Momentum - Week 9

We are going to dive into the story of Stephen. Stephen lived a life full of the Spirit. What does that mean? Full of the Spirit. To be full of the spirit means that your life is directed, empowered, and shaped by the presence of the Holy Spirit rather than by your own strength, emotions, or desires. It’s not just a feeling. It means you are led by God in your decisions, thoughts, and actions.

Romans 8:14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God.

This is who Stephen was:

Acts 6:8,10
8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people….10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Acts 7:55
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

A Life Full of the Spirit is Unstoppable

● Stephen wasn’t an apostle; he was a servant (a deacon), yet was full of faith, grace, power, and the Holy Spirit.

● Momentum comes not from position but from being Spirit-filled.

● When you are filled with God’s Spirit, you can face opposition with unshakable courage.

You don’t have to be on a stage to make a difference. When you’re full of the Spirit, you’re full of unstoppable power.

I am curious. Do you feel like you are full of unstoppable power? Growing up, I felt I was full of power, but of my own making. My family would tell you that when I was younger that I was full of something, but it wasn’t the Holy Spirit.

Career Day at School. ( I would never amount to anything, I would end up in Jail or dead)

Those words hurt!

I was far from God. I knew about Jesus, but I didn't have a relationship with him. But… When you have a relationship with him. He changes everything. I thought I had power, I thought I was courageous. When I read the Story of Stephen, I understand Unstoppable power.

Stephen is a prime example of someone understanding and living in Acts 1:8: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you… Stephen was empowered. He had the power to live boldly. You see, the Spirit gives you the power to live boldly. Live like Jesus, to endure hardship, and serve beyond your ability.

Stephen wasn’t just courageous; he was Spirit-empowered to speak truth in the face of death. He was marked by God’s Character. You can be marked by His Character as well. Being full of the Spirit results in the fruit of the Spirit flowing out of your life.

Like Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience….

You don’t just believe differently, you live differently. When you are full of the Spirit, you can stand firm in Faith with confidence and clarity even when it’s difficult. Stephen is in a difficult situation, to say the least. We have been walking through this momentum series together, and we have seen some difficult situations for followers of Jesus.

We’ve seen how every plan to stop God’s plan has failed, and the momentum of God’s plan continues to be accomplished. Here, we see another example of this.

A Life Rooted in God’s
Story is Bold

(Acts 7:1-50)

● Stephen recounts the story of Israel, showing how God has always moved forward despite human resistance.

● He boldly exposes the religious leaders’ hypocrisy and rejection of God’s messengers.

● Momentum requires boldness rooted in God’s bigger picture.

When you understand where you come from in God’s story, you won’t fear standing up for Him in your story.

I once was afraid. I struggled with my Story. I struggled with being Bold:

Stephen’s Boldness didn’t come from his personality or His pride, it came from knowing the Bigger story of God and His place in it. When your life is rooted in God’s Eternal plan, you’re no longer intimidated by temporary opposition.

Know God’s Story and Your place in it. You have a place in his Story. Know God’s story, know his plan. One of our guiding values here is life-changing truth.  We do believe that if you read God’s word and apply it to your life, it will change your life. It is impossible to be bold for God if you don’t know the story of God. The word gives you courage when the world gives you conflict.

Stephen spoke the truth in the middle of this conflict that we read. He walked through their history and showed that God’s hand was always at work, even when people rebelled or misunderstood what God was doing.

You can speak truth with love and courage when your confidence isn’t in your words but in God’s Faithfulness across the generations. When you know God’s story, you realize you’re not the main character; Jesus is. But you do have a role. You are part of the Story.

The people here were part of my story. The people here were used by God to bring a worn-out, burned-out pastor who had lost his way. A person whose marriage was broken. The family was struggling. People did that by serving. By loving, by smiling, by loving me. You see, every role is important. Don’t ever forget it.

I came here angry and hurt. I was angry at myself, angry at others, and I was hurt. I had been serving in churches for 20+ years, and I didn’t want to forgive. When I came here, I was no longer in ministry. I killed bugs for a living. My life went from leading people to Jesus to putting insects to death. But God did something in that time that I didn’t believe he could. He restored my relationship with him, with my life, and with my family. And people here had a role in it.

Do not ever feel like what you do is not important, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is. It is not! Your role is important!!!

God may be stirring up something for you. You may feel you have nothing to offer, but you do. I am a result of someone’s obedience to serve.

We do not live in a nation that is going through the persecution we are reading about here in Acts, but we do experience some persecution here. Some of us have been hurt by others. Some of us have been hurt deeply by family and friends because of following Jesus. There have been promotions lost, Jobs, all kinds of situations and circumstances have brought us to a point of hurt and pain. We may not feel we can serve because we are still holding on to unforgiveness.

In the middle of being stoned, Stephen understood what his role was.

Acts 7:59-60
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

A Life That Reflects Jesus Forgives Like Jesus

● Stephen’s last words echo Jesus’ own: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

● Momentum in the kingdom of God isn’t about retaliation but reconciliation.

● Forgiveness is a force that cannot be stopped; it keeps the mission moving forward.

When you forgive like Jesus, you reflect Jesus, and that has an eternal impact.

Do not let Unforgiveness hold you back from the Plan God has for you.

Pastor Joe said God's plan cannot be stopped, so hop on Board. Forgive others, forgive yourself, and hop on Board. Why?

Acts 7: 55-56
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

A Life of Faithfulness Makes Heaven Take Notice

● Jesus is often described as seated at the right hand of God. But here, He stands.

● Stephen’s faithfulness causes heaven to rise in honor.

● When we live fully for Jesus, we may not get the applause of people, but we will receive the approval of Christ.

Live in such a way that your faith makes Jesus stand on His feet, not just in your death, but in how you live.

I have watched many sporting events and watched athletes give everything they had, and as they walked off the field, they were given a standing ovation. A sign of respect and honor. This is a standing ovation in Heaven. Can you imagine?

Can you imagine living a life of faithfulness that makes heaven take notice? Do you know you can? Not in your power, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. The same spirit that dwells in you is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the grave.

Let God use you!
Get involved.
LifeGroup
Student Ministry
Children’s Ministry
First Impressions.

Don’t let fear hold you back. Let God work in you like never before, and never feel like you are the role you play is unimportant or insignificant.