Stephen, a man FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – Acts 6:1-9 and Acts 7:54-60 NIV

Today let’s continue to look at the life of Stephen, a man full of the Spirit and learn more about what it means to be filled with the Spirit:

1. A Spirit-filled Christian is mighty in the Word 

Acts 7:2-53 NIV

Here we have the defence that Stephen made before his persecutors. Notice that Stephen’s testimony was filled with God’s Word: 

1. He knew the Word
2. He believed the Word
3. He practiced the Word 
4. He preached the Christ of the Word
5. He allowed the Word to be manifested in and through him

So, remember that to be a Spirit-filled Christian is to be someone who is also filled with God’s Word, and by the Holy Spirit within declares it with boldness even under the worst of pressures!

2. A Spirit-filled Christian is resilient in times of trials and adversities

Acts 7 tells us of the distressing situation that led Stephen to his death (see v. 54, 57, 59 NIV). Stephen shows resilience in the mist of tremendous suffering. Did he feel sorry for himself? Did he cry out to his accusers to spare his life? NO! He showed resilience under brutal attacks, he kept his peace under God’s grace and rode his persecution triumphant right to the end.

‘But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”’ (Acts 7:55-56 NIV).

Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked upon God for strength and there he found his resilience. The Spirit within him sustained him right in the middle of his most intense trials – this is what a Spirit-filled Christian experiences when not everything goes well but when health fails, bereavement comes, when persecutions and even death comes. Only in God we can find resilience.

Being filled with the Spirit is to know to look up and see Jesus exalted, glorified. A Spirit-filled Christian is upheld in the hour of trial by the clear vision of God’s grace which he has received from the Lord. Just as Paul declared; ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). So, if you feel weak today be encouraged, for your greatest hope is found in being filled with God’s Spirit, who gives you strength to overcome your weaknesses.

3. A Spirit-filled Christian reflects Christlikeness even in his darkest hour 

The one thing above anything else that will mark someone out as being full with the Spirit is becoming more and more like Christ. Stephen reflected the likeness of Christ right to the end in spite how difficult the situation was (see Acts 7:50-60 NIV). So, let’s declare together: ‘Oh Lord, fill me afresh so that your Holy Spirit in me will help me to reflect the light of Christ through my life in this world of darkness, just as the moon reflects in the darkness the light of the sun’.

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and the evidence was openly demonstrated during his lifetime. 

So, the big question for us today is: 

Are we ready to exhibit these characteristics that were found in Stephen’ life in and through our lives and make a real difference in this broken world in which we are living? 

Here is the big answer: by ‘only being continually filled with the Spirit’ as highlighted in Ephesians 5:18 which tells us to: ‘go on being filled’ or ‘keep on being filled with the Spirit’ or ‘continue to be being filled with the Spirit’ AND THEN WE CAN LIVE TRIUMPHANTLY just as Stephen experienced even in the toughest of circumstances for God’s grace is sufficient for all of us today!