Are You A ‘Stephen’? – Part 2

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them Acts 6:3

Stephen was also chosen for leadership in the New Testament church because he was ‘full of…the Holy Spirit’ (v. 5). Why is that important? Because Jesus said to His disciples: ‘…You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem (your home base), and in all Judea (those within driving distance) and Samaria (places where you won’t necessarily be welcomed) and to the end of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). Paul writes, ‘…Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…’ (Ephesians 5:18). The story is told of a pastor who was seen drinking a glass of wine at dinner. Seizing on Paul’s words, ‘Be not drunk with wine,’ the deacon board called for his immediate resignation. Whereupon the pastor responded, ‘Then let’s all resign. You say I failed the first half of the commandment, “Be not drunk with wine.” But you’ve all failed the second half, ”Be filled with the spirit”.’ Understand this: you need to be continually filled with God’s Spirit. After all, you’re not running your car on the first tank of gas you put in it, are you? Remember the old ad for Brylcreem hair gel for men? ‘A little dab will do ya!’ That doesn’t work when it comes to leadership in God’s kingdom! You’re either being led by the Holy Spirit—or your own spirit. ‘But I have talent,’ you say. Yes, and God will use it. But when it comes to building what He wants built, it’s, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord’ (Zechariah 4:6).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Spirit – and renew me daily in Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, I pray Amen