Full of the Spirit: Serving, Blessing, Enduring

Summary

The evening opened with a reading from Acts 5, where an angel frees the imprisoned apostles and tells them to keep speaking the words of this life. The pastor then walked through Acts 6, where the growing Jerusalem church met its first internal conflict: the Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. Rather than abandon prayer and the word to wait on tables, the apostles asked the church to choose seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and set them apart as deacons.

No service is beneath anyone, the pastor reminded the church; even the apostles began with humble tasks, and Stephen, the first deacon, went on to work miracles and become the first martyr. Drawing on 1 Timothy 3 and James 3, he stressed that every ministry - ushers, singers, children's workers, sound operators - needs the wisdom from above that is pure, peaceable and impartial, so small frictions over money or fairness never flare into strife. Whoever is faithful in little is trusted with more and stores up reward in heaven. Even on trial before the Sanhedrin, Stephen's face shone like an angel's because the peace of God guarded his heart; he answered with Scripture and spoke of Christ instead of defending himself.

A visiting music teacher urged the congregation to bless the next generation, speaking good over children and grandchildren, since love is the strongest weapon in any witness and our gifts belong to God, never a reason for pride. A guest preacher from Belarus closed with Romans 8 and Romans 5: all things work together for good for those who love God, and we can even glory in trials, because tribulation produces patience, patience experience, and experience a hope that does not disappoint. Like Jacob, who received Leah before Rachel, we may not understand God's plan at first, yet He works everything for our good.

Key Points

• The church chose deacons full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom so the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.
• No service is too small; faithfulness in little things prepares a greater place and reward.
• Every ministry needs the wisdom from above - pure, peaceable and impartial - so small conflicts never become strife.
• Filled with the Spirit, Stephen kept the peace of God on his face and answered his accusers with Scripture rather than self-defense.
• Bless the next generation and speak good over your children, for love is the strongest weapon in any witness.
• Our gifts come from God, so there is no room for pride or envy - all of it is for His glory.
• Trials are not wasted: tribulation works patience, patience experience, and experience a hope that never disappoints.