Full of God’s Grace and Power
Serving Faithfully with Grace and Strength
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 6:8 NLT - Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
OBSERVATION:
Acts chapter 6 introduces us to a man named Stephen. We learn that he was a Greek believer, a Hellenist. Who were the Hellenists?
Acts 6:8 NLT - Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
OBSERVATION:
Acts chapter 6 introduces us to a man named Stephen. We learn that he was a Greek believer, a Hellenist. Who were the Hellenists?
The Hellenists were those Jews more inclined to embrace Greek culture and mostly were from the Diaspora (from all over the Roman Empire)… These were Christians, followers of Jesus. They were all from a Jewish background, but they had all embraced Jesus as their Messiah. – David Guzik.
Stephen, we are told, was chosen as one of the seven to help distribute and oversee food for the Hellenist widows in the early church. He not only did this but was also a man greatly used by God.
Oftentimes, we think we are only useful in our profession or in what we are known for. Stephen had the gifts of helps and administration—certainly not the kind of gifts that get the spotlight. Yet without them, things in the church would not get accomplished.
We refer to those who have these gifts as under-rowers. In the Bible, the term under-rower (Greek: huperetes) describes a low-level servant who rows in the bottom of a galley ship. Without them, the ship would go nowhere. They keep it moving and are vitally important—in my opinion, more so than those in more visible positions in the church. They are often overlooked, noticed only when things go wrong, but without them, everything would stand still.
Because of the ministries and gifts of Stephen and the other six men, the church grew.
Acts 6:7 NLT - So God's message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Can God use us to do great things, continue to spread the Good News, and see the number of believers increase greatly? Yes!
Oftentimes, we attribute church growth to the pastor, but it’s really due to the people in the church. If the pastor is following the design God made for his role as leader and shepherd, growth happens supernaturally, naturally, or simply Spirit-led.
Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
Are you being equipped? If not, find a church where the pastoral staff does this. If so, be like Stephen. Serve as an under-rower and watch God use you for His glory. It may be as simple as overseeing food distribution or administration—yet these are of utmost importance to the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION:
Like Stephen, when we take a step of faith and begin to serve, we soon realize that God not only wants us to be under-rowers but also witnesses for Him. God used Stephen to preach to the Jewish High Council and proclaim the Gospel—from under-rower to evangelist—because he was willing to serve, even in a small way.
The key to Stephen’s success was simple:
Acts 6:8 NLT - …A man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
Full of Grace – We can be full of many things, but grace is one that never offends. Let God’s grace flow through you. Be a trophy of His grace. Let it change, mold, and shape you. Freely share it—what a gift we have been given.
Full of God’s Power – This power is the same power described in Acts chapter 2—the baptism of the Spirit. It’s what enables us to use the gifts God has given us in powerful ways. The word literally means “like dynamite.”
What’s left to do is stand back and watch God do great, amazing things—impossible for us but possible with His enabling power.
Be a Stephen today. The world is in desperate need of them.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me walk in Your grace and power. Fill me again, use me, and continually remind me of Your amazing grace. May I be a Stephen in some way today.
Oftentimes, we think we are only useful in our profession or in what we are known for. Stephen had the gifts of helps and administration—certainly not the kind of gifts that get the spotlight. Yet without them, things in the church would not get accomplished.
We refer to those who have these gifts as under-rowers. In the Bible, the term under-rower (Greek: huperetes) describes a low-level servant who rows in the bottom of a galley ship. Without them, the ship would go nowhere. They keep it moving and are vitally important—in my opinion, more so than those in more visible positions in the church. They are often overlooked, noticed only when things go wrong, but without them, everything would stand still.
Because of the ministries and gifts of Stephen and the other six men, the church grew.
Acts 6:7 NLT - So God's message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Can God use us to do great things, continue to spread the Good News, and see the number of believers increase greatly? Yes!
Oftentimes, we attribute church growth to the pastor, but it’s really due to the people in the church. If the pastor is following the design God made for his role as leader and shepherd, growth happens supernaturally, naturally, or simply Spirit-led.
Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
Are you being equipped? If not, find a church where the pastoral staff does this. If so, be like Stephen. Serve as an under-rower and watch God use you for His glory. It may be as simple as overseeing food distribution or administration—yet these are of utmost importance to the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION:
Like Stephen, when we take a step of faith and begin to serve, we soon realize that God not only wants us to be under-rowers but also witnesses for Him. God used Stephen to preach to the Jewish High Council and proclaim the Gospel—from under-rower to evangelist—because he was willing to serve, even in a small way.
The key to Stephen’s success was simple:
Acts 6:8 NLT - …A man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
Full of Grace – We can be full of many things, but grace is one that never offends. Let God’s grace flow through you. Be a trophy of His grace. Let it change, mold, and shape you. Freely share it—what a gift we have been given.
Full of God’s Power – This power is the same power described in Acts chapter 2—the baptism of the Spirit. It’s what enables us to use the gifts God has given us in powerful ways. The word literally means “like dynamite.”
What’s left to do is stand back and watch God do great, amazing things—impossible for us but possible with His enabling power.
Be a Stephen today. The world is in desperate need of them.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me walk in Your grace and power. Fill me again, use me, and continually remind me of Your amazing grace. May I be a Stephen in some way today.
When we serve with grace and power, God turns small acts of faith into great works for His glory.
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