A Life in Full

Jack Graham: This is why we need spiritual power to resist the enemy, to overcome tests and temptation. We need spiritual power to pray. We need spiritual power to forgive.
Guest (Female): On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about how you can have a life full of abundance, impact, and fulfillment. Now, here is Dr. Graham with his message, A Life in Full.
Jack Graham: Take God's word and turn with me, please, to the sixth chapter of the Book of Acts. Acts the sixth chapter, and at verse seven. And the word of God continued to increase. I love that. God's word is increasing and the church is growing. As a result, the church was organized to meet the needs of people and deacons were selected, chosen. Among the deacons was a man named Stephen. For verse eight tells us Stephen was full of grace and power and was doing great wonders and signs among the people. And then verse nine says, "Some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen, as it was called, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen." But they could not, watch this, they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. And then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." Now, Stephen was not speaking insulting or blasphemous words against Moses or God, not at all. But these are lies and slanders that were produced to stop the message of Christ, to shut up the man of Christ. Verse 12, "They stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council." The word here means they pounced upon him, they seized him, literally, they threw him under the bus. Stephen is about to get thrown under the bus. They brought him before the council and they set up false witnesses and said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law," again, a lie. "For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs of Moses delivered to us." The revolutionary faith of Jesus Christ spoke of the resurrection, the tearing down of the temple of his body, and the rebuilding of it to the glory of God. But you see, these are turning the words of Christ, and now the words of Stephen around to mean something totally different. But notice verse 15. And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. A man with a message, a powerful, persuasive message of Christ and the gospel. A man with courage to match his convictions. A man who fearlessly and selflessly stood for his Lord, filled with the spirit of God. A man in full. The kind of man, the kind of woman you are to be, we are to be. What is a life in full? Well, one, it is a life full of character. You cannot speak of Stephen without speaking of his character because his character is described in the passages of scripture that we've read, and also earlier, as I mentioned to you. Because the church was growing, while the church was a very powerful church, it was not a perfect church. And so dissension was rising among the church over the ministration, the distribution of to the needs of the people. And some were beginning to complain and murmur against the leadership of the church. And the apostles, the preachers, as it were, of the church, were concerned about this, as the people were concerned. And they said, "What we need to do is to get organized in order to effectively meet the needs of the congregation and of the community." And so they were told to choose out seven men who would serve as deacons, diakonos. They were the servants of the church. They were the assistants to the apostles. And while the apostles were to focus upon preaching the word and prayer, these men, these seven deacons, were called and chosen to take care of the physical ministry of the church. And you have here in Acts chapter six, the embryonic form of the deacon. Every deacon is to be a man of character. If you will just back up to the sixth chapter of Acts, we're told that these were chosen as deacons, and Stephen was of the seven, the first draft choice. At least he's the first one mentioned. And down at verse five, "And they were pleased at the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith," there's our word full again, "and full of the Holy Spirit." So here's what we learn about Stephen, about his character. He was a man of good reputation in the church and in the community. Because of his good character, his strong reputation in the community, and the fact that he was full of God's spirit and full of faith, that he was full of grace, verse eight tells us that he was full of grace and power. So his life exemplified a spirit-filled life full of grace and power. There was something different about this godly deacon, Stephen. He was also an articulate spokesperson, defender of the faith. And so on one occasion, he went to the synagogue, there were over 400 synagogues in Jerusalem at this time, and he went to the synagogue of the Freedmen. And he reasoned with them as we are to reason with others concerning the hope that is in us, always ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. And he began to reason with them, and as we just noted a moment ago, as he reasoned with them, while they argued with him and while they were suspicious of Stephen, they could not resist his winsome spirit. Look at verse 10. They could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. Now, you know wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective. Wisdom is the progressive realization of the will of God in your life. And because he knew the word of God, because he was living in obedience to God, his life was marked by extreme wisdom. And this wisdom is for everyone, not just for a select number as Stephen and the others. But God says to every Christian, "Ask if you need wisdom and you will receive it." We do need wisdom today, don't we? We need wisdom in our relationships, how to live with one another. We need wisdom for our careers. We need wisdom in making good choices, daily choices each day. We need wisdom when we face problems and pain and struggles in life. We need wisdom in every circumstance of life. And God's wisdom comes from above. Human wisdom fails, but God's wisdom is forever. And so here is a man full of wisdom, but not only that, he is full of grace. There is a winsome grace about his life. When we are filled with the spirit of God, the joy of his presence in us is reflected in our lives, in our character, and even our countenance. For when these looked intently at this man, it appeared as though he had the face of an angel. Now imagine if you were in this same situation. You're called upon to give a defense for your faith, and it's obvious that it's not going very well. People are filled with rage and hatred and anger, and you might be tempted to just fold your tent and go home and say something like, "Well, I can see I'm not getting through to you. I can see you're not really ripe for the gospel. You're not just ready for the gospel now, so I'll come back another time and maybe we can talk about this later." No, Stephen stood firm and faithful in what he was saying. He knew that this was his moment. I'm certain that he had no reason to believe that he would ultimately pay the price of death and martyrdom for his faith. I'm certain that Stephen was praying intently that those who heard him preach, religious leaders were responding to faith. I'm certain that he was driving home the message. He knew that this was an opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ and the grace of God to the religious establishment who knew so much about religion but who did not have a relationship with God. They knew the form of religion but did not know the power of God in their lives. And when the resistance came, Stephen stays peaceful and calm and his countenance is glowing like the face of an angel. And I'm not exactly sure what an angel looks like, I've never seen one. We're told in the Bible that the angels stand in the presence of God and therefore we know they reflect something of the glory of God. When the women found the angel at the tomb, there was the glory and the light of the resurrection morn surrounding that angel. There is a glow, a godly glow that should be expressed by the servants of God who are full of the spirit of God. And this angel-faced man, this man aglow, aflame with the presence of God, is demonstrating the beauty of Christ. And in this face-to-face confrontation with the religious establishment, guess whose face demonstrates and defines the glory of God? It is this man Stephen, full of faith, trusting in God. We know he was full of faith because when you read the sermon that he delivers, it's the longest recorded sermon in the Book of Acts, Acts chapter seven. You read something of his faith and what he believed. He was a man well-equipped in the Old Testament scriptures. He knew the stories of the Bible. He was obviously trained as a young man in his Jewish home to know the scriptures. And now that he knows Christ, he is proclaiming Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. He preaches and teaches the word of God because he is a man full of wisdom and full of winsomeness. This winning spirit, when it says that they could not resist his wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking, we really don't know if the spirit referenced here is the human spirit of Stephen or the Holy Spirit of God. God's spirit is so filling Stephen's life that his spirit was a different kind of spirit, a dynamic spirit. There was a charisma, not the charisma of human personality, but the charisma of God's spirit living in his life, a man of character.
Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message A Life in Full. Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion? It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text DEVO to 59789 and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text DEVO to 59789. We want to tell you about an exciting opportunity available this month. Right now, every gift you give to PowerPoint Ministries will be doubled through a generous $150,000 matching grant, helping reach even more people with the hope and truth of Jesus Christ. Every day, people burdened by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are discovering the peace found in God's word through this ministry. Your support helps make that possible. As our thanks for your gift of $10 or more, we'll send you Dr. Graham's brand-new book, The Lord is My Shepherd. Text SEPTEMBER to 59789 to have your gift doubled and receive your copy today. Again, text SEPTEMBER to 59789. Now, let's get back to today's message, A Life in Full.
Jack Graham: A life in full is a life filled with character. But let's go to the second thing. A life in full is a life full of courage. Well, Stephen is in hot water now because the accusation, the lies, the slanders are flowing and he is being accused of blasphemy and insulting God, none of which was true. And opposition is rolling in. Opposition and resistance that would demand extreme courage and faith. No one said the Christian life would be easy. To follow Jesus is the most challenging thing you will ever do in your life and it will require the courage that God gives you. This is why we need spiritual power to resist the enemy, to overcome tests and temptation. We need spiritual power to pray. We need spiritual power to forgive. We need spiritual power to build our families. We need spiritual power to face trials and struggles in life. We need spiritual power when it comes time to die. And that power emboldens us with the courage of Christ. Courage to match conviction. Stephen had it. And so rather than making a quiet or quick exit, he stands up and he proclaims Christ, and that's what you have in Acts chapter seven. And I want to challenge all of us today to stand up for Jesus. How are you standing up? You know, in the Christian life, there are things that we stand for and there are things that we stand against. And there should be a beautiful balance. We shouldn't be known just for the things that we're against, we should also be known for the things that we're for. But the fact is we are against some things. We are for righteousness, but we are against those things that destroy righteousness. What are you doing to stand up, to answer the call of God for him? Are you standing in the gap for people? How about helping people who are hurting? Helping people who are homeless? What about the addict? What about the orphans and the widows? What about unwed mothers in a crisis? Are you standing for Christ with these who need your help? Do you stand to support a just cause, a righteous cause? Are you pro-life? Are you pro-family? Are you willing to stand against the tide of secularism that is sweeping the nation? Are you willing to stand up in truth and righteousness and purity amidst a secularized and a sexualized culture? Will you be willing to stand against the wrong and stand up for what is right? How are we standing? Are we standing for the gospel? Are we supporting missionaries around the world? The question is not how do you feel about the gospel or what do you know about the gospel, the question is what are you doing about the gospel? Are you standing courageously for Christ? I dare you to get out of the comfort zone, off the comfortable pew, and stand somewhere in the gap for God, to stand up for Christ in a culture that is anti-Christ, in a world that has rejected him. To stand, to take risks, to dream great dreams. And all the while not wondering or worrying about the risk or the repercussions, whether you win or whether you lose, but only whether you please God. Ultimately, Stephen lived for an audience of one. You have only one to please, and that is your Lord. You don't have to answer to anybody else ultimately but him. So I challenge you to have courage that matches your convictions and your character. That you would rise to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. That's what Stephen did. He was a man full of courage. You say, "Well, I'm weak, I'm not that strong. I'm not all that courageous." This is what the spirit of God does for us. The spirit of God, when we are full of him, empowers us and strengthens us to face opposition of any kind. There's one final word, and that is a life in full is a life full of character, a life full of courage, and finally, it's obvious, isn't it? A life full of Christ. When you read the final paragraphs of Stephen's life, you discover after he preached they were incensed and enraged at the words that he spoke. As a matter of fact, look at verse 51 of Acts chapter seven. This is his invitation. This is the conclusion of the message. Now just suppose I am about to close the message and here is my conclusion. "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit." Not exactly the way to win friends and influence people who oppose you. "You do always resist the Holy Spirit," he said. Reminds me of the scripture in Proverbs that says, "He being often reproved who hardens, stiffens his neck, will suddenly be cut off and that without remedy." "You who resist the work of the Holy Spirit." You see, it's a terrible thing to say no and no and no and resist again and again the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. God is calling you to himself. Jesus has died for you. He rose again. This message is designed to influence you and encourage you and plead with you to come to Christ. But if you say no and no and no, when we do something long enough, we get real good at it, it becomes a habit. God says, "My spirit will not always strive with man." It's possible to so resist the work of the Holy Spirit that it makes it impossible for you to say yes to Christ. If the spirit of God is working in your life right now, today's the day of salvation. Now is the accepted time. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. And so when he speaks, these rise up to kill him. And they take him away, led by a young Saul of Tarsus who held the garments of those who stoned Stephen, he is stoned. And yet I want you to see how this man died. Verse 59, "And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'" Does this remind you of anything? This man who is dying so full of Jesus, so full of Christ, that he not only lives for the Lord, he dies like the Lord. The Bible says, "And when he had said this, he fell asleep." What a beautiful and blessed picture this is of the death of the Christian. Revelation says, "Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for they are rejoicing with him." Amidst all of this blood, amidst all of this brutal death, angry shouts, God's man, this Jesus man, is so full of the spirit, so full of love, so full of courage that at that moment there is peace, there is strength, and he dies a hero. And there's one final word about Stephen that I want to mention. This blessed death exemplified a beautiful life. And it reminds us that while he did not live a long life, he lived a full life. When it's all said and done, it's really not that important how long I live. And it's not the duration of your life that matters most, it is the donation of your life. Not the length of your life, but the depth of your life that counts the most. And if you will live your life full of Christ, you will live and die in the fullness of his presence.
Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message A Life in Full. Right now, every gift you give to PowerPoint Ministries will be doubled through a generous $150,000 matching grant, helping reach even more people with the hope and truth of Jesus Christ. Every day, people burdened by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are discovering the peace found in God's word through this ministry. Your support helps make that possible. As our thanks for your gift of $10 or more, we'll send you Dr. Graham's book, The Lord is My Shepherd. In this encouraging study of Psalm 23, Dr. Graham shows how the Good Shepherd provides, guides, and stays with you even through life's darkest valleys. Text SEPTEMBER to 59789 to have your gift doubled and receive your copy today. Again, text SEPTEMBER to 59789. Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion? It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text DEVO to 59789 and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text DEVO to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?
Jack Graham: Well, Stephen is one of my favorite people in all of the Bible. He may not be one of the most well-known personalities in scripture, but he is certainly one of the strongest, greatest believers we could ever know. Stephen was an ordinary person, just like all the rest of us, and he faced challenges and fears, and I'm sure times of weakness. But the greatest pursuit of his life was to live to please God. Now it's good to stop and remind yourself every now and then that this is what life is really about: pleasing God. It's so easy, isn't it, to get distracted by the busyness and the pressures and stresses of daily life, and then just sort of lose focus on what's really important. But ultimately, you and I are living for an audience of one, and that one is the Lord Jesus Christ. Stephen made pleasing God his highest and ultimate priority. He knew the word of God, he courageously lived out his faith, and as a result, he reflected the love and the grace of Christ to everyone around him. Even at the moment, his worst moment when he was dying, his countenance reflected his character that he was walking with the Lord. As you and I continue to live lives that are dedicated to Christ, we can expect to become people full of faith, full of the Holy Spirit, full of grace, full of power, full of wisdom, and yes, full of the glory of God. This is a life in full. And that, I believe, is what is so remarkable about Stephen. And that's what we can learn from his example. In the end, Stephen didn't live a long life, but he lived a full life. His life was full of character and courage and full of Jesus. What an incredible inspiration he is to us. Stephen shows us what it means to live a spiritually empowered life, and it is a life that is available to every person. Yes, that means you as you make your number one priority pleasing God in everything you do.
Guest (Female): And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift of $10 or more, we'll send you Dr. Graham's book, The Lord is My Shepherd. Just text SEPTEMBER to 59789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about how sharing the gospel with someone who needs it is the best thing you can do. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.