The Heart of a Servant Leader

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 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. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:8-15).

Seven men were chosen to serve the widows, but one stands out. The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to draw our attention to Stephen, who had captured the interest of the community of believers and provoked the anger of the religious leaders. What was different about Stephen? His heart to serve the community of believers had taken him far beyond ministering to the widows, and he was zealously sharing the gospel message with as many people as he could. The opposition wasn’t angered by the… “great wonders and signs” that confirmed his message. They were provoked by the unbeatable… “wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking”. As we examine the character of this young deacon, I believe the Holy Spirit will encourage us with more truth about the heart of a servant leader.

The servant leader’s heart is compelled by a love for the lost. Stephen did not seek a high-profile position in the new community of believers. Instead he humbly accepted a position of service among the needy, but he sought out every opportunity to share the gospel. He understood and was compelled by the truth that we have one great commission… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). When our heart is compelled by the truth that the gospel makes all the difference in the eternal salvation or condemnation of people, like Stephen, we seek and use every opportunity to serve others and to share the soul saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

The servant leader’s heart is full of grace and power. Because he was obedient to Christ’s command to be a witness wherever he was called to serve, Stephen placed himself in a position to be used by God. The Lord’s grace went to work in his heart, transforming Stephen’s will and conforming his works to the will and work of God. The Spirit inspired Paul to teach that this same grace is at work in the heart of every humble, willing disciple… “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). As he served the widows, Stephen preached the gospel and it was confirmed by wonders and signs, but these were outward signs of the supernatural grace and power that was quietly working in his heart. This same grace works in our heart through faith, humility, and obedience.

The servant leader’s heart is intimate with Christ. In Stephen, the council saw the face of an angel. I believe it was a reflection of the glory of Christ that came from much intimate fellowship between this young man and His Savior. The Spirit inspired Paul to teach that reflecting the glory of the Lord is something He wants all of us to do… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). What do people see in our face? The more time we spend with Jesus, the more they will see His glory in us.

As we grow up into Christ, like Stephen, we seize every opportunity to share His gospel as God’s grace nurtures within us…

The Heart of a Servant Leader.