THE COTTER PIN THAT HELD THE WHEELS IN PLACE

Stephen, a man of Spirit, a man of faith, plays such a small role in the establishment of the church, we could easily pass by him but I would argue, he played the supremely crucial role. He is not just a link between the fisherman and the Pharisee, he is the bridge from the Hebrew to the Hellenist, and he is the catalyst of world evangelism. Stephen wasn’t just the obedient blessed deacon; he was the cotter pin that held the wheels in place when the church was at the starting line.  T. JUPP"He is great proof – mark this – he is great proof that the effect of a man’s life has nothing to do with the length of it. And the effect of a man’s ministry has nothing to do with the length of it. His ministry was so short, so very short, and yet it was the catalyst that caused the Church to move out in the next step in its commission and reach Judea and Samaria with the Gospel. Stephen was the trigger that shot the Church into the world. And I don’t think that anybody can fully estimate the results even of a brief work, even of a brief work of one man, when that one man has the courage to do and say what he knows is right, whatever the consequences. And Stephen did. He took no thought for himself. He did what he knew was right and let the chips fall. "J. MACARTHUR  "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully surrendered to Him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man. D.L.MOODYTEXT: ACTS 6:8-15SONGS:COME REST ON US, MAVERICK CITYMAKE ROOM, COMMUNITY MUSICHAVE THINE OWN WAY , ADELAIDE POLLARDTHE JESUS WAY, PHIL WICKHAM