November 9
Acts 6:1-8:1
Are you ready? You might ask, for what? For whatever it is that God has cross your path this day. We read in 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;". We read in Revelation 12:11, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." So, whether it be the unsuspecting conversation at work, the gathering around the dinner table at a family dinner, while waiting to pick up your children from an activity, are you ready? We are surrounded by a multitude of evils being perpetrated against the things and people of God. Even Ocean Grove, "God's square mile" is under attack by those who are offended by the cross on the beach badge or the cross shaped pier. Are you prepared to discuss this? For if anger is what comes to mind, then more than likely you are not prepared. It's not that anger is not a natural response, but we must never forget who we are, God's ambassadors, citizens of heaven, not earth. We must always act for Him and as vessels to put forth His will.
It's hard to fathom the mob surrounding Stephen at this time. They hated him. They were plotting his death. They were lying about him, as we read in Acts 6:13-14, "They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” This same group which crucified Jesus, and who had beaten Peter and the apostles had Stephen surrounded like a pack of wolves. Then the words came in 7:1, "Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” That was all Stephen needed to launch into a speech which lasted around 10 minutes. This is not just a simple history lesson which all those assembled would know like the back of their hand. Throughout his address he weaves together two groups of people with two different lines of thought, one representing believing Israel, the other unbelieving Israel. This all led to his climax just before they executed him, that his audience represented unbelieving Israel as they rejected their own Messiah, just as their forefathers rejected the prophets and Moses. Knowing the response, he didn't stop from speaking forth the truth about Messiah, Jesus.
For Stephen, all it took was one simple question, even though it was in front of a hostile audience. How about us? What will it take? If you are not in His Word and surrounding yourself daily and frequently throughout your day, when that question or opportunity arises, more than likely due to distraction or lack of truly thinking about God, you will not be prepared, but indeed that will be a missed opportunity. Most of us are not facing an angry mob, and most of us are not currently having our lives threatened, so why are we so quiet and seemingly disinterested? This is a question we all need to ponder, and then, perhaps, make some serious adjustments in our lives so that these opportunities will not keep passing us by.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: