Scripture:
Acts 7:1-2, 57-60 NKJV
[1] Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” [2] And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
[57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; [58] and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Observation:
I know that I skipped over the entire chapter. My hope is that you will notice and go back and read it. I didn’t skip it because it wasn’t important. Every word in the Bible is important. My point to this SOAP is found in the verses that have been shared. So let’s get caught up as to what is happening. The church was growing to the point that the apostles needed help. They had chosen several men to help distribute food and take care of some of the needs of the people. Stephen just so happened to be one of them. The Bible describes him as being full of the Holy Spirit, and faith, “Doing great wonders and signs among the people.” That’s not really my point but it’s a good point to look at. However I don’t want to get caught up there, but want you to know that if you want to get a better picture of all of this you will need to back up to the beginning of chapter 6, and honestly that’s not a bad idea. The story is incredibly interesting, and gives us a great idea of not only what it looks like to be full of the Holy Spirit. After being accused of blasphemy he was brought before the counsel to plead his case, and this is where we pick up. At the end of chapter 6 Stephen is described as having the face of an angel. The high priest begins with a simple question, “are these things true.” That question lit a fire in Stephen, I can almost see the Holy Spirit overwhelm him as he begins to speak. Running down what seems like the entire history of the Hebrew people in a short amount of time. It just didn’t sit well with the counsel. Stephen started with the day Abraham’s called out of Mesopotamia, moving quickly through the time in Egypt, the deliverance of Moses, their rebellion against GOD, the tabernacle, and their resistance to the Holy Spirit, in a bold unlovable fashion, and it just didn’t sit right with the high priest or any of those who were listening. The truth has hit really hard. In their mind something had to be done. They did not see themselves in rebellion to GOD, in fact in their mind by stoning Stephen they were about to do GOD’S work. The thing is Stephen was just in a place where he couldn’t back up. He knew the truth and had to speak it. There wasn’t a choice to be made, it was the choice, the only choice. I’m sure the price of it was on his mind, but that didn’t matter to him as much as the eternity that was attached to what he had to say. The truth could be watered down or filtered through what wouldn’t offend. It had to be spoken, even if it cost him, and it did, in fact it cost him everything, as we have had the opportunity to read. I’m sure Stephen didn’t want to die that day, in fact I’m sure that when he woke up it was more than likely the farthest thing from his mind, but GOD’S plan was bigger than Stephen could see. That day would end his life, but it would also set in motion a chain of events that would change the course of the gospel. There was a young man standing in the crowd who approved of what was going on. As they picked up large stones to bring the life of Stephen to an end they laid their clothes at his feet. Saul, a young pharisee, stood there and watched, as Stephen drew his last breath, making the very same statement that Jesus Christ made from the cross, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” That statement needed to be heard, it needed to be heard by Saul. As the Holy Spirit began to convict him he honestly didn’t know how to react, and as usual, He went the wrong way… getting a letter to gather up all who believed the way Stephen did. But honestly I could go on forever. My point is the truth cost Stephen his very life but knowing that he still couldn’t back up. His decision to speak the truth may have cost him, but the results were worth it. All of eternity was at stake.
Application:
Are you willing? I know as you read this you might be thinking…. Yes… yes I’m willing, but the first blow from a rock and a lot of us tried to run. We are willing to believe as long as it doesn’t make us uncomfortable, or cost us something. The only skin we have in the game is the Wednesday night and the Sunday morning that it cost us. But what about when you have to tell the truth no matter the consequences are you willing to sacrifice what you really want over what the LORD says is right. Now all I can do is speak for me. Over the years the truth has cost me a lot. But I have felt like the things that needed to be said were more important than what I would lose as a result, in fact just yesterday I was faced with a decision. Years ago something happened in my life that altered it forever. Someone made a decision not to say what needed to be said and the repercussions from that decision have continued to have an effect on my life and will until the day Jesus comes back. But the thing is just because someone made a wrong decision doesn’t mean I can do the same thing. I have to tell the truth even if it cost me, and I’m going to be honest, what it cost me was not something I wanted to pay. However, it wasn’t my choice. I have fully surrendered to Christ and what HE says goes. It’s been heavy to be honest. The thing is that choice will have repercussions that have broken chains, not only in my life but in the lives of all involved. No it didn’t cost my life, but that is something I am willing to give for the gospel if necessary. My life is not my own, it has been purchased by the blood of Christ and if HE wants it it’s HIS to take. Stephen, was completely surrendered to the will of GOD and it cost him. My question for you today is are you willing to compromise the truth for what you want. When your relationship with Christ costs you what you want, are you willing to do the right thing? We are getting to a point in history where we will have to stand firm in the faith no matter what. GOD sees all HE sees when you do the right thing and when you don’t. HE is waiting for you to have skin in the game. Your willingness to do the right thing no matter the cost is important. The flesh wants what feels good and the Holy Spirit wants what is good…the problem is what is good doesn’t always feel good, but that doesn’t change the fact that it needs to be done. Jesus Christ gave us an example, Stephen confirmed that example along with Paul and all the rest of them they didn’t compromise. They did what was right no matter the cost. Simply because it was right. Today I am not a fan. I’m not on the sidelines, I have skin in the game. The question is do you? Have you set aside what is right so you can have what you want? Or have you made a decision to follow Jesus no matter what it cost you knowing that not one sacrifice goes unnoticed.
Prayer:
Father, we know you see all and know all. You have given everything so that we could be right here right now reading this. You know what you are doing, and you see beyond what we can see. This is all so much bigger than us. It’s bigger than what we want. Father, today we just want to thank you for the example that you have given us. You sent your SON to do something that HIS flesh told HIM not to do, but HE did it anyway. Being obedient to the spirit. Father, today we pray that we would have the same mindset. We want to thank you for giving us the desire to do what is right even when it’s not what we want. We pray that the results would change the course of our lives in a positive way. But more importantly we pray that the lives of those who are witnesses to our decisions would prosper due to what you have done in this situation. I pray that hope in mankind is renewed due to the sacrifices that we make our lives are truly yours we surrender. Use us in the way that only you can. Show us that nothing is done in vain. You have a purpose fir everything. Show us your glory. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.