Acts 7:1-36 – What a Story!

Read Acts 7:1-36

Stephen brilliantly builds rapport with his audience. I can only imagine how nervous he would have been, and how easily it would be to go on the defensive after being arrested. The history Stephen shares here is a common bond, as these men all share a common ancestral heritage. These hero stories have been passed down for generations. Hearing them never gets old.

Did you notice Stephen had evaded the question? Or did he? The false accusations brought against Stephen included, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” Stephen’s answer more than covered Moses’ life. It was clear that Stephen was not trying to change or abuse anything. Stephen told the story just right. Continue reading “Acts 7:1-36 – What a Story!”

Acts 6:1-15 – People Will Be People

Read Acts 6:1-15

What we see in this reading is people acting in ways you might expect. If feeling attacked, one might lash out, placing blame on others. If threatened or misinformed, one might be prone to acting out of revenge or seeking control. Perhaps even lying to get their way becomes an option.

In any event, we see how human nature can wreak havoc on a growing ministry. We also see how the leadership handled grumbling in a way that made sense for a growing membership of believers. You’ve probably seen it in your own ministry groups. Leaders are often over-utilized to handle more than they should. Continue reading “Acts 6:1-15 – People Will Be People”

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