Dear Foothills Community Church Family,

We're starting a new series on "Living Our Mission." It's based on sections of the Book of Acts. My prayer is that all of us will feel encouraged and fired-up about the beautiful mission we've been given by Christ! And that we will let each day be a Spirit-powered adventure of being about our God-given mission.

When we begin to live the Gospel in our own lives, and actively shine the light of the good news of the Gospel into each part of the world where we are, we will face opposition. This may not be news to you, but there are many enemies of the Christian Gospel. It's no fun to be criticized or judged by others. What is a healthy response when someone attacks our faith, or questions our motives? In the message this week, we'll look at Acts 6:8-15 where Stephen finds himself experiencing some severe opposition.

We can learn from Stephen the importance of:

1. CULTIVATING OUR CHARACTER--Verse 8 says: "And Stephen, full of grace and power..." Earlier in verse 3 there is the call for deacons to be "full of the Spirit and of wisdom." 

2. CHOOSING COURAGE--When confronted and criticized, Stephen chose courage: "Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen" (verse 9). When you and I live boldly for Christ, we will face opposition. Let us never allow opposition or criticism to discourage us. Craig Groeschel writes: "If you're not ready to face opposition for your obedience to God, you're not ready to be used by God."

3. LET GOD BE SEEN IN YOUR FACE!--Look at verse 15: "And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel." 

Hebrews 11:38 says there have always been men and women of whom it can be said "that this world was not worthy of them." Stephen was certainly one of these people. He did not strike back or raise his voice, even though the accusations against him were false. When the people looked at Stephen when he was under fire, it was as if they saw the Shekinah glory of God glowing on his face. 

A 112-year-old man shared his secret to a long life. "Don't get angry and keep smiling!" If we want to glow with God's glory, we can experience this reality by spending time in God's presence. Psalm 34:5 says: "Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Philippians 2:15 calls us to live on-mission, reflecting the light of our Lord: "...in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." When people look at me (and at you), do they see some of the beauty, peace, satisfaction, and joy of heaven? If so, they're going to want some of what we have! 

Are you ready to share the good news with them?

Your Pastor Duff