Stephen

Day 3, Feb 7th 2024

Text:  Acts 6:5,8; Acts 7.

Introduction-

Stephen is among the seven chosen to oversee the widow’s business, taking care of them and attending to their needs. Stephen can be likened to any believer like me, and you and the first person to die for Jesus. Acts 6:1-7.  The 12 disciples were busy preaching the gospel and other responsibility deem it fit that the widows should not be neglected in the society, asked the congregation to select men with the following attributes.  Men full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit to run the affairs of the office of the widows and the account of the church.

Who is Stephen? 

Stephen was one of the first deacons mention in the bible in Acts 6:5. And the first Martyr of the church. (A martyr is one who voluntarily suffers death rather than denied the testimony of his or her faith. Acts 7: 2.) 

 The story of Stephen is wholly contained in two chapters in the book of Acts, but it provides a glimpse into life in the early church and serves as an example of how our faith in Christ can lead to great things.

Characters or Attributes of Stephen

1. Full of the Holy Spirit: shows Stephen daily walking under the control of the holy spirit and shows progressive maturity.  As Stephen our character should reflect Christ in our daily lives so that we don’t mock the name of Jesus. There is a big difference between living godly and living a life of holiness. God looks at our inner attributes not physical. Like Stephen lets learn to commit our spirit to God before we do anything like even waking up in the morning

2. Full of wisdom: Acts 6:10, Proverbs 2:6. To grow in wisdom we must grow in our understanding of the cross of Christ. The cross is the place for transformation where we surrender completely to GOD.

3. Full of faith Acts 6:5. Stephen shows that he believed in the totality of God as seen in acts 7. 

Stephen’s qualities, being full of the holy spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power, show his godly characters.

Virtues of Stephen

Patience, strength, humility, honor, gentleness, and mercy. May God help us all to be like Stephen in Jesus name.

Life Lessons–

1. Stephen is first mentioned in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be deacons. Local churches were beginning to be established and there arose some problems with Greek widows being neglected in their care. (Unfortunately, today, most churches continue to neglect windows that are the responsibility of the church. See 1 Timothy 5:1-16). This neglect resulted in the apostles spending their time taking care of the widows at the expense of their ministry of the Word of God and prayer. This is an instruction for all true believers, we have them widows among us. 

 2. Stephen was a great man of faith who came from nowhere, but because of his testimony, he was chosen by the church members to take on the role of a deacon. He used his role to minister both personally in ways that not only help the apostles but was directly responsible for growth in the church. Stephen also used his popularity to reach a broader base of people with the message of salvation. Stephen relied upon the Holy Spirit to give him the Words to say, the strength to persevere under persecution, and the heart to forgive those who were responsible for his death. 

3. Forgiveness is one big lesson Stephen taught us, Acts 7: 60. As believers, what excuse or justification do we not have to forgive. If Stephen an ordinary man like me, and you could forgive and pray for those killing him by stoning him to death. We have no justification brethren. Matt 6:14-15, Eph 4:32

Life applications

1. The Holy Spirit promises to equip and empower us for every situation, not some but every, only if we rely on and put our complete trust in him. Matthew 10:19, Acts 7:55, like Jesus stood for Stephen with pride, he will do same for us if we trust him. 

2. Why didn’t God rescue him? That is the question we are all asking. He did everything right and he ended up dead?  Isaiah 55:8-9. It is not always blessings and blessings, sometimes it will lead us through Stephen martyrdom. But in the end Acts 7:55. Though earth may reject us, we can endure knowing that heaven will accept us.

Lesson of the Day

Stephen’s story shows us that no matter how insignificant we may think our role is, we can use it to reach others for Christ and endure the persecution that is sure to follow John 16:33. Die to self not physical death like Stephen but pick up your cross daily and follow Jesus. We all die daily as true believer for Jesus by saying no to SINS. We should never be afraid of proclaiming the gospel, Stephen saw an opportunity to preach the gospel when he was summoned by the high priest, he did not argue with them or defend himself against the accusations brought upon him but sees an opportunity to share the gospel, what are the opportunities we are taking for granted or procrastinating to share the gospel?  Whether we lose our lives as a martyr or whether God protects us, we will, like Stephen wear the victor’s crown.

Complied by: Sister Lucy Awowole-Browne