Characteristics of a Disciple Acts 6-7 Part 3

Last week we began to break down what Luke describes as the characteristics of a disciple through the story of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7.

Today we will finish them up by looking at 4 more characteristics.

But first, let’s review the first four.

Again, we are using the acronym D.I.C.I.P.L.E

D – Deacon / Servant

I – Inspired by the Spirit

S – Speaks with wisdom in the power of the HS

C – Carries the Word of God and its theme of Jesus in the heart and mind.

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So, let’s take a deeper look at the last four characteristics of Stephen and what Luke describes as the Normal characteristics of a Disciple.

I. Insatiable desire towards faithfulness in times of hardship and fear

During the time of division between the Greek and Hebrew disciples Stephen faithfully stepped up to serve and to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

While he was being questioned by the religious leaders he was faithful to share how the Scriptures point to Jesus.

As the religious leaders ordered his execution by stoning, he was faithful to love his enemies.

Acts 7:60 ESV

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.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

James the brother of Jesus makes clear that faith without faithfulness is not real faith at all.

James 2:14–19 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Faithfulness is the action taken out of faith.

If your faith does not produce an action that aligns with your faith, James makes it clear it is not real faith.

Stephen had faith that Jesus was building His church - Therefore, he faithfully served the church to solve the problem rather than become a part of the problem.

Stephen had faith that all Scripture pointed to Jesus and therefore faithfully shared the truth even in a time of fear and hardship.

Stephen had faith that Jesus is the Word of God therefore, he faithfully followed the teaching of Jesus to love his enemies.

Faithfulness is faith lived out and without faithfulness there is no faith.

Disciples of Jesus don’t just believe a list of doctrines - They live from their faith in Jesus.

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P. Disciples Place their life and comfort in the hands of God

Acts 7:54–59 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.”

Stephen could have backed away and given into his persecutors but, Stephen realized his life was not his own but rather it belonged to Jesus.

From 2010 - 2019 over 1 million Christians have died for their faith.

We all naturally want security, safety and a long life. While there are Scriptures people can point to that seem to make that promise, the fact is many Christians suffer and die for their faith.

A Disciple places their life and comfort in the hands of God.

When we say, “God I know you want me to but, that is just uncomfortable” we are not being disciples.

I know I should tell people about Jesus but people may think I am foolish - Not a disciple of Jesus

I know I should go and plant a church - start a ministry but it will cost me so, I wont. - Not a disciple

I know I should love my enemy but I refuse to really get to know them and love them - Not a disciple.

John 15:18–20 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

In times of peace and security and in times of hardship and death a Disciple places their life and comfort in the hands of God.

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L. Lives the teachings of Love towards his/her enemy.

Acts 7:60 ESV

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.

One of the harder aspects of being a disciple of Jesus and one I seem to pound on often is the teaching of Jesus to love our enemies.

Matthew 5:43–48 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Stephen displayed this love for his enemies even during death.

As disciples of Jesus we will be hated and there will be people we disagree with deeply.

But as a student of Jesus we are called to a new way of being human and that way is love.

Romans 5:6–11 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Jesus is our example and Stephen followed his example and teaching perfectly.

Who do you despise? Who do you pray against? Who do you want to see suffer in hell?

These are the very one Jesus has called us to love.

A DISCIPLE Lives the teachings of Love towards their enemy.

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E. Exemplifies sacrifice for the sake of others.

Stephen sacrificed to serve meals to the widows

It was a sacrifice of time to learn and follow the Scriptures

It was a sacrifice to spend time with the HS

Sacrifice to love your enemy

Sacrifice to live for the sake of others.

Hebrews 13:12–16 ESV

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

The life of a Disciple of Jesus runs contrary to the way of this world.

It is not a life that asks what can I get but, rather it is a life that seeks to give, even to the point of sacrifice.

Yet every sacrifice of service to others is seen by God as a service and sacrifice to him.

Matthew 25:31–46 ESV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

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End –

What we do and how we act comes out of who we are.

Character matters and it leads towards action.

Luke in describing the characteristics of Stephen gave us what he saw as the norm for the disciples of Jesus during the early days of the church.

They were:

Deacons/Servant - Inspired by the HS in their daily lives – Spoke with wisdom by the power of the HS – Carried the word and its theme in their mind and heart – Insatiable desire towards faithfulness in times of hardship and fear – Placed their life and comfort in the hands of God – Lived the teachings of Love towards their enemy – Exemplified sacrifice for the sake of others.

Today I believe the HS has stirred up some emotions in you thorugh this message.

Some of you may even be angry

Some of you are trying to make excuses for your actions and character

Some of you are deeply troubled because you know you are not meeting these character traits.

This week will you spend time in prayer?

Seek the HS to open your heart and reveal your motivations and character issues.

Ask him to mold you into the nature and character of Jesus

God loves us and His word is revealing to us the areas of growth he desires for us.

He is not angry but rather in love is trying to build us into a people who look like Jesus, live like Jesus, and interact with our world like Jesus.

Growth is painful but that pain will always lead to maturity if we allow the Spirit to work in the dark regions of our heart.

I love you Life Church -

May we all become students of Jesus in all areas of life.