THE FAITH PRINCIPLE IN ACTION

Stephen...a deacon that was full of faith, the Holy Spirit, grace and power (Acts 6:5, 8)           Stephen...a deacon that was full of faith,
          the Holy Spirit,
          grace and power
          (Acts 6:5, 8)


The Faith Principle in Action:

• No compromising the Word,
• Holding anyone accountable to God when authority of God is challenged by those in a position of authority in the church or synagogue,
• Standing firm in the faith in the face of death,
• Willingness to die for the faith,
• An attitude of forgiveness with no strings attached.

Stephen dies...not because he was condemned to die through judicial process...his death was a lynching. The Sanhedrin had no right to put anyone to death.

With Stephen's death...We can see:

• The Secret of His Courage...
• Beyond all that men could do to him he saw awaiting him the welcome of his Lord.

Stephen Followed his Lord's example.

As Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of his executioners (Luke 23:34), so did Stephen.
The man who follows Christ the whole way will find strength to do things which it seems humanly impossible to do.

The Dreadful turmoil finished in a strange peace.

Peace comes to a man...even in death's grip, when the man has done the right thing even if the right thing kills him.

The military has capitalized on this truth...We are a nation because of this truth.
We are free because of this truth.
As a Christian we are free because of this truth!

Saul enters the scene...Acts 8:1...as a witness to the murder of Stephen.

The man who was to become the apostle to the Gentiles thoroughly agreed with the execution of Stephen.
The Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen.

The result: The blood of the martyrs even this early had begun to be the seed of the Church.

Stephen understood God...in that God hates evil...and the wrath of God will come to all who enjoys the pleasure of evil ways. Colossians 3:5,6

Human anger vs. godly anger or God's anger:

Human anger...results from being neglected, overlooked, or cheated (selfish and prideful).
Godly anger comes from a person that hates sin and fears God (Proverbs 8:13)
God's anger comes from disobedience from His creation which leads to self destruction by choice.

• The Jewish rabbis (The Pharisees and the Sadducees)..let pride and religion stand in the way of true worship,
• The people saw their religious leaders stoning this man...and they did likewise......Be sure you know who you are following and watch and listen for signs of the leaders going against Scripture (listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading).
• Whenever anyone is acting in the flesh, they will seek a fleshly solution to their problem.
• Stephen forgave his accusers and his executioners...He was a Champion of God's Plan for Man.
• Faith will always begat a greater faith.
  (A seed planted and nurtured....produces fruit a plenty).
• The Church needs men and women full of faith and power who will raise the bar for God.