UNSTOPPABLE: Servant Leadership (Acts 6:8–7:60)

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then 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 withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And 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, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” (Acts 6:8-7:1)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty (6:3)

“Stephen, full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5)

“Full of grace and power.” (Acts 6:8)

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (Acts 6:10)

for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (Lk 21:15)

“This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law.” (6:13)

“The Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.” (Acts 7:48)

“Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?” (Acts 7:52)

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. (Acts 7:54)

“I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (7:56)

The Stephen Leadership Model (Summary)

• of the (spiritually alive and formed by Christ)
  • The most important qualification for leadership in the church is vitality.
• in (willing to lead through humble action)
  • Kingdom leadership is before platform.
• Deeply (rooted in the story of kingdom and redemption)
  • Leaders must interpret reality through and the .
• in Witness (willing to stand for truth)
  • Faithful leaders speak even when it creates opposition. .

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