Summertime StoriesSample

Acts 6:8-12

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 

9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 

12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

Acts six paints a picture of the disciples empowering men full of faith to go and teach the Word of God. They’ve seen that there is a need for more teaching within their ministry, and they begin to empower several men who are known for their faith and leadership. In the second half of Acts six, they begin to focus in on the walk of a man name Stephen during his endeavor of reaching people. The Bible says that Stephen performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. One day, however, everything changed when a group of men approached him in what appears to be total insecurity and judgment. They proceed to debate with him, lie about him publicly, and then arrest him. Isn’t that interesting? Here Stephen is innocently and powerfully doing the Lord’s work, and he is met with total opposition and horrific circumstances.

So many of us make decisions for God and are then met with opposition. We choose to follow Christ, join a small group, or even step into a leadership role in our serving area, and yet there are still people in our ear discouraging us out of their own doubt or insecurity. “You’re going to spend your downtime serving at that church?” “You’re going to step out and lead a small group?” In these moments, we can identify with Stephen. There will always be voices of opposition in every season as we are making full commitments to walk in the calling that God has for us. The question is, do we shrink back in fear, or do we rise up in faith?

Ask God today for the boldness you need to walk in His ways, experience His grace, and serve with His power.