AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor understands how God works in the world. Stephen was asked if the charges brought against him were true. Rather than a simple “no”, Stephen gives a history lesson to show how God kept His covenant with Israel throughout time even though Israel was unfaithful.
Abraham was the man to whom God chose to give the promise of I will be your God and you will be my people. Abraham was faithful in obeying God. And so the line of Israel’s Patriarchs began. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons were the foundation of Jewish history; and the men listening to Stephen knew their history. His point in this lesson was that the current leaders of Israel were at odds with God’s covenant with them.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify God today as you enjoy His faithfulness.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor fills followers of Christ with grace to face the circumstances of the day. Stephen, one of the men chosen by the apostles to meet the daily needs of the church, was caught in a conflict with men from several local synagogues. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. So these enemies of God stirred up the people to falsely accuse Stephen of blasphemy.
These accusations brought Stephen before the council of Jewish leaders where he was asked to explain his words. The grace that filled Stephen’s heart was visible on his face as he sat before his accusers. His connection with Heavenly things was seen by all. And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today with the grace that fills your life because of Christ.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor gladly serves others. These verses describe the need to delegate responsibilities as the church was growing. This model of church leadership is found in biblical churches today. The apostles (elders) were responsible for preaching and teaching, while the seven chosen men (deacons) were responsible for meeting the daily needs of the church and its members.
Stephen is introduced as one of the men chosen to serve as deacon. He is described as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. His impact on the church is recorded in Acts 6-7.
Verse seven states how God blessed the church by causing great growth in Jerusalem. The notable statement is, and a great many priests became obedient to the faith. Religious leaders were leaving the faithless traditions of the Jewish leaders to place their faith in Christ, the Messiah.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today as a faithful servant to others.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor rejoices at being considered worthy to suffer for Christ. When the Jewish leaders heard the apostle’s answer to their charge of disobedience, they were enraged and wanted to kill these messengers of the Gospel. However, there was one cool head among these leaders. Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, pointed out that if what the apostles were doing was not of God their movement would not succeed. But, if their activity was of God, it could not be stopped and anyone attempting to interrupt the spread of the Gospel would be opposing God.
After a good beating and a repeating of the command to not speak in the name of Jesus, the Jewish leaders freed the apostles. Without concern of consequences these faithful men rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease from teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today as you rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor gives a clear calling that does not waver when attacked. When the Jewish leaders discovered that the apostles were missing from prison, with the door securely locked, they were not amazed that the impossible had occurred. They were greatly perplexed wondering what this would come to. Their concern was that more people would join with the apostles in following Christ.
Cautiously, the Jewish leaders brought the apostles before the council to reprimand them again. The apostle’s response was, we must obey God rather than man. Once again the Jewish leaders were confronted with their part in the death of Christ and God’s purpose for Christ’s death. There was great faith without fear in this response to the Jewish leaders.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today as you live out your calling with great faith.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor is protected by angels. When the apostles continued drawing multitudes to hear the Gospel, the Jewish leaders decided to take strong action to quiet the message. They arrested the apostles and put them in prison.
Throughout history messengers of the Gospel have suffered at the hands of rulers who usurp God’s authority. But, this account is a picture of God’s special care for His suffering saints. God sends angels to protect them. Psalm 91:11-12
An angel opened the prison and removed the prisoners to freedom. The message from the angel was for the apostles to continue preaching in the temple. It does not seem that the apostles were surprised by this visit from an angel. After experiencing tongues of fire, speaking languages never learned, and healing sick people; a visit from an angel was just part of awe factor living for the apostles.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God’s special protection as you share the Gospel with those around you.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor commands respect from those who observe it. The apostles were held in high esteem for their boldness in preaching the Gospel. They had no concern for the demands of the Jewish leaders as the apostles faithfully obeyed God.
People from outside of Jerusalem came to hear the apostles, and brought friends and family who were sick. God used the apostles to bring physical and spiritual healing to those who came. Multitudes of both men and women were added to the church.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today as He uses you to bring healing to those around you.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor recognizes and confronts sin. As God’s special treasure, the church is protected from the forces that would destroy its work in the world. This account of Annanias and Sapphira is an example of God’s protection by His dealing with people whose hearts have not been changed, pretending to be Christians
It was not a sin to sell the land and keep the money. The sin was deceit, when Annanias made it seem that he was living up to the same community standard as the others in the church. Peter confronted the sin and its source, a heart that Satan controlled. Annaias had attempted to deceive the Holy Spirit by lying; a sin so contemptible that instant death was the consequence.
Three hours later Sapphira presented herself with the same deceitful account. She met the same consequence as her husband. Sin cannot be tolerated within the church. Great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things. Seeing God intervene in such a powerful way caused the rest of the church to do some major introspection. Search me and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today as you ask Him to know your heart and thoughts to deal with sin in your life.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor unifies and places proper value on things owned; they are all gifts from God to use for His glory. Power and grace to share the
Gospel were given to these people as they met the needs of each other. This was the foundation of the greatest institution of all time, Christ’s church.
Throughout time the church has been tainted by the sin of people who change the Truth of the Gospel to fit their agendas. But, the church of Christ is described in its purest form in these verses. Simplicity in preaching and caring for each other were the marks of this church.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Glorify and enjoy God today as you use what He has given you to care for others.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
AWE FACTOR LIVING
The awe factor causes worship and makes believers strong through spiritual discipline. Peter, John, and friends turned to their Sovereign God after their visit to the council of Jewish leaders. They prayed for boldness to continue to speak God’s word. God responded to their prayer with a physical sign of His presence.
They went out into the streets and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?
Enjoy God today as you glorify Him with your bold faith and worship.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
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