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WEEK 3 – Conflict, Compromise and Growth – Acts 3-6:7 • Do I trust God?

o Trusting in God daily leads to meeting God at work § Do you trust God? Really?

Trust (n): reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, of a person or thing; confidence – www.dictionary.com

§ When you trust God you do his will - The Holy Spirit uses Peter and John to heal a lame man because they are living

life expectantly. Living life expectantly means: 1. Looking for where God is at work 2. Not separating the sacred from the secular

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” – Acts 3:4 ESV

- A mindset of expectation comes from trusting that God is at work and leads to a

chance to share the Gospel. - Peter and John had the calling to follow Christ, which included loving people and

giving all glory to God

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they

Peter and John Chs 3-4, 6 Ananias and Sapphira Ch 5 LOVE

GLORY FEAR

TRUST

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were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. – Acts 3:9-10 ESV

- OPPORTUNITY! Whenever people are in awe of what God has done it is an

opportunity for Gospel work

12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you… – Acts 3:12-14 ESV

- They gave glory to the God that called them and gave them the power that they

used. Their calling is OUR calling! We have access to the SAME power

§ Trouble can come when you do God’s will - Peter’s preaching led to his arrest twice (Ch. 4 and Ch. 5). Why?

1. He was preaching 2. That Jesus was the only way of salvation (4:12) because of his crucifixion and 3. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead

- Trusting the Lord’s plan they used their opportunities to share the Gospel in

front of the Sanhedrin o Fearing God led them to obeying God rather than the Sanhedrin

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:19-20 ESV

- They trusted the Lord’s plan - They feared God more than man - They loved their fellow Jews more than safety - They risked danger by speaking truth

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29 ESV

§ Trouble caused by obedience is still in God’s will - Trouble from sin is not God’s will

“For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for

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doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:19-21 NLT

- We tend to think that if trouble comes our way that God is not in it, but that may not be the case. Sometimes the trouble is what puts you right in God’s will

- The arrests and Sanhedrin trials resulted in an increase in faith and growth of the church in Jerusalem

- The church prayed for boldness (=bold-confidence) - The church took extra effort to take care of each other, which led to men like

Barnabas to sell property and give it to the church to distribute

• When you trust yourself, you’ll pay a price o After seeing the generous gifts of others, Ananias and Sapphira decide to give to the

church. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostle’s feet. – Acts 5:12 ESV

nosphizó- to embezzle, skim off the top, appropriate for one’s own benefit

o They were in it for themselves § Why did Luke include this story?

- Ananias and Sapphira are models of the dangers of dealing with the Holy Spirit § What was their sin?

- As Peter said, the land and the money was theirs to distribute how they wanted. - This story isn’t about their lying or their deaths, it’s about their hearts

§ Ananias and Sapphira had misplaced trust 1. They loved themselves more than the church

- No respect for their leaders or fellow church members - Minimal care for those in need

2. They pursued their own glory - They sought recognition for doing a charitable act - John and James had previously done this by asking to sit at Jesus’ right and

left in the Kingdom of God 3. They feared men by caring about what they thought more than what God

thought - They had a limited understanding of how the Holy Spirit works. - Peter had previously lied about knowing Jesus!

Whom shall I fear? – -Psalm 27:1 ESV

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4. They trusted in themselves - They thought that they needed to keep a little something on the side, just in

case

§ These are the two choices we are faced with every day § Do you trust him?

Peter and John Chs 3-4, 6 Ananias and Sapphira Ch 5 Trust in God Trusted in Self

God-glorifying Self-glorifying Loved Others Loved Self Feared God Feared Man

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HOMEWORK WEEK4:ACOSTLYCALLING–Acts6:8-8:1ReadthroughActs6:8-8:1thisweek,lookingforallthekeywordsandphrasesyoucanfind.Whateventsorcircumstancesstandouttoyouinthesechapters?Writethemdownbelow:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Lookbackatthefirstsevenversesofthischapter.WhatkindofmanwouldyoudescribeStephentobe?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Howdoesverse8describeStephen?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________WhydoyouthinkLukeincludedthisdescriptionandwhyisitimportanttounderstandingthecontext? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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WhatwasStephenfalselyaccusedofandbywho?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________TakeafewminutestoconsiderthecontentofStephen’smessage.Writedownthemainpointshecoveredandwhatyouthinkwashisreasonfordoingso:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________SincetheaudiencetowhomStephenspokewasprimarilyJewish,whatwasitabouthismessagethatmighthavecausedthemtoreactastheydid?Whyweretheysoupset?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Takealookatchapter7,verses54-60.Describewhatyouseehappeninghereinyourownwords:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________WhatkindofimpactdoyouthinkthedeathofStephenhadontheotherbelieversinthechurch?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________WhatdoesLukeindicatethereactionoftheJewswastothedisciplesimmediatelyafterthedeathofStephen? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________TakesometimetoreadStevenJ.Cole’sarticlesonthedeathofStephen,called,“Stephen:TheMartyr.”

Stephen:TheMartyrByStevenJ.Cole

FromreadingmanystoriesofthosewhohavegiventheirlivesforthecauseofChrist,IhaveconcludedthatGodgivesspecialgracetothemintheirdyingmoments.TheCzechmartyr,JanHus,whosestatueandchurchwesawinPrague,waspromisedsafepassagetodiscusshiscriticismsagainsttheCatholicChurch.Buttheybetrayedhimandburnedhimatthestake.Hedied,notcursingathispersecutorsfortheirdeceptionandbrutality,butsingingpraisetoGodastheflamesconsumedhisflesh.

Thestoryhasbeenrepeatedthousandsoftimes.AttheheadoftheliststandsStephen,thefirstChristianmartyr.Ourword“martyr”isatransliterationoftheGreekwordfor“witness.”Bytheirlivesandbytheirdeaths,themartyrshavebornewitnessfor“JesusChrist,thefaithfulwitness”(Rev.1:5).Stephen’sdeathistheonlydeathsceneandmartyrdomdescribedindetailintheNewTestament,exceptforthatofJesusChrist.Fromitwelearnthat…

WhateverwesufferduetofaithfulnesstoJesus,wewillberewardedwithHiseternalacceptanceandtheencouragementthatHewilluseourserviceforHispurposeandglory.

IwanttodrawfourlessonsfromStephen’sdeath:

1.BecausewickedmenareenemiesofGod,thosewhospeakoutboldlyforGodandagainstevilwillsuffer.

AsPaullaterputit,“Indeed,allwhodesiretolivegodlyinChristJesuswillbepersecuted”(2Tim.3:12).Satandoesnotsitidlybywhenhisrealmischallenged.And,inHismysterious,sovereignprovidence,GoddoesnotmiraculouslyprotectallofHisservantswhodaretoconfronttheprinceofdarkness.Heallowsthischoiceyoungmantobecutdownintheprimeofhisministry.

ThegodlymannerinwhichStephendiediscontrastedherewiththegrislywickednessofthesesupposedlyrespectableJewishleaders.Hewascalm,clear-headed,articulate,andkind,evenastherockswerecrushinghisbody.Butthesenormallydignifiedmembersofthehighcouncilwereoutofcontrolwithrage.Theygnashedtheirteeth,theyscreamedatthetopoftheirvoices,theycoveredtheirearssoasnottohearwhattheyconsideredStephen’sblasphemy.Theyrusheduponhim,drovehimoutofthecity,andstonedhimtodeath.TheGreekwordfor“rushed”isusedoftheherdofdemon-possessedswinerushingoffthecliffintotheoceanafterJesuscleansedtheGerasenedemoniac.ScholarsdebatewhetherthedeathsentenceonStephenwasajudicialdecisionormobviolence.Whiletherewasasemblanceofjudicialproceedingsatfirst,theendresultseemstobethatofmencontrolledbyrageandhatred.

LukenotesthatthewitnesseswhobeganstoningStephenlaidtheirrobesatthefeetofayoungmannamedSaul(7:58).Headdsthat“Saulwasinheartyagreementwithputtinghimtodeath”

(8:1).Asaresult,thatverydayagreatpersecutionaroseagainstthechurchinJerusalem.Saulbeganravagingthechurchlikeawildboarravagesavineyard(Ps.80:13),obviouslywiththeapprovaloftheSanhedrin.Heenteredhouseafterhouse,draggingofftoprisonbothmenandwomenwhobelievedinJesus.Manyofthemwereputtodeath(26:10).Saullaterdescribedhisownbehaviorasbeing“furiouslyenragedatthem”(26:11).

Whenasinnercomesunderconvictionthroughhearingthegospelorthroughtheexampleofabeliever’sgodlylife,hemaybebrokenwithrepentanceandcometofaithinJesusChrist.But,healsocanhardenhisheartandgodeeperinrage,asSauldid.Somemaintainthisfierceoppositiontothegospelallthewaytotheirdeathbeds.Others,likeSaul,eventuallyrepentandbecomenewcreaturesinChrist.ButoftenthosearoundthemhavetoendureincreasedhostilityandragebeforetheyseethepersonbrokenbyGod’smercy.

Becauseweliveinatimeandplacewherewehaverelativefreedomfromviolentpersecution,wetendtoforgetthatbeingafollowerofJesusChristmakesusenemiesoftheevilprinceofthisworldandhisfollowers.Ofcourse,bruteforceisnothisonlyweapon.Heusesdeceitandcunningtolullusintoadoptingworldlyvalues.AworldlyChristianisnothreattohisdomainofdarkness.Hegetsustolivefortheselfishpursuitofcomfort,withalittlechurchattendancethrownintoroundoutthegoodlife.Itdoesn’thurthiscausewhenthepastorgivessermonsthatmakeeveryonefeelgoodaboutthemselves,teachingthemhowtouseGodforpersonalwell-beingandoverallfamilyhappiness.

ButthemomentabelievermovesoutofthiscomfortableChristianityandbeginsaggressivelytogoaftersoulsforChrist,ortogiveradicallytothecauseofChrist,ortospeakoutboldlyforGodagainstsin,healsomovesintothelineofenemyfire.Often,hecatches“friendlyfire”fromfellowChristianswhoarethreatenedbyhisradicalways.Butweshouldbepreparedandnotbetakenbysurprisewhenwecommitourselvestobe100percentfortheLordandthensufferforit.Itgoeswiththeterritory.

Maybeyou’rewondering,“Whyriskit?Whyleaveacomfortable,safewayoflifetobecomeatargetforSatan’sbullets?”

2.ThosewhosufferforChristcanbeassuredofHisfaithfulpresenceandsupportintheirsufferingandHisacceptanceinheavenafterdeath.

FarbettertodiewithStephenunderahailofrockscrushingourskullsandbewelcomedintoheavenbytherisenLordJesus,thantodiepeacefullyinthemidstofworldlycomforts,surroundedbyfamily,butthentohear,“DepartfromMe,Ineverknewyou!”

NotehowtheLordsupportedStepheninthisgrandfinaleofhisshortlife.First,allthreemembersoftheTrinityarementionedin7:55.StephenwasfulloftheHolySpirit.HegazedintentlyintoheavenandsawthegloryofGodtheFather,whichmusthavelookedlikethebrightnessofthesun.ToHisrighthand,therestoodtherisenandascendedJesus.Stephenwassoawedbythisvisionthathecouldnotkeepittohimself.Hesaid,“Behold,Iseetheheavens

openedupandtheSonofManstandingattherighthandofGod”(7:56).ThisistheonlytimethatthistitleisusedotherthanbyJesus.ExceptfortwotimesinRevelation(1:13;14:14),whichusethephrase“onelikeasonofman,”itisthelasttimeitisusedintheNewTestament.

Therewereseveralreasonsthatthisstatementwassignificant.First,itimmediatelybroughttothemindsofeverymemberoftheSanhedrinJesus’wordswhenHehadbeenontrialbeforethem.Thesamehighpriest,Caiaphas,hadaskedJesus,“AreyoutheChrist,theSonoftheBlessedOne?”Jesusreplied,“Iam;andyoushallseetheSonofMansittingattherighthandofpower,andcomingwiththecloudsofheaven”(Mark14:61-62).Bythesewords,JesusclaimedtocombineinHispersonthepropheticwordsofDaniel7:13-14andPsalm110:1.TheDanielpassagespokeofonelikeaSonofManwhoreceivedfromtheAncientofDays“dominion,glory,andakingdom,thatallthepeoples,nations,andmenofeverylanguagemightserveHim.”InPsalm110,DavidhearstheLordsayingtohisLord,“SitatMyrighthand,untilImakeYourenemiesafootstoolforYourfeet.”HereStephenaffirmsthatJesusisexactlywhereHepredictedHewouldbe,attherighthandofGod,therisenLordofpowerandglory!ItshouldhavehitthesemenwithfullforcethatJesuswasexactlywhoHehadclaimedtobe!

F.F.Bruce(TheBookofActs[Eerdmans])pointsoutthatStephen’sunderstandingoftheexaltedroleofJesuswasevenmoreadvancedthanthatoftheapostles,whowerestillcontinuingtogototempleworship,joinintheJewishrituals,andlimittheirpreachingtotheJews.HepointsoutthattheDanielpassagemeansthat“Messiah’ssovereigntyistoembraceallnationswithoutdistinction,”thuseffectivelydoingawaywiththeJewishtempleworship(pp.166-167).Hewrites,“AndthepresenceofMessiahatGod’srighthandmeantthatforHispeopletherewasnowawayofaccesstoGodmoreimmediateandheart-satisfyingthantheobsoletetempleritualhadeverbeenabletoprovide.”(p.166).

Normally,theScripturesspeakofJesusnowsittingattherighthandofGod,havingaccomplishedtheworkofourredemption(Heb.1:3;8:1;10:12;12:2;Eph.1:20).Buthere,twiceitsaysthatStephensawJesusstandingattherighthandofGod.MostcommentatorsagreethatJesuswasstandingtowelcomehomeHisfaithfulwitness.JesusalwaysstandswiththosewhostandforHim.Hegavethiscourageousmanonthevergeofdeathavisionofthegloryofheaventosupporthimintheterriblemomentstofollow.

ItremindsmeofthestoryofthethreeboldHebrewwitnesseswhorefusedtobowdownbeforetheimageofNebuchadnezzar.Inhisfury,themadkinghadthemboundandthrownintothefurnaceheatedseventimeshotterthannormal.Buttohisshock,whenheandhismenlookedintotheflames,theysawnotthreemenbound,butfourmenunboundandwalkingaroundwithoutharm.Andtheappearanceofthefourthwas“likeasonofthegods”(Dan.3:25).Ibelievethatthepre-incarnateJesushadjoinedthesebravewitnessesintheirmomentoftrial,tosupportandencouragethemfortheirfaithfulnesstoHim.Hesparedthemfromdeath,butnotStephen.ButHewelcomedStephenhomewithopenarms,saying,“Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant!”WhenevertheLordcallsonyoutosufferforHisname,Hewillbewithyoutosupportyou.Whetheryoudiethenorlater,HewillwelcomeyouintoHispresenceinheavenforeternity.

3.WhenwesufferaccordingtothewillofGod,wecanentrustoursoulstothefaithfulCreatorandshowHislovetothosewhopersecuteus.

Iamusingthewordsof1Peter4:19,writtentoasufferingchurch:“Therefore,letthosealsowhosufferaccordingtothewillofGodentrusttheirsoulstoafaithfulCreatorindoingwhatisright.”Stephendidthis.Astherockshithim,heprayed,“LordJesus,receivemyspirit!”And,withhisdyingbreath,imitatingHisSavior’swordsfromthecross,Stephendidwhatwasrighttowardhisenemiesbypraying,“Lord,donotholdthissinagainstthem!”CharlesSpurgeon(“Stephen’sDeath,”MetropolitanTabernaclePulpit,Vol.20,[AgesSoftware])pointedoutthatStephen’sdeathwasfullofJesus:Jesusseen;Jesusinvoked;Jesustrusted;andJesusimitated.Iborrowhisoutlinehere.

A.Jesusseen.

StephenlookedintoheavenandtheLordgavehimaliteralvisionofthesplendorofGod’sgloryandofJesusstandingattherighthandofHisthrone.IfthemembersoftheSanhedrinhadlookedup,Ithinkthattheywouldhaveseentheceilingofthecouncilchamber.GodisnotinthebusinessofrevealingHisheavenlyglorytohard-heartedskeptics.Infact,noteverysaintgetssuchaliteralvisionoftheLord.Somedyingsaintsseemtohavesuchaglimpseintogloryjustbeforetheirdeparture,butmanyothersdiewithoutit.Forthem,itisthevisionofChristthroughtheeyesoffaith,throughthethingsrevealedofHiminHisWord.AsPeterwrotetothosesufferingforHisname,“AndthoughyouhavenotseenHim,youloveHim,andthoughyoudonotseeHimnow,butbelieveinHim,yougreatlyrejoicewithjoyinexpressibleandfullofglory,obtainingastheoutcomeofyourfaiththesalvationofyoursouls”(1Pet.1:8-9).

TohavethatkindofvisionoftheunseenChristbyfaithatthemomentofdeath,wehavetocultivateitbyfaithrightnow.WeneedtoprayasPaulprayed,“thattheGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,maygiveto[us]aspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim”(Eph.1:17).

B.Jesusinvoked.

AsStephendied,hecalledupontheLordJesusinprayer.Clearly,hebelievedinthefulldeityofJesusChrist,orhewouldnothaveprayedtoHim.Itwouldhavebeenmeresuperstitionoraworthlessfancytocalloutforhelptoagreatteacherwhohaddiedandwasstillinthegrave.Spurgeonwrote,

DyingChristiansarenottroubledwithquestionsastothedeityofChrist.Dearfriends,Unitarianismmaydotolivewith,butitwillnotdotodiewith,atleastforus.Atsuchatime,weneedanalmightyanddivineSavior;wewant“Godoverall,blessedforever”tocometoourrescueinthesolemnarticle.So,StephencalleduponJesus,andworshippedhim.Hemakesnomentionofanyotherintercessor.OmartyrofChrist,whydidstthounotcry,“AveMaria!BlessedVirgin,succorme”?WhydidstthounotpraytoSt.Michaelandallangels?Ah,no!Theabominationofsaintandangelworshiphadnotbeeninventedinhisday,andifithadbeenhe

wouldhavescorneditasoneofthefouldevicesofhell.ThereisoneMediatorbetweenGodandman,themanChristJesus.HeinvokedChrist,andnooneelse(ibid.).

Wheneverwesufferbecauseofourfaith,wecancallouttotheLordJesusandknowthatHeisourmercifulHighPriest,sympathetictooursituation.“ForsinceHeHimselfwastemptedinthatwhichHehassuffered,Heisabletocometotheaidofthosewhoaretempted”(Heb.2:18).

C.Jesustrusted.

Clearly,StephentrustedJesustoreceivehisspiritasitwasseparatedfromhisbodyatthemomentofdeath.Althoughhesufferedaterrible,violent,painfuldeath,hediedwithasupernaturalpeace.He“fellasleep”(7:60)inthearmsofHisSavior.Sleepreferstothebody,whichrestsinthegraveuntiltheresurrectionatthecomingofChrist.Abeliever’ssoulgoesimmediatelyintothepresenceoftheLord(2Cor.5:8).Jesussufferedaviolentdeathonthecrosstoremoveitssting,sothatHisfollowersmayfallasleep,eveniftheyarebrutallymurdered,asStephenwas.WhileitwasproperfordevoutmentogrieveoverStephen’sdeathandtogivehimaproperburial,itwasfortheirsakes,nothis.HewassafeinthepresenceoftheLord,whomhehadtrustedforeternallife.

WemustdailybetrustingJesusinapracticalwayineverytrialthatwefaceinordertohavethehabitoffaithtotrustHimatthemomentofdeath.Stephen’slifewasallofonepiece.HewasfulloffaithandtheHolySpiritinlife;hewasfulloffaithandtheHolySpiritashedied.Areyoutrusting,reallytrusting,inJesusrightnow?ThenitwillbeyourhabittotrustHimwhenyoudie.

D.Jesusimitated.

Onthecross,Jesusprayed,“Father,forgivethem;fortheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing”(Luke23:34).InimitationofHisLord,Stephen’sdyingwordswere,“Lord,donotholdthissinagainstthem!”ThatprayerwasansweredintheconversionofSaul.Itwastheprayerofamanfreefrombitternesstowardthosewhowerewrongfullykillinghim.StephencouldprayitbecausehehadpracticedalifeofforgivingotherseversincehehadexperiencedtheLord’sgraciousforgivenessofhisownsins.WewillonlybeabletoshowGod’sforgivenesstowardthosewhopersecuteusifwefocusdailyonhowmuchtheLordJesusforgaveusthroughHisdeathonthecross.

Thus,Stephen’sdeathteachesustoexpectsufferingifwefollowtheSavior.ButwealsocanexpectHisfaithfulpresencewithusandHiswelcomeintoheavenwhenweleavethislife.Thus,wemustentrustoursoulstoHimanddowhatisright.Finally,

4.JesusChristalwaysusesthesufferingofHissaintsforHisgreaterpurposeandglory.

NoonesuffersforChristinvain.Stephenlaiddownhislife,butasTertullianobserved,thebloodofthemartyrsistheseedofthechurch.Thepersecutionthataroseagainstthechurchscatteredtheseedofthegospel.WatchingStephendiehadaprofoundandunforgettableeffectonSaul.Hecontinuedkickingagainstthegoadsforawhile,butfinallytheLordpowerfullysavedhim.Stephen’ssermonandhiscourageous,calmdeathsoftenedthesoilofSaul’sheart,preparinghimforthatlaterconversion.Helaterwrote,“Therefore,mybelovedbrethren,besteadfast,immovable,alwaysaboundingintheworkoftheLord,knowingthatyourtoilisnotinvainintheLord”(1Cor.15:58).

Wheneverwesuffer,whetherfrompersecutionorfromothertrials,weneedtokeeptwothingsinmind.Numberone,“IamnotindispensableinGod’swork.”IfHetakesmeoutnow,asHedidwithStephen,Hecaneasilyraiseupmanyotherstocontinuethework.Thiswillkeepusintheproperstateofhumility.ItisChristwhobuildsHischurch;Iamjustasmallpartoftheprocess.Second,“TheLordismindfulofmyserviceforHim,andHewilldulyrewardevenacupofcoldwatergiveninHisname.”TherearenouselesspartsinthebodyofChrist.WhateveryouorIdoforHisname’ssakecountsineternity.Keepingthisinmindhelpsusnottobecomediscouragedandloseheartinthebattle.

Conclusion

Inhisgrippingbook,LordsoftheEarth[Regal],DonRichardsontellsthestoryofStanDale,whoobeyedGod’scalltotakethegospeltothefierceYalitribeofIrianJaya.Theyshothimwithfivearrows,whichhepluckedoutonebyone,whileshoutingathistormentors,“Runawayhomeallofyou!You’vedoneenough!”(p.276).Althougharrowshadpenetratedhisdiaphragmandintestines,hemanagedtohiketosafetyandsurvive.

Atthispoint,myattitudewouldhavebeen,“They’vehadtheirchance.I’mnotgoingback!”ButDalewentback.Thistime,thewarriorsdecidedtomakesurethathedied.Atribalpriestmovedinandfiredanarrowatpointblankrange,hittinghimunderhisraisedrightarmashepledwiththemtogohome.Anotherpriestshotabamboo-bladedshaftintohisback.Asthearrowsenteredhisflesh,Stanpulledthemout,onebyone,brokethemandthrewthemdown.Dozensofarrowswerenowflyingathimfromalldirections.Hekeptpullingthemout,breakingthem,anddroppingthemathisfeet,untilhecouldnotkeepup.Fiftyarrows,thensixty,butstillStanstoodhisground.Thestartledwarriorsbegantoworrythathemightbeimmortal.“Fall!”theyscreamedatStan.“Die!”Finally,Stanfell,andthewarriorsrepeatedasimilarattackonhiscomrade,PhilMasters(pp.302-305).

Tomakesurethatthetwowhitemendidnotresurrect,thewarriorsbeheadedthemandthenchoppedtheirbodiesinpieces.Normally,theYaliwouldimmediatelyeatthebodiesoftheirvictims,toincreasetheirlifeforce.Butinthiscase,theywaitedtomakesurethatthedismemberedbodieswouldnotresurrect.Anoldertribalmemberconvincedthemnottoeatthem,buttocrematetheremains.

Itwouldseemthatthetwomendiedinvain.Noonedaredgobackintothisdangerousvalley.Butamissionarypilotgotconfusedinbadweatherandflewintothesamemountainousvalleywherethetwomenhadbeenmurdered.Theplanecrashed,killingeveryoneonboardexceptamissionary’snine-year-oldson.Godusedthisstrangetwistofprovidencetogetthegospeltothesefiercewarriors.Tofindouthow,you’llhavetoreadthebook!

JohnBunyan,theauthorofPilgrim’sProgress,spenttwelveyearsinjailbecauseofhisfaithfulpreachingGod’struth.Hewrotethatatthedayofjudgment,“asmileorakindlookfromChristshallbeworthmorethantenthousandworlds”(“TheLawandGraceUnfolded,”TheWorksofJohnBunyan[Baker],1:574).Keepthatgreatdayinvieweverydaythatyoulive.IfyouarecalledontosufferforJesus,youwillbeblessed,“becausetheSpiritofgloryandofGod”willrestuponyou(1Pet.4:14).

Copyright,StevenJ.Cole,2001,AllRightsReserved.

Unlessotherwisenoted,allScriptureQuotationsarefromtheNewAmericanStandardBible,UpdatedEdition©TheLockmanFoundation