Glowing for Jesus

Acts 6
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face
as it had been the face of an angel.   Acts 6:15


BACKGROUND:
Disputes: Acts 6:1-7 Another serious internal problem develops when some
Greek-speaking Jewish Christians complain that their widows are not given a
fair share in the daily food distribution. The apostles ask the whole community
to choose seven "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" to oversee this
ministry.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Handbook)


LET IT GLOW

One morning when I was in the waiting room of my doctor's office, I heard the
receptionist tell a lady's husband that his wife had "the face of an angel." I
wondered what was meant by the statement. Perhaps the lady's smiling face
was shining in the midst of gloomy faces in the office. Maybe her face was
aglow because her happy heart had been with Jesus earlier. Who knows?

Liberty Bible Commentary, with Jerry Falwell as Executive Editor, says:

    This is not to intimate that he (Stephen) had the gentle, effeminate face
often portrayed in medieval paintings of angels. Rather his face was aglow
with the love of the Lord Jesus for these his persecutors.


Does my face glow with the love of Jesus? I  had not considered it an
important issue, my countenance, which is the expression of my face.

Angels appeared to a lot of people in the Bible-Hagar, Elijah, Gideon,
Samson's parents, Zacharias, Mary, and Joseph, to name a few. Almost
every chapter in Revelation speaks about angels performing tasks and
representing churches. They ministered to Jesus here on earth and were at
His command.


LET IT GROW

The beginning of chapter 6 has the Greeks upset at the Hebrews, accusing
them of neglecting their widows. In order to solve this problem, the twelve
disciples called a meeting of the church so they could chose seven deacons
to serve tables. That freed the disciples to spend time in prayer and ministering
the Word.

According to Matthew Henry, these men had to possess these qualities listed

          in verse 3:
 
      1. Of honest report:  free from scandal; neighbors looked upon them as
                                      men of integrity, faithful, trusted; not under a blemish
                                      for any vice, but well spoken of for every thing that is
                                      virtuous and praiseworthy; blameless, of admirable
                                      character
       2. Full of the Holy Ghost: must be filled with those gifts and graces of the
                                              Holy Ghost which were necessary to the right
                                              management of this trust; men of ability and
                                              courage; fearing God, men of truth, hating
                                              covetousness
       3. Full of wisdom: they must be discreet, judicious men, that could not be
                                   imposed upon, and would order things for the best

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among
the people." (verse 8)
"And they (Sanhedrin) were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by
which he spake."  (verse 10)

The council stirred up the people and false witnesses against Stephen, saying
he spoke with blasphemous words against the temple and the law of Moses.
Why? Because he preached Jesus crucified and risen from the dead; and he
was full of faith, Holy spirit, and did miracles. What a testimony of Stephen's
life.
What does my life say about me? Is there enough evidence to convict me
of being a Christian?


LET IT GO

Allow my face to glow with the love of Jesus.

Make sure my character shows honesty, the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.