2012/04/22
Building on Firm Foundations: Stephen Chooses Faith
Steve Lane

A. Review
In pursuing this disciple making life there will be impossible barriers thrown up.
This is a focus of the enemy to stop us from taking the next step
What’s your next step?
B. Introduction
A two tiered approach. 1) History 2) A look behind the scenes [Titus 4:7 – 8]
C. A division in the Body and the beginning of understanding leadership
Attack from the outside, now the inside to break up unity
Acts 6: 1, Acts 6: 2 - 4 Beginning structure/principle of character over giftedness
Acts 6: 5 – 6 Unity in decision making. Office of deacon not established here.
D. A common result of unity in the early church
Acts 6: 7
John 17:22 – 23 a love for God that rolls over into loving what He loves
E. Stephen’s faith is about to be tested
Overview: Not a story for the faint hearted
He gave general truth but he also gave them specific truth that was personal. And he watched for their response and dealt with it (Acts 7:51)
Stephen had been with God and it was all over his face
F. Stephen debates, is arrested, preaches and is killed but chooses faith over despair
Acts 6: 8 - 12, 15 In the midst of this attack he had joy
Acts 7: 1 - 3 Connecting Jesus to what they know – [Luke 24: 44 – 47]
They must see who Jesus is and see their sin to hear the gospel.. there is power
Acts 7: 51 – 53 The power in the gospel brings people face to face with their sin
Acts 7: 54 – 60 Even as they were beginning to attack 1 Peter 1:8 – 9
Abraham believed God – His struggle to believe was not over that night though –It seems Stephen’s response to the attack had Jesus standing! Stephen was choosing to trust in this most difficult of circumstances.
Busting into Heaven Hebrews 12:1 – 3 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18
Acts 8: 1 – 4 Who won this spiritual battle both in the seen and the unseen?
Conclusion
“My house is full, but my field is empty” - Jerusalem is full but the field of the world was empty! Acts 1:8?
‘Oh for some Stephen’s to lay down their lives and their own mission and lead the way’
They went out… launched by the Holy Spirit using a man who chose to believe.