God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 6
GOD HAS KINGDOM POWER JUST FOR YOU
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty… And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:2-3, 8)
There is no such thing as a “professional Christian.”
To be sure, there are callings to Christian vocation, but while there are distinctions in role and responsibility, in the Kingdom there is no hierarchy of importance.
Stephen was not an elder or Apostle; he was a disciple. He was not a senior leader; he was a servant leader. Stephen was chosen for what some might consider an “ordinary” task, serving tables, yet the fruit of Stephen’s life was profound.
This “table server” was doing ministry and demonstrating miracles just like the twelve Apostles. When brought on trial before the Jewish religious leaders, he gave just as strong and powerful a defense of the Gospel as Peter and John.
Though Stephen’s role in the church was one that some might call “ordinary,” that didn’t make him second class. In fact, by operating within scope of his practical gifting, he was enabled to walk in the power of the Spirit.
Why?
Because Kingdom power is for everyone! The Holy Spirit doesn’t only flow through preachers and poets and players of music. He lives in all of us who have been born again through Christ, and loves for all of us to follow His leading and demonstrate His life in powerful ways.
So, as you go about the regular routine of your life, remember this. No matter what role or gifting you have in the body of Christ, you can have hope in this truth: God has Kingdom power just for you!
-Pastor Phillip
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