Sermon On the Net

FACE OF AN ANGEL

 

Acts 6: Verses 1-7…Certain Jews were complaining that some widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, so the Twelve gathered together to determine a solution. They decided to select seven men of good standing to do the job, those who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. Verse 5: "The proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit," and six others. The Twelve were now able to concentrate on preaching the word of God. Many came to the Faith and even the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

 

Verses 8-15…Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, began to perform many wonders and miracles. Opposition arose against Stephen and they began to argue with him, but they could not overcome the power of God and Stephen continued, with wisdom and the Spirit. Finally his opposition created some false testimony in verse 11: "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."

 

They were convinced that Jesus was going to destroy the Temple and every Sanhedrin was watching Stephen and noticed his face began to shine like the face of an Angel. Stephen lays into them in chapter 7.

 

When we are full of faith and 'connected' to God we are able to withstand any and all challenges facing us. I'm reminded of a life crisis about 33 years ago when I was on my way to become a very successful General Agent in the life insurance business. Then one day the whole world crashed around me; my company went out of business and I was out of a job and income, with a family to support. Everything I had worked so hard for was now being threatened. But I had my faith and trust in God and was not in any danger of losing that. This is God's promise to us. I didn't quite feel like Job but it was close. I am firmly convinced that God gave me the wisdom to not look at the circumstances, to keep my nose to the grindstone and have faith and trust that that everything will be okay. My friends, I can tell you that everything did, in fact, work out well. I am sure that I could not have achieved the same results in my new venture as I did if I were to have remained a General Agent. God had a door opened for me even before the other one closed. I give God all the glory and the credit. The moral here is, when you have a crisis, and you will have, turn to God and He will help you. All things are for good in God.