Let’s pray for another Jesus Revolution in America! After the election, we had four or five days of calm in the news cycles, but now there’s a return to sensationalism. We have to be careful that we don’t get caught up in their spin, or fall for the optics that they’re pushing. As American citizens, and also as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we now have an opportunity and a window to change the world. God has shown his mercy towards us and we need to take advantage of that in the best possible way by sharing the Gospel and the Kingdom.
We don’t have a political problem – we have a spiritual problem. Politics will poke its nose into it, but, at the end of the day, we still have a spiritual problem where things have to be fixed first. As we get things right and we come into alignment with the Kingdom of God and our Lord and Savior, then things will begin to work like they’re supposed to, but we can’t do it the other way around.
We don’t fix our nation and then get right with God. Rather, we get right with God and walk with him – we fellowship with him – we walk with one another in fellowship – and then those other things will begin to find their place of order. God becomes the Center of our universe, not an addition or an addendum.
In this election cycle, we have been shown mercy by our God and King. Now we roll up our sleeves and get to work – run for school board, at least attend a school board meeting – run for City Council, at least attend a City Council meeting to learn – but also to pray. We need to say, “Lord, is it me? Am I supposed to do something? What can I do? How can I get involved?” Because, now that we have this opportunity, it’s time to step out of our comfort zones.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian and pastor in the 1930s and 40s who was speaking out against the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich of Nazi Germany. As he stood out he had to take a stand for Jesus Christ and his Kingdom. He got disdain from the government and the religious people of the Church. He took his stand and gave his life as a martyr for Jesus Christ.
God may be calling us to step into places that are uncomfortable and difficult. Stephen was a man described in the Book of Acts as one who took a stand and paid dearly for it, but it made a massive difference. Tim Barton said, “We must recognize that God has given us time, and now we must go and advance the Kingdom of God.”
Acts 5:38-42 ESV – Empowered to Advance the Kingdom
“ ‘So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!’ So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat [flogging, beating, forty minus one lashes] them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”
After they were beaten, Peter and John went out and continued to do exactly what they were told not to do. There may be times in our lives, as followers of Christ, that we may have to obey the Higher Powers. The question is are we willing to stand up and be counted?
Acts 6:1-7 ESV – Stephen Chosen to Serve
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists [Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora: ”dispersed” Jews living outside of Jerusalem] arose against the Hebrews [Locals who spoke Aramaic and Hebrew] because their widows were being neglected [Language/culture barriers, not intentional] in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you [the Hellenists] seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’
“And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
This was beginning to impact the entire city. When revival and spiritual awakening come, the “water level” rises everywhere, and it finds people who are hungry – the Holy Spirit will find them – and not only the hungry but those who are around the hungry – people in their sphere of influence. When we get on fire for God, the water level will rise around us as the Holy Spirit pours his presence upon us, and people will begin to ask questions: “Why are you the way you are? Why don’t you laugh at these jokes? Why don’t you party like we party? Why don’t you read what we read, or do what we do after work, instead of going home to your family? We begin to impact everybody who is in our sphere of influence, and that’s exactly what was happening to the disciples.
Acts 6:8 ESV – Stephen is Seized
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. “
Stephen was hungry for God. He saw what the apostles were doing and said, “I’m a child of God. I’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit and have been anointed and baptized by the Holy Spirit. I should be able to do what they do.” So, Stephen stepped out, and God started to show up. When we trust God, his character, and his nature – when we’re full of faith and we step out – God will meet us there. Stephen stepped out, and God began to move upon him, and he started doing great wonders and signs for the people.
Acts 6:9-15 ESV
“Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen [Diaspora Jews as it was called], and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’
“And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.’ And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
There was something different about his countenance. He wasn’t angry – he just had peace. Why? – because he had the presence of God. That brings us all the peace we’ve ever wanted or needed. We want God’s peace – but we don’t want his presence, because his presence will mess up our lifestyle decisions – what we’re doing – because we might just have to be obedient.
Obedience is the “love language” of God.
Acts 7:51-60 ESV.- The Conclusion of the Message
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.
“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.
“Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Stephen was probably just a few days old in Christ, and already he was out in the public square preaching and teaching that Jesus is the Christ. He preached with the power and anointing of God. We don’t have to be the most talented one to do what God calls us to do, we just have to be obedient and say, “Yes!” And he will supply what we need and give us the grace and power and all that we need to fulfill what he has called us to do.
So often we think we’re not that one – we don’t have that voice – we’re not the great speaker (neither was Moses), or we’re not old enough or ready (neither was David when he killed Goliath), or we don’t have what it takes. But, we haven’t been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love. We need to remember who we are – we’re sons and daughters of the Most High God – and that makes us King’s kids – royalty – who get to come to the inner court and not stay in the outer court, because we’re part of his spiritual family forever. He’s our Dad – our Abba – our Father.
Stephen got to see the glory of God right before he died – he got to see the heavens opened up. He got a preview of what we long to see, and then he cried out, “Don’t hold this sin against them” and then he “fell asleep.” Do these words imprint us today? Just before Bonhoeffer was hung, he said something similar to this – he forgave. Only the Holy Spirit can change a human heart to that degree – to where we don’t need retribution or validation – we only want to extend grace and mercy.
We know we’re changed when we want to give out mercy and not revenge. Whatever has happened, and whatever we’ve done, Jesus says to us these same words, “Forgive them – they don’t even know what they’re doing.” In Christ today, we are forgiven for every terrible mistake we’ve ever made – every bad decision and every misstep can be covered by Jesus Christ …and we can extend that same mercy and grace to others who offend and wrong us.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your Word. We honor You. Commission us now to go out from here and make a difference. Father, may we reflect and radiate the presence of God even as Stephen did – where we live, where we work, and where we play. Bless us and order our steps as we leak out Your love and presence to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on The Bridge
Featured Image by alba1970 from Pixabay
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