ACTS: FAITH WORTH DYING FOR

Acts 6:1 NKJV

2 types of Jews 

Hellenists – they were no less “jewish” than the Hebrews when it comes to birth and bloodline.  However, they had been raised elsewhere, and as a result, had adopted Gentile customs – they spoke greek, dressed like gentiles.  Many were part of the ” diaspora” – the scattering of Jews that had taken place many years prior, and had now come back to their promised land to be apart of the Jewish culture – and in the process had become believers in Jesus.  So the Hellenists were Christian Jews – who spoke Greek and dressed like gentiles.   As a result, they used the septuagint as their scripture – It is in Greek.  

Hebrews – raised in Israel – more traditional in their dress and customs.   The read from the Torah – written in Hebrew.  As a rule, they despised anything that hinted of Gentile.  they were very strict and very nationalistic.  they spoke Hebrew or aramaic, and Greek only when necessary.  

Disagreements will happen. Division should not. 

Psalm 133:1

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it  is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Acts 6:2-7

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Tertullian – “The Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church”

In Rome, Georgia – The Local Steak and Shake sponsored a billboard in honor of Charlie Kirk 

Stand Up

Speak Out 

Stay Bold 

1.  Stand Up

Acts 6:8-15 NKJV

Beautiful comparison and remembrance of Moses! 

Acts 7:1 NKJV Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

That’s all the window of opportunity Stephen needed!

Stephen then launches into an 1100 year history of their people – the Jewish nation – in full witness of the full gospel. 

2. Stay Ready 

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”.

3. Speak Out

Acts 7:2-19 NKJV

Next, he makes his defense against their charge of blasphemy against Moses. 

He challenges them to remember the prophets

Acts 7:20-50 NKJV

God cares much less about where we worship than in how we worship and in who we worship! 

But the temple was the sacred ground of the sanhedrin. Not because of their love for God – but because it was their den of iniquity – where they made their money. They were the Mob of the 1st century. All under the guise of Godliness. 

Had Stephen stopped right here, there would be no issue.  They would have all been in agreement with him.   

But then Stephen pulls no punches and launches directly into harms way with his next words – and lets them have it!  

4.  Stay Bold 

Acts 7:51-60 NKJV

1. The same Holy Spirit that Empowered Stephen, is the same Holy Spirit that empowers Every Believer  

2. The Call of God is a call to die. 

Galatians 2:20

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

Do I love God more than my own life? 

3.  It is in dying to ourselves that we become servants of God. 

Will you die to yourself in order to live for something greater? 

Do I love God more than my own life?

What am I willing to risk for the sake of His call?   

Stand Up

Stay Ready 

Speak Out

Stay Bold 

I was inspired last Sunday to write a little thing I’m calling 

The Alphabet of Boldness 

As the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, 

We must not, We cannot…

A – We will not Be Afraid 

B – We will not back down, back up, or back out.

C – We will not cower in the face of evil.

D – We will not dilute, deny, or disquise the truth!

E – We will move forward with excellence and energy and not Exclude anyone from our message of Hope

F – We will face our fears in faith

G – We will not give in to the winds and the whims of culture

H – We will not hold back

I – We will not be Intimidated 

J – We will fight for justice and Live for Jesus

K – We will build His Kingdom 

L – We will love our God and love our neighbors

M – We will stay on mission 

N – We will help the needy

O – We will offer all of ourselves and all we have when necessary

P – We will Pray – and pray some more – for revival across our land, for the power of the Holy Spirit, and for boldness 

Q – We will never ever ever quit.

R – We will not rest until everyone has heard the Gospel

S – We will speak the truth, stand up for what is righteous, and daily surrender our hearts to our Savior – Jesus Christ

T – We will Trust the Lord God almighty to guide us, protect us, and use us. 

U – We will stay under the authority of God’s word, seek to understand the mind and the heart of the lost, but never Undermine the power of His word

V – We will not play the victim, because in Christ We are the Victors! 

W – We will not whimper in difficult times and WE will not waver from The truth! 

X – We will be Xenial to those who hate and persecute us. 

Y – We will not yield to temptation and the evil one

Z – And we will preach the Gospel with our lives with all the zeal of the martyrs who have gone before us.