A Life in Full

Welcome to this edition of PowerPoint with Jack Graham a little later in the program will tell you that you can get a copy of Dr. Graham's evangelism bundle first hears the message to life in full for God's word, in turn, would be pleased with the six chapter of the book of acts asked the six chapter and verse seven and the word of God continued to increase. I love that God's word is increasing and the church is growing as a result, the church was organized to meet the needs of people and deacons were selected chosen among the deacons was a man named Steve from bursae tells us Stephen was full of grace and power, and was doing great wonders and signs among the people and then verse nine says some of those who belong to the synagogue of the free man. As it was called, and of the serene Indians and of the Alexandrian and of those from Feliciano and Asia rose up and distributed with Steve but they could watch this. They could not withstand Ms. in the spirit with which he was speak then they secretly and instigated man who said we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God. Stephen was not speaking, insulting or blasphemous words against Moses, our God, not at all, but these are lies and slander that were produced. The message of Christ to shut up. The man of Christ. Verse 12 they stirred up the people of the elders and the scribes and they came upon him and sees him and brought him before the Council word here means they pounced upon him. They seized him literally.

They threw him under. Stephen is about to get thrown under the bus but running before the Council. They set up false witnesses and said this man never ceases to speak words against this holy place of the law again ally we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs of Moses delivered to us. The revolutionary faith of Jesus Christ spoke of the resurrection. The tearing down of the temple of his body in the rebuilding of it, to the glory of God. But you see, these are turning the words of Christ, and now the words of Stevens Stephen around the be something totally different but notice verse 50 and gazing at him all set in the councils saw that his face was like the faith of an angel, a man with a message powerful persuasive message of Christ and the gospel.

A man with courage to match his convictions. A man who fearlessly and selflessly stood for his Lord filled with the spirit of God, a man in full the kind of man the kind of woman you are to be we are to be what is a life full well one is a life full of character you cannot speak of Stephen without speaking of his character because his character is described in the passages of Scripture that we've read and also earlier as I mentioned to you because the church was growing while the church was a very powerful church. It was not a perfect church so dissension was rising among the church over the ministration, the distribution of the to the needs of the people and some were beginning to complain and murmur against the leadership of the church and the apostles, the preachers is aware of the church were concerned about. This is the people were concerned and they said what we need to do is to get organize in order to effectively meet the needs of the congregation and of the community and so they were cut told to choose out seven men who would serve as deacons.

The I cannot say with the service of the church. They were the assistance to the apostles and while the apostles were to focus upon preaching the word and prayer. These men, these seven deacons were called and chosen to take care the physical ministry of the church and you have here in acts chapter 6, the embryonic form of the deacon.

Every deacon is to be a man of character if you will just back up to the six chapter of acts we are told that these were chosen as deacons and Stephen was of the seven the first draft choice at least is the first one mentioned and down in verse five and they were pleased with the whole gathering and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, there's our word full again and full of the Holy Spirit.

So here's what we learn about Steve about his character. He was a man of good reputation in the church and in the community.

Of the thousands of men who would come to faith in Christ and the early church.

He was one of seven men who were especially called to this very particular and strategic ministry because of his good character. His strong reputation in the community and the fact that he was full of God's spirit and full of faith that he was full of grace. Bursae tells us that he was full of grace and power so his life exemplified a spirit filled life, full of grace and power. There is a sweet strength about this man. There was something different about this godly deacons Steve. He was also an articulate spokesperson defender of the faith, and so on one occasion he went to the synagogue. There were over 400 synagogues in Jerusalem at this time and he went to the synagogue of the freedmen and he reason with them as we are to reason with others concerning the hope that is in us, always ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us, and he began to reason with them and as we just noted a moment ago as he reason with them while they argued with him and while they were suspicious of Stephen. They could not resist his winsome spirit. Put in verse 10, they could not withstand the wisdom in the spirit with which he was speak you know wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective. Wisdom is the progressive realization of the will of God in your life and because he knew the word of God because he was living in obedience to God. His his life was marked by extreme wisdom in this wisdom is for everyone, not just for a select number, as Stephen and the others God says to every Christian asked if you need wisdom and you will receive. We do need wisdom today. Don't we need wisdom in our relationships, how to live with one another. We we need wisdom for our careers. We need wisdom in making choices daily choices each day. We need wisdom when we face problems and pain and struggles in life. We need wisdom in every circumstance of life and God's wisdom comes from above human wisdom fails, but God's wisdom is forever and so here is a man full of wisdom but not only that he is full of grace. There is a winsome race about his life. When we are filled with the spirit of God, the joy of his presence in is reflected in our lives in our character and even our countenance for when these looked intently at this man, it appeared as though he had the face of an angel. Now imagine if you were in the same situation you're called upon to give a defense for your faith that is obvious. That is not going very well. People are filled with rage and hatred and anger and you might be tempted to just fold your tent and go home.

Say something like well I can see I'm not getting through to you like I can see you. Not really right for the gospel. You're not just ready for the gospel now so I'll come back another time and maybe we can talk about this, no Stephen stood firm and faithful in what he was saying he knew that this was his moment. I'm certain he had no reason to believe that he would ultimately pay the price of death and martyrdom for his faith.

I'm certain that Stephen was was praying intently, that those who heard him. Priests were believing religious leaders were responding to faith.

I'm certain that he was driving home the message he knew that this was an opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ and the grace of God to the religious establishment who knew so much about religion, but who did not have a relationship with God. They knew the form of religion but did not know the power of God in their life when the resistance came.

Stephen stays peaceful and calm in his countenance is glowing like the face of an angel. I'm not exactly sure what an angel looks like I've never seen one were told in the Bible that the Angels stand in the presence of God and therefore we know they reflect something of the glory of God.

When the women found the met the angel at the tomb. There was there was the glory in the light of the resurrection.

More surrounding that Angel there is a glow a godly glow that should be expressed by the service of God who are full of the spirit of God and this angel face man. This man a glow aflame with the presence of God is demonstrating the beauty of Christ and in this face to face confrontation with the religious establishment – whose face demonstrates and defines the glory of God is this man Stephen, full of faith trusting in God. We know he was full of faith because when you read the sermon that he delivers is the longest recorded sermon in the book of acts acts chapter 7 you read something of his faith in what he believed. He was a man well in the nude in the Old Testament Scriptures. He knew the stories of the Bible. He was obviously trained as a young man in his his Jewish home to know the Scriptures, and now that he knows Christ he is proclaiming Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

He preaches and teaches the word of God because he is a man full of wisdom and full of winsome. This winning spirit when it says that they could not resist his wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. We really don't know if the spirit referenced here is the human spirit of Stephen or the Holy Spirit of God.

God spirit is so filling Stephen's lie, that his spirit is a different kind of spirit dynamics. There was a charisma, not the charisma on human personality, but the career God spirit living in man of character you're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and today's message of life in full God-given calling to take the gospel to the world. That's why we put together a special bundle of resources to help you grow in your lot of the gospel and share it with others. This evangelism bundle includes three of Pastor Jack Graham's books the help of Easter life but God's promises for doubtful days.

This evangelism bundle is our thanks for your gift today and thanks to a generous matching grant your gift today will be dabbled so call now to request your evangelism bundle when you get call 1-800-795-4627 that's 1-800-795-4627. You can also text the word PowerPoint to 59789 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop our E store. Give the gift online for sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional our website again is Jack Graham.Margie Ellis Québec. Today's message for life in full light and full is a lie. Fill with character.

But let's go to the second ally in full is a life full of courage. While Stephen is in hot water now because the accusation the lies that the slanders are flowing and he is being accused of blasphemy and insulting God, not of which was true, and opposition is rolling in opposition and resistance that would demand extreme courage and faith. No one said the Christian life would be easy to follow Jesus is the most challenging thing you will ever do in your life and it will require the courage that God gives you.

This is why we need spiritual power to resist the enemy to overcome tests and temptation. We need spiritual power to pray. We need spiritual power to forgive.

We need spiritual power to build our families.

We need spiritual power to face trials and struggles in life we need spiritual power when it comes time to die. And that power emboldens us with the courage of Christ's courage to match conviction.

Stephen had so rather than making a quiet or quick exit.

He stands up and he proclaims Christ and that's what you have been asked chapter 7 I want to challenge all of us today to stand up for Jesus. How are you standing up. You know, in the Christian life. There are things that we stand for the things that we stand again and there should be a beautiful balance. We shouldn't be known just for the things that we are against. We should also be known for the things that were for, but the fact is we are against something we are for righteousness, but we are against. We are against those things that destroy righteousness. What are you doing to stand up to answer the call of God for him are you standing in the gap for people. How about helping people who are hurting helping people who are homeless. What about the addict. What about the orphans and the winners. What about unwed mothers in a crisis are you standing for Christ. With these you need your help. You stand to support a just cause a righteous cause.

Are you pro-life are you profamily are you willing to stand against the tide of secularism that is sweeping the nation. Are you willing to stand up in truth and righteousness and purity amidst the secularized and a sexualized culture. Would you be willing to stand against the wrong and stand up for what is right. How are we standing always standing for the gospel. Are we supporting missionaries around the world. The question is not how do you feel about the gospel, or what do you know about the gospel. The question is what are you doing about the God are you standing courageously for Christ. I very get out of the comfort off the comfortable. And stand somewhere in the gap for God to stand up for Christ.

In a culture that is antichrist. In a world that is rejected to stand to take risks to dream great three and all the while not wondering or worrying about the right risk of the repercussion. Whether you win or whether you lose only whether you please God.

Ultimately, Stephen live for an audience of one, you have only one to please. And that is your Lord, you don't have to answer to anybody else ultimately but him.

So I challenge you to have courage that matches your convictions in your character that you would rise to do the right thing regardless of the consequences is what Stephen he was a man full of courage so I'm I'm weak. I'm not that strong.

I'm not all that courageous. This is what the Spirit of God does for us the spirit of God when we are full of him empowers us and strengthens us to face opposition of any kind is one final word that is a life in full is a life full of character.

A life full of courage and finally it's obvious, isn't it a life full of Christ.

When you read the final paragraphs of Stephen's life. You discover after he preached they were incensed and enraged at the words that he spoke as a matter of fact. Look at verse 51 of asked chapter 7 it says this is his invitation.

This is the conclusion of the message. I just suppose I am about to close the message and here is my conclusion use stiff neck. Pete uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always reassess the Holy Spirit.

Not exactly the way to win friends and influence people who oppose you always resist the Holy Spirit's reminds me of the Scripture in Proverbs says he being often reprove hardens, stiffens his neck will suddenly be cut off that without remedy, you who resist the work of the Holy Spirit you see is a terrible thing to say no and no and no and resist again and again the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

God is calling you to himself. Jesus has died for you. He rose again this message is designed to influence you and encourage you and plead with you to come to Christ. But if you say no and no and no. When we say when we do something long enough we get real good at it, it becomes a habit. God says, my spirit will not always strive with man is possible to so resist the work of the Holy Spirit that it makes it impossible for you to say yes to Christ that the spirit of God is working in your life right now. Today's the day of salvation. Now is the accepted time today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, so when he speaks these rise up to kill it and they taken away led by a young Saul of Tarsus, who held the garments of those who stoned Stephen. He is stoked yet. I want you to see how this man died verse 59 and as they were stoning Steve. He called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against this remind you of anything this man who is dying so full of Jesus so full of rice that he not only lives for the Lord he die like the Lord. The Bible says and when he had said.

He fell asleep. What a beautiful and blessed picture. This is the death of the Christian revelation says blessed are they who die in the Lord. They are rejoicing with him missed all of this blood amidst all of this in the middle of this brutal death angry shouts God's man.

This Jesus man is so full of the spirit so full of love so full of courage that at that moment there is peace there is strength and he die a hero and there's one final word about Stephen that I want to mention this blessed death exemplified a beautiful life, and reminds us that while he did not live a long life he lived a it's all said and done, it's really not that important, how long I and is not the duration of your life that matters most is the donation of your life. Not the link of your life. The depth of your life that counts, if you will live your life, full of Christ live and die listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and today's message and life in full. 3.2 billion people in our world still have no access to the good news of Jesus, and we must do whatever it takes to reach the lost, but the hope of Christ. That's why were excited to tell you about a matching grant that will double when ever you give today to help reach more people to PowerPoint your support will help broadcast the gospel into some of the most spiritually dark corners of the earth was a thanks for your gift by sending you three of Pastor Graham's books County share the gospel right where you are. This evangelism bundle includes the help of Eastern life in God's promises for doubtful days. Succumb now to have your gift doubled by the max and requester evangelism bundle: 800-795-4627 that's 1-800-795-4627. You can also text the word PowerPoint to 59789 that's PowerPoint to 59789 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop our E store.

Give a gift online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional our website again is Jack Graham.worksheet*what is your PowerPoint for today. Well Stephen is one of my labor people and all of the Bible. He may not be one of the most well-known personalities in Scripture, but he is certainly one of the strongest greatest believers we can ever know. Stephen was an ordinary person just like all the rest of us and he faced challenges and fears and I'm sure times of weakness but the greatest pursuit of his life was to live to please God doubt it's good to stop and remind yourself every now and then that this is what life is really about pleasing God is so easy is it to get distracted by the busyness and the pressures and stresses of daily life and then just sort of loose focus on what's really important, but ultimately you and I are living for an audience of one and that one is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stephen made pleasing God.

His highest and ultimate priority. He knew the word of God. He courageously lived out his faith and as a result, he reflected the love and the grace of Christ to everyone around even at the moment his worst moment when he was dying.

His countenance reflected his character that he was walking with the Lord is you and I continue to live lives that are dedicated to Christ, we can expect to become people full of faith, full of the Holy Spirit, full of grace full of power full of wisdom and yes full of the glory of God. This is a life in full and that I believe is what is so remarkable about Stephen and that's what we can learn from his example. In the end Stephen didn't live a long life, but he lived a full life.

His life was full of character, encourage, and full of Jesus. What an incredible inspiration. He is to us.

Stephen shows us what it means to live a spiritually empowered life and it is a life that is available to every person. Yes, that means you as you make your number one priority. Pleasing God. Everything that is today's remember when you give a gift to PowerPoint your gift will be doubled by a matching grant call one 800-7954 627-1800 795-4627. You can also text the word PowerPoint 259789. Join us again next time. Dr. Graham brings a message to have the best thing you can do today is to share the gospel with someone who needs that's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint ministries