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RE Verse reading–Acts 6:8-15, 7:1-60 (day six)  “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham. . .a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt”  (7:17-18)  One of Stephen’s sermon insights is a good reminder for us.  God’s plan requires patience.  His plan is perfect but also progressive (one step and then another with a timing of His own determination).  Abraham follows.  His father dies.  Then he takes the next step.  His ancestors finally get settled in the land of promise.  Then a famine comes and a 400 year interruption.  Over and over the story encounters delay and direction change–only to reveal that God has been guiding all along.  One thing is certain.  None of us is in charge of God’s calendar.  None of us see the “big picture”.  Our only choice is to follow the Spirit as He presents the assignment/opportunity prepared for us.  Patience will be required.  Those who wait on the Lord. . .

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:8-15, 7:1-60 (day five)  “Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?”  (7:52)  One of Stephens’ insights (as reflected in his sermonic summary of Israeli history) is the presence of persecution at every step of the journey.  Often, the Jews were the persecutors rather than the persecuted!  Maybe  Stephen was just preparing his own heart for what was ahead, but his historic point is hard to deny.  The patriachs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery (vs 9).  A famine came (vs 11).  Pharoah took shrewed advantage of the people (vs 19).  The nation was unwilling to obey Moses (vs 39).  Helpful insight!  None of us who surrender to follow Christ should be surprised when we encouter turbulence along the way.  Either the message or the messenger (both?) will be roughly treated.  “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers and rulers of this world’s darkness”  (Ephesians 6:12)  Problems and persecutions will come.  They always have.

RE Verse reading–Acts6:8-15, 7:1-60 (day four)  “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!  The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia. . .”  His first assignment was food service–managing a Senior Adult lunch program.  His second assignment was to preach a sermon–speak truth to a hostile audience.  Faithful people never get to retire, we just move to God’s next assignment.  His sermon was excellent! ( My opinion–not the Sanhedrin’s)  Courageous.  Insightful.  Eastern in thought, so sometimes hard for us westerners to follow.  Please notice Stephen’s emphasis on God’s call to individuals.  Rather than focus on the nation, his retelling of Jewish history points to the importance of individual response to God.  Abraham. . .Joseph. . .Moses. . .David.  It is a reminder we all need.  What happens in a nation (or a church or a family) can usually be traced back to a receptive, obedient individual.  Great sermon, Stephen!  One person with God can make a huge difference!

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:8-15, 7:1-60 (day three)  “Yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.”  (7:57)  He is the first martyr.  He will not be the last.  Stephen’s death at the hands of an angry mob reminds us of the terrible and deep opposition toward Christ that squats in the heart of people on this planet.  It is not us they resent.  It is Him.  Luke 19:14 gives words to their fury.  “We do not want this man to rule over us!”  Check Stephen’s sermon for evidence that he understood this defiant opposition.  Even people who say they love God still often resist His will.  We make excuses.  We refuse to follow.  Mark Twain said, “There is nothing as irritating as a good example”  Presented with the implied rebuke of a godly life, the world predicatably reacts.  It was true for Jesus.  It will be true for us.

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:8-15, 7:1-60 (day two)  “Then the hight priest asked Stephen, ‘Are these charges true?’ ”  It would have been easy to side step the charges.  They were, afterall, false (cf vs 13)  Stephen could have simply denied the accusations and preserved his life, but he didn’t because his goal was the salvation of his accusers rather than his own safety.  His attitude reminds me of a man who probably traced his own awakening back to this event.  In Romans 10, Paul writes, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation”.  With similar passion, he writes in 1 Corinthians, “I have become all things to all men so that I may by all means win some”  Like Stephen and Paul, life becomes a very different thing when the goal is salvation for others rather than safety for us.  In this grand enterprise, we seize opportunites, we accept the risks.  We are playing to win!

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:1-15, 7:1-60 (day one)  “You stiff-necked people! . . .You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit”  (7:51)  It was a terrible moment.  A moment of truth.  Stephen was preaching his synagogue sermon (the one for which he was killed).  He had traced Jewish history from Old Testament to present moment with this conclusion–the Jewish nation (as a whole) had always resisted the Holy Spirt, and with devastating results.  The word is antipipto.  It literally means “to fall against, to oppose even if the opposition means falling yourself”  Similar to what the Lord says to Paul in Acts 26:14.  “Why do you kick against the goads?”  Why do you continue to fight, even when it becomes clear that your resistance is hurting you?  Good question.  Sad question.  Why do people continue to resist God, even when it means destruction?  What is it about a full surrender to God that raises such irrational, stubborn resistance in our sinful hearts?

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:1-7, 11:27-30 (day seven)  “The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea”  (11:29)  A word easily missed.  Very meaningful when not.  The disciples determined that they would do something to help.  Even if they could not do MUCH (according to their ability) they would do SOMETHING.  They were determined.  The word in Greek is horizo. (like horizon)  It meant to draw a line, make a mark.  In the case of money, it meant to “mark off” or “ear mark” funds for special use.  It is something that takes place in the individual heart.  Luke is clear that “each” of the believers made this decision.  None of us can be corporately effective unless we are individually sacrificial.  It is an indication of the Holy Spirit.  When followers of Christ hear of a need, we volunteer to do something about it.  Inspiring story!  May the Lord make us determined to serve.

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:1-7, 11:27-30 (day six)  “And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples”  (6:2)  A very practical lesson.  The twelve called the church together and they came!  Like a business meeting –only with more people.  To avoid the fracturing effects of rumor and racial prejudice, a decision was required.  The Apostles knew that they needed the full support of the congregation.  The solution (in an age before E mail or “The Table”) was to call a meeting.  As a Pastor, I know this territory well.   Significant challenges are ahead for FBC.  Wonderful opportunities!  But after prayer and seeking the guidance of the Lord,  the next thing that we will need is to meet together and unite our hearts re. God’s direction for us.  October 28 is one of those “all-together” moments.  The annual “State of the Church” congregational meeting allows an opportunity for our whole family to to think together.  When called together will you come?

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:1-7, 11:27-30 (day five)  “Now during those days. . .the Hellenists complained. . .because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food”  (6:1)  There is an application here for the modern church.  While all widows in the ancient world were not AARP eligible, the majority were and the church felt responsibility for them.  Was it actual discrimination or just the perception?  Not sure.  What is clear is that the church had a plan to meet these needs.  Paul later gave the conditions under which a widow should be “put on the list”.  Wise management will be required but the example is clear.  I am grateful for Julie Webster. . .I am grateful for the FBC Deacons. . .I am grateful for the FBC Aging Team (Judy Vasil and Barbara Warnock and volunteers). . .  I am grateful for Larry Soape and the Senior Adult Sunday School classes and workers. . . for all those who help us care for Senior Adults.

RE Verse reading–Acts 6:1-7, 11:27-30 (day four)  “We. . . will devote ourselves to prayer and to the serving of the word” (6:4)  I do not believe what is often said about this verse–the suggestion that being “devoted to prayer” is a task unique to preachers.  “You guys work the food program.  We will pray and preach” is the implied translation of the Apostles words.  Perhaps we would accept this division of labor if this text were all we had.  The rest of the Bible, however, rings with the call to prayer for EVERY believer.  “Pray without ceasing”, says Paul to the Thessalonians. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  “If my PEOPLE (not my preachers) will humble themselves and pray. . . Better to interpret the familiar words in Acts 6 as a commitment by preachers to pray (in preparation for their work of service) and all others to do the same.  No exemptions here.  Nothing else will prepare us for Spiritual service.  We are ALL to be devoted to prayer.