Mother's Day
Did you consider how people would describe you? Did you make known the great traits of your mom this week?
I was thinking about this more this week, that it’s often not until something significant takes place in a person’s life or on the calendar, that their good qualities are described. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, marriage, Mother's day, or most often death, that we highlight the good qualities that we see in someone.
If we could hear one thing while we are still alive, I think we would be content to be described as a godly or faithful servant. For that is what we hope to hear our Savior say on the final day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!...Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). And that's what ultimately matters. But this only comes by the grace of God. There is nothing in me that is good or faithful. But Christ is! And by the grace of God, we can be described with Christ-like qualities.
This past Sunday, we reflected on a godly servant and what it means to be a godly servant. Luke described Stephen in Acts 6:8-15, as one who was “full of grace and power” and characterized by “wisdom and the Spirit” in his speech. Stephen, (one of the 1st deacons/servant leaders), displayed several godly qualities that we can learn from and apply to our lives.
#1 – Be a witness for Christ. (Acts 6:8-10)
A godly servant witnesses for Christ in their actions and their speech. We recognize that we don’t do this perfectly, but our walk and our words should be characterized by testifying to who Jesus is.
Stephen’s relationship with the Lord was evident in his daily life. He was a man full of faith, and he relied on the Holy Spirit as he navigated through life. This was evident to those in the church, and as a result, he became actively involved in caring for the widows in the church. He had a concern for God’s Word being proclaimed and for unity in the church.
And he followed the pattern of Jesus and of the apostles in performing signs and wonders among the people (Acts 6:8). Because of the grace of God given to him, he lived out this grace in the way he interacted with people.
I would encourage you and challenge you to remind yourself every morning of the gospel. And remind your children of the gospel. And stand firm in it, when you face cultural pressures to conform. Receive God’s grace and let it overflow toward others.
#2 – Endure hardship like Christ. (Acts 6:11-14)
Do you have a big brother who comes to your defense and stands with you in difficulty? I do. And I am incredibly thankful for that!
When we live for Christ and proclaim Him, it’s not always well received. It wasn’t well received by the religious leaders in Stephen’s day. They sought to put a stop to him.
He was gaining the upper hand in their interaction, so they took drastic measures to make sure he was silenced. They lie, cheat, steal, deceive. They secretly persuade others to be false witnesses against Stephen in order to have reason to put him to death.
This is the tendency of my sinful heart, that when I hear God’s Word proclaimed, I take subtle or drastic measures to resist or refute it.
The religious leaders had accused Stephen of speaking against Moses and against God. Against the law and against the temple. Against God’s Word and against God’s Dwelling Place. And this would be deserving of death.
But Stephen didn’t shrink back in fear. He simply followed in the footsteps of Christ. Even though he was physically on trial, it was the religious leaders who were on trial that day before God. They were on trial for their rejection of Christ. For they stand condemned for their refusal to submit to Jesus as Savior and Lord.
#3 – Reflect the glory of Christ. (Acts 6:15)
When the religious leaders gazed at Stephen they were stunned. His face was like the face of an angel. His face reflected the glory of Christ.
It is often rightly stated that “We become what we behold.” Like Moses, whose face was shining after being in the presence of the Lord, so our lives should reflect the beauty and glory of Christ. And this will happen as we behold Him more and more each day.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
The way we become more like Christ is by beholding the glory of Christ.
The way we become more like Christ is to gaze upon the beauty of Christ.
And when this happens, His beauty will shine through us and it will be evident to those around us that we have been in the presence of Christ.
Take time this week, whether in your room, in your car, on a walk, or with friends and family, to spend with Jesus. Read. Pray. Sing. And Rest in His presence.
For this week: Read Acts 7:1-16
I was thinking about this more this week, that it’s often not until something significant takes place in a person’s life or on the calendar, that their good qualities are described. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, marriage, Mother's day, or most often death, that we highlight the good qualities that we see in someone.
If we could hear one thing while we are still alive, I think we would be content to be described as a godly or faithful servant. For that is what we hope to hear our Savior say on the final day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!...Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). And that's what ultimately matters. But this only comes by the grace of God. There is nothing in me that is good or faithful. But Christ is! And by the grace of God, we can be described with Christ-like qualities.
This past Sunday, we reflected on a godly servant and what it means to be a godly servant. Luke described Stephen in Acts 6:8-15, as one who was “full of grace and power” and characterized by “wisdom and the Spirit” in his speech. Stephen, (one of the 1st deacons/servant leaders), displayed several godly qualities that we can learn from and apply to our lives.
#1 – Be a witness for Christ. (Acts 6:8-10)
A godly servant witnesses for Christ in their actions and their speech. We recognize that we don’t do this perfectly, but our walk and our words should be characterized by testifying to who Jesus is.
Stephen’s relationship with the Lord was evident in his daily life. He was a man full of faith, and he relied on the Holy Spirit as he navigated through life. This was evident to those in the church, and as a result, he became actively involved in caring for the widows in the church. He had a concern for God’s Word being proclaimed and for unity in the church.
And he followed the pattern of Jesus and of the apostles in performing signs and wonders among the people (Acts 6:8). Because of the grace of God given to him, he lived out this grace in the way he interacted with people.
- What would it look like for you to extend grace to those you interact with?
- Do you dwell upon God’s grace on a regular basis?
I would encourage you and challenge you to remind yourself every morning of the gospel. And remind your children of the gospel. And stand firm in it, when you face cultural pressures to conform. Receive God’s grace and let it overflow toward others.
#2 – Endure hardship like Christ. (Acts 6:11-14)
Do you have a big brother who comes to your defense and stands with you in difficulty? I do. And I am incredibly thankful for that!
When we live for Christ and proclaim Him, it’s not always well received. It wasn’t well received by the religious leaders in Stephen’s day. They sought to put a stop to him.
He was gaining the upper hand in their interaction, so they took drastic measures to make sure he was silenced. They lie, cheat, steal, deceive. They secretly persuade others to be false witnesses against Stephen in order to have reason to put him to death.
This is the tendency of my sinful heart, that when I hear God’s Word proclaimed, I take subtle or drastic measures to resist or refute it.
The religious leaders had accused Stephen of speaking against Moses and against God. Against the law and against the temple. Against God’s Word and against God’s Dwelling Place. And this would be deserving of death.
But Stephen didn’t shrink back in fear. He simply followed in the footsteps of Christ. Even though he was physically on trial, it was the religious leaders who were on trial that day before God. They were on trial for their rejection of Christ. For they stand condemned for their refusal to submit to Jesus as Savior and Lord.
- When you face challenges, do you stand for Christ?
- Are you following in the footsteps of Jesus?
- Are you resisting God’s Word or receiving it by faith?
#3 – Reflect the glory of Christ. (Acts 6:15)
When the religious leaders gazed at Stephen they were stunned. His face was like the face of an angel. His face reflected the glory of Christ.
It is often rightly stated that “We become what we behold.” Like Moses, whose face was shining after being in the presence of the Lord, so our lives should reflect the beauty and glory of Christ. And this will happen as we behold Him more and more each day.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
The way we become more like Christ is by beholding the glory of Christ.
The way we become more like Christ is to gaze upon the beauty of Christ.
And when this happens, His beauty will shine through us and it will be evident to those around us that we have been in the presence of Christ.
- Are you taking time this week to be in the presence of Christ?
Take time this week, whether in your room, in your car, on a walk, or with friends and family, to spend with Jesus. Read. Pray. Sing. And Rest in His presence.
For this week: Read Acts 7:1-16
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