This was the week that the 8^th graders at Trinity took their trip to Washington DC. Much hard work goes into fund-raising. Miss Martens has to be very organized to pull this off each year. On Wednesday 4:00 am we took Sam up to the airport. I asked him, "Sam, what are you most excited about regarding this trip? Seeing the capital? Seeing the monuments?" He said, "Well, dad, one night we are going to an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet." Sometimes with teenagers, food gets in the way of the big picture. So I asked again, "Is there anything else you are excited about?" "Well, dad, one night we are going to a build-your-own-burrito bar." As I start to shake my head, he said, "I'm just messing with you, Dad, it's all going to be great. I can't wait."

The kids had an amazing trip!

Today, our first reading helps us to see the Big Picture when it comes to ministry. I've titled my sermon "How to be a Stephen Minister." We have that organization in our church by that name, and from this text you will see why they name this ministry after Stephen. Deeds of love and care ARE important. We don't want anyone to fall through the cracks when someone needs loving attention. But, really, we are all ministers. The lessons we learn from Stephen are lessons we can all apply in our day-to-day lives. As sinners, it is easy to lose sight of what is important in life. This text says Keep our eyes on the Big Picture.

A problem developed in the early church. Challenges come to every Christian congregation, because we are sinners. Christians are not perfect people -- we are forgiven people. But when these problems arise, we have to deal with them. If we don't, unity is disrupted. The focus can quickly turn to the problem and away from the Lord.

The problem in the early church was this: some of the widows were not receiving equal attention and care. There 2 groups of Christians living in Jerusalem. The Grecian Jews were born outside of Palestine, spoke Greek, and followed many Greek customs. The Hebraic Jews WERE born in Palestine, spoke Aramaic, and were culturally Hebrew.

People from both of these groups became Christian. Last week we read that they early church looked out of one another. But over time, the Greek widows were being ignored, why the Hebrew widows were being well-taken-care-of. It was clearly a discrimination issue.

The issue was brought the Apostles, and they immediately realized 2 things: 1. The situation was wrong, and 2. They were being pulled in too many directions. So they looked for 7 men who had good reputations, were filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They chose Stephen, and 6 others.

It is interesting that as soon as they solved this problem, the church continued to prosper.

The first ministry lesson is this: Works of Charity are essential to the church. The early church recognized the importance of a ministry of caring…a ministry of listening…a ministry of presence. Our society does not always put a high value on caring and one-on-one attention. Some let PRIDE get in the way of ministry. Every congregation, including the early church, needs people who will work behind scenes, who may not receive a lot of attention for what they do, but the Lord sees, the Lord knows, and those people are making a difference one life at a time.

The ministry of caring is demonstrated by Stephen. On the calendar, every December 26^th, there is something listed as Boxing Day. Have you noticed that? It is observed in Canada and in the Great Britain. It used to be called St. Stephen Day, but was changed to Boxing Day. Every December 26^th, people are encouraged to "box up" food and clothes for the poor and bring these things to people in need. I like that. But of course, we don’t have to do that just one day per year, but anytime. Works of Charity, without pride and need for attention, are important. They do make a difference.

How do we minister like Stephen did? WITNESS to Jesus Christ in everything you do. That is scary for some of us. Fear sometimes gets in the way of our witness. We remain silent when we could have spoken. We say nothing, even when the door is opened for us to share the Gospel, that Jesus died for our sins.

Stephen wasn't afraid to tell others about Jesus. You will recall that Stephen shared some strong words, necessary words of Law. "You stiff-necked people…Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One, Jesus Christ. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him…" Why was Stephen so tough on them? He wanted these leaders to see beyond their traditions. He wanted them to see the Savior. Stephen proclaimed Law and Gospel. He shared their sin and rejection of Jesus. And he shared Jesus crucified for the sins of the world.

And look where it got him. Stephen became a martyr for the faith. A martyr is someone whose witness leads to death. We don't hear that word very much today, but some people in other countries are losing their lives for faith in Jesus Christ.

Today, the term martyrdom is misused, misapplied. The press sometimes uses the term "martyr" to describe fanatical Muslim terrorists that kill and then claim to be martyrs for their faith. There is an enormous difference between a crazed terrorist and a true martyr. What is a martyr?

• Martyrs are willing to die because of their love for Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
• Martyrs don't keep their faith quiet. They refuse to keep their mouths shut. They do want their silence to betray Jesus Christ.
• Martyrs never worry about checking the winds of public opinion before they speak. Yes, they might offend someone, but that is better than allowing someone to die without hearing the Gospel.
• Martyrs are willing to die so that others might live.

We have good news to share! Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world. Jesus was raised to bring eternal life to all who believe in Him. The Holy Spirit uses the witness of the martyrs like Stephen to inspire us to be Christ's light in this dark world.

How do we minister like Stephen?

Did you notice that Stephen did not let revenge get in the way of forgiveness? There is often a price for taking a stand. Stephen spoke up the synagogue leaders. They grabbed him and took him away for stoning. It was an illegal act of an impulsive mob. To their ears, Stephen was speaking blasphemy. He was calling Jesus -- God. Stephen said that he was receiving a vision of heaven, seeing the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Stoning wasn't easy. You couldn't kill someone with just a few rocks. It was a long, hot business. That's why the men took of their cloaks and threw them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Even as the stones were flying at him, did not lose sight of what was most important, the big picture. Stephen offered words of forgiveness. Modeling the words of Jesus on the cross, Stephen said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." He asked that the murderers be forgiven. They didn't ask for his forgiveness. Yet, Stephen proclaimed it.

This is a stirring, a moving, account of the first Christian martyr. It almost brings me to tears. We meet Saul (later Paul) in this story. His example of faith is one to follow.

We can ask ourselves today: What is our reputation? Do our acquaintances know that Jesus is at the center of everything we do? Do people around us see us as those who serve lovingly and faithfully? Would we bless our enemies or curse them? Would we stand strong through Word and Sacrament even if our lives were jeopardy?

Thankfully, this story most importantly points us to Jesus. However we answer these questions, Jesus is the one who demonstrated perfect love. Jesus is the one who demonstrated perfect sacrifice for us, for our sins.

And in response, we have been called, called to serve Jesus Christ in Works of Charity, in Witness to the Gospel, and with a Forgiving Heart. That's how each of us can be a Stephen Minister.