Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “From Server to Saint” – Sunday, 6 July 2014 - Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “From Server to Saint” – Sunday, 6 July 2014 - Scripture: Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists[Acts 6:1 The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent.] against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; 6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
“From Server to Saint” by Wil Watson
The Bible doesn’t call Stephen the first Christian saint, but he certainly had the qualifications. Consider how he is described: “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,” “full of God’s grace and power,” and that he did “great wonders and miraculous signs” (Acts 6:5, 8). Furthermore, when he was stoned to death his face resembled an angel (Acts 6:15). Whatever shine was on his face, it came from the inside. A girl looking at stained-glass portrayals of saints concluded, “A saint is someone the light shines through.” How perceptive! Saints are ordinary people transformed by God’s light within.
Stephen didn’t begin as a saint; he was a server. His assignment was to “wait on tables,” ministering to widows and unfortunates. Not a glamorous job, but he did it well and outgrew it. God had a bigger job for him. He may have continued serving as a waiter, but his ministry could not be contained. That should be true of every Christian.

The Word of God spread–when the young church organized for greater effectiveness in ministry. That’s still the plan. The power comes from God, but well organized human “servers” need to have a ministry that can’t be contained. We’re called to be “serving saints.”

Hymn for Today:

“O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” by Washington Gladden
1. O Master, let me walk with thee
in lowly paths of service free;
tell me thy secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care.
2. Help me the slow of heart to move
by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay,
and guide them in the homeward way.
3. Teach me thy patience, still with thee
in closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
in trust that triumphs over wrong.
4. In hope that sends a shining ray
far down the future's broadening way;
in peace that only thou canst give,
with thee, O Master, let me live.
Thought for Today:
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones”(Chinese Proverb).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Madagascar!
-------
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
-------