Sermon 1475 - Being Faithful (Pinellas Park FL, Banquet)…..(Sun am 9/15/96)

BEING FAITHFUL (PINELLAS PARK FL, BANQUET).....(SAT PM 2/2/91)

Revelation 17:14. The Bride of Jesus Christ is called, chosen, and faithful. We already have been called, so there is nothing wrong with our calling. We already have been chosen to hear this Message, and we have been listening to it. Now, we are in the third phase, which is the faithful phase.

Acts the sixth chapter reveals the faithfulness of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church. Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom and Faith; and, through the Power of the Holy Ghost, he did wonders and miracles. Although Stephen was not an Apostle or a Pastor he was faithful to preach the truth even to people who had crucified his Lord. The men to whom Stephen preached were cut to the heart. They were convicted. They were convinced because they knew Stephen was faithfully giving them the Truth. But, instead of repenting, they gnashed upon him and cast him out of the city and stoned him.

While Stephen went down into death, as a faithful martyr, Saul came up and became the mighty Apostle Paul. Through Stephen's death, the clothes of the false witnesses were laid at the feet of Saul. Saul never could get away from the anointing from Stephen’s countenance and words. Stephen’s life and death teach us what faithfulness to the Bridegroom is.