God is Looking for Faithful People
Bob Yandian
In Acts chapter 6 we are introduced to a powerful moment in the early church. The ministry of the apostles was growing rapidly, and because of that growth they needed help. The widows were being served, the people were being discipled, and the church was expanding daily. The apostles recognized that the work of God was increasing beyond what they alone could manage.
So Peter stood before the congregation and gave them instructions. He said, in essence, “You find seven men among you of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will appoint them over this responsibility.” These positions were not paid positions. They were simply areas of service in the church. The key requirement was not education. It was not a degree. It was not prestige or position. The key requirement was faithfulness.
Paul would later say the same thing to Timothy. He told him to find faithful men who would one day be able to teach others also. Notice the order: first faithfulness, then ability.
Stephen and Philip were two of those men chosen in Acts chapter 6. At the time they were chosen, they were not great preachers. They were not apostles. They were simply believers who loved God, loved people, and wanted to serve. Yet because they were faithful, God raised them up.
Stephen and Philip represent the entry level into New Testament ministry. Ministry does not begin with education. Education can help, but ministry begins with a heart that simply says, “Lord, I want to serve.” God looks for people who are faithful long before they ever become capable.
The Beginning of Stephen’s Ministry
Stephen’s story begins in Acts chapter 6, but it continues into chapter 7 where his famous sermon is recorded. In fact, Stephen occupies much of chapter 6 and all of chapter 7 before Philip’s ministry begins in chapter 8.
Stephen’s sermon is one of the greatest sermons recorded in the book of Acts. Peter preached powerful sermons earlier, and Paul would later preach powerful messages throughout the New Testament. But Stephen’s message stands out because of who he was.
Stephen was not an apostle, or a rabbi but he was simply a servant in the church. Yet when he spoke, he spoke with incredible wisdom and authority. His sermon would eventually lead to his death, making him the first martyr of the New Testament church.
False Accusations Against Stephen
Just as the religious leaders opposed Jesus, they also opposed Stephen. Acts 6:12-15 tells us that the Pharisees stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. They seized Stephen and brought him before the council. False witnesses were set up against him. They accused him of saying blasphemous words against the temple and against the law.
This was exactly what they had done to Jesus.
They brought in false witnesses.
They twisted his words.
They took statements out of context.
One of their accusations was that Stephen claimed Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs given by Moses. But that was not what Jesus said. Jesus did prophesy that the temple would be destroyed, but He did not say He personally would destroy it. In fact, Daniel chapter 9 had already prophesied that destructive forces would come against Jerusalem. Ultimately, the Roman army would destroy the temple in 70 AD. The religious leaders twisted the truth in order to justify their hatred. Yet even as they accused him, something remarkable happened.
Those sitting in the council looked at Stephen and saw that his face appeared like the face of an angel. The presence of God was resting upon him. God’s peace and glory were evident even in the middle of persecution.
Stephen Begins His Sermon
Acts chapter 7 records Stephen’s response to the accusations. The high priest asked him a simple question: “Are these things so?” In other words, “Are you guilty?” Stephen answered not with a short defense, but with a powerful sermon recounting the history of Israel. He began by addressing them respectfully, “Brethren and fathers, listen.” He showed honor for their position even though they were accusing him falsely.
Stephen then began with Abraham and traced Israel’s history through Moses and the wilderness. His message demonstrated that rebellion against God had been a pattern throughout Israel’s history. The very people accusing Stephen were continuing the same pattern of resisting God. They were doing the same thing their ancestors had done. They resisted Moses. They resisted the prophets. And now they were resisting Jesus.
The God of Glory Appeared to Abraham
Stephen began his sermon by saying something powerful, “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.” The “God of glory” refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory is the visible manifestation of God’s presence.
Abraham was living in Ur of the Chaldees when God appeared to him. At that time Abraham was a sinner. He was a Gentile living among pagan people. Yet God appeared to him and called him out. When Abraham believed God, he became something new. He became the father of a new race.
Genesis teaches that two groups would come from Abraham. One group would be described as the sand of the sea. The other would be described as the stars of heaven. The sand of the sea refers to the natural descendants of Abraham—the nation of Israel. But the stars of heaven represent a spiritual family made up of believers from every nation. Anyone who believes in the Lord becomes part of Abraham’s spiritual family. In that sense, the true children of Abraham are those who believe.
Abraham’s Journey of Obedience
Stephen then reminded the council of God’s command to Abraham. God told him, “Get out of your country, from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.” Abraham obeyed part of the command, but not all of it. He left his country, but he brought his family with him. His father and his nephew Lot traveled with him. Because Abraham did not fully obey, he encountered continual trouble.
Sometimes believers do the same thing today. They obey God partially but hold on to certain things. God’s call to Abraham was really a call to discipleship. God was asking Abraham if he was willing to trust Him completely. Many believers struggle with the same decision. Are we willing to leave everything and follow God? Are we willing to trust Him with our future, our finances, and our calling?
Abraham eventually learned that true peace only comes when we are fully in God’s will. Money cannot give you happiness. Comfort cannot give you peace. The only place a believer finds lasting peace is in the center of God’s will.
Trusting God Instead of Natural Solutions
Abraham struggled many times with trusting God. When he entered the land of Canaan, a famine occurred. Instead of trusting God to provide, Abraham ran to Egypt. While there, he brought back Hagar, which later created tremendous problems. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, and that decision produced conflict for generations. All of this happened because Abraham tried to solve God’s promise through natural means. Yet God was patient.
It took Abraham many years to grow into the man of faith God intended him to be. Finally, Abraham reached a place where he fully trusted God. When God asked him to offer Isaac, Abraham believed that God could even raise his son from the dead. That level of faith came only after years of growth. God had been waiting patiently for Abraham to learn to trust Him completely.
Joseph: A Picture of Jesus
Stephen continued his sermon by speaking about Joseph. The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him. Joseph eventually became the ruler of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Stephen used Joseph as a picture of Jesus. Just as Joseph was rejected by his brothers, Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders. Joseph was sold to the Gentiles, and Jesus was handed over to the Romans. Yet the one they rejected became their deliverer.
Joseph saved his family during the famine, and Jesus became the Savior of the world. The irony was that Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery thinking they were getting rid of him. In reality, they were preparing the very deliverance that would later save them. The same was true with Jesus. The religious leaders thought they were eliminating Him. Instead they were fulfilling God’s plan of redemption.
Lessons for Today
Stephen’s message reminds us that God’s truth has always been resisted. The same spirit of rebellion that existed in the Old Testament was still present in Stephen’s day. People resisted Moses. They resisted the prophets. They resisted Jesus. And now they were resisting Stephen. But Stephen did not back down. He spoke the truth boldly even though it cost him his life. His story reminds us that faithfulness matters more than position.
Stephen began as a servant in the church, yet God used him to preach one of the most powerful sermons in the book of Acts. God is still looking for people like that today. He is looking for believers who are faithful.
Faithful to serve.
Faithful to study the Word.
Faithful to follow His call.
The world may grow darker, and persecution may increase, but the message of the gospel must continue to go forward. Jesus told us that when we see difficult times approaching, we should look up because our redemption is drawing near. That means now is not the time to retreat. Now is the time to preach the gospel. Now is the time to win as many people as possible to the Lord Jesus Christ. And just like Stephen, the greatest qualification is not education or position. The greatest qualification is faithfulness.
Joseph is one of the most beloved characters in the Bible. A young man filled with dreams from God, favored by his father, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and ended up in a dungeon. Joseph gives us a story far beyond what the average Christian will ever go through. Yet, if God could deliver Joseph and turn his cursing into blessing, He can deliver you.
You may feel like you are in bondage in “Egypt.” You may feel like you are in the “wilderness.” Or you may feel like you just “crossed the Red Sea” with battles ahead. Regardless of where you are in the fulfillment of your promise from God, let the life of Joseph serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration.
In this world, difficult situations confront us all. Whether our problems are seemingly insignificant or overwhelmingly daunting, God cares and is the way to overcome. Gain faith, courage, and hope as you join Bob Yandian in studying the life of Joseph.
181 Pages
For Israel, the wilderness was a crossroads, a challenge for their future. If some did not follow the Lord and believe His promises, they would remain in the wilderness for many years to come and even die there. For others, the wilderness would be a developing time to lead them into God’s ultimate destination, the Promised Land. Many of our greatest challenges in life have produced some of our greatest memories of closeness to the Lord and seeing God come through. This is the heart of this powerful and inspiring series!
Message Titles:
Led Into Temptation, Let’s Try Again, Speak to the Rock, Mix it with Faith, Go Ahead and Sleep on it, Hardness of Heart, Dealing with Anger
7 MP3’s
This series chronicles the major events of David’s life and reveals his passion for God through his encounters with Goliath, Saul, and the ark of the covenant. David’s response toward jealousy, disappointment, fear and repentance are also explored.
Lesson Titles:
For Such a Time as This
The Bigger They Are
The Power of Jealousy
Surrounded by Dogs
Conquering Jealousy
Sins of Desperation
Victory in the Cave
Betrayed and Saved
Good Friends, Bad Advice
Vengeance Belongs to the Lord
The Witch of Endor
Ziklag and Gilboa
A Time to be Patient
Faith Always has a Manifestation
Conquering Zion
In Everything by Prayer
Bringing in the Ark
The Davidic Covenant
A Grateful Heart
The God of War and Peace
When Your Good is Evil Spoken Of
Fullness of Joy
The Story of the Ewe Lamb
Getting Back on Track
Chastened and Still Alive
Saved from Yourself
Don’t Give Up
A New Beginning
David’s Lingering Illness
You Can’t Bury A Sin
David’s Final Inspiration
Death of David
32 MP3s / MBC13