A GODLY MAN'S INFLUENCE
Acts 6:3—8:3

HE WAS FULL OF THE SPIRIT (Acts 6:3, 5; Acts 7:55)

HE WAS FULL OF WISDOM (Acts 6:3,10)

HE WAS FULL OF FAITH (Acts 6:5)
· He believed in God’s Word (chapter 7)
· He believed in God’s faithfulness
· He believed in God’s sovereignty
· He believed in the Holy Spirit
· He believed that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah
· He believed in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension
· He believed in heaven

HE WAS FULL OF GRACE (Acts 6:8; Acts 7:59-60)

HE WAS FULL OF POWER (Acts 6:8)

What made Stephen's godly influence so effective?
2. HIS BIBLICAL INSIGHT
Stephen was a man with deep convictions based upon His study of God’s Word. Remember the accusations they leveled at Stephen…
· That he spoke against Moses and God
· That he spoke against the temple
· That he spoke against the Law
· That Jesus was changing everything

An analysis of this message . . .
ABRAHAM AND THE PATRIARCHS (Acts 7:2-8)

JOSEPH AND THE EGYPTIAN EXILE (Acts 7:9-19)

MOSES AND THE EXODUS (Acts 7:20-44)

DAVID AND SOLOMON (Acts 7:44-53)

WHAT STEPHEN SAID

Ray Ortlund, a pastor, wrote the following in a blog…

"Fifty years ago my dad and mom gave me a new Bible. It was my senior year in high school, the first week of two-a-day football practices, and I crawled home that day, bone tired. Mom made a special dinner for me, since it was my birthday, and dad gave me a Bible with the following inscription:

Bud, nothing could be greater than to have a son—a son who loves the Lord and walks with him. Your mother and I have found this Book our dearest treasure. We give it to you and doing so can give nothing greater. Be a student of the Bible and your life will be full of blessing. We love you.

As I read these wonderful words from fifty years ago, it never occurred to me to think, "Dad doesn't really believe that. It's just religious talk." I knew he meant it, because I watched him live it. He was a student of the Bible, and his life was full of blessing, and I wanted what he had. It took me a few more years to get clarity in some ways, not surprisingly. But on this day so long ago my dad said something to me that left a deep impression. It moved me then, and it moves me now."

Ray Ortlund, "Fifty Years Ago Today," Gospel Coalition blog (9-7-16)

LEVERAGE YOUR INFLUENCE FOR THE GLORY OF JESUS!

Examine your heart today. Can others see your spiritual integrity and the commitment that goes along with it? Is your biblical insight and the convictions that accompany it obvious to others? What about your personal intensity and the courage that feeds it?

Like Saul of Tarsus, some of you have been deeply influenced by someone like Stephen. It might be a dad, a mom, a coach, a friend, or even a co-worker. I invite you to turn from your sin today and to place your faith in Jesus. He can change your life just like He changed Saul’s life!