HEROES
April: Stephen
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Heroes...Searching the Scriptures of our Parish Theme
Last year’s hot TV hit was entitled Heroes. The basic premise of the series is that living in our midst are individuals endowed with special gifts that have the power to change things. “Save the cheerleader, save the world” became the mantra of the first few episodes. Scripture declares that we live in the company of individuals endowed with special gifts as well, and the one gift that unites them is that of faith. These individuals are Heroes and their mantra is “Cheer the Leader who saves the world.”
This month’s hero is Stephen and his special gift of standing. Read Acts 6:5-8:1 and consider the following:
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The disciples called Stephen to minister because he was “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” How many times in these verses do we read that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit?
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Read Ephesians 5:18
. We, too, are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In fact, John MacArthur comments, “The Greek could actually be translated, ‘Be being kept filled with the Spirit.’ We are to be continually being controlled by the Spirit, and that was precisely what characterized Stephen--he was full of the Spirit all the time. It wasn't some sudden shot, it was a permanent state for him.” This Spirit-filled-ness is what gave Stephen the ability to respond in a godly, trusting and faithful manner despite the chaos surrounding him. When have you experienced calm, faith and peace amidst chaos in your own life?V
Read Philippians 1:21
. We could easily cast Stephen as a victim in this story, but why shouldn’t we?V
Re-read Acts 7:54-56
. Stephen stands against his enemies, and God rewards and strengthens him with a special gift. What is it?Compare Acts 7:59-60 with Luke 23:34 and 46. What do you notice?
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Re-read Acts 7:58 and 8:1. Who was present at the stoning of Stephen? Augustine wrote that “the church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen.” What does this mean?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you for the church’s first martyr, Stephen, who placed his trust in You, stood his (your) ground, and fell “asleep” in your arms. Continue to fill us also with your Holy Spirit and give us strength to stand, even amidst chaos. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.