Paul instructs Timothy, “PREACH THE WORD OF GOD. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will NO LONGER LISTEN TO SOUND and WHOLESOME TEACHING. they will FOLLOW THEIR OWN DESIRES and will look for TEACHERS WHO WILL TELL THEM WHATEVER THEIR ITCHING (knēthō: desirous of hearing something pleasant) EARS WANT TO HEAR. They will REJECT THE TRUTH AND CHASE AFTER MYTHS.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
Under the direction of George Barna, conducted a national survey that found only 6% of American adults have a biblical worldview. The “Don’ts” has also grown significantly: from only 12% of the population in 2011 to 34% in 2021. Significantly, 43% of Millennials are considered “Don’ts” in Barna’s research, meaning they don’t believe or know if God exists. We are moving into a very different culture where people are saying, ‘I don’t want the Bible, I don’t want God, and I don’t want the church.’”
Much like what happened to this Deacon, “Stephen was FULL of God’s grace and power. He did GREAT WONDERS AND MIRACULOUS SIGNS among the people. But one day some of the men from the Jewish cult of “The Freedmen” started an argument with Stephen…But none of them was able to STAND AGAINST STEPHEN’S WISDOM AND SPIRIT. So, they brought in some men to lie about him, claiming they had heard Stephen curse Moses, and even God.” (Acts 6:8-11)
They lied and declared that Stephen said, “…this fellow Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and throw out all of Moses’ laws.” At this point everyone in the Council chamber saw STEPHEN’S FACE BECOME AS RADIANT AS AN ANGEL’S!” (Acts 6:14-15) Steven preached about the whole history of the Jewish people and was about to be stoned to death and said, “You stubborn people! You are HEATHEN at heart and DEAF TO THE TRUTH. Must you FOREVER RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!” (Acts 7:51)
The council members listened to Stephen; THEY BECAME NOTICEABLY FURIOUS. “But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked into heaven, saw God’s glory, and Jesus in the position of authority that God gives. So, Stephen said, “Look, I see heaven opened and THE SON OF MAN STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD!“ (Acts 7:54-56) They stoned him to death and Jesus welcomed him into Heaven.
NOTICE HOW JESUS STANDS UP WHEN WE ARE IN TROUBLE, THIS IS HOW IT’S LIKE IN MANY PLACES IN THIS TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham