29th September, 2024
Speaker: Elder Yusuf Amos Gizo
Text: Acts 6:5-8
Topic: Every Believer in Christ is Called to be His Witness Everywhere.
In accepting Christ as our Savior, we are not just called to be believers but also witnesses of His grace and truth wherever we are. This starts from our homes and extends to our communities.
Acts 6:5-8 introduces us to Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who was chosen to serve in the early church. His appointment highlights the importance of responsibility within the body of Christ. As men and leaders of our homes, we are to be like Stephen—full of faith and actively involved in spiritual growth, both for ourselves and our families.
Every man, as the head of the family, is the pastor of his home (Ephesians 5:23). His role is to lead the family in prayer, devotion, and spiritual guidance. This is not only for his own growth but for the growth of his children. Giving children responsibilities such as leading prayers or reading the Bible helps to train them in the ways of God.
The modern church must continue this practice by empowering members to teach, lead prayers, and head various committees. This ensures that the work of the church continues even when pastors or leaders are unavailable.
In Acts 7:54, Stephen, despite knowing the potential consequences, stood boldly for the truth. His unwavering commitment to the gospel led to his martyrdom, but it also gave a powerful testimony of faith. We, too, are called to stand firm in our testimony, no matter the opposition we face.
Acts 8 brings us to another key moment: the scattering of the early believers after Stephen's death. Philip, one of those scattered, continued to preach Christ everywhere he went (Acts 8:4-5). This is a clear reminder that, once we truly believe that Jesus died and rose again for us (Romans 10:9), we become His witnesses wherever we are. The question is: do we truly believe? If we do, our belief should propel us to share the gospel with others, just as Philip did.
In summary, accepting Jesus as Savior is a call to responsibility. It starts at home, where the father serves as the pastor of the family, and extends to the church, where all believers are given opportunities to serve. As Christians, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity, like Stephen. Finally, we must have a deep personal conviction that Jesus died and rose for us, and this belief should compel us to witness for Him wherever we go. Let us stand firm in our faith, take up our responsibilities, and share the gospel, knowing that God is with us every step of the way (Matthew 28:19-20).
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