Your Spiritual Journey
Lessons from Stephen
Lessons from Stephen
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to help with the distribution of food to widows in the early days of the church (see Acts, chapters 6 and 7). Luke describes Stephen as “a man full of God’s grace and power”, and that he “performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Eventually, opposition arose among some of the Jews who began arguing with Stephen, and he was brought before the Sanhedrin. Stephen gives them an oral history of Israel, and how it finds is culmination is Jesus; the very man that they had recently betrayed and murdered. This angered his accusers, and they stoned him to death. So, how did this man chosen to help with the daily distribution of food, become the first Christian martyr to die for his faith? What lessons can we learn from him?
· First of all, Stephen was full of the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, and it was apparent to everyone he had contact with. While we cannot perform great signs and wonders as he did, we can tap into the unmeasurable power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in each Christian. Let’s strive to make that grace and power evident to everyone around us, both in word and in action.
· Next, Stephen was not afraid to speak the truth. In John’s gospel, Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me.” When we bring the message of Jesus, we speak the truth.
· Lastly, even though Stephen suffered because of following Jesus, his love did not fail. We follow a Savior that loved us so much that he suffered on the cross. As the rocks were flying, Stephen asked the Lord to not hold this sin against them. Let’s pray that our love holds strong when the world’s “stones” are flung our way.
Steven was filled with the Spirit, spoke the truth, and displayed the love of God to the very end. And for this, Jesus gave him a standing ovation.
Jim
