TURNING POINT

 This is the manuscript of my message on Acts 6:8-15 delivered at at Bethel Baptist Church, Canton,NC on 9/14/25)

There have been events in American history that marked turning points. There were the gunshots at Bunker Hill that was significant in America’s fight for independence. There was the cry, “Remember the Alamo,” where men like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were martyrs for freedom. There was the firing on Ft. Sumter that began the Civil War. There was the call, “Remember Pearl Harbor,” as America’s rallying cry in WW2. This past week, reminded us of the solemn events of 9/11 and the terror attack on America. Last week also horrified us as Iryna Zarutska was brutally stabbed to death in Charlotte, NC. She had fled from the bloody war in the Ukraine to what she thought would be a safe place and fresh start, only to have a criminal who had been arrested 14 times, kill her. It was a wake-up call to a broken justice system that coddles criminals and fails law-abiding citizens. Then, on Wednesday our world was rocked when Charlie Kirk was assassinated. He was a courageous Christian conservative communicator who was having a real impact, particularly on young people—summoning them to stand for faith and freedom. A single bullet fired from a deranged 22 year old ended the life of a 31 year old, leaving behind a wife and two young children. The organization he founded was called “Turning Point, USA.”  I believe his murder was a turning point. I do not see how this nation and the church in America can be the same. I believe there is either going to be a turning to God in revival or a turning against God in rage. It remains to be seen which—and a lot of that depends on us. Charlie Kirk was a martyr for his faith. He was not the first and he will not be the last. Jesus told us that to follow Him was to take up the cross. We are summoned to walk the Calvary Road. Stephen was the first martyr. We will focus on his story today and think about what it means to us. It was a turning point, and today may be for you. 

1. Stephen’s life was marked by FULNESS, (6:8-15). Here we have a description of Stephen. 

• He was full of faith, (v. 8a). Fear writes its message in deep lines of worry on our face. But, faith can be seen in our countenance as well. We display serenity in adversity, a courage in opposition, a confidence in crisis, and radiate light in the darkness, (v. 15). We may be tempted to surrender to fear at the hostility we face from the world. It will paralyze us. But, faith will energize us. It is contagious and inspires others to stand. Charlie Kirk was unafraid to march onto a college campus and take on all challengers in debate. He did it with respect, yet resolve. Too many of us hide inside the church house, and do not take the Gospel beyond the walls. 
• He was full of power, (v. 8b). This was not fleshly effort but spiritual power. Strength streamed from the Spirit of God within Stephen. There should be something in my life that can only be explained by the presence of Jesus in me. The magnitude of our mission is too large for us, but with God all things are possible. Paul put it, “I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me,” (Phil. 4:13). May the Lord deliver us from effeminate, squishy religion and give us spines of steel to stand!
• He was full of wisdom, (v. 9-10). Stephen spoke with such wisdom that the critics were confounded. The wisdom of God is found in the Word of God. As you read Stephen’s message, you find it rooted in a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. God has given us the answers to life’s questions, the solutions to life’s problems. He has given us a message of hope that people desperately need to hear. That is why masses of people—and especially the young, would show up at a Charlie Kirk event. Maybe they would come to our churches, if we offered the the same hope! Give them the Word of God; take them deep into the Scriptures. 
• He was full of heaven, (v. 11-15). This guy was “out of this world!”  His body may have been on earth, but his heart was in heaven. This registered on his face. His passion was for Jesus and he lived for eternity. That is the people who make a difference in the world. Do we really believe what we say we believe?  Young people see through phonies. They can spot a fake a mile away. God give us a face that radiates with the glory of God because we spend so much time with Him!

2. Stephen’s life was not only characterized by fulness, but by FEARLESSNESS, (7:1-53). In this chapter we move from the description of Stephen to the defense of Stephen. There are three basic arguments in defense of his faith that are fearlessly presented. 

• He points to the sovereignty of God, (7:1-8). In sovereign grace, God chose Abraham, called him out of idolatry, and entered a covenant relationship with him. Stephen knew that God was sovereign and supreme. All things are in His control and He does all things well—for His glory and ultimately for good. Someone who knows this can be fearless. We were shocked when hearing of Charlie Kirk’s death. But, it was no surprise to God. We are immortal until our work on earth is done. No bullet can kill us. But, when it comes our appointed time, none can save us. The issue is, “Are we ready to meet God?”  Charlie Kirk professed that he was, and we can be fearless if we know God holds us in His hands, and His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. 
• Stephen speaks of the salvation of God, (7:9-37). He rehearses how God saved His people. Notice especially verses 9-16. What man meant for evil, God meant for good. Joseph’s story illustrates that. His suffering would lead to Israel’s salvation. This is the thrust of Rom. 8:28, “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Erika Kirk quoted that verse in her tear wringing, heart wrenching message the other night. She knew what had happened was bad, but  by faith trusted God to turn it to good. When man does his worst, God does his best. No greater demonstration of this has ever been than Christ on the cross—the worst of crimes as the best of men was slain, but in that God did the best of work in bringing salvation!
• Then, he fearlessly confronted them for their sin against God, (v. 38-53). Woven through Stephen’s sermon is the black thread of sin. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers who envied him. God later gave them His Holy Law and they stubbornly rejected it and worshipped idols. Now, the demonic descendants of these depraved people assailed Stephen, (v.51-53). Stephen fearlessly confronted them. It is our duty to call out the sins of our culture and the church. Tolerance has replaced truth and we have returned to the days of the Judges “when everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”

3. Stephen was a man of fulness, fearlessness, and more—there was His FAITHFULNESS, (7:54-60). Stephen was faithful unto death. Jesus promises, “be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.”  Stephen would be rewarded. His faithfulness was rooted in:

• His vision, (v. 54-56). We will be faithful in the measure in which we focus on Jesus. Ref. Heb. 12:1-3. 16 times the Bible says Jesus is at God’s right hand. 13 of those times, it says He is seated. But here Jesus is standing.  Why?  It appeared that Stephen was standing alone. But, the Lord wanted him to know that He was standing with him. I think of Paul on death row recalling this, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Tim. 4:16-17). We stand to honor someone worthy of respect when they enter the room. Here is Jesus standing to honor his faithful servant to welcome him home. Charlie Kirk’s wife said that she believed the Lord said to Charlie, “Well done good and faithful servant.”  Don’t you want to be welcomed to heaven like that?  If you want the Lord to stand up to greet you, you better stand up for Him now!
• His victory, (v. 57-8:4). Death did not defeat him. It was a turning point for the church because it was the turning point for this man named Saul. His rage against the church was meant for bad but God turned it to good. The persecution Saul unleashed scattered the believers like seed across the region, taking the Gospel and seeing the salvation of souls and the planting of churches. Saul could never get over the angelic face of Stephen. His rage was due to what was eating away at him. His dreams were haunted by the man with a face like an angel. Saul’s head echoed with the prayers for his forgiveness that Stephen had spoken. It brought the conviction of the Holy Spirit and Saul was arrested by Jesus on his way to arrest Christians.  The antagonist would become an Apostle—we know him as Paul. Other than Jesus, no one has had a more profound impact on the church and this world than Paul. But, there would have been no missionary Paul had there not been a martyr Stephen. It was a turning point. 

Today could be the turning point in your life. 

Today you could repent of your sin and receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior. Today can be the turning point that gets you off the highway to hell and onto the road to heaven.

Today could be the turning point in your family. Charlie Kirk loved his wife and kids. He was willing to die for them. Are you willing to live for yours?

Today could be the turning point in this church, as you decide I am not going to go through the motions any more. I am going to stand up for Jesus. I am going to read my Bible and pray every day. I am going to faithfully attend church. I am going to fearlessly share my faith. 

“I have decided to follow Jesus—no turning back.” 

TO BE CONTINUED

Paul exhorts the young preacher, Timothy, to be faithful to the finish. The call of God upon his life is to be the consistent commitment he must relentlessly pursue.  Consider this text in 1 Timothy 4:12-16. 

It is a call to be AN EXEMPLARY MAN, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity,” (v. 12). Though Timothy was a young man physically, he could be a mature man spiritually. Others would see him as he modeled godly conversation, conduct, and consecration. 

It is a charge to give AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” (v. 13-14). He was to be attentive to the Word of God. He was to read the text clearly, exhort the people compellingly, and teach sound doctrine convictionally. 

This is a call to show AN EVIDENT MOVEMENT, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all,” (v. 15). There will not be perfection until we get to glory, but there should be progression—moving forward in faith and obedience that all can see. There is concentration on the truth and consecration to the task. 

Then, this is a charge to have AN EARNEST MANNER, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (v. 16‬‬). The man of God cannot lead others unless he first leads himself. If his devotion to doctrine and duty are not followed in an earnest manner, then he is a hypocrite and disqualified from ministry. To depart from the faith is to manifest that he is not saved, and will lead the people to hell with him. God forbid!  May we demonstrate saving grace by persevering in the faith. 

True commitment to Christ and His call will be apparent in that it is “to be continued.”

PRAYING WITH POWER

 

Praying as a ritual and prayer that is effectual are altogether different. The former is about self-righteousness, and the latter is about Kingdom mindedness. Paul tells Timothy that praying with power involves three elements. 

Powerful praying demands SANCTITY, “holy hands.”  Our hands must be clean—meaning our sinful actions have been cleansed by the blood of Christ. We are devoted to a sanctified life. God does not want to hear our petition until He has our confession. The Psalmist said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear,” (Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭18‬‬). Repentance removes this roadblock to receiving God’s response.

Powerful praying also requires SERENITY, “without wrath.”  Not only must I be forgiven, but I must be forgiving. Bearing malice toward another puts up a roadblock to my prayers reaching heaven. Jesus taught this to His disciples, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. …But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. ‭6‬:12,‭15‬‬). Wrath will be an impediment to our intercession. There is a serenity that comes when we commend our enemies to God and let Him deal with them.

Powerful praying further needs SURETY, “and doubting.”  Faith is our confidence in God that we pray in alignment with His will to an Almighty God who is able to answer our prayer. While our hands must not be sullied by defilement and our heads not be filled with discord, neither can our hearts be consumed with doubt. Our Lord gave the promise, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them,” (Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬‬). Man says, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but God says, “You’ll see it when you believe it.”  This is our surety.

Now, this is not some name it and claim it, blab it and grab it prosperity gospel nonsense. Faith is rooted in the Word of God and that Word of God defines the will of God. I can have absolute assurance that if my supplication aligns with Scripture that God will be pleased to answer in His time and in His way.

Let us devote ourselves to praying with power!  What a difference that will make in us, in the church, and in all those for whom we pray!

THE SOVEREIGNTY AND SUPREMACY OF GOD’S LOVE

“God is love,” the Scripture declares, (1 John 4:16b). His love is witnessed throughout the Word and in the world. There is a sovereignty in His love as he distributes it to whomever and wherever He wills. There is a supremacy in His love as His love great and most gloriously harmonized with every other  attribute of a Holy God. Love is given by the Father, brought by the Son, and witnessed by the Spirit. Paul prays that the Lord will direct our hearts into the love of God in 2 Thessalonians 3:5a.

This is HIS LOVE EXTENDED.  The Lord directs our hearts into His love. Love is at God’s initiative. He is the fountain from which Divine love flows. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16). 

Then consider HIS LOVE EXPOUNDED. Paul is proclaiming the possibility of entering into the love of God. It is the offer of the Gospel. The church is given the mission of proclaiming it. In our preaching and teaching there must be the exposition of the Scriptures as God’s love letter to us. 

We can then have HIS LOVE EXPERIENCED. Our heart is won by His heart, and we are directed into God’s love so that His heart becomes one with our heart.  John said, “We love Him because He first loved us,” (1 John 4:19). More than a theological truth, it is an experiential joy we can know—swimming in a boundless sea of God’s pure love—high as the heavens to lift us there, deep enough to reach the most depraved, wide enough to encompass all humanity, and long enough to span eternity. 

Thus, Paul prayed, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3‬:‭17‬-‭19‬‬)

This calls us to HIS LOVE EXPRESSED. The root of God’s love experienced leads to the fruit of God’s love expressed. The Holy Spirit takes the love of the Father given through the Son and enables us to bear the fruit of love, (Gal. 5:22). It is not something we work up in the energy of the flesh—that is impossible—but what God works in by the power of the Spirit. That is why Paul calls upon the Lord to direct us into God’s love. 

Then, we can fulfill God’s command to love Him with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We express this love to our fellow believers and even to our enemies!  This is the mark of the Christian, as our Lord declared, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,” (John 13:35). 

My prayer for the people of God, as we gather this Lord’s Day, is that the Lord will direct our hearts into the love of God, and that we will exit intent to share that love with a world that desperately needs to see and hear it. 

TRIUMPHANT OVER TRIBULATION

 

The Christian will reside in a world of tribulation, yet because of Christ in us troubles need not preside over us. Jesus promised, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” (Jn. 16:33b). 

This is the very circumstance Paul addresses in 2 Thessalonians. The church was facing tribulation and they were being tested by this trouble. Yet in a trio of timeless traits, (1:3-4), the Apostle assures them they can be triumphant over tribulations—and so may we.

We can overcome by EXCEEDING FAITH, “your faith grows exceedingly.”  Faith grows as it is challenged. A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. It is purified by the problems we encounter.   Peter put it, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬‬).

John Rippon wrote of this in his beloved hymn, “How Firm a Foundation.” 

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

We also are victorious through EXTRAVAGANT LOVE, “the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.”  Even as we are called to love God with all our being, we are called to love each other as we love ourselves. These encapsulate all of God’s commands for us. 

True love is extravagant. It is all about giving. John 3:16 portrays such abounding love of the Father for us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”  No greater love could be displayed in the giving of the greatest gift to meet our greatest need. Love is seen to be more than a feeling, but an action. It springs from volition before it births emotion. 

Though the world hates us, we can endure in knowing God loves us.  That is tangible in how fellow believers support one another in the midst of our trials.

Further, we triumph in ENDURING HOPE, “your patience…in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.”  Patience is linked with hope. In the prior letter, Paul spoke of, “patience of hope,” (1 Thess. 1:3). This hope sustains us. We know that our trials are not a permanent state, but that Christ will put things right one glorious Day. We can hope for some respite here in this troubled world—an oasis in the burning desert of tribulation. Ultimately, that will be short-lived and only a foretaste as we are, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬‬).

This hope gives us the strength to press on and endure. There is absolute assurance of victory in Jesus. That absolute can make us resolute.  

John Bunyan’s classic allegory, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” accurately portrays the journey of Christian from escaping the City of Destruction, the difficult journey, but finally arriving in the Celestial City. God promises triumph over tribulation.

FIRST LOVE—IS IT FERVENT OR FADING?

In the book “Flickering Lamps” by Henry and Richard Blackaby, we read this vital truth about the church at Ephesus—and the Spirit’s application for us today:

As you would expect with such a solid spiritual foundation, the Christians at Ephesus did many things well. They tested those who called themselves apostles and exposed the charlatans (Rev. 2:2). They also despised the heretical teachings of the Nicolaitans. Having been instructed by teachers such as Paul, Timothy, and John, their doctrine remained orthodox. They also refused to tolerate evil (Rev. 2:2). The church continued to labor, persevere, and endure trials such as the esteemed apostle John’s arrest. For the most part, the church’s behavior was admirable. 

The church at Ephesus must have been gratified to hear Christ commend them for so many behaviors but devastated when He declared, “But I have this against you” (Rev. 2:5). How sublime it is when Christ has no caveats in His evaluation of a church or individual! However, it is foolhardy to assume we can tolerate one sin as long as the majority of our activities are praiseworthy. It only takes one sin to make us deserving of judgment. 

What made the transgression of the Ephesian church so reprehensible was the nature of their sin: “… you have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:4). Christ had called the Ephesian church into a personal, loving relationship with Himself. Nothing is more important than that. The Ephesian church had a solid list of exceptional behavior. They only had one shortcoming. One sin negated everything that was praiseworthy, for they had neglected what was most important. In their zeal to be doctrinally, morally, and methodologically orthodox, their hearts had shifted from their Savior. They were still working for Christ, but they were no longer devoted to Him as they once had been. They had overlooked the most important mandate of all: to love the Lord God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). 

Christ’s response to the church’s waning love was decisive: “Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Rev. 2:5). Christ’s declaration might appear harsh. After all, the church’s conduct was generally admirable. But Christ will not tolerate a church that forgets its purpose. A church that forfeits its highest calling is in danger not only of losing its way, but more importantly, of suffering God’s judgment. The church at Ephesus had no time to lose. It needed to return wholeheartedly to its Lord. Despite its fidelity to proper doctrine, the Ephesian church was unacceptable to God. Clearly, even the most influential churches in the world can lose their way. (pp.  19-21, Kindle Version)

Doctrinally sound and missionally active churches may yet be headed for spiritual decline—if they have “left their first love.”  We need to be orthodox theologically, but as Vance Havner said, “You can be straight as a gun barrel theologically and empty as one spiritually.”  Missions and ministries will only be fruitful, if we are abiding in the Vine—in a vital love relationship with Christ—or else we may luxurious leaves, but no luscious fruit. Soon the leaves will wither and the branch is dead and removed.

Lord, rekindle the fire of fervent love for You in our churches today!

SELECTED TO SERVE

Jesus chose twelve men to follow Him. He set the model for them in His service to His Father, and mandated that they walk in His steps. We are selected to serve. It matters not what we do, we have this call as Christians. In this case, Paul was speaking to those who were bondslaves. If they saw that ultimately they were not serving men, but God, there would be a dignity bestowed upon their labor which would be transformative.

We are to serve the Lord COMPREHENSIVELY, “whatever you do.”  If you are a plumber or a pastor, a soldier or a sailor, a builder or a baker—there is no such thing as secular work. It is all spiritual service to Christ, if we are saved. We have been selected to serve.  This is comprehensive in its scope. 

We are to serve the Lord HEARTILY, “do it heartily.”  It would be a difference-maker for the preacher on Sunday morning if he would face his opportunity enthusiastically. That might impact the congregation as well!  It can be a contagious thing. It is an attitude adjustment for the employee on Monday morning that would direct him to say, “Good morning, Lord!” instead of, “Good Lord, it’s morning!” It will affect the mother who is rising in the night at a baby’s cry, if she hears this as a summons to serve Christ. Hear the Psalmist’s exhortation, “Serve the Lord with gladness,” (Ps. 100:2a). 

We are to serve the Lord EXPECTANTLY,  “as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”  We do not work for a paycheck on earth, but a payday in eternity!  We may think ourselves underpaid for the labor we perform. We may work hard all our life and in our old age have little to show for it—we think. But, if we have been faithfully and joyfully serving Christ through that vocation, then He is watching, accounting, and will in Heaven be rewarding us for that work!

I write this on Saturday, and Sunday is coming, so let me say a special word to those who work in church. There will be some pastors who read this who will stand in a pulpit with more empty pews than expectant people tomorrow morning. They may pour their heart out and be met with a yawn from the handful of sleepy saints who are there. Someone will have prepared to direct the music and the singing will not have the energy or harmony befitting praise to God. A Sunday School teacher will have readied a lesson and maybe one or none show up to hear. Elsewhere, a small number give sacrificially to keep the lights on and the doors open. You may be the bi-vocational pastor who perspires under a hot sun Monday through Friday to inspire the people with a sermon on the Lord’s Day or you are privileged to be in a larger work, perhaps with multiple services—yet both of you collapse exhausted on Sunday evening. No matter what we do in the house of God, the Devil will have some critics there to make us feel that we are failures.

Do not forget there is One who attends our gathering who is soaking it all in, and writing it all down. Jesus is sitting in that congregation, choir loft, or classroom!  One day you can hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt. 25:21). 

The old Gospel song is a wonderful reminder:

Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We’re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God's eternal day!

It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life's trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ. (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

In a few minutes I plan to mow my lawn and later review my sermon to the glory of God!