Finding the Way - Week 2

We started off the week by studying a man named Stephen in Acts 6 and 7.  In a world full of people who feel such emptiness, Stephen was full - not just because he accepted Jesus as Saviour, but because he surrendered his whole life to Christ's will and purpose.  The more Stephen poured out his life for Christ, the more Christ poured His life into Stephen.  He was a man full of faith, full of God's grace and power.  Only a person who is full of the Holy Spirit can possess the kind of power Stephen displayed and yet remain full of God's grace.  Only in Christ can a man or woman become an instrument of impressive, unquestionable might - yet remain a vessel of humility, an object of grace.  A person full of the Holy Spirit cannot be full of self.  Pride never accompanies power in the fully yielded life.

Stephen was the first Christian martyr.  We so often think to to survive is victory.  But Stephen received the most awesome calling of all: he was counted worthy to die for the sake of Christ.

Rev 2:10
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

And Saul was there giving his approval of Stephen's death and cheering on every blow. 

In Acts 9 we watch God strike Saul blind.  We see a God who loves all, including the worst of sinners.

Romans 5:8
God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Christ met Saul on the path to his darkest, most devious sin.  For that very moment, for all of Sauls' sins, Christ had already died. Christ "took hold" (Phil 3:12) of Saul and called him to open the eyes of many and turn them from darkness to light so they could receive forgiveness of sins.  No one can teach forgiveness life the forgive. Beth concluded: "Having searched the life of Saul, how can we every doubt that Christ can save?  Is any too wicked? Any too murderous? Grace never draws a line with a willing soul.  His arm is never too short to save."

After his conversion and a brief exile to get to know his Father, Saul goes back to Damascus to preach the good news that he has discovered.  But he goes completely alone.  He no longer fits with the Pharisees's and the Apostles were all afraid of him, not believing in his change.  And in steps Barnabas who reached out a helping hand of acceptance to Saul.  He encouraged the apostles to accept a new brother.  Beth stated: "Many probably criticized Barnabas for being gullible concerning Saul.  Barnabas was willing to give people a chance even when others didn't.  How many people have returned to former lifestyles because no on believed and accepted them when they attempted to change?  If we end up being duped, better to have erred on the side of belief!"  And because Barnabas believed, the most powerful preacher in all of history was set loose.

In Acts 11 we see the persecution of Saul and the church.  Satan was working hard to stop the growing number of believers. But because of the persecution many believers fled and scatter His seeds all over the world.  Satan cannot do anything to us God cannot use through us!  No matter what gains the enemy has had in your life, if you will cooperate with God and allow Him to direct your life, God will turn defeat into victory!

Acts 20:11
The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

This verse shows us 2 things.  First that many believed and second that they also turned to to the Lord.  The people did not simply believe. James 2:19 tells us even the demons believe.  "We can believe Christ is the Son of God, be convinced he died and rose again for the sins of mankind, and still be lost.  That's head knowledge.  When we personalize Christ's gift of grace on the cross, we are saved.  That's heart knowledge."

Finally, I found it interesting that the word Christian was a label coined by unbelievers as a form of "ridicule" and this term was first used in Acts 11:26.  Peter addressed this insult by saying, "if you suffer as a christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear his name." (1 Peter 4:16)