Monday Morning Challenge

Monday, November 11, 2013

Text: Acts 7:1-8:3
Sermon Title: “Stephen Tells the Story”

The death of Stephen marked the beginning of an intense period of persecution for the Christians in Jerusalem.  So much so that they were forced to scatter themselves into Judea and Samaria. 

God’s intention for the church is that it never remain static or in one place.  By the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to be a church that seeks to be about the continual growth and expansion of the Kingdom in every direction.  This means that everything we do as a church – our worship, our service in the community, our support of mission partners nationally and internationally, our Christian education & Little Angels preschool programs, Bible studies and youth ministries – should be understood as a means to work alongside the Holy Spirit, expanding the Kingdom of God. 

On an individual level, this means that every pursuit that we undertake – our work, our worship, our service, our parenting or grand parenting, our service to the church and to our community – all of it serves a greater purpose when we live in the flow of the Spirit. 

Now we may not face the sort of persecution Stephen endured.  The struggle is much more subtle in our culture today.  On Sunday I said that I believe one of the greatest weaknesses of our culture is our inability to pay attention – and not allow Jesus to be the center… to be our Lord.  We settle far too easily for keeping Jesus on the periphery when he longs to be at the center of our lives. 

Stephen is an example of what it looked like in the first century to keep Jesus at the center.  It won’t look the same for us, but it can be just as powerful when we do. 

Here are a few questions to help you reflect on Jesus’ Lordship in your life:

What would it look like for Jesus to move from the periphery to the center of your life?

What changes in your daily routine might allow for this?

What opposition could you face as you allow Jesus to expand his influence over your life?

What encouragement do you need from the Spirit and from your sisters and brothers at church to make this a reality?

May the Holy Spirit give you strength and encouragement as you seek to surrender more fully to Jesus’ Lordship in your life!

For those who would like to read ahead, next week’s sermon text is Acts chapter 8:4-40