Acts 6:9-15 A Picture of the Church through a Portrait of Stephen
The church is not a building, a denomination, or all “Christian Beliefs.”
The church is a single organized Christian group, local church, believing in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
The church is the Body of Jesus Christ made up of all true believers spanning time and distance, having in common, salvation.
We want to look at a Picture of the Church through a Portrait of Stephen.
1.
We see its
Persecution. (v.9) we are usually
the minority.
2:13 mocking; 4:2 grieved; 4:17 threatened; 5:17 indignation; 5:40 beaten;
6:12-13 stirred up people against…; 8:1 great persecution.
*It is not us the people are against, it is against Jesus for whom we stand.
*People are usually negative against things they don’t like or understand.
e.g. black eyed peas, golf,
hunting, nascar, cranberry sauce.
These are things I don’t like and really don’t understand.
Persecutions come from the world.
2.
We see its Problems (v.11-12)
It’s easy for people to turn.
(Judas turned the crowd at the allibaster box.
5:1-11 lying; 12:15 doubting;
15:39 contention; first
battle was Gen. 4, this was over theological issues.
3.
We see its Power (v.10)
2:41 Three thousand were saved;
4:4 five thousand were saved;
the power of preaching, prayer, and our position in Christ.
4. We see its Potential (v.15) It is our decision.
It lies within us – not God –
for He has done His part.
In the midst of adversity, He is doing His part, where are we?
If we get to where we need to be, He can exercise His power through us.