see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus Himself says it.

Matthew 26:64 “64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.””

Here he stands. Is Stephen wrong, does this contradict, I don’t think so. I believe it is a couple things, one Jesus is standing in solidarity. I see your suffering for my name and am with you.

The other is a cultural application. It is a welcoming gesture. A host would stand as a sign of welcome and respect. Jesus is welcoming Stephen into Heaven.

Another commentator said this is Matthew 10:32 “32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Jesus is confessing Stephen before His Father.

Nevertheless he sees the vision, and his words are mirrors to Jesus own words. If Jesus is the pattern Stephen sure looks a lot like Him.

Mirrored Christ in death

59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit. Luke 23:46 “46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

60. Lord, do not charge them with this sin. Luke 23:34 “34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Stephen leaves this world as the first known martyr, in the full spirit of Jesus. His faith had lead him to show the love of Jesus to even the his enemies, who in that very moment were persecuting him.

Death led to Gospel expansion

Most would agree that this moment was a pivotal moment that catapulted the church from ministering heavily at Jerusalem, to now start going to Judea, Samaria, and finally the uttermost as Jesus had told them. This persecution began with Stephen but God used it to spread the gospel and grow the church.

The seeds of martyrdom yield gospel fruit.

Tertullian an early church leader from 155AD to 220AD credited for saying this. “The blood of Martyrs is the seed of the Church” The real quote goes “We become more numerous every time we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed.”

If this is true Stephen is the first seed planted after Jesus and many believe is why we have the apostle Paul, and one of the reasons he was so zealous, was that he was there when Stephen died. He saw and heard what was said that day and then observed the wave that came after.

What does opposition to our faith look like in our culture? What should be our response to opposition?