#105 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

Stephen – Crowned—Pt.2

(That which Surrounds or Encompasses)

 “Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, 
and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of

the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the

glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God."

(Acts 6:2-3)

The Message Bible (MSG)

Listening to Stephen words as he address the council in becomes clear why the Apostles instructed the people to “Brothers and sisters, carefully choose seven well-respected men from among you. They must be well-respected and endowed by the Spirit with exceptional wisdom. (Acts 6:3).  He council he was speaking to was no laughing matter when it came to the bible history not to mention they prided themselves on being authorities on every detail except when it came to Jesus Christ. For here is where they seemed to have memory laps  complete with intense anger when reminded in the role they played in His Crucifixion. It wasn’t long before they could no longer bear his words.

What is so amazing is that while Stephen was speaking to them they could not take their eyes off of him no matter how badly they wanted to. “As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn’t take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel!.” (Acts 6:15) I love the way the Holy Spirit anoints you for ministry just at the moment you need it. This reminds me of when the cloud of the Lord would descend upon the tabernacle and would remain until the next morning. God’s spirit does not dwell in tents made of cloth but in temples made of flesh and blood. “What, know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

As intercessors there will be times when the Spirit of the Lord will descend upon you and take you into the spirit realm, at that moment you like Stephen will be transcended. Those who may be around you may not understand and like Stephen your countenance may change.  It all reminds me of the scripture that say, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) we are all striving to be like Jesus and one day we shall be.

Stephen was at a critical point in his role as deacon, one which was not included in his original job description.  Stephen was getting ready to incite a riot with his final words to the council…"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn't keep it! Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.” The truth of the matter is, Stephen was not the first to site this phrase, for in "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. (Exodus 32:9) Also in psalm—“Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to Gods.” (Psalms 78:8)

I believe at this point Stephen knowing full well who he was dealing with was in fact prophesying his own death. As your fathers did, so you do. Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.” Let us keep in mind that nothing that Stephen was saying was intended just to tell them how bad they were, but rather to convict them to repentance. With every word Stephen was interceding for their salvation. When we pray and intercede for the lost we too will at time recount the events of the bible in comparison; however only to in the same breath to ask God to turn them and heal them…deliver them from their sin.

We are hoping that something said will convict them to repentance that they may be saved…even if it is just one sinner that turns from his sin it is still good. Many believe that Stephen’s death was senseless and unnecessary however, because of what Stephen had said that day God marked one from among the crowd to preach Christ to the gentiles. Stephen was recounting something Jesus had said during His trial, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:62)

“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"  But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.  They threw him out of the city, and stoned him”.  Stephan’s words so cut them to the heart that they lashed out at him and killed him just as he had said they would.  Yet at the same time he prayed for them that God would not hold them accountable for his death…just as Jesus had done on the cross. Why? Because He had told his disciples, “whoever sins you remit (forgive) I will remit (forgive); if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."(John 20:23)

As we intercede for the lost we are in fact remitting their sins and the Father will remit them as well. And because of Stephen’s intercession there was there among the crowd a young man…“The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit!"  He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!"  When he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:55-60)

Not long after the death of Stephen the young man named Saul met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus and was converted, this was a direct answer to Stephen’s intercession on that day.  Just because you do not get the chance to see your prayers answered and fulfilled it doesn’t me that God did not answer; many of our prayers are prophetic in nature and are for telling a future event and deliverance.  So don’t stop praying and interceding for the souls of men. 

My Prayer: Father God, as we lift our voices in intercession for the souls of men and women everywhere, Father deliver and set them free by the blood of Jesus. Father, restore the souls of men everywhere and raise them up a might army in this earth. Father, even though we may encounter those who do not understand and may even become angry because of the words we speak by Your Spirit. Thank You for giving us the words, as am example of how we are to intercede. Guide us in Your perfect way and complete this day the work You have began in each of us in Jesus Christ’ precious name we pray, Amen!!! 

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace! 

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