ACTS 6:15 (8-15) Stephen - Owned by God!

SERIES: Acts #12
TOPIC: Consecration; Witness

TITLE: STEPHEN - Owned By God
TEXT: ACTS 6:15 (8-15)

And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

[D. L. MOODY] Said …

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” [Desiring Life]

However, he was in error … the world has seen Enoch, Joseph, Joshua, Daniel, and John the Baptizer; all pre-Ascension.

But now Stephen, post-Ascension and sold out to God; he signed his pink slip over to God; he wanted nothing but God’s presence and pleasure.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What in this passage confirms that Stephen was wholly owned by God?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT
II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT
III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT
IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: Much like the Church today, the people of Israel hungered to personally experience God (8 in 10 Americans admit to such a hunger).

In spite of intense persecution by both civil and religious authorities, the new church prospered at every turn.

They were growing in numbers, in knowledge, and in the fear of the Lord and they were learning how to faithfully respond to threats … externally and internally!

One man, Stephen, first deacon and first martyr (i.e., witness), caught the attention of influential religious zealots, why? Because he was “full of faith and power” and “performing great wonders and signs among the people.” [v. 8]

Stephen followed closely in the footsteps of his Master and Savior; proclaiming the coming Kingdom to all with ears to hear. But their attention wasn’t healthy … again, why?

Because the zealots felt threatened and “they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was preaching.” [v. 10] You see, God owned Stephen … lock, stock, and barrel.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What in this passage confirms that Stephen was wholly owned by God?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT

Among them were – Spirit and wisdom [3]; faith and Holy Spirit [5]; grace and power with signs and wonders [8]; and evangelical eloquence [10]

These are all (charisma) gifts and effects (energẽma) of the Holy Spirit …

“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 [1-11]

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”

John 3:34

II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.

“If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

Matthew 10:24-26

Stephen’s (and Christ’s) enemies began with argumentation [9,10]; failing, they incited a fabrication [11]; failing, they move to provocation [12]; then, to ensure the desired result they employed …

– Abduction [12]
– Falsification [13]
– Then Misrepresentation! [13-14]

Two things were operative on this day:

1. the Light of Truth walked in the shadow of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem
2. the fight to darken that Truth skulked in the shadows of evil, fearing the Light
   

“There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to [do] evil, A false witness who ut-ters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16-18

Notice Stephan confounded his persecutors with wisdom and Scripture.

They failed both intellectually and spiritually … so they abused the Law to justify stoning him.

Historically, if a powerful movement’s followers appear to turn from the movement’s teachings, to adopt the teachings of another, these leaders are confronted with three choices:

– turn with them
– turn from them
– or turn upon them

III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT

Jesus said,

“… store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:20-21

Can there be any question about what is stored up in Stephen’s heart?

IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

Stephen highly honored God in his last moments. [7:1-53]

God highly honor him by gifting him more abundantly than others.

This was done that his mirror of righteousness might reflect God’s Shechinah glory.

It was not Stephen’s flesh which glowed as an angel, it was the righteousness of God being reflected in him and from him.

APPLICATION: Bottom-line -

In the egocentric and humanistic courts of fallen man, with man's version of truth, the calm but confident spirit of a man owned by “this Nazarene, Jesus” [6:14] will trump a thousand tanks and a multitude of defense attorneys.

I believe, to some degree, we’ve allowed Moses’ veil to again slip down before our eyes.

I believe we are not truly owned by the Father! Have we accepted Jesus as Savior? Yes! But not Lord! He owns us but we've held back the owner's slip.

In view of our claims, unbelievers say they are unimpressed

“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ … written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. [vv. 2-4]

We are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter [law] kills, but the Spirit gives life. [vv. 5-6]

But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit [life] fail to be even more with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. [vv. 7-11]

Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [vv. 12-16]

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. [vv. 17-18]

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

CHALLENGE: Our job is to understand the spiritual mechanics of this martyr (i.e., “witness”) Stephen … and be inspired by him.

God owns us ...

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:20

And ...

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”

1 Corinthians 7:23

Plus ...

“... false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

2 Peter 2:1

And for those in leadership … church leaders didn't purchase the sheep; the were paid for by the Lord's shed blood ... we don't own you.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

Acts 20:28

God owns us all!

The church must once again find ways to let the world know our homes (i.e., “hearts”) have a new Owner.

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons, Stephen

ROMANS: Full Sermons

6:4-7

DISCIPLESHIP: It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion!

6:19

OUR OBLIGATION - To Die, Live, Serve, and Be United to God!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Romans, Sermons

Judges 2:3: Thorns & Snares

TOPIC: Obedience; Disobedience, Justice, Wrath
TITLE: THORNS & SNARES – The Proof Is Indeed In the Pudding!

TEXT: Judges 2:3

“Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are we to learn from the lesson of Israel?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE DUE TO OUR DISOBEDIENCE!
II. OUR ENEMIES WILL (probably) BE GOD’S TESTING OF US!

A. Our Enemies Will Be Pains In Our Daily Lives!
B. Our Enemies Will Trap Us In Things We Can't Control!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Israel is not far from the shores of the Wilderness and yet here they are in this predicament. (READ ALOUD: Judges 2:10-11)

And when God rebuked them they named the place Bochim (Baw-gghh-heem; the weepers or the place of weeping).

Here is the basic outline of the entire Book of Judges:

Israel –

1. Is instructed to obey
2. Agrees to obey
3. Disobeys
4. Suffers
5. Cries out (repentance)
6. Is judged
7. Is restored
8. Is instructed to obey

That’s it; over and over Israel goes through this cycle. Even individuals are shown to exhibit the same characteristics (e.g., Samson, priests, Jephthah, the greedy Levite, etc.).

Paul says this about the Old Testament ...

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

1 Corinthians 10:11

Would you say we’ve been in that cycle here in the United States? In the world?

Now look at what our history with God shows: Crusades, Dark Ages, Popish religion, paganism, materialism, Holocaust, Inquisition, witch trials, slavery, 500 years of conflict in Ireland, Bosnia/Rwanda/Darfur, terrorism, Islamic radicalism, wars, abortion, pedophilia, pornography, secular humanism, public homosexuality, judicial activism & tyranny, greed, selfishness, drugs, promiscuity, educational decay, taxation without representation, social & racial discrimination … and I could go on!

Worse haven’t we become a world which blames others for these thorns and snares?

You see our enemies don’t have to be nations, but they may be; one thing is for sure … if they are allowed to have at us, “they will become as thorns in [our] sides and [they] will be a snare to [us]”!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What are we to learn from the lesson of Israel?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE DUE TO OUR DISOBEDIENCE!

Consider how the contemporary church has disobeyed God ...

A. The Great Commandments [Matthew 22:37-38]
B. First Things First

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

D. Sacrifice

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Romans 12:1

E. Others

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4

[CHEAP WORDS] A non-believing lawyer went to a friend’s church, listened watching speechlessly to the behavior of many who he knew … especially a number whom he’d seen in court or whom he represented.

“How did you like the service?” His friend asked at the close of the service. He answered, “As a lawyer let me respond in this way: there is a world of difference between testimony and evidence.

"Words are cheap; it’s easy to give testimony for Christ, but quite another matter to offer evidence of God's purifying power in one’s life in Christ. Didn’t your Jesus say ... 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'” [Mark 7:6]

II. OUR ENEMIES WILL (probably) BE GOD’S TESTING OF US!

“Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel …”

Judges 3:1

A. OUR ENEMIES WILL BE PAINS IN OUR DAILY LIVES!

1. Entertainment industry is surely testing us

a) Audio & video
b) Prurient & voyeuristic desires
c) Gambling and pampering

2. Political system is surely testing us

a) Lacks a clear Christian national-view
b) Lacks a Christian worldview

3. Educational system is surely testing us

a) Corrupting the minds of our young people
b) Anti-Americanism
c) Lying & cheating
d) Communistic & socialistic

B. OUR ENEMIES WILL TRAP US IN THINGS WE CAN’T CONTROL!

1. Our own churches

a) Mega-church growth
b) Theological conflict
c) Church splits & pastoral hostility
d) Tares & wolves

2. Judicial system:

a) 9th Circuit decision this week
b) Kelo
c) Gay marriage
d) Destruction of the family

3. Secularism-humanism

a) Paganism
b) Drug trade
c) Pornographers
d) Materialism
e) Victim class
f) Laziness

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: So where have we disobeyed the LORD? Remind them of the above AND it was up to God’s people to drive the enemies of Israel out but it was in fact the Lord who drove them out.

And don’t you see: God’s people are failing to be obedient by faith so that He will drive them out for us!

Except with obedience and repentance, we will see no change in our nations! [2 Chronicles 7:14]

[REAL WITNESS] Let's not be like those who are seen and heard being un-Christian. People who know we are Christians will wonder greatly at our conduct.

We might say, “I do this or that not as a Christian, but as a sinner saved by grace." Or we might even try, “I do this or that not as a Christian, I am at work where I may not act like a Christian.”

“But,” the observer will ask, “when the sinner or worker goes to Hell, what will become of the Christian?”

How will God judge us when we appear before His throne? Will it be for what we sang or prayed in church, or will it be for our witness before a lost and dying world?

It will be whether His Son ever knew us!

[NAME CHANGE] Once a soldier was reported to Alexander the Great for showing cowardice on a particular occasion; when the soldier appeared before Alexander the Great, he asked him his name. He said, “Alexander, sir!” Alexander rebuked him for the dishonor he’d brought upon the name and ordered him to change his name or behave in a way that honored the name.

It would not be a better thing to have fewer Christians laboring in the Lord’s vineyard but it would be to have better ones.

It would seem to me that most of what passes as Christianity today could certainly use a name change.

Didn’t the LORD say we were not to take His name in vain? Isn’t calling oneself a Christian but not behaving as one taking the name of Jesus in vain?

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

MATTHEW 8:5-13 - You of little faith!

TOPIC: Faith (living or simple)

TITLE: OH YOU OF LITTLE FAITH – What must God do to convince?
TEXT: Matthew 5:5-13

And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed that very moment.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of faith did the Centurion exhibit that attracted the Lord’s notice?

CONCISE OUTLINE

I. HE EXHIBITED A PROACTIVE FAITH!
II. HE EXHIBITED A SELF-RELIANT FAITH!
III. HE EXHIBITED AN UNSELFISH FAITH!
IV. HE EXHIBITED A FAITH-BASED FAITH!
V. HE EXIBITED A GOD EXALTING FAITH!
VI. HE EXHIBITED A CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Faith is not a normal feature of human existence; having been given intellect/reason man has a hard time dealing openly with acts of faith (e.g., child discipline, patriotism, moral values, traditions, etc.).

We’re challenged everyday with events and circumstances which cry out for faith, for trust in God, for confidence in Him, for simple belief. Yet, how do we deal with the testing?

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:2-8

This week’s message is a result of two separate events. I get together each week with another member for Bible study; it was at this week’s get together the Lord pointed to our text as the text He wanted me to preach today!

I believe it had to do with another event involving a member of the church, where a lack of faith has been exhibited for some time. That lack of faith revealed a misunderstanding of faith by still another member.

[SOVEREIGNTY] One night when a diplomat and his valet were required to sleep in the same railcar, the valet noticed his boss having trouble sleeping. “Whazzzzup?” He asked (things have changed). “Oh, I have so many things on my mind; the responsibilities I have to bear.”

“Look, I want to get some sleep, so let me ask you: do you think God was governing the world okay before you were born and don’t you think He'll manage after you're dead and gone?” “Absolutely!” “Okay then, let’s get some sleep, cause He’s gonna do just fine while your alive … right?"

As pastor, I’m called upon to address issues such as faith and nothing can be more important to a Christian church than faith …

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of faith did the Centurion exhibit that attracted the Lord’s notice?
EXPANDED OUTLINE: To answer that we need to notice what stands out as significant in our scriptural vignette …

I. HE EXHIBITED A PROACTIVE FAITH!

He didn’t worry himself sick; by faith he took action! He didn’t sit around wringing his hands; by faith he went to the Right Hand of God! He didn’t complain to local religious leaders; by faith he went to the Son of God! He didn’t call for a healing service; by faith he went to the Healer! He didn’t go to the medical community; by faith he went to the Great Physician!

II. HE EXHIBITED A SELF-RELIANT FAITH!

He didn’t send others; by faith he went himself! He didn’t seek intercessors; by faith he went directly to the One he believed could solve his problem!

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:30

III. HE EXHIBITED AN UNSELFISH FAITH!

He didn’t go for himself; by faith he went for a servant!

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Hebrews 11:7

IV. HE EXHIBITED A FAITH-BASED FAITH!

There is no record of God having done anything for this man that would have explained such proactive faith; by faith he simply went.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

V. HE EXIBITED A GOD EXALTING FAITH!

By faith he went and humbled himself before someone people considered of less stature. By faith he recognized Jesus authority and sovereignty and power!

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:11

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11:24-26

VI. HE EXHIBITED A CHILD-LIKE FAITH!

And said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:3

By faith the Centurion told Jesus, “Just say the word” and he will be healed.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.

Hebrews 11:17

[I SEE YOU] A dad stood in the cellar looking up at his son standing at the edge of a trap door. He called up, “I’m right here son, go ahead jump down to me."

The boy hesitated, in uncertain fear. "I can't, dad; I can't see you." Up came the answer, "I know you can't, but I see you!”

We may not see our Father but He sees us!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE:

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us …

Hebrews 11:32-40

I’m usually conflicted when I hear people try to describe the difference between Christianity and another religions ... "by grace you are saved, through faith" [Ephesians 2:8]; this includes every thing from Genesis to Revelation, from the Garden to the incarnation, from Calvary’s cross to the Judgment seat, from the ascension to the 2nd Coming, from the Rapture to the millennium, and from Creation to our first moment in eternity future ... in a word, Christianity is summed up in Christ.

Consider the following in light of the Centurion’s interaction with Jesus –

Money: both personal and related (e.g., paying your bills and the church’s)
Career: both the one you are in and the one you want
Health: both yours and those around you (e.g., recent events regarding your health or the health of a loved one)
Family: yours or that of someone near you; parents or grandkidsConsider how you, by faith, would approach the Lord; put yourself in the Centurion’s shoes of faith, just change his need to your need.

At this point in your life, what behavior, what words, what faith would impress the Lord similarly to that of the Centurion?

Are you coming proactively or with doubt? Are you expecting your church or your pastor to go to the Lord for you? Are you coming on behalf of others or self? Are you going due to something the Lord did or something He promised to do? Is your supplication be exalting to God or man?

Are you seeming to be foolish to others? When you come to you understand … "the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those (are the things that) defile the man." [Matthew 15:18]

[YOUR WALLET] Faith is resident in the heart of the believer; dozens of Scripture support this. Capitol One runs a popular commercial which has the punch line, “What’s in your wallet?” For our purposes, let’s morph this to, “What’s in your heart?”

[TWO PARTS] An old preacher was fond of saying, “There are two parts to the Good News; the first is believing and the second is behaving.” The one who hears but does not do is the one James describes as having dead faith. [James 2:17]

For nine long years we’ve been a church which has lived in the past; everything that happens, good or bad, seems to be examined by our history, rather than looking forward by faith to what can be … to what is promised!

We’ve been so busy licking our wounds, we’ve forgotten we’re to live by faith, believing God will do great things.

Our text tells us a world of things about the kind of faith which gets the notice of God. Let me suggest that we start being noticed!

Faith, Homiletics, Matthew, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Sovereignty