I had the opportunity to speak during the Sunday service this past weekend. Some time ago I was asked if i would like to do the sermon, and this was the first service we completely changed things up. We had a potluck breakfast, followed by what some would call a different type of way of doing things. Our pastor, Sieg, has been doing a "Heroes of the Faith" series, and i was able to lead one of those services, doing a sermon on Stephen: The First Martyr of the Church.
One of the greatest testaments to our faith is Stephen, a man who is barely mentioned in scripture, but had a profound impact in the life of Saul/Paul, and who set the stage of what a Christian may end up being, which is a witness and a martyr. This story has captivated me from a young age. One of the best parts of what we know about Stephen is how he "schools" the religious leaders of his time. I don't generally use the term "school" except to illustrate how God reacts to Job's attitude in Job 41 & 42, and few other circumstances. Regardless, Stephen schools his accusers with authority, and pays the ultimate sacrifice, just as Jesus did.
What a great man of God. And one of the most intriguing parts is that he was doing "great signs and wonders" among the people. It was not just the apostles that were doing these signs, there were everyday people healing the sick, and tending to the needy. What degree of faith does it take to lay hands on someone to heal them? And what degree of faith does it take to be the person being healed? I want to be able to do that kind of thing. If you have the time, i suggest looking at the life of Stephen, on of the Great men of Faith.
On a note of concern: Another Great Man of Faith, Peter Loeppky, has been hospitalized as of late. He had surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago, but last Friday posed a few problems the doctors did not suspect would take place. Peter had a stroke last Friday, and at this point only God knows how fully he will recover. Our prayers are with you Pete. Be strong, and to his family, Frieda his wife, Paul his son, and wife Jenn and children, Paul and Melissa his daughter, and their children, Tammy his daughter, and his brothers and sisters, our prayers are with you and Pete. Remember, you are not alone, and God (and we) are there with you, and we'll get lost together, till the light comes pouring through. Cause when you feel like you're done, and the darkness has won, you're not lost. When your world is crashing down, and you cannot bear the thought, you're not lost. Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," (NKJV). And so to that end, we carry your burdens so you are able to deal with the situation you are facing with God's grace, and we ask for mercy on yours and Pete's, another great man of faith, on his behalf.
