Stephen

Most of us here this morning probably refer to today, the day after Christmas, as Boxing Day. But if you lived in the USA or in the Republic of Ireland, today would be known as St. Stephen’s Day. And it is the life and death of Stephen as recorded in Acts chapters 6 and 7 that we are going to think about this morning.

I had a look on the internet to see what I could find out about the origins of St Stephen’s Day and the name Boxing Day. Nobody really seems to know for certain, but the Catholic Church website suggested that Stephen is remembered the day after Christmas because he was the first recorded martyr for the Christian message. Stephen was prepared to lay down his life for the truth of Christmas and Easter Day. After Christmas Day it is fitting to remember how much it cost people like Stephen, to enable us to hear the good news of Christmas.

And in case you are wondering, the most convincing explanation of the origin of the name Boxing Day, is that several hundred years ago the upper class people in England followed Stephen’s example of caring for the poor, and the day after Christmas they gave boxes of food to the lower classes. Since then Boxing Day or St Stephen’s Day has been mixed up with all sorts of pagan rituals to do with birds in Ireland, oats in Hungary, and Good King Wenceslas in the Czech Republic.

But staying clear of the pagan rituals lets have a look at Stephen. Please turn with me to Acts chapter 6 verses 1 to 7 and my first heading on our sermon outline, Stephen’s Role.

STEPHEN’S ROLE

The early church was growing rapidly in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. But as with any growing organisation the early church was beginning to encounter problems. Verse 1 of chapter 6:

1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food (Acts 6:1, NIV).

Grecian Jews and Hebraic Jews were different in language and culture, and poor administration had resulted in the second group being overlooked.

2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word’ (Acts 6:2-4, NIV).

The twelve were not distracted from their primary role but suggested that some other leaders be appointed to sort out the problem.

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip [He was the one who spoke to the Ethiopian in the chariot.], Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:5-7, NIV).

So Stephen was appointed to the role. He and six others were chosen to sort out the practical problem. And that is what they did. They resolved the tension between the Grecian and Hebraic Jews and the church in Jerusalem kept growing. They were men full of the Spirit and wisdom as verse 3 tells us. They were leaders who were wise in their dealing with people and problems.

Of course it is still true today that we need people in the church who like Stephen will work to resolve tensions and difficulties. We need people in this congregation who are full of the Spirit, who are wise in their dealing with people, who will work (often in a low profile way) to sort out practical problems and keep things running smoothly.

We are in a period of growth here at JPC. And growth nearly always means tensions, disagreements, and communication problems of one sort or another. Satan tries to distract us from the work of making disciples by causing practical problems and encouraging grumbling. That was what was happening in Jerusalem.

The fact that we experience so much unity here at JPC is due to God’s grace and the hard work of so many volunteers and staff who have committed themselves to sorting out administrative, financial and practical problems. Thank you to all of you who serve us in practical roles like Stephen’s.

Some of you have financial ability and have been helping us set up a better finance system. Some of you have technical ability and have been helping us get websites or networks or multi-media equipment sorted out. Some of you have been helping in the office with service sheets and mail outs. Others have been doing practical work like decorating or maintenance, or helping on a candle team, or serving as a sidesman.

Many of you hold critical yet low profile team leadership roles and we benefit from your wisdom in resolving problems. Thank you for serving us like Stephen.

There is a sense though in which all of us as Christians, you, me, everyone here who is a Christian, we should like Stephen, be people who are characterised by faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit, who are wise in our dealings with people, and work to solve problems. Even if we are not particularly practical, you and I should always be working towards the up-building of God’s church. In as much as it is possible with you, you should like Stephen be helping to resolve disputes rather than creating them. Smooth rather than murmur. Reconcile rather than grumble.

And if you haven’t already done so, then find some area of service in this church. We need each other. We need you to play your part. You and I have to be using our gifts and abilities. That is how the church will grow. We serve one another as the body of Christ. Why not complete the class 3 interview and learn about opportunities for service. Or come and talk to me about where you might get involved and I will put you in touch with some people. We can all learn from Stephen’s Role.

STEPHEN’S WITNESS

Stephen though was more than a practical leader. Stephen was also a powerful witness to Jesus. That is my second heading “Stephen’s Witness”. He was a man full and overflowing with God’s grace and power, a public speaker, a worker of miracles.

Looking at verses 8 to 10:

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke (Acts 6:8-10, NIV).

Stephen was a witness for Jesus. He declared God’s grace and demonstrated God’s power. His opponents could not stand up against “his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke”. The emphasis though is not on Stephen’s own ability, but rather on God’s strength, God’s wisdom, God’s power. It was just like Jesus told his disciples it would be.

18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you (Matthew 10:18-20, NIV).

Jesus promises to give you and me the words we need when we are appearing as witnesses for him. I don’t know if you can think of examples of that in your own life. I know I can. When I was at university we used to have a meal and a short talk and invite some friends round for a discussion on Christianity. In particular there was one occasion when I was asked a challenging question when I knew that I didn’t have a helpful answer. I started replying and as I did so God gave me an illustration that brilliantly made the point. It definitely wasn’t of me. It was God giving me the words I needed. And that has happened to me multiple times.

Maybe it has happened to you as well. Perhaps even without your knowing, the Holy Spirit has given you the right words to say to your friend and perfectly applied them into their life. It is God at work. Which means that all of us as Christians can get on with the task of being witnesses for Christ. You and I can go into our houses, work places and friendships groups and make disciples, praying and relying on God’s strength, wisdom and power.

Don’t excuse yourself on the basis of not having the right words, not knowing enough, or being scared or embarrassed. Trust in Jesus and his promise. Learn from Stephen. Open your mouth and start a conversation with your friend using a question such as; “Do you ever think about spiritual matters?” “What do you think the most important thing is about Christmas?” “Would you be interested in knowing more about the Christian message?”

When we witness for Christ we can though expect persecution. There will be many who reject the Christian message and attack the messengers. That was certainly Stephen’s experience. Let’s read a bit further in the story, verse 11 to 15.

11 Then they [the Jews of the Synagogue of the Freedmen] secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:11-15, NIV).

Stephen’s experience was very similar to Jesus’. Like Jesus they accused him falsely with false witnesses. They said that he “never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law”. They distorted the truth and condemned him. But Stephen’s response was angelic. He had such peace and courage and trust in God.

When we witness for Christ people will twist the truth of what we say. They will deliberately misrepresent the Christian message. They will make you look intolerant, bigoted, ridiculous, and even dangerous. We see that in the media with its dismissal and intolerance of the Christian message. We see it in government with anti-Christian legislation. You and I experience it as we open our mouths and try to tell people around us the good news of Jesus and salvation, and warn them of hell.

We are following the example of Jesus our master, and our experience of witnessing in the world will probably be very similar to Stephen’s.

STEPHEN’S MESSAGE

But what was Stephen’s message? My third heading. What did Stephen say in response. Well he began in chapter 7 verse 2 with a history of the people of Israel starting with Abraham. Have a look. He recounts the Joseph story verses 9 to 16. He tells of the oppression in Egypt verses 17 to 19, and of the deliverance through Moses verses 20 to 36.

Moses is significant in Stephen’s message because Moses was the first of the prophets. And Stephen’s main point in this speech is that Israelites have always rejected God’s prophets. Moses, the first of the prophets, led the people in the desert for forty years but the people were always rebelling against God and rejecting Moses, verses 37 to 43.

Throughout the history that followed the people of Israel continued to reject God. They had the tabernacle of God’s presence in the desert. God brought them into the Promised Land under Joshua. The kingdom of Israel was established under David and the temple built under Solomon. But the people kept rebelling and turning away from the almighty awesome God. Even though they had the temple and the law they rejected God and his prophets.

And then Stephen hits the punch line, verse 51. “You are just like your forefathers”. Wham. “You have the Law of Moses, you are circumcised outwardly, you have this magnificent temple, but you are still getting it wrong”. “You killed Jesus – the fulfilment of all the promises, the final and greatest prophet”. Take a look with me at what Stephen says in conclusion to the Jewish leaders, verses 51 to 53 of chapter 7.

51 You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it (Acts 7:51-53, NIV).

Stephen knew his Old Testament. He knew the salvation story. He knew that circumcision of the heart, true belief and relationship with God was more important than the law or the temple. The Jewish leaders were good at practicing religion but yet again they had rejected God – this time by rejecting Jesus, God’s Son.

To put Stephen’s message in today’s language: Stephen is saying that Christianity is more than religious observance – attending church and following “good living” rules. He is saying that the Christian faith is about being in right relationship with God. It is about not rejecting Christ and his saving work on the cross.

Maybe you needed to hear that this morning. The good news of Christ is not about attending church each Christmas or Easter, or once a month, or even every week. The good news of Christ is not about keeping all the rules and being a “good” person. The good news is rather a message of salvation for sinners who cannot help themselves. God loves you and wants to welcome you into his family. Jesus died on the cross to make that possible.

Don’t reject him like the Jewish leaders did. Rather put your trust in Christ for salvation. If you have not already done so, why not ask God to save you this Christmas? Do that right now even where you are sitting. Pray, asking “Lord Jesus I need you to save me. Father I want to come into your family. Holy Spirit come and live in me and transform my life”.

And when the Holy Spirit does come and live in us he does transform us. He testifies that we are God’s children. He gives us courage to be witnesses. He helps us to have the words to say when we speak of Christ. But as Christians you and I also have a responsibility to know our Bibles, to know the Christian story, to know what you believe and why. To “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).

Like Stephen we need to know the Christian message. So perhaps you could enrol for a Moore course in January. Perhaps you should read a Christian book this week. Perhaps you should listen to some tapes. Again, come and talk to me if you would like pointed in the right direction or have a specific question about the Christian faith that you would like some help with.

Stephen’s message reminds us to do our homework. To know what we believe and why. So that we are always ready to give an answer.

STEPHEN’S DEATH

Finally, heading four, Stephen’s Death. Please look at verses 54 to 60.

54 When they heard [what Stephen said], [the Jewish leaders] were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’. 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’. When he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:54-60, NIV).

Stephen’s death, just like his trial, was very similar to Jesus’ death. He was ready to die for Christ. He was so sure of what he believed and so full of the Holy Spirit that he was able to turn his eyes towards heaven and see “the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God”. His message and what he said in condemnation of the Jewish leaders was true. Jesus is God’s anointed one, the saviour of the world, now glorified in heaven.

But the Jewish leaders refused to accept it. Their eyes and ears were tight shut against accepting the Christian message. In their anger they rushed at him, grabbed him, dragged him out of the city and stoned him. If you are being honest would you have to say that your mind is completely shut to accepting the Christian message? Are you sitting there refusing to even consider it rationally? Are you even angry that you are here this morning – just like those Jewish leaders?

Stephen’s death is amazing. He is so full of the Holy Spirit and God’s peace that he is able to pray to God as he is being stoned. Just like Jesus he commits his spirit into God’s hands (c.f. Luke 23:46). Just like Jesus he forgives those who are stoning him (c.f. Luke 23:34).

I hope that you and I never have to die for our faith. There are many Christians around the world who are. I hope I never have to. I sometimes wonder if I would be able to stand firm when threatened by death or torture. Well this story gives me comfort. It reminds me that the Holy Spirit will give me all I need to be God’s witness if I ever have to face such a horrendous situation. Humanly I would be very weak but the emphasis here in this story is on God’s strength not mine.

Even though we don’t face death in this country, you and I do regularly face opposition and persecution whenever we witness for Christ in our families, workplaces and friendship groups. I know it is scary, it feels hard to open our mouths and speak of Jesus, but take courage from Stephen’s example in his death.

You might feel like you are “dying” as your school friends make fun of you, as your work colleagues shun you, as you family members reject you, but open your eyes with Stephen and see the glory of God, the truth of the Christian message, and the splendour of heaven that awaits you. Follow Stephen’s example even in his death.