THE PERNICIOUS PURSUIT OF POWER

Seeking power is not a bad thing. Power is what enables us to do what we ought to do. Jesus commanded His disciples to cloister in the Upper Room and seek the power of the Spirit that would equip them to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, (Acts 1:8). As the story unfolds in Acts, we see that transforming power extending and impacting life after life, region after region—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. 

When we reach Samaria in Acts 8, we are introduced to a sorcerer named Simon, who apparently was converted and baptized. Yet, as Simon—accustomed to wielding satanic power in the dark arts—saw the power of the Holy Spirit displayed, his lust for power disclosed the evil still lurking in the shadows of his soul. Consider what Stephen Olford said about this text.

Motivations for ministry matter. It is not just what we do, but why we do it that matters to God. This can make or break a Christian leader.  If what we do is about our status and success, then we are following the seduction that enticed an angel of heaven into becoming the devil of hell!

Let us humble ourselves before God and seek the power of God for His glory and man’s good.

SCRIPTURAL SATURATION

 

When first introduced to Stephen in Acts 6, we are told he was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,” (Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬‬). This fullness of faith came from a Scripturally saturated life. Paul stated that, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” (Rom. 10:17). So, it stands to reason that the more of God’s Word we have in us, the fuller our faith will be. Likewise, we are called to obedience, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,” (James 1:22a). This yielding to Scripture is the emptying of self and the filling of the Spirit. Stephen sets the standard of a Scripturally saturated servant of God such as all God’s preachers need to be. 

He was BIBLICAL IN HIS EXPOSITION, (Acts 7:1-50). Stephen based his sermon on the Old Testament. He was able to speak spontaneously because he had studied scrupulously. Jesus promised, “A good man put of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things,” (Matt. 12:35). Yet, the Spirit can only bring out what we have put in!  Too many preachers have been like Old Mother Hubbard who went to her cupboard to get her poor dog a bone, and when she got there the cupboard was bare so the poor dog had none.”  We cannot feed God’s flock on Sunday morning, if we have not filled our soul with the Word during the week. 

He was BOLD IN HIS EXHORTATION, (Acts 7:51-60). Because His sermon was Biblical, his stand was bold. He did not waver from the truth. His communication confronted the congregants with the need for commitment to that truth. He was only responsible for being faithful; the hearers were accountable for their response. 

Stephen saw the rejection of the message by the listeners. If everyone is pleased with what we say, then it is likely the Lord is not. “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets,” (Lk. 6:26). They extolled the false prophets for they told them what they wanted to hear instead of the truth they needed to know.

But, Stephen also saw the reception of him as messenger by the Lord. As Stephen sealed his testimony with his own blood, the Lord honored his man by standing up, ready to welcome him, when he arrived home in heaven. I think of the old Gospel song, William Willingham—one of my Bible professors at Fruitland—used to sing:

It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ. (Lyrics and Music: Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

This is the satisfaction waiting the man of Scriptural saturation!  Now, open that Book!  Digest the truth, so you may declare it faithfully and fearlessly!

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP

There are two primary offices in the New Testament church: elders and deacons. Paul lists the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3, where we see that in terms of character, they are basically the same, with only the matter of capacity being the difference. The elder must be a capable communicator. The elders are shepherds of the flock and the deacons are servants of the church. Although the title “deacon” is not used in Acts 6, it is clear that the godly men, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, were the prototype of what deacons are. 

There was A PROBLEM, (v. 1). Their selection was motivated by a problem that had arisen in the church. 

There was a conflict that needed to be settled. Imagine that!  The church is in its infancy and already there is conflict. That needed to be nipped in the bud. 

There was A PRIORITY, (v. 2). What did the church do?  They dumped it in the preachers’ laps!  They knew that to be diverted to this issue would distract them from their priority of praying and preaching. 

There was A PROPOSAL, (v. 3-6). The elders cannot do all the work. They need partners and we see that deacons can be the servants required. 

There was A PRODUCTIVITY, (v. 7). The problem was solved and even better there was exponential growth that resulted. 

This is the power of partnership. Blessed is the church where elders and deacons devote themselves to their priorities and work in harmony to see Kingdom progress!

BIBLICAL BALANCE

 

There are three pairs of fascinating truths in this one verse. These give us keen insight into Gospel ministry.  The location  was “in the temple, and in every house.”  The communication was both “teaching and preaching.”  The concentration was on “Jesus,” the Savior, and “Christ,” the Lord. This is the Biblical balance.

OUR MINISTRY is to be public and private. It is “in the temple, and in every house.”  

When the saints gather in a corporate setting for worship, the preaching of the Word is to be central. Whether it be expounded from the pulpit, or sung from the choir loft, or taught in a classroom, Scriptural truth and sound theology are at the core of all communication in the church house. 

Yet, this instruction is not to be limited to when people come to the church house, but also we are to take the message to their house. The kind of intimacy that occurs in a home is conducive to a deeper study of the Word, with greater interchange between the teacher and the disciples. 

OUR METHODOLOGY is to be explanation and exhortation. We need “teaching and preaching.” 

The Greek term for “teaching,” is to provide instruction. It stresses unfolding the Scriptures in such a way that the truth is grasped. The Word of God is to be clear. There is power in that Word. It is alive and active when presented. Too often a text is read only as a pretext for what the preacher wants to say. Apart from the Word of God, there is nothing that needs to be said!  We give explanation. 

The Greek word for “preaching,” is the word from which we get “evangelism.”  It is the communication of the Gospel. Sinners need to be exhorted to come to Christ. They must be confronted with His claims. Yet, it must also be said that we never outgrow our need for the Gospel. Even those who were converted years ago, still need to be reminded of the saving work of Christ.  This is God’s Word, and here is what we need to do about it. We give exhortation.

OUR MESSAGE is of salvation and sanctification. We present “Jesus as the Christ.”

The name “Jesus,” means, “Yahweh is salvation.”  The angel Gabriel said to Joseph that his virgin betrothed, Mary, would have a miracle baby who would be given that name, “for He will save His people from their sins,” (Matt. 1:21). The message of salvation is to be presented as we evangelize. 

The name “Christ,” means “the Anointed One.”  Christ is anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. He was sanctified (set apart) for us so that we might be sanctified unto God. Jesus said, “And for their sakes [the disciples] I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth,” (John 17:19, explanatory note added). Prophet speaks to His instructive role. He is the Truth. Priest points to His intercessory role. He is the Way. King speaks to His imperial role. He is the Life. Sanctification results from this message as we submit to Christ as Lord.

Let me close by saying this balance needs to be sought by every shepherd of the flock. When Paul presents the gifted leaders of the church in Ephesians 4:11 there are those who see five offices: “apostles…prophets…evangelists…pastors…teachers.”  Yet, in the original text the last office is a composite word “pastor/teacher.”  It is better understood as being one man with both roles—“teaching and preaching”—as we see in Acts 5:42.  May every man of God pursue the Biblical balance we see here!

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR

Many years ago I had a deacon pray for me, “Lord, may he preach without fear or favor.”  That expression made an impression on me and I have never forgotten it. 

That was the spirit of Peter and John as they faced opposition to their preaching. The very ones who had called for Christ’s crucifixion were then trying to silence His men who were preaching salvation in that cross—and the Risen Lord they hated. 

The Apostles boldly told them that they could not help it. They had a commission that brought the compulsion of their communication. You might as well try to stop a volcano from erupting as suppress that wondrous proclamation. Threaten the sun not to shine and it will go on shining.  

This does not give the preacher a license to berate, belittle, and badger the people. He speaks the truth in love. He is motivated by love, but does not shun to speak the truth. In fact, love does not excuse sin, but exposes it, for love knows that sin causes the greatest harm and truth points to the greatest good. 

Pleasing God is our ultimate goal—being faithful to Him and promoting His glory. That means that there will be some people who are displeased. Neverthless, may all God’s men preach without fear or favor!