Faithfulness: The Bold Witness of Stephen
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound impact of faithfulness in the life of a disciple, using the story of Stephen from Acts chapter 6 as our guide. We began by reflecting on the importance of knowing what is required of us as followers of Christ, as outlined in Micah 6:8: to act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with God. This can be summarized in one word: faithfulness. We then delved into the life of Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, chosen to serve because of his good reputation and wisdom. Stephen's life exemplifies how faithfulness produces fruit, as seen in his ministry and the wonders he performed.
However, faithfulness is not always met with acceptance. Stephen faced opposition and false accusations, yet he remained steadfast. This teaches us that living a faithful life may lead to persecution, but it also sets us apart and makes us bold in our witness. Stephen's boldness in proclaiming the truth, even in the face of death, shows that faithfulness equals boldness. His unwavering commitment to God's truth, despite the consequences, is a powerful example for us.
Stephen's story also highlights that God does extraordinary work through those filled with His Spirit. Even in his martyrdom, Stephen's faithfulness had a lasting impact on the church and the world. His final moments, where he asked God not to hold the sin against his persecutors, mirror Jesus' own words on the cross, showing that faithfulness makes us look a whole lot like Jesus.
In conclusion, we are called to walk by the Spirit, flock to the faithful, and repeat repentance daily. These practices will help us live a life of faithfulness that not only impacts our immediate surroundings but also has the potential to influence the world for Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness Produces Fruit: A life of faithfulness is a life of abiding in Christ. As Jesus said in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." Staying connected to Christ through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word is essential for bearing fruit in our lives. [48:52]
2. Faithfulness is Not Always Met with Acceptance: Living a life obedient to God's call may not always be understood or accepted by the world. Stephen faced false accusations and persecution despite his faithfulness. This reminds us that we may be outnumbered and misunderstood, but God has placed us in these situations to be a light and a testimony to His truth. [51:41]
3. Faithfulness Sets You Apart: Stephen's calm and grace-filled demeanor, even when falsely accused, set him apart. His face shone like that of an angel, reflecting his inner peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our faithfulness will also set us apart, making us stand out in a world that often rejects God's ways. [57:17]
4. Faithfulness Equals Boldness: Stephen's bold proclamation of the truth, even in the face of death, shows that faithfulness gives us the courage to speak God's truth boldly. His sermon in Acts 7 was a powerful indictment of the religious leaders' rejection of God's plan, demonstrating that true faithfulness involves speaking the truth, no matter the cost. [01:00:22]
5. God Does Extraordinary Work Through Those Filled with His Spirit: Stephen's martyrdom was a pivotal moment in the history of the church. His faithfulness, even unto death, had a profound impact on the early Christian community and continues to inspire believers today. God desires to do extraordinary things through us when we are filled with His Spirit and committed to His purposes. [01:04:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[40:16] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
[42:05] - Introducing Acts Chapter 6
[42:47] - Family Introductions
[43:33] - Exciting Times at Parkway Place
[44:31] - What God Requires of Us
[45:21] - The Example of Stephen
[46:17] - Characteristics of Faithfulness
[47:20] - Faithfulness Produces Fruit
[48:52] - Abiding in Christ
[50:09] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[51:41] - Faithfulness and Opposition
[53:06] - The Role of the Church
[54:36] - Motivation in a Dark World
[55:51] - The Cost of Faithfulness
[57:17] - Faithfulness Sets You Apart
[58:46] - Stephen's Bold Sermon
[01:00:22] - Faithfulness Equals Boldness
[01:04:46] - God’s Extraordinary Work
[01:09:42] - Faithfulness Makes You Look Like Jesus
[01:11:32] - Three Keys to Faithfulness
[01:14:28] - Invitation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
2. Acts 6:1-15 - The story of Stephen, his selection, ministry, and the opposition he faced.
3. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."
#### Observation Questions
1. What qualities were required for the men chosen to serve in Acts 6:3? How did Stephen exemplify these qualities? ([46:17])
2. According to John 15:5, what is necessary for a disciple to bear fruit? How does this relate to Stephen's life? ([48:52])
3. How did Stephen respond to the false accusations and opposition he faced? What was the reaction of those who accused him? ([51:41])
4. What was Stephen's demeanor when he was brought before the Sanhedrin, and how did it set him apart? ([57:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Micah 6:8 summarize what God requires of us, and how does this relate to the concept of faithfulness discussed in the sermon? ([44:31])
2. In what ways did Stephen's faithfulness lead to boldness, and how did his boldness impact those around him? ([01:00:22])
3. How does the story of Stephen illustrate that faithfulness is not always met with acceptance? What can we learn from his experience? ([51:41])
4. What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit" as mentioned in the sermon, and how can this practice help us live a life of faithfulness? ([01:11:32])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or misunderstanding because of your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Stephen's example? ([51:41])
2. Stephen's life showed that faithfulness produces fruit. What specific steps can you take to stay connected to Christ and bear fruit in your daily life? ([48:52])
3. How can you cultivate boldness in your faith like Stephen? Identify one area in your life where you need to be more courageous in proclaiming God's truth. ([01:00:22])
4. Stephen's calm demeanor set him apart even in the face of false accusations. How can you demonstrate grace and peace in challenging situations? ([57:17])
5. The sermon mentioned that God does extraordinary work through those filled with His Spirit. What extraordinary work do you feel called to, and how can you prepare yourself to be used by God? ([01:04:46])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of walking by the Spirit, flocking to the faithful, and repeating repentance. Which of these practices do you need to focus on more, and what specific actions will you take to incorporate it into your life? ([01:11:32])
7. Stephen's final moments mirrored Jesus' words on the cross. How can you show forgiveness and love to those who wrong you, following Stephen's and Jesus' example? ([01:09:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness Produces Fruit
Faithfulness in the life of a disciple is akin to abiding in Christ. As Jesus emphasized in John 15:5, remaining in Him is essential for bearing fruit. Stephen's life, as described in Acts chapter 6, is a testament to this truth. He was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, chosen for his good reputation and wisdom. His faithfulness was evident in the wonders and signs he performed among the people. This fruitfulness is not just about visible miracles but also about the transformation of character and the impact on others' lives. Staying connected to Christ through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word is crucial for this kind of fruitfulness. [48:52]
John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you deepen your connection to Christ this week to ensure you are bearing fruit in your daily life?
Day 2: Faithfulness is Not Always Met with Acceptance
Living a life of faithfulness to God's call can often lead to misunderstanding and opposition. Stephen faced false accusations and persecution despite his unwavering faithfulness. This reality reminds us that being obedient to God may not always be met with acceptance by the world. However, it is in these challenging situations that our faithfulness can shine the brightest, serving as a testimony to God's truth. We are called to be a light in the darkness, even when we are outnumbered or misunderstood. [51:41]
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV): "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your faithfulness to God was misunderstood or opposed. How can you respond in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth?
Day 3: Faithfulness Sets You Apart
Stephen's calm and grace-filled demeanor, even when falsely accused, set him apart from others. His face shone like that of an angel, reflecting his inner peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. This distinctiveness is a hallmark of a faithful life. When we live faithfully, we stand out in a world that often rejects God's ways. Our actions, attitudes, and responses to adversity can serve as a powerful witness to those around us. [57:17]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit in your interactions with others this week?
Day 4: Faithfulness Equals Boldness
Stephen's bold proclamation of the truth, even in the face of death, exemplifies the courage that comes from faithfulness. His sermon in Acts 7 was a powerful indictment of the religious leaders' rejection of God's plan. True faithfulness involves speaking the truth, no matter the cost. This boldness is not about being confrontational but about having the courage to stand for God's truth in love and humility. [01:00:22]
Acts 4:29 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness."
Reflection: What is one area where you need to be bolder in proclaiming God's truth? How can you prepare yourself to speak with both courage and love?
Day 5: God Does Extraordinary Work Through Those Filled with His Spirit
Stephen's martyrdom was a pivotal moment in the history of the church. His faithfulness, even unto death, had a profound impact on the early Christian community and continues to inspire believers today. God desires to do extraordinary things through us when we are filled with His Spirit and committed to His purposes. Our willingness to be used by God, even in difficult circumstances, can lead to significant and lasting impact. [01:04:46]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Are you open to allowing God to work through you in extraordinary ways? What steps can you take to be more receptive to the Holy Spirit's leading in your life?
Quotes
1. "I'm thankful as a disciple of Jesus I can know what is required of me. One of many places we can look at Scripture is in Micah 6, verse 8. Whenever you think about what is expected of us, and it says here, Mankind, he has told you. You don't have to wonder. He's already told us what is good and what the Lord requires of you to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God." [44:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you and I want to make an impact in the world around us, if you and I want to make an impact in the life of your family, if you and I want to make an impact in our workplace, in our place of ministry within our church, then you and I would do well to do the things the Lord requires of us, ultimately, to be faithful in what He calls us to be." [45:21] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Faithfulness produces fruit. If you look at your life, and you think about what Jesus' words were to his disciples in John chapter 15, when he talks about this wonderful thing that you and I have and you and I possess in a relationship with Jesus, being filled by the Spirit, being filled by all things that encompass who Christ is, this term abiding, we see that he tells us in John chapter 15 verse 5, he says, I am the vine and you are the branches." [48:52] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you are living a life obedient to the call of God on your life as a disciple of Jesus, it's not really going to make a lot of sense to the world around you at times. And honestly, church, outside of this room, you find yourself in many places, hopefully outside of this room and outside of your household, a lot of you find yourself each and every day in places to where you are outnumbered." [51:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The church is meant to be the vehicle in which the gospel reaches the ends of the earth. And you being in that place where you feel outnumbered is a part of God's design to reach the ends of the earth. With the gospel, your place of work, wherever you're at, at your gym, your book club, whatever it may be, whatever you're into." [53:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Faithfulness is going to set you apart. You're going to stand out. It's going to set you apart. There's going to be things that happen in your life. And in this instance, what did Stephen not do? Stephen didn't, no, no, no. It's not what I said. That's not the context of what I said. You got it all wrong. He isn't trying to defend himself. He sits there full of grace, full of wisdom, full of the spirit because he was full of wisdom and full of grace." [57:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Faithfulness makes you look a whole lot like Jesus. Do you want to show people Jesus? Do you want to have them have the same opportunity that you did at that time in your life to be impacted by the power of the gospel of Jesus? Whether it was you sitting in your living room and it was the word of God open before you by one of your parents or a grandparent." [01:09:42] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God's word is the fuel to those who walk by the spirit and you need to have it to be a regular part of your life. The second thing is this flock to the faithful. Flock to the faithful. Your closest friends. Not acquaintances. Your closest interpersonal relationships need to be people that are a part of the family of God. You need to have close interpersonal relationships with people." [01:13:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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