Stephen: Standing Alone for God

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Stephen: Standing Alone for God


Brandon: I readjusted this layout to better fit the formatting needed when I print. If you will just keep all your text within the blue margin lines on this page, I shouldn’t have any more issues ☺. Thanks! Dr. Brandon Park | September 4, 2016 If you are living for Christ, there will come plenty of times when you are going to be all by yourself If you are living for Christ, there will come plenty of times when you are going to be all by yourself against all odds. As a Christian, in the name of Jesus, you will have to stand alone. Stephen is a New Testament hero because he did just that. Testament hero because he did just that. The name Stephen means “crown” or “victor’s crown” (stephanas). He was one of the first The name Stephen means “crown” or “victor’s crown” (stephanas). He was one of the first deacons. The Bible says he was full of the Holy Ghost and power, and he preached one of the greatest messages ever preached. messages ever preached. Stephen became the New Testament Church's first _______________. He was stoned to death in Stephen became the New Testament Church's first _______________. He was stoned to death in approximately 35 A.D. Here are some life principles we can learn from Stephen’s life: approximately 35 A.D. Here are some life principles we can learn from Stephen’s life:

1. God can work ______________ in your life when you are _______ of faith 1. God can work ______________ in your life when you are _______ of faith and His power.

Stephen did great things because He was full of faith and power. He first comes on the scene in Acts 6. The church was growing and the pastors (apostles) could not minister to all the people effectively. They knew their priority needed to be in prayer and teaching the Word. (See Acts 6:2,4.) The church then selected seven men who could handle the pastoral care. They had to be highly qualified spiritually – full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). The word "full" is the key word picture that totally describes the spiritual state of Stephen. The definition of this word implies "a continued filling," which also implies that the thing that totally controlled Stephen was faith. The word “full” means that he was complete or “fully covered over.” He knew his emptiness apart from Christ, so he made sure he was filled up before being used. He was a layman (a deacon), but he had so much spiritual power in his life that he was able to perform miracles. Stephen was willing to serve the Lord in what some people might consider a little place. If you're too big for God to use you in a little place, then you are too little for God to use you in a big place. Part-time Christians cannot _____________ full-time devils. We need to daily pray, “Lord empty me of me, so I can be filled with you.” The first reason Stephen was used greatly was because he was ready to be used. We see that there is a rich fullness about him. He was full of the Spirit (vs. 3), full of wisdom (vs. 3), full of faith (vs. 5), full of the Holy Spirit (vs. 5), full of God’s grace (vs. 8), and full of God’s power (vs. 8).

2. Only when you __________ before God can you __________ before any man.

Stephen’s words from the Lord made some angry… but he didn’t live for man’s approval. Acts 6:12-13, “And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man never ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law…” Because the Pharisees hated who Stephen stood for, they set him up by hiring false witnesses to testify against him. Stephen responds to them by bringing a powerful message from God’s Word. It was obvious that he read his Bible, studied his Bible, and memorized his Bible. In chapter 7, he preaches an impromptu message that gives the history of Israel – it’s obvious that he knows his Bible. No wonder he was so full of faith! You cannot live a life full of God’s power if your Bible is _______________ _________ from Sunday to Sunday. Satan fears our discovery of God’s Word because our __________________ of it is the most effective weapon he can use against us. Luke 21:12-15, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Stephen is standing before those who have the power to put him to death, but here he is with great courage. Courage is simply __________ that has said its ______________. Real courage is not so much the

absence of fear as it is the mastery of fear. Here is a man who has supernatural courage, so he's not afraid to tell the truth. If you kneel before God you can stand before any man.

3. When you spend time seeking God’s face, the evidence will be apparent on __________ _________.

The truth was written on his face, even under adversity. People saw the difference in Him.

“And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). We don’t know if it was a radiant glow (like Moses) or a serene calmness, but because of His time with God, his face did not look normal. Howard Marshall says, “The description is of a person who is close to God and reflects some of his glory as a result of being in his presence.” The face is an index of the heart. The Christian who ______________ the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that’s not plugged in.

4. When you choose to take a stand for Jesus, His power will _______ upon you.

Over and over again, we are told that Stephen was “full of the Holy Spirit.” “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). Stephen didn’t just have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had him! The secret to being able to stand alone is that you must be full of the Holy Spirit. When you get saved He comes in as resident, but when you are filled He becomes president. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means not only does he abide, but he presides; he controls your life. And when he controls your life there are three other things that you are going to be full of. 1. You will be filled with ____________ to ___________ for Christ. Acts 6:3. 2. You will be filled with ____________ to ___________ for Christ. Acts 6:8 3. You will be filled with ____________ to ___________ for Christ. Acts 6:8. God can’t fill you when you’re already full of _________________. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer but does not “rest” on every believer. The Holy Spirit is in us for our sake, but He comes upon us for others’ sake. 1 Peter 4:14: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Boldness for Christ means two things: • You plan to create opportunities to communicate the message of Jesus. • When that opportunity comes, you don’t water down that message.

5. When you take a stand for Jesus, Jesus will ____________ for you.

When Stephen sees the fury coming, what does he doe? He looks up. Heaven just opened up for his view. God pulled back the curtains and he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. This is the first time that Jesus is standing in Heaven. Hebrews 10:12 says that after Jesus offered His sacrifice for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Some suggest that Jesus is standing now to welcome and honor the Bible’s first martyr. We often stand in honor of someone. The Lord Jesus stood in honor of Stephen! He was given a personal welcome home by the Lord Jesus! God said in 1 Samuel 2:30, “for them that honor Me, I will honor.”

6. When others throw stones at you, you throw back the prayer of God’s __________________ towards them.

He interceded to God on his killer’s behalf with his last breath. “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). He was following the pattern he saw in Jesus. When Jesus was being crucified, he prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgiveness is me giving up my right to ___________ you for hurting me. Without forgiveness your life will be governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.

7. When you choose to take a stand for Jesus, your ____________ will have a far-reaching ______________.

Stephen’s death sent disciple-makers into all the world (Acts 8:1-4). Saul (who later became Paul) was there at Stephen’s stoning. Watching his response as he was killed for his faith was the seed that would soon change his life – and eventually the entire world!

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Brandon: I readjusted this layout to better fit the formatting needed when I print. If you will just keep all your text within the blue margin lines on this page, I shouldn’t have any more issues ☺. Thanks! Dr. Brandon Park | September 4, 2016 If you are living for Christ, there will come plenty of times when you are going to be all by yourself If you are living for Christ, there will come plenty of times when you are going to be all by yourself against all odds. As a Christian, in the name of Jesus, you will have to stand alone. Stephen is a New Testament hero because he did just that. Testament hero because he did just that. The name Stephen means “crown” or “victor’s crown” (stephanas). He was one of the first The name Stephen means “crown” or “victor’s crown” (stephanas). He was one of the first deacons. The Bible says he was full of the Holy Ghost and power, and he preached one of the greatest messages ever preached. messages ever preached. martyr Stephen became the New Testament Church's first _______________. He was stoned to death in Stephen became the New Testament Church's first _______________. He was stoned to death in approximately 35 A.D. Here are some life principles we can learn from Stephen’s life: approximately 35 A.D. Here are some life principles we can learn from Stephen’s life:

1. God can work ______________ 1. God can work ______________ in your life when you are _______ of faith in your life when you are _______ of faith miracles full and His power.

Stephen did great things because He was full of faith and power. He first comes on the scene in Acts 6. The church was growing and the pastors (apostles) could not minister to all the people effectively. They knew their priority needed to be in prayer and teaching the Word. (See Acts 6:2,4.) The church then selected seven men who could handle the pastoral care. They had to be highly qualified spiritually – full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). The word "full" is the key word picture that totally describes the spiritual state of Stephen. The definition of this word implies "a continued filling," which also implies that the thing that totally controlled Stephen was faith. The word “full” means that he was complete or “fully covered over.” He knew his emptiness apart from Christ, so he made sure he was filled up before being used. He was a layman (a deacon), but he had so much spiritual power in his life that he was able to perform miracles. Stephen was willing to serve the Lord in what some people might consider a little place. If you're too big for God to use you in a little place, then you are too little for God to use you in a big place. defeat Part-time Christians cannot _____________ full-time devils. We need to daily pray, “Lord empty me of me, so I can be filled with you.” The first reason Stephen was used greatly was because he was ready to be used. We see that there is a rich fullness about him. He was full of the Spirit (vs. 3), full of wisdom (vs. 3), full of faith (vs. 5), full of the Holy Spirit (vs. 5), full of God’s grace (vs. 8), and full of God’s power (vs. 8).

kneel stand 2. Only when you __________ before God can you __________ before any man.

Stephen’s words from the Lord made some angry… but he didn’t live for man’s approval. Acts 6:12-13, “And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man never ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law…” Because the Pharisees hated who Stephen stood for, they set him up by hiring false witnesses to testify against him. Stephen responds to them by bringing a powerful message from God’s Word. It was obvious that he read his Bible, studied his Bible, and memorized his Bible. In chapter 7, he preaches an impromptu message that gives the history of Israel – it’s obvious that he knows his Bible. No wonder he was so full of faith! collecting dust You cannot live a life full of God’s power if your Bible is _______________ _________ from Sunday to Sunday. Satan fears our discovery of God’s Word because our __________________ of it is the most ignorance effective weapon he can use against us. Luke 21:12-15, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Stephen is standing before those who have the power to put him to death, but here he is with great courage. fear prayers Courage is simply __________ that has said its ______________. Real courage is not so much the

absence of fear as it is the mastery of fear. Here is a man who has supernatural courage, so he's not afraid to tell the truth. If you kneel before God you can stand before any man.

3. When you spend time seeking God’s face, the evidence will be apparent on your face __________ _________.

The truth was written on his face, even under adversity. People saw the difference in Him.

“And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). We don’t know if it was a radiant glow (like Moses) or a serene calmness, but because of His time with God, his face did not look normal. Howard Marshall says, “The description is of a person who is close to God and reflects some of his glory as a result of being in his presence.” The face is an index of neglects the heart. The Christian who ______________ the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that’s not plugged in.

4. When you choose to take a stand for Jesus, His power will _______ upon you. rest

Over and over again, we are told that Stephen was “full of the Holy Spirit.” “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). Stephen didn’t just have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had him! The secret to being able to stand alone is that you must be full of the Holy Spirit. When you get saved He comes in as resident, but when you are filled He becomes president. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means not only does he abide, but he presides; he controls your life. And when he controls your life there are three other things that you are going to be full of. wisdom speak 1. You will be filled with ____________ to ___________ for Christ. Acts 6:3. faith suﬀer 2. You will be filled with ____________ to ___________ for Christ. Acts 6:8 power stand 3. You will be filled with ____________ to ___________ for Christ. Acts 6:8. God can’t fill you when you’re already full of _________________. The Holy Spirit lives in every yourself believer but does not “rest” on every believer. The Holy Spirit is in us for our sake, but He comes upon us for others’ sake. 1 Peter 4:14: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Boldness for Christ means two things: • You plan to create opportunities to communicate the message of Jesus. • When that opportunity comes, you don’t water down that message.

5. When you take a stand for Jesus, Jesus will ____________ for you. stand

When Stephen sees the fury coming, what does he doe? He looks up. Heaven just opened up for his view. God pulled back the curtains and he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. This is the first time that Jesus is standing in Heaven. Hebrews 10:12 says that after Jesus offered His sacrifice for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Some suggest that Jesus is standing now to welcome and honor the Bible’s first martyr. We often stand in honor of someone. The Lord Jesus stood in honor of Stephen! He was given a personal welcome home by the Lord Jesus! God said in 1 Samuel 2:30, “for them that honor Me, I will honor.”

6. When others throw stones at you, you throw back the prayer of God’s __________________ towards them. forgiveness

He interceded to God on his killer’s behalf with his last breath. “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). He was following the pattern he saw in Jesus. When Jesus was being crucified, he prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." hurt Forgiveness is me giving up my right to ___________ you for hurting me. Without forgiveness your life will be governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.

inﬂuence 7. When you choose to take a stand for Jesus, your ____________ will have a . far-reaching ______________ impact

Stephen’s death sent disciple-makers into all the world (Acts 8:1-4). Saul (who later became Paul) was there at Stephen’s stoning. Watching his response as he was killed for his faith was the seed that would soon change his life – and eventually the entire world!