Sinners & Saints - Stephen: The Busboy Martyr
How an Ordinary Busboy Changed the World: The Story of Stephen
In a world where we often feel ordinary and insignificant, the story of Stephen from Acts 6-7 reminds us of a powerful truth: God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them. This pattern runs throughout Scripture, and Stephen's story is one of the most compelling examples.
Key Verses
Acts 6:3
Acts 6:10
Acts 7:55-56
Acts 8:1
Acts 8:4
Acts 1:8
What Does It Mean to Be a Saint?
Before diving into Stephen's story, it's important to understand that all saints are sinners, but not all sinners are saints. You become a saint not through what you do, but through what you receive - when you accept Christ into your life for the forgiveness of sins. This isn't about earning a title; it's about receiving grace.
The Historical Context: Why Widows Mattered
Women in the Roman Empire
During the Roman Empire, women were severely devalued. The government encouraged abortions and even infanticide of baby girls to control population. Historical letters reveal the shocking callousness toward daughters compared to sons. This created a shortage of women, leading to forced marriages of young girls and mandatory remarriage of widows.
How the Church Was Different
The early church boldly lived differently. They didn't abort children or participate in infanticide. They offered widows an alternative - those with inheritance could keep it, and those who were poor received support from the church. This radical approach to valuing women caused many to flock to Christianity.
Jesus was actually the founder of the true feminist movement, consistently honoring and valuing women in every encounter. This wasn't about political agendas but about recognizing the inherent worth of every person.
Who Was Stephen?
The Problem That Led to Stephen's Calling
As the early church grew rapidly, they faced a practical problem: they couldn't properly care for all the widows. Hellenistic Jewish widows (Greek-speaking Jews) felt overlooked compared to Hebraic Jewish widows (Hebrew-speaking Jews from Jerusalem). The apostles needed a solution.
The Qualifications for Service
The apostles chose seven men to handle food distribution, and Stephen was listed first. The qualifications weren't about education or status - they needed to be "known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." These weren't resume items but character traits that others could verify through their daily lives.
Stephen was essentially a busboy or waiter, distributing food to widows. Yet he needed to be spiritually mature to ensure all women were treated with equal dignity.
When the Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary
The Unexpected Confrontation
Religious leaders - the same group that had crucified Jesus - cornered Stephen, thinking they could easily defeat a simple busboy in debate. They didn't count on the power within him. Scripture tells us "they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke."
This wasn't Stephen's wisdom - it was the Holy Spirit working through him. When we yield our lives to the Spirit's presence, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Stephen's Defense
Unable to defeat him intellectually, the religious leaders fabricated charges and brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin (Jewish court). Instead of calling for backup, this busboy decided to take them on himself.
As Stephen prepared to speak, witnesses said "his face was like that of an angel" - reminiscent of Moses after spending time with God. When people look at your face, what story does it tell? Does it show evidence that you've been with Jesus?
The Longest Sermon in Acts
A Busboy's Masterpiece
Stephen delivered the longest recorded sermon in the Book of Acts - longer than Peter's famous Pentecost sermon or Paul's farewell address. Only God would allow the busboy to give the longest sermon in the book!
The Core Message
Stephen walked through Old Testament history, building his case that God never wanted to be contained in a permanent temple. God preferred the movable tabernacle because He wanted to be on the move with His people, not confined to a box.
When Jesus said He would "tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days," He was speaking of His crucifixion and resurrection. At the moment Jesus died, the temple curtain tore from top to bottom, releasing God's presence from the temple into believers themselves.
We are now the temple of the living God - or better yet, the tabernacle, because God is still on the move, this time in human beings with tennis shoes on.
The Ultimate Stand
Speaking Truth to Power
Stephen didn't hold back: "You stiff-necked people... You always resist the Holy Spirit... You have betrayed and murdered [the Righteous One]." He was essentially saying, "You killed God, but He didn't stay dead because He's God."
The Cost of Truth
Unable to handle the truth, the religious leaders covered their ears and dragged Stephen outside to stone him. But something remarkable happened - Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, saw heaven open and Jesus standing (not sitting) at the right hand of God.
Every other Scripture reference shows Jesus seated next to the Father, signifying power and control. But here, Jesus stands, as if to say: "Stephen, you stood up for me on earth, and now I stand up for you in heaven."
Final Words
Stephen's last words echoed Jesus' own: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Even in death, he reflected Christ's character.
The Unexpected Result
The religious leaders thought martyring Stephen would snuff out the Jesus movement. Instead, it fueled it. The persecution scattered believers throughout Judea and Samaria, and they took the gospel message with them wherever they went.
This fulfilled Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." God used Stephen's martyrdom to launch the next phase of the church's expansion.
Life Application
Stephen's story teaches us two crucial principles for our own lives:
First, be filled with the Spirit. This means praying, "God, empty me of myself and fill me with You and Your will." It's not about the initial indwelling that happens when we trust Christ, but about yielding to the Spirit's control in our daily lives.
Second, stand up for Jesus on earth, and He will stand up for you in heaven. When we courageously represent Christ in our ordinary circumstances, He takes notice and honors our faithfulness.
This week, identify one area where God might be calling you to step out of your comfort zone and stand up for Jesus. It might be in a conversation with a friend, a decision at work, or serving someone in need. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and give you the courage to be His witness, trusting that He will use your ordinary life for extraordinary purposes.
God wants to take your ordinary life and do something extraordinary through it. The question isn't whether you're qualified by worldly standards - Stephen was just a busboy. The question is whether you're willing to be filled with the Spirit and stand up for Jesus.
Questions for Reflection:
What "ordinary" role or position has God placed you in that could become a platform for extraordinary impact?
What does it mean to be 'full of the Holy Spirit' like Stephen was, and how can we cultivate this in our own lives?
Are you yielding daily to the Holy Spirit's filling, or are you trying to serve God in your own strength?
Where is God calling you to stand up for Jesus, even when it might be uncomfortable or costly?
If someone looked at your face today, would they see evidence that you've been spending time with God?
Stephen was just a 'busboy' serving tables, yet God used him powerfully. How does this challenge our ideas about who God can use for His purposes?
The early church cared for widows in a counter-cultural way. What are some ways we can live counter-culturally today to demonstrate God's love?
Stephen faced intense opposition when he stood up for his faith. What fears or obstacles keep you from boldly sharing your faith?
When Stephen was being stoned, Jesus stood up for him in heaven. How does knowing that Jesus stands up for us encourage you in difficult times?
The persecution that followed Stephen's death actually spread the gospel further. How have you seen God use difficult circumstances for good in your life or others'?
Stephen forgave his persecutors even as they killed him, echoing Jesus' words on the cross. How can we develop this kind of forgiveness toward those who hurt us?
The sermon mentioned that God doesn't want to be contained in a building but wants to dwell in us and move through us. What does it practically look like to be God's 'temple' in your daily life?
Key Takeaways
God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them when they are filled with the Holy Spirit
Being filled with the Spirit means yielding our lives to God's will and allowing Him to work through us
Standing up for Jesus on earth means He will stand up for us in heaven
Opposition and persecution often fuel the spread of the gospel rather than stopping it
God doesn't want to be contained in buildings but desires to dwell in us and move through us as His living temples
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
1. Take You At Your Word - Cody Carnes
2. That’s My King - Cece Winans
3. The Blood - Bethel Music
4. We Crown You - Jeremy Riddle
WFC Speedway
1. You’ve Already Won - Shane and Shane
2. Faith and Wonder - Upperroom
3. O Come To The Alter - Elevation Worship
4. Good Plans - Red Rocks Worship
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!
