To The Death?

  It's funny.  I've read the story of Stephen before...a few times actually.  But I guess I really hadn't READ it, because this last time the Holy Spirit made new things totally jump off the page.  Like REALLY jump off the page.  I love the Holy Spirit.  His power is so amazing.  The Word of the Lord is alive and active..... (Heb 4:12) and the Holy Spirit makes that so evident.
  Anyway, I wanted to share a few things I learned this morning about a man named Stephen.  I am reading out of the book of Acts, primarily chapters 6, 7 and a little from 11 and 22.  Stephen was a man of God.  He ultimately gave his life for God (literally).  He was a follower of the disciples after Jesus death.  He was chosen as one of the "seven" in Acts 6 to organize a feeding program for Grecian Jewish widows.  I would have to infer that Stephen also knew the Greek language.  He was probably gifted in administration as well as teaching, wisdom and discernment.  He was a very gifted man.
  Stephen was also involved in performing miracles via the Holy Spirit.  For this reason opposition against him began within the Synagogue of Freedmen (a Jewish synagogue comprised of former Jewish slaves released by Rome).   The men within this synagogue began to argue with Stephen but could not stand against his "wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke" (Acts 6:10).  These men then secretly persuaded others to slander Stephen, saying they'd heard him blaspheme against Moses and God.  These men stirred up the people, elders and teachers of the law.  These individuals then brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders).  The Sanhedrin (whom also accused Jesus- Matt. 26:59-61) were firm believers in the law of Moses.  They studied only the Law of Moses, and enforced Leviticus 24:14 (a clause in the law requiring stoning for the blaspheme of the Law).  They did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, the fulfillment of the law.  
  While before the Sanhedrin, Stephen was slandered.  Individuals accused him saying, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place (the temple) and against the law.  For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." (Acts 6:14).  The Freedmen Jews thought this would be effective in stopping Stephen as they knew the "law loving" heart of the Sanhedrin.
  While being accused, the Bible states that Stephen's face was "like the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15).  I am taking that to mean he radiated the Holy Spirit...he was at peace...and was confident.
   When asked by the Sanhedrin if the charges were true, Stephen gave an amazing Spirit filled and Spirit lead recitation of the history of Abraham and the law (Acts 7).  He then ended it by rebuking them and stating that Jesus Christ (whom the Sanhedrin had previously put to death) was the fulfillment of the law.  He told them Jesus was the answer (the only answer) and that they'd (the Sanhedrin) killed him.  In doing so, Stephen signed his death sentence.  At that point, filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).    At this point the Sanhedrin became a brawl.  The men involved held their ears and begin yelling as loud as they could.  They all rushed at Stephen, drug him out of the city and began stoning him.  Without a trial, Stephen was martyred for Christ.  At the time of his death he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."  Upon saying this, he then died. (Acts 7:60).  And...standing, holding the clothes of the men stoning Stephen was a man named Saul (Acts 7:60 and Acts 22:20).
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fascinating Things I received from Stephen's Story:

1.   The Freedmen Synagogue: little is known of this specific group of people other than they were previous slaves.  This fact is interesting to me.  People previously encumbered by a yoke of slavery embraced more slavery upon themselves by embracing Judaism....so much so that they murdered a man trying to show them true freedom.  How much do I do that????
  2.  The extent Stephen allowed himself to be used by Christ.  Am I willing to give THAT much???
  3.  How much power the Holy Spirit placed within Stephen.  He's willing to fill me completely if I allow Him.  Allowing Him in my life is the IF in the equation.
  4.  The awesomeness of God...He will give us power to do whatever He wants done through us.  God asked physical death of Stephen.  I am so impressed by Stephen's obedience to the point of death.  How willing am I to obey God??
  5.  The impact Stephen's death had on the early Christian movement.  The Christians scattered at that point (fearing death themselves).  The scattering thus brought the message of Christ to a broader spectrum of people.  Including a man named Saul (whom later became known as Paul...the greatest evangelist all of all times).  Never underestimate the outcome of obedience to Christ.

Obedience

Two great kings.  King David and King Solomon.  Father and son.  David was known as 'a man after God's own heart'.  His cry, "create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10).  His desire was to obey.  He made his mistakes but desired forgiveness.  He knew God was the only way.   He sought after God.
  Solomon became King of Israel after his father, Davids death.  His prayer, "God, give me wisdom" [paraphrased from 1 Kings 3:1-11].  But at the same moment he prayed this prayer he was consciously disobeying God.  God forbid the Israelites from marrying foreign women (to keep their faith from foreign influence) (Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:34).  God also forbid sacrifices from being burnt outside the temple (this assured proper supervision to the ceremonies and that God's ways would be maintained...the law would be adhered to) (Deuteronomy 12:13&14).  While Solomon prays for wisdom he is in the process of marrying the princess of Egypt (direct disobedience)...and is burning sacrifices to God on the "high places" (hills above Jerusalem)...(direct disobedience).  God honored Solomon's prayer and gave him wisdom.  Solomon was well known for his wisdom.  However, Solomon did not live out his wisdom in obedience.  His disobedience to God in marrying foreign wives led him into the worship of Molech (the Ammonite god) (as well as many others).  Molech, however, was worshiped via child sacrifice.
  This 'slide' of moral degradation didn't happen all at once.  It was gradual and slow.  Solomon knew what he needed to do.  He was gifted with more wisdom than anyone on earth.  His downfall, disobedience.  He knew the truth, he knew what was right, and chose to ignore it.  Over the course of years, Solomon went from a wise God fearing king (one who built the temple) to the creator of the shrine of Molech.  It was at the hands of Solomon innocent children were murdered.
  Solomon's lineage continued into moral degradation.  His son, Rehoboam born to an Ammonite mother continued the path of disobedience.  His disobedience caused the split in the house of Israel.  Not too many years following, Israel is totally conquered.
  It's interesting to me the difference in these two kings.  David and Solomon both made mistakes.  We all make mistakes. The difference: what they did after the fact.  David sought God and forgiveness.  Solomon did not.  Though Solomon was gifted with wisdom it did him no good.  His wisdom wasn't followed by obedience.
Would I be out of line to say Solomon's wisdom was for naught?  Wisdom without obedience.....useless.

Their stories: 1&2 Samuel, and 1 Kings ch.1 thru 11.