1. Leading with wisdom

• Acts 6:3 (NLT) - And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
• Wisdom is all about perspective. When you have little wisdom, you have a shallow perspective. When you grow in wisdom, your perspective becomes deeper.
• Two keys for leading with wisdom
  • Ask God for it: James 1:5 (NASB) - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
  • Believe and apply God's Word: Psalm 19:7 (NLT) - The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

2. Leading with faith

• Acts 6:5 (NLT) - Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).
• What is faith? Faith is a confidence and knowing of something you can't see.
• Two keys to leading with faith
  • Intentionally feed your faith.
  • Let your mouth declare what you believe.

3. Leading with grace

• Acts 6:8 (NLT) - Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
• 2 Timothy 2:1 (NLT) - Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
• Two keys to leading with grace
  • Receive God's grace towards you.
  • Lead with a smile.

4. Leading with power

• Acts 6:8 (NLT)- Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power
• God's power is His strength and energy.
• His power has a purpose.

5. When pressured, what's inside will always spill out.

Acts 6:13–15 (NLT) - 13 The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us." 15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel's.

Acts 7:54–60 (NLT) - 54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. 56 And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!" 57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died.