The World Can’t Hang

Scripture:
Acts 6:10 — But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

Observation:
There have always been “haters” — those who are against and try to bring down anybody who is doing good. God was working powerfully through Stephen’s life.  He was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some self-proclaimed religious leaders wanted to argue with him. We don’t know what the argument was about, but no doubt what these guys were trying to do was push Stephen down a notch or two on the “love-and-respect” scale with the religious crowd. They wanted to be the leaders so they argued with Stephen presumably to discredit him and make themselves look good. But the Bible says they couldn’t cope with Stephen’s wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. We know Stephen to be a man full of faith and the Spirit, full of grace and power. Stephen wasn’t in a contest with other people. He just loved Jesus and let Christ rule in his heart. There was incredible power that flowed through his life. And there was incredible wisdom that flowed through his mouth.

Application:
There are times when people want to ask trick questions or argue about spiritual matters. What God is showing me is that I don’t need to worry about fussing and fighting. My concern should be with the simplicity of devotion to Christ. My call is to be like Stephen, a man full of faith, the spirit, grace and God’s power. If I humbly walk with Christ, letting His grace rule in my heart, He will always give me the words I need to say and the spirit I need to say them in, even when I find myself in hostile company.

Prayer:
Lord I pray that You would rule my spirit. I ask You to fill me with Your grace, with faith, with Your spirit, and with power. When I find myself in a situation where my faith is under attack, would You please give me the wisdom I need and the spirit I need to answer for the hope that is in me.

— Chip Henderson, senior pastor