September 21, 2025 Sunday Worship Service

Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Kings 10:8
Hymn JBC # 2 Come, Thou almighty King
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Confession of Faith
Scripture Acts 6:8~15
Prayer
Sermon “The wisdom the Spirit gave”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

At the beginning of today’s passage (verse 8), it says: “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
In the verses just before today’s passage, seven men, including Stephen, were chosen from among the disciples of Christ for the task of “distribution of food.”
The apostles (who were leaders among the believers) laid hands on the seven and prayed for them.
That prayer was for God’s grace and power to be poured upon them (the seven men), and for God’s guidance in their work.
　That prayer was answered. Stephen, filled with God’s grace and power, came to perform works and signs to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Stephen was one of those chosen for the task of food distribution.
　Yet, in today’s passage, Stephen is portrayed not just in that service role, but as a preacher and evangelist, like the apostles, proclaiming the gospel.
Although he was chosen for the task of distributing food, his gifts and calling were not limited to that work.
Perhaps, while faithfully serving in food distribution, his other gift—proclaiming the Word—was gradually drawn out and put to use.
In any case, the work of evangelism, preaching about the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, was not limited only to leaders such as the apostles.

I believe that in the early church, each disciple was able to speak the Word according to his or her gift.
Last week, a member of our church (who is not the pastor) preached at the worship service.
In our church, we sometimes ask believers who have been trusted and commissioned by the church, even if they are not pastors, to give a message during worship services.
As Christians, whether we are full-time evangelists or not, each of us can preach God's word according to our individual gifts.
And so, we hope to be a church where the various gifts given to each individual can be brought to life and put to good use under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
But in today’s passage, there were people who opposed Stephen’s ministry.

They were Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria (cities in North Africa) belonging to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” (Jews once enslaved by Rome but later freed), and others from Cilicia and Asia (today’s Turkey region).
Although Jews, they were originally from outside Israel—likely the “Greek-speaking Jews” mentioned previous passages.
Since they adhered strictly to Jewish teachings and customs, they argued against Stephen’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But verse 10 says, “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”

Those who opposed Stephen probably tried to defeat him by reason and argument.
But words spoken with God’s wisdom and Spirit are stronger than any reasoning or debate—because God’s Word is truth.
Why is it that the words of Jesus in Scripture, and the Bible as a whole, move and touch our hearts so deeply?
Because the words of Scripture were written by people inspired by the Spirit of God, with His wisdom and Spirit—they are God’s true Word.
Not the result of human reasoning or debate, but God’s Word given through wisdom and Spirit—this Word has the power to stir and move our hearts.
It is on this true Word of Scripture that we must build our personal faith, and the faith of our church.
Those who opposed Stephen stirred up others, even the elders and teachers of the law, to seize him and bring him before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council).

When we imagine that scene where people were agitated, we are reminded how easily people can be incited, how quickly our emotions and hearts can be manipulated.
We too are fully capable of becoming like those who were incited in today's passage and even persuaded to give false testimony.
This is because we are weak and sinful. We sometimes want to suppress those who disagree with us in their thoughts and standings, even by force.
So how can we avoid being deceived or manipulated into falsehood?
It is by always listening to God’s Word, being rooted in it, and remaining in His truth.
By soaking in the love and grace of Christ, being thankful for forgiveness of our sins, and remaining humble before God and people.

By always being connected to His words and never letting go of God’s hand that holds us through His Word.
As spiritual (faithful) habits: we should read the Bible (hearing God’s voice), join in worship (remaining as part of Christ’s body), and continue in prayer (speaking to God).
And as God’s family, we must also encourage and support one another, so that we do not fall under evil influences or be misled by lies/falsehood.
Even though we are weak, the strong and gracious God always teaches us through His Word. Let us walk in obedience to His Word.

　In today’s passage, people accused Stephen, saying: “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law,” and “This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
But these were false testimonies. What Stephen was preaching was the truth of Lord Jesus Christ and the true love of God that Jesus preached.
Even when surrounded by malicious opposition, the passage ends with, “Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.”
This shows that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has Christ dwells in them can radiate the Christ-like light.
If Christ is at the center of our lives, though we are imperfect, we can radiate the light of Christ, just like angels.

　As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

It is through the Spirit of the Lord that we are enabled to reflect the light of Christ, the glory of God.
By believing in Christ and welcoming Him to dwell in us, we can shine His light and reflect His glory.
As God’s creation, what greater honor can there be than to reflect the glory of Christ and the glory of God?
Today, two people will confess their faith in Christ and receive baptism. This is a great joy for our church.
As we welcome our new family of faith, let us grow together as believers who put God’s Word into practice in both our lives and our words, and who shine the light of Christ into the world.
May Christ dwell in us, may His light shine through us, and may the world see that light.