Just Looking After Women?

By Roseanna Arekion

The Life Of Stephen

Acts 6:1- 4;"And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

There was a job to be done to keep the Grecians quiet. The apostles of the Lord had more important things to do than just look after these women. They needed to spend their time praying and preaching. They did however take the job seriously and wanted to use ' seven honest men full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.' Notice they used godly men who could do the job effectively so they could focused on their own work.
Whatever job needs to be done, needs to be taken seriously and done properly.

One of the men chosen was Stephen and his testimony was,

Acts 6:5,6;"And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. "

Stephen was a man full of the Holy Ghost and full of faith. The apostles were not disturbed nor distracted by the murmuring of the Grecians. Neither did they ignore them or their needs but found others who were qualified and were entrusted to do the job. Before the seven were sent out, the apostles prayed and laid hands on them. The result was very producitve.

Acts 6:7;"And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."

The Word increased and the kingdom of God was being established.

So Stephen and six others went off to look after the widows which does not sound like a very exciting, awe-inspiring job. But notice the following sentence,

Acts 6:8; "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."

Stephen did not have a great job but he was doing 'great
work'. Whatever your job is in church or in the world, take it seriously, God can use it for his glory. God can use you if you are committed to doing your best.

Luke 16:10; "he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...."

If your pastor assigns you a job you think is not very important don't be discouraged, be encouraged, this is an opportunity for you to prove yourself faithful to him and to God. Now back to Stephen who did great wonders and miracles, among the people.

Acts 6:9,10; "there arose certain of the synagogue disputing with Stephenthey were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke."

Acts 6:11-14;"Then they suborned men, which said, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people,and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard himsay,that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place,and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us."

Matthew13:21; " when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

Although Stephen was persecuted for preaching the word, accused of blasphemy, and taken before the council, he was not offended. He did not have the face of someone angry, bitter, or discouraged, but his countenance was different.

Acts 6:15".....saw his face as it had been the face of an angel."

He then proceeded to preach to the Sanhedrin and concluded boldly ,

Acts 7:51-53; " Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye havebeen now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."

The Sanhedrin were offended, in fact "cut to the heart'

Acts 7:55 -57; "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God,and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,"

Matthew 11:15; "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.'

Stephen preached the Word of God filled with the Holy Ghost, but the Sanhedrin chose not to hear, they chose to resist the Holy Ghost.

Acts 7:58-60; "And cast him out of the city, and they stoned Stephen calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

Stephen was chosen, one of seven to look after widows in response to the moaning of the Grecians. He went on to do great wonders and miracles and spoke with great wisdom inspired by the Holy Ghost. When he sat before those who were accusing him his face appeared as the face of an angel as they stared at him. He responded just as Jesus did when he was crucified, he asked God to forgive those who murder him.

The work assigned to Stephen by men was not a great work, but the work he did for God was great. He was a man of great faith and great power, led by the Spirit, even when it cost him his life. He paid a great price for his faith but would receive a great reward in heaven.

Be encouraged, whatever your job is, whatever role you have in church, at home, in life-you too can be great!
Be faithful to God's word, be led by the Holy Ghost and God can use you mightily.