Acts 6:8-15

         From the outset, the church positively impacted society. When Jesus said, "Feed my sheep," he did not mean just spiritually. He commands us to look after his people. The Christian way includes (i) bringing all people to God, (ii) presenting them with God's gift of eternal life, (iii) encouraging them to "save themselves from this wicked generation" by repenting from their sins and turning to God, (iv) baptizing them in Jesus' name for the wiping clean of all their sins, and (v) acting as God's ambassadors of reconciliation as each of them receives the Holy Spirit. They are then God's people, converted from lost and condemned to found and free.  

         But notice the vital role of the seven that ran the food program. Some may look down their noses at them as somehow inferior. But they were nothing of the sort. In fact, after his resurrection, it was Jesus who fed his men; he cooked breakfast for the disciples! It is an honor to feed the sheep. It is a reward in itself. (I had a good picture of a loving dad. Growing up on the farm, mom always cooked supper, but dad cooked a big breakfast for us daily.)  When Jesus said "feed," he meant it. There are so many people who are hungry today. They are both spiritually and physically hungry.

            Like our Good Shepherd, we, God's Holy Spirit-filled people, need to do much more feeding of the sheep. Taking care of the saints. But do we? Instead, many Christians prey on God's people. They see them as a market. They see God's people as a gullible, captive group ready to buy what the wolves are selling. How tragic. How dishonorable.

Part of caring for God's people is protecting the sheep from the wolves. Stop the ridiculous payments to the wolves. You'll know them when you see them. They get rich off of the church. They refuse to follow the example of the apostles. Instead, they preach and teach and "serve" for their big benefit – and the plunder of the wolf pack – their partners in crime. These wolves must be thrown out of the church. They are a disgrace to the name of Jesus Christ, our God, and our Savior.

Stephen was not a wolf preying on the people of Jesus Christ. He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He was selected to run the daily food distribution because of his excellent reputation, Holy Spirit marking, and example of God's wisdom. He was full of God's grace and power. He performed amazing miracles and signs. Where are the men like Stephen today? We need servants like him who know God's word and speak the truth in love.

Men like Stephen know their lives have been changed; they are well aware their only freedom and grace is from the Savior. And they serve God knowing He can do anything. They are bold like lions. They speak the truth. I believe you have the potential to be a Stephen. With God's power, your faith will increase, and you have the ability, through faith in Jesus, to do wonders and to represent God with integrity, like Stephen.

Christ followers like Stephen are marked by being attacked by the religious know-it-alls. Men like Stephen show Godly results, but the hypocrites attack their theology and call them blasphemers. Some things never change. At the end of the day, the only day that matters, let us, like Stephen, be able to give a good report and receive the crown of life that God promises to those who love Him.

Lord God in heaven, please help us be faithful servants like Stephen. No matter the attacks against us, please give us your Holy Spirit grace and power. May we feed the sheep today as good and faithful shepherds. Amen.