Sermon Notes 09-07-08

September 7th 2008 “Many Are Called”
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Greek Jews among them complained against the Hebrew speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”Acts 6:1-2

I thought to myself: “If I knew, when I was about to answer the call of God to go into ministry, when I was 19 years old: WOULD I STILL BECOME A PASTOR?”
I THOUGHT it only entailed one thing but it was a call to: Crucify your own aspirations and follow HIS direction!

Jesus is our example, but are we willing to follow Him to the Cross?
Who volunteers for a cross?

Today, we look at the first person in the history of the new church, to die for his belief in Christ—Stephen.
Stephen’s ministry was a like a meteor flying thru the night sky…very brief, but brilliant and bright, powerful and spectacular!
We don’t know much about him and his background, but his name tells us much: Stephen=a victor’s crown…and he’ll have a crown in heaven, the martyr’s crown…he was faithful to his ministry, even unto death!
He wasn’t a pastor or an apostle; he was simply a layman who served.

Acts 6:1 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Greek Jews among them complained against the Hebrew speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food."

The church is about to have its second “Conflict!” The first was Ananias and Sapphira—now Widows!
In each temple there were officials who collected alms on Friday morning. Later that day, this food was distributed to those with both temporary and permanent needs.
But there was a problem—It appeared that the Jewish speaking widows were getting more favorable treatment and the apostles realized that they need someone with everybody’s interest in mind!
Pastors or Apostles should not get involved with what could be taken as showing “Favoritism!”

Who did God chose to handle these widows?—usually God chooses those who are doing something for Him!

God chose David to fight the giant Goliath! Unlikely candidate! Saul’s armor wouldn’t even fit him!

God chose Stephen—the cook! What could a waiter do?

Points to Ponder:
1st God’s choice doesn’t always seem right!

Acts 6:2-3 “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them”

The guy in the kitchen didn’t seem like the right choice but God make the choice!
Stephen had a record—people knew him!

V3 Stephen was: “known to be”

Stephen took God’s business seriously, as we all should.
People could tell Who he belong to!
Stephen never took his wedding ring off when he went out with the boys!

Stephen had an “Obvious Testimony!”
Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit…he didn’t just have the Holy Spirit.

In every believer the Holy Spirit is resident, but what He wants to be is President! [call the shots, be in full control!]

Points to Ponder:
1st God’s choice doesn’t always seem right!
2nd God’s Fruit!

A. Galatians 5:22-24 “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit—therefore—he exhibited the “Fruit of the Sprit!”

I have met many people who say they have been spirit filled but they don’t exhibit the “Fruit of the Spirit!”
They were all full of the spirit: v3 “3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

“Faithfulness”—Stephen was “Faith” “Filled”—therefore he could stand when the time of testing came!

Faith—How did Stephen get faith? The only way any of us can…from the Word of God. Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Stephen was “Full of Faith!”

The evidence of Stephen’s faith is found in chapter 7…read it at home—he preaches completely from memory, he gives the entire history of Israel, from Abraham to Moses, Egypt and slavery, to the wilderness, the promised land…he knew where Abraham was buried when he died, and even gave the names of the men he bought the burial plot from!
Stephen knew the bible because he had been studying it! He was a man of this book…no wonder the Bible says he was full of faith!

David said: Psalm 119:16 “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Psalms 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that Stephen was a man full of “Wisdom!”
Wisdom—v10 “These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

What is it that we need here at Hope Community Church?
Food service professionals?
Licensed counselors?
Financial advisors?
No! We need people full of the Holy Spirit—using their gifts!

Natural qualifications - optional!!
Spiritual qualifications - mandatory!!

Points to Ponder:
1st God’s choice doesn’t always seem right!
2nd God’s Fruit!
3rd God had a plan! God had a plan for Stephen and God has a plan for YOU!

Acts 6:88-10 “8Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”

What happened to Stephen?
They brought false witness against him! Acts 6:11
They sized him! Acts 6:12
He preached Jesus to them! Acts 7:1-53
About all the prophets that have been sent to you and you have killed everyone of them and now God sent His only Son and you killed Him— 51“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!” As Stephen said this final statement they rushed upon him: “54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”

They Stoned Him To Death!
They said: “There we won’t have to hear that again!
Just like they thought when they sealed the tomb of Jesus!

The Rest of the Story
Believers scattered (8:1-4)
Saul convicted (7:58;9:1-19;26:14)
Gospel to world (11:19-21; 13-28)

These are the areas that the Acts church affected.
Stephen and the other 11 signed up to “Flip Burgers!” But God used them to “Change The World!”
Jesus wants people who will trust Him! No matter what!
Jesus is looking for Volunteers to take up His cross and follow Him!

Ill.—young preacher wanted to preach in a robe—tailor took measurements, asked “I need to know how long you’ve been in the ministry.” “What does that have to do w/ it?” “Everything, I’ve made a lot of robes, and if you’re young in the ministry you think you know it all and you walk around w/ your head held high and your chest stuck out…so I need to make it longer in front and shorter in back/but if you’ve been in the ministry for some time, you know you don’t know it all, you’re pretty level headed and level hearted!/finally, once you’ve been serving God a long time, you realize you don’t know anything, you spend most of your time w/ your head bowed in prayer asking for wisdom, or on your knees looking to the only One who can help! You need it shorter in front and longer in back!

John Newton was a drunken slave-trader. After coming to Christ as his Savior he wrote: “Amazing Grace, how sweet…” (quote) That’s saving grace!
All born again Christians have experienced it!