FREEDOM OF THE WIND
Read: Acts 6:1-8:4
Hellenistic Jews: those born in lands other than the Holy Land who spoke the Greek language and were more Greek than Hebrew in their attitudes and outlook.
Hebraic Jews: those who spoke Aramaic or Hebrew and preserved Jewish culture and customs.
1- THE WIND FREES US TO FOLLOW JESUS Stephen was identified as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Jesus invites you to enjoy His presence. He wants to spend time with you.
2- THE WIND FREES US FROM THE FEAR OF MEN Stephen was under intense threat, but he didn’t have fear. His face was like a face of an angel. No matter who is against you, you don’t have to be filled with fear! Stephen saw something the religious people weren’t seeing. He sees a vision of Jesus!
3- THE WIND FREES US TO EXPERIENCE JESUS EVERYWHERE WE GO The Spirit of God isn’t contained in a building or place of worship. He is in you! Nothing can separate us from the love of God. He is with you everywhere you go and in every situation you encounter.
4-THE WIND FREES US FROM BITTERNESS TOWARD THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST US. How do you find love for the people that hate you? At Stephen’s death, he looked to Christ. He prayed that God wouldn’t hold their sin against them. v7:60
5- THE WIND SCATTERS THE SEEDS OF LIFE TO THE WHOLE WORLD The members of the church in Jerusalem may not have understood what was happening to them, but Jesus would not let His church become limited racially, culturally, or geographically. God works maturity and redemptive good in the midst of evil (Romans 8:28).