VBS General Session - Day 8

Synopsis

STORY TIME

Stephen was a Godly man who feared God alone and lived to only further the gospel and bring many more people to the saving knowledge of God. He was appointed to look after the needs of the poor but he also took the opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ. His preaching was so powerful that not just jews but even the gentiles began to give their hearts to Christ. Stephen wasnt scared of any authority and hence he spoke boldly about the kingdom of God and did many signs and wonders. Stephen spoke with such wisdom that these opposing people could not stand against him. This displeased the people of authority and they sought to charge him falsley for speaking against Moses and God.

Then the people of authority brouhgt him to the council to answer before them. To this Stephen took them through the whole history of the Israelites. Hw also told them how they despised the law given by God to moses and how the jews had since the neginning persecuted the prophets and killed them. Even, they did the same to the son of God, Jesus Christ. To this the authorities got very angry and were full of rage and anger against him and wanted to stone him. Coz thats the punishment for blasphemy against God.

CHARACTERSTICS OF STEPHEN

Unafraid to speak the truth

Stephen was young and bold. He knew very well the history of the Israelites and was well versed with Gods word. He was not afraid to speak the truth and was man full of Gods power and spirit. No one cold stand against the wisdom with which he spoke to them. 

Stephen did not underestimate his assignment

Stephen was not just a great administrator but was also a great debator and an outstanding teacher and leader. He was full of holy spirit and therefore performed great signs and wonders. He did not consider his job to be insignificant and hence chose to focus solely on what God had called him to do, that is to preach the gospel of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Stephen showed Christ like behavior

Ref – Acts 7:60

While he was being stoned to death he cried out to God in a loud voice that He would receive his spirit and not charge the people there with this sin that they were committing.

Almost the same way in which Jesus prayed for persecutors while he was on the cross.

Ref – Luke 23:34

CHARACTERSTICS OF GOD

God glorifies

No matter what we go through in life, if we remain loyal to God, he glorifies us. While Stephen was being stoned, he was losing his life and too terribly but God revealed his glory to him and he could see the heavens open and the son of man standing at the right hand of God the father.

ROMANS 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Application in our  lives

1. As those 7 were chosen to serve people and for the service of the church, similarly, we also are called to serve God. 

it is not necessary for us to serve in important positions. We need not all become pastors and preachers. But we can serve in whatever capacity we want to. Example: ushers, breakfast sales, Sunday school teachers, local preachers and so on

God can use us wherever we are. Its not that we need to be at some specific place to be used for God. He wants us to bear fruit wherever we are planted. 

2) We need to  devote ourselves toward reading of the word and seeking the guidance of the holy spirit. When we start to read the word and dwell in the presence of God, he starts to reveal himself to us and we start experiencing the guidance of the holy spirit.

It is then that we become absolutely confident of Gods grace and presence. Stephen could so boldly speak without fear because he was filled with the holy spirit because he knew the truth about the power of God which he had experienced first hand in his life.

3) We should be people of unshakeable faith.

Hebrews 11:1

God is pleased with our faith

2 Corinthians 5:9

We should make it our personal goal to please God

1 Peter 1:7

Genuine faith is far more important that all the precious things of the world

Conneting with the theme

We should be willing to witness for Christ. It is true that a lot of people will dislike us or get irritated with us if we try to tell them about Christ. But it does not matter. If we tell 10 people about Christ and even 1 of them believes, it is a great service for the kingdom of God.

In Gods eyes each soul is precious, so we should not feel disheartened when people dont listen to us. We should stick to the commission/task that Jesus has given us.

Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus has called us to go and preach the gospel around the world. We need not all become preachers but wherever we are, among friends, family, neighbors, we should be willing to share the word of God. Because Jesus came not only to save believers but for each and every person in this world.

We should ask for Gods guidance in whatever he wants us to do. Boldness comes from knowing Christ is always with you.

Matthew 28:20