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The Message this Week
Preaching Text: Acts 6:1-7:2a, 44-60
Stephen’s ministry! Our focus this week shifts to the ‘what happened next’ for the disciples of Jesus. Maybe you’ll be surprised by how messy it is this early in its existence…how quickly they veer from Jesus’ ministry of healing, from his teachings and parables…how quickly they lose sight of the resurrection and the profound experience of the Holy Spirit they all had. Or maybe you won’t be surprised at all. The call of Christians is always counter-cultural in some way- communal instead of individualistic, hopeful instead of despairing in the face of things that look like death, and deeply connected to the whole story of God, from creation to resurrection. The culture around will always exert pressure, will always seep into the structure and the way it is lived out. Stephen’s prophetic ministry of serving reveals these struggles.
God of resurrection hope, help us to focus again on Your Word and to live our lives deeply rooted in your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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