Living Beyond Your Means

Tough to be broke all the time. Tough to have obligations and not meet them. Tough to live under the stress of financial crisis. That isn’t what I am talking about tonight. What i want to talk about is living in the power of the Holy Spirit who is able to stretch you father than you thought you could go, cause you to last longer, and be more competent that you give yourself credit.

In the book of Acts, we see Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Mark, Mary, Ananias, Cornelius, James, and others doing more than they thought possible.

How did they get here? What changed them? Where did the power for Holy living and witnessing come from?

Who made it difficult? Who oppressed the apostles from preaching?

I want to use Stephen as an example tonight. Stephen’s story is found in Acts chapter 6 and 7.

(Hellenist - Greek speaking Jews)

7 men is an official council

Apostles should attend to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Prayer and the laying on of hands: ;

7: church is growing

8: Stephen was full of: Spirit, Wisdom, Faith, Grace and Power.

Freedman? prisoners of war or slavery?

Verse 10: Living beyond his means, Stephen was a great debater for the cause of Christ. They could not hold a candle to him.

As they were successful against Christ so they attempted to do so with Stephen and they falsely accused him. ()

12-14 Apprehended Stephen, accused him, and he wasn’t the first. , ,

6:15 ALL THE SANHEDRIN all 71 of them saw what? Who else had a face that shone brightly?

Chapter 7

Stephen makes the longest sermon recorded. Why would Luke do such a thing?

What would Stephen say that was so powerful, or, maybe so maddening, they would kill him for it?

Interestingly enough, Stephen didn’t give a legal defense for himself, rather he did three things:

He showed the progress and change in God’s program

God is creative and innovative

God promised Abraham a great deal

Egypt was a fulfillment of His prediction

Deliverance under Moses

The building of the tabernacle

God’s presence was with them but it wasn’t His home

He showed those around him the blessings of God are not limited to the temple area

Verse 49 and 50

Israel always opposed God’s plan (lets face it)

Verse 51-53

Abraham tarried in Harran

Joseph was sold by his brothers

Moses was rejected by the Israelites

Turned to idols

Served the god of Baal

There is a clear parallel to Christ

Both Moses and Joseph were not accepted until their second appearance

Stephen saw Jesus STANDING

Welcoming Stephen

Applauding

Living beyond his means

Son of Man (last use in the New Testament ()

Law is temporary

the Temple will be done away with