Ordinary Faith: The Power of Selfless Service
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of ordinary individuals in the growth and mission of the early church, as illustrated in the Book of Acts. We focused on Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose life exemplified the principle of selfless service. Stephen was not an apostle or a church leader but an "average Joe" whose commitment to serving others played a crucial role in the church's expansion. His life was guided by the principle, "It's not about me," which fostered unity and propelled the church forward.
The early church faced significant challenges, including racial tensions and internal grumbling, which threatened its unity. Stephen's story teaches us the importance of addressing such issues directly and with love, rather than allowing them to fester and divide. The apostles, recognizing the need to prioritize their teaching and prayer, appointed Stephen and others to serve the community, demonstrating that every role in the church is vital and honorable.
Stephen's martyrdom was not in vain; it became a catalyst for the conversion of Saul, who would become Paul, one of Christianity's greatest evangelists. This transformation underscores the power of ordinary believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, to effect extraordinary change. Stephen's life and death remind us that the greatest sermons often emerge from our suffering and that our ultimate victory lies in our faithfulness to Jesus, even unto death.
Key Takeaways:
1. Service as Core Commitment: Stephen's life exemplifies that the core Christian commitment is service. He stepped into a need without considering it beneath him, demonstrating that true service is about meeting needs, not seeking glory. This selfless service fosters unity and can lead to profound impacts, even converting those initially opposed to the faith. [19:24]
2. Prioritizing the Word of God: The apostles prioritized teaching the Word, recognizing its supreme importance. Stephen, in turn, prioritized learning it, equipping himself to preach powerfully. This highlights the necessity for all believers to be devoted students of the Word, ready to share the gospel in their unique contexts. [41:12]
3. God's Work Through Ordinary People: Stephen's story illustrates that God often accomplishes His greatest work through ordinary people. Filled with the Holy Spirit, these individuals can perform tasks as significant as those of the apostles, demonstrating that every believer has a vital role in God's mission. [43:18]
4. Contradiction to the World: Christians, like Stephen, are a perplexing contradiction to the world, embodying both grace and truth. This duality can provoke hostility, yet it is essential for authentic witness. Believers must balance truth and grace, focusing on pleasing God rather than seeking worldly affirmation. [46:59]
5. Martyrdom and Witness: Stephen's martyrdom was his most effective witness, leading to Saul's conversion. This teaches us that our greatest contributions to God's kingdom may come through our suffering. In our trials, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting that our faithfulness will bear fruit beyond our understanding. [50:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [19:24] - The Growth of the Early Church
- [22:43] - Addressing Internal Conflicts
- [25:56] - Stephen's Bold Witness
- [35:08] - The Power of Service
- [38:19] - Prioritizing the Word
- [41:12] - Learning and Teaching the Word
- [43:18] - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact
- [46:59] - Grace and Truth in Witness
- [50:09] - Martyrdom as Witness
- [52:30] - The Gospel's Transformative Power
- [55:51] - Overcoming Through Faithfulness
- [57:35] - Prayer and Reflection
- [01:03:37] - Confession and Forgiveness
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 6:1-7
2. Acts 7:54-60
3. John 16:7
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the main issue that arose among the early church members, and how did the apostles address it? [22:43]
2. How did Stephen's role in the early church demonstrate the principle of "It's not about me"? [19:24]
3. What was the reaction of the religious leaders to Stephen's sermon, and what did it lead to? [25:56]
4. How did Stephen's martyrdom contribute to the conversion of Saul? [50:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think the apostles prioritized the teaching of the Word over serving tables, and what does this suggest about the roles within the church? [41:12]
2. How does Stephen's life illustrate the idea that God can use ordinary people for extraordinary purposes? [43:18]
3. In what ways does Stephen's story challenge the notion of seeking worldly affirmation versus pleasing God? [46:59]
4. How does the concept of martyrdom as a witness challenge our understanding of effective ministry? [50:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized your own needs over serving others. How can Stephen's example inspire you to adopt a "It's not about me" attitude in your daily life? [19:24]
2. Consider the current challenges or conflicts within your church community. How can you address these issues directly and with love, as the apostles did? [22:43]
3. How can you make learning and teaching the Word of God a priority in your life, similar to Stephen's dedication? What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of the Bible? [41:12]
4. Identify an area in your life where you feel ordinary or insignificant. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work through you in that area to make an extraordinary impact? [43:18]
5. Think about a situation where you might have avoided speaking truth because of fear of rejection or hostility. How can you balance truth and grace in your interactions this week? [46:59]
6. Reflect on a personal trial or suffering you are currently facing. How can you keep your eyes on Jesus and trust that your faithfulness will bear fruit beyond your understanding? [50:09]
7. What specific action can you take this week to serve someone in need, demonstrating the core Christian commitment of service? [35:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Service as a Path to Unity
Stephen's life demonstrates that true Christian service is about meeting the needs of others without seeking personal glory. His willingness to serve in any capacity, regardless of status, fostered unity within the early church and had a profound impact on its growth. Stephen's example shows that selfless service can lead to significant change, even converting those initially opposed to the faith. By stepping into roles that others might overlook, believers can contribute to the church's mission and demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways. [19:24]
Acts 6:2-4 (ESV): "And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'"
Reflection: Identify a need within your community or church that you can meet this week. How can you serve in a way that prioritizes others over yourself?
Day 2: The Power of Prioritizing God's Word
The apostles understood the importance of prioritizing the teaching of God's Word, and Stephen followed their example by equipping himself to preach powerfully. This commitment to learning and sharing the gospel highlights the necessity for all believers to be devoted students of the Word. By immersing themselves in Scripture, Christians can be ready to share the gospel in their unique contexts, ensuring that the message of Christ is spread effectively. [41:12]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of the Bible? How can you share what you learn with someone else?
Day 3: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Impact
Stephen's story illustrates that God often accomplishes His greatest work through ordinary people. Filled with the Holy Spirit, these individuals can perform tasks as significant as those of the apostles, demonstrating that every believer has a vital role in God's mission. This truth encourages believers to embrace their unique gifts and callings, trusting that God can use them to make a difference in the world. [43:18]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a talent or ability you have that you might consider ordinary. How can you offer it to God for His use this week?
Day 4: Balancing Grace and Truth in Witness
Christians, like Stephen, are called to embody both grace and truth, a duality that can provoke hostility but is essential for authentic witness. This balance requires believers to focus on pleasing God rather than seeking worldly affirmation. By maintaining this focus, Christians can effectively share the gospel, even in the face of opposition, and demonstrate the transformative power of Christ's love. [46:59]
John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Reflection: In what ways can you better balance grace and truth in your interactions with others this week? How can you ensure that your witness remains authentic and God-centered?
Day 5: Suffering as a Witness to Faith
Stephen's martyrdom was his most effective witness, leading to Saul's conversion. This teaches that the greatest contributions to God's kingdom may come through suffering. In trials, believers are encouraged to keep their eyes on Jesus, trusting that their faithfulness will bear fruit beyond their understanding. This perspective helps Christians endure hardships with hope, knowing that God can use their suffering for His glory. [50:09]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Consider a current challenge or trial you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to witness to others about your faith in Christ?
Quotes
"Stephen has one principle in his life that really drives him and makes him. And this principle, like Stephen's the kind of guy that keeps things together. He keeps unity, keeps things moving forward. And the principle of his life that is guiding him that we'll see from the start to finish is that his principle is, it's not about me. It's not about me." [00:19:38] (21 seconds)
"In the church, we need to realize this because these are things that Satan uses, distrust and resentment in order to destroy the church. This is the third major attack Satan has had on the church as it started off. The first we saw in Acts 4 that was a government persecution. Acts 5, we see that there is embezzlement and hypocrisy amongst the leadership of the church in Ananias. In Acts 6 now, we see the spirit of grumbling, distrust, and resentment." [00:21:34] (30 seconds)
"And the twelve summoned the full number of disciples and said, It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables. Keep going. Therefore, brothers, pick out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word and what they said. Please, the whole gathering. Please, the whole gathering." [00:24:21] (32 seconds)
"Stephen is introduced as a servant. His job was not glorious he waited on tables for widows and obvious from what we see he's a capable leader he's a he's a gifted theologian and a good preacher but he didn't say oh I'm not gonna do that waiting on tables that's beneath me that's below me no he jumped in he didn't say oh I don't have that gift no he saw a need and he stepped in why because Stephen's life is it's not about him it's about being a servant and serving the body of Christ and when he see a need he stepped in he did he did it gladly and this service that seemed rather insignificant didn't seem like it was oh my goodness earth shadowing this stepping in to this moment of pain this moment of problem within you" [00:29:14] (50 seconds)
"Francis Schaeffer said, the love of the church is the church's most effective apologetic. Our desire as a church is that we be characterized by that love. And how do you do that? With service. You serve others. I told the group, research says that most people decide, like, if they're going to come to this church and come back to church in the first seven minutes of being at a church. And so the first seven minutes is not the sermon. They decide by meeting you, by how you greet them, how you smile, how you welcome, how you serve them." [00:33:05] (36 seconds)
"Nothing is more important than the Word of God. Nothing's more important than the Word of God. For the apostles had filled up their schedules, even with something good, like taking care of the widows. It was filled to the max. It would be a disservice to the church if they would stay there and just do that and not reach the greatest need of the Word of God." [00:39:16] (21 seconds)
"The apostles may have prioritized it in teaching it, but here's what Stephen did. He prioritized in learning it. He learned it. So here's my question for you. How devoted are you to the Word? To learning the Word? To being a student of the Word? Would you be ready to preach this kind of message like Stephen did? If you were called upon? If you were needed to?" [00:41:32] (29 seconds)
"Why is that so important? What is that Holy Spirit trying to show us? I think the Holy Spirit is trying to show us that ordinary people filled with the Holy Spirit, with the Word of God, God can use to do everything apostles do. Look what Jesus says in John 16, 7. He says this, Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you." [00:44:03] (27 seconds)
"Stephen's life's a contradiction to everyone. I mean, think about it. This guy is really kind and gracious, a servant -like. I mean, he's there with the widows and his heart of service. I mean, it moves the antagonist priest to love and embrace him in Christ. At the same time, he sets this rebuke to stinging words, right, to another group of religious leaders and it ticks them off so much that they murder him." [00:47:21] (22 seconds)
"Stephen did everything right. I mean, that would be the American thing. Do everything right and God should bless you. You should have great rewards. And yet what happened? His ministry didn't grow. His days didn't multiply. No, he was stoned. Verse 58 again, they laid their coats at the feet of the young man named Saul. Saul was watching as the stone smashed into Stephen's face and as his body was mangled into a bloody heap." [00:49:43] (26 seconds)
"Stephen's most effective contribution to the kingdom of God came through his martyrdom. Paul was not converted by seeing Stephen delivered. He was not converted by seeing Stephen. He was converted by Stephen. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, testifying to Jesus' glory in the midst of his pain and suffering. So you got to understand the best sermons that you're going to preach to other people are not sermons of how blessed you are. It's sermons that come out of your pain and your suffering." [00:50:27] (29 seconds)
"Stephen didn't know, but watching him die was one of the greatest evangelistic witness he could do that God would use to convert Saul to Paul, become the greatest evangelist in the Bible. Perhaps in your suffering, perhaps in your pain, it's going to be the greatest opportunity you have to witness the faith to other people like Saul in your life." [00:53:54] (34 seconds)
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