Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew, a Jew by birth, but one born in Greece. The apostles were all Galileans. They were, in the eyes of men, a crude, uneducated rabble of fishermen and tax-collectors. When Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4, they were perceived to be "unlearned and ignorant men." But Stephen was a preacher of a different kind. He was from another culture. He was a man of learning, education, and refinement. He was a man of rank and reputation. Some of the historians tell us that, like Saul of Tarsus, (before whom he boldly defended the gospel of Christ {Acts 7:58}), Stephen was trained at the feet of Gamaliel. As we study the history of his death, we learn the dominate character of his life. Stephen was a faithful man, faithful to the gospel, faithful to the church of God, faithful to Christ, faithful unto death. He is an example of faithfulness, held up for all who would honor God to follow (Heb. 13:7). Here are four lessons set before us by God the Holy Spirit in this portion of His Word.

First, in verse 8 we learn that FAITHFULNESS IS THE ONE THING GOD REQUIRES OF HIS SERVANTS AND THE ONE THING GOD HONORS IN HIS SERVANTS. First, Stephen served God as a member of his church, then as a deacon, then as a gospel preacher. As he had been faithful and diligent in serving tables he was faithful in preaching the gospel. He was a man with uncommon gifts, talents, and abilities. Yet, he thought it was an honor to serve as a deacon in God's church, an honor to distribute food to the poor. Stephen used the office of a deacon well and thereby purchased to himself a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus (I Tim. 3:13).

God's people are his servants in this world. It matters not what our service is, where our service is, or who is aware of our service. The only thing that matters is that we faithfully serve our God (I Cor. 4:2). Be faithful in the place of your calling (I Cor. 7:20-23), in the work God has given you to do, and with the possessions God has trusted to your hands (Prov. 3:9-10). Honor God in all things and with all things, and he will honor you (I Sam. 2:30). There is much that you cannot do; but, by the grace of God, you can be faithful (Matt. 13:12; Lk. 16:10).

Stephen was a man "full of faith." That is what the word faithful means, "full of faith." He believed God. He knew and believed the Word of God, trusted the Son of God, obeyed the will of God, and found contentment with the providence of God. Because he was full of faith, he was "full of power." He preached the gospel, taught the people, and defended the truth of God with power, boldness, and courage. Faith makes naturally timid men courageous and bold. And the confidence of faith makes gospel preachers powerful. The man who believes what he preaches, preaches with power. Being full of faith and power, Stephen "did great wonders and miracles among the people." In this way God confirmed his work. You can be certain that if God sends a man to preach the gospel, he will confirm that man as his messenger and confirm his word from that man in the hearts of his people.

Secondly, read verses 9 and 10 and know that EVERY WORD SPOKEN FOR GOD AND EVERY WORK DONE FOR GOD ACCOMPLISHES ITS PURPOSE. Saul of Tarsus was probably the chief spokesman of those with whom Stephen was disputing. Tarsus was in Cilicia. And Saul was present at this time (Acts 7:58). Though Stephen convinced none, though none were converted at the time, though none believed the gospel, though the preacher himself was stoned to death, this faithful servant of God had successfully accomplished what God sent him to do. Only eternity will tell, but I suspect that Stephen's sermon never stopped ringing in Saul's ears, until he found himself in the dust crying, "What wilt thou have me to do, Lord?"

Two things and two things alone determine the success of any man's or any church's labors for the glory of God and the souls of men: The purpose of God and the power of God (Isa. 55:11; II Cor. 2:15-16; 3:5-6; 4:7). We are entirely dependent upon God! If we are God's servants, doing God's service, failure is an impossibility. No one serves God in vain (I Cor. 15:58). Sometimes a man preaches one sermon in the power of the Spirit and thousands are saved, as on the day of Pentecost. Sometimes a man preaches thousands of sermons in the power of the Spirit before one sinner is saved, as was the case with the missionary Adroniram Judson in Burma. Sometimes the preacher is killed and the one God saves turns out to have been one of his murderers, as was the case here. God does his will, even when he obscures it from sight (Prov. 16:33).

Thirdly, verses 11-14 demonstrate the fact that THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS OFFENSIVE TO MEN. When these religious men were convinced that Stephen's doctrine was the truth of God revealed in Holy Scripture, when they could not resist his arguments, they still would not yield to the claims of Christ. Instead, they hired false witnesses to twist and pervert Stephen's words.

Nothing has changed. Until a sinner's heart is changed by the regenerating grace of God, he will not receive the gospel of the grace of God. Salvation by grace, through the merits of a crucified Substitute, received by faith alone, without works is both foolishness (I Cor. 1:22-25) and offensive to him (Gal. 5:11). It offends his pride, his religious notions, his love of self, and his self-righteousness. Any man who boldly declares the gospel of Christ to lost, unbelieving religionists will be marked by them as a hard man and a bitter enemy (Gal. 4:16). When the pearls of the gospel (free forgiveness, effectual atonement, imputed righteousness, and infallible, irresistible grace) are cast before swine, they will trample the pearls in the mud to get at the one who preaches God's free grace in Christ, and will destroy him if they can.

Fourthly, verse 15 shows us that GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS FAITHFUL SERVANTS. Stephen's conscience was pure and free from guilt with regard to the charges made against him. Therefore, he had nothing to fear. What he had said and done had been for the glory of God. He knew he had done nothing but serve the honor of God, the will of God, the interests of his kingdom, his gospel, and his people. Therefore, in the face of death, he was calm and courageous; so much so that his face looked as bright, happy, and radiant as the face of an angel. In the hour of his greatest trial he did not forsake his God and his God did not forsake him (Heb. 13:5-6).

What an example Stephen is. Let us be faithful servants to Christ, our God and Savior. If we willingly serve him in all things, he will use us as he sees fit for his glory. He will give us grace to do his will. He will crown us with life everlasting (Rev. 2:10).

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