Who was Stephen in the Bible? The apostles (sent ones) tried to put him in the role of a “table server.” But in reality, Stephen, the first Christ-follower to be killed for his faith, was a Spirit-led man of God who refused to be defined by a religious role. In spite of the assignment that he had been given, Stephen was so “full of God’s grace and power” that he “performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Even though he had been confined to the role of “table server,” the Spirit gave him wisdom “as he spoke.”

Today “layman” is a religious role that creates multitudes of passive Christian spectators. They sit in rows on Sunday mornings waiting to receive wisdom from one man’s talk. However, if they would speak up in the meeting, as they are told to in 1 Corinthians 14:26, like Stephen, the Spirit would also give them wisdom as they speak.

I’ve heard a lot of Sunday talks, but I remember almost nothing about them. However, when I have preached, the Spirit has given me much wisdom as I spoke. My wife and I have hosted hundreds of Christ-focused meetings where anyone present could speak as they felt led by the Spirit (as in 1 Corinthians 14:26). We have witnessed amazing wisdom being given to people “as they speak” and we have seen their faces shine like an angel’s.

Stephen was on to something! It’s time to step beyond any religious role that you have been assigned and to boldly speak up about Jesus as you allow His Spirit to lead and direct you. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”