Acts 8:1–8
Last week, we learned how God can use times of crisis and uncertainty to further His kingdom. Building on that, there may be times when we invest our time, love, and support in others without seeing anything in return. We may wonder whether our efforts are wasted or whether God is moving at all. Yet, just because we do not see the fruit of our work does not mean it is without purpose.
In Acts 7 and 8, we see Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, being stoned for his faith in Jesus. Among those present was Saul, who approved of Stephen’s death. Saul would eventually become Paul, one of the most influential apostles in spreading the gospel. How did this transformation happen? Although we do not know exactly how Stephen’s testimony affected Saul, we know that Paul later remembered witnessing Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 22:20). Stephen never saw Saul become Paul, but his faithfulness was still part of the story God was writing.
Pastor Daniel invites us to imagine our lives as buildings constructed brick by brick until our final day. The bricks we receive from our parents, friends, mentors, and others help shape who we become. In the same way, we have opportunities to lay bricks in the lives of others. As we consider this image, there are three questions we can ask ourselves.
1. Which brick am I laying down?
Are you laying one of the first bricks in someone's life, or are you adding one of the final bricks before they begin to understand God's love? We may never know where we fit into another person's spiritual journey. Stephen never witnessed Saul's transformation, yet he may have played a part in the story God was writing.
Likewise, we may invest in someone without ever seeing the results. Our responsibility is not to see the entire building completed, but to faithfully lay the brick God has entrusted to us. Therefore, do not be discouraged when you cannot see the fruit of your efforts.
2. What type of brick am I laying down?
While we cannot control how others respond to us, we can choose what we offer them. Are we laying bricks of patience, grace, humility, and love, or bricks of pride, resentment, and judgment? Every interaction is an opportunity to reflect Christ's character, even when we do not see an immediate response.
Pastor Daniel shared a story about a former house church member who was difficult to love. She rarely contributed to the meals and assumed the church was financially covering the food that Pastor Daniel and Sunmi prepared each week, when it was not. Eventually, she returned to her home country, and Pastor Daniel was disappointed by what seemed to be a lack of spiritual growth. He even wondered whether he had failed her.
Years later, she returned to the United States, reconnected with Pastor Daniel, and apologized for her past behavior. She had come to recognize the love and grace she had taken for granted. While in her home country, she had also become more involved in church and serving others, growing in her faith.
Pastor Daniel, Sunmi, the other house church members, and the church had all contributed bricks to her life. Although they did not see the growth they had hoped for at the time, the love and grace she experienced became part of her journey. We may not see how God uses our efforts today, but we can still choose to reflect His love faithfully.
3. Treasure the time entrusted to you (What bricks have I received?)
We have reflected on the bricks we lay in the lives of others. Now, let us consider the bricks others have laid in ours. Who showed you patience when you were difficult to love? Who offered you grace when you failed? Who helped you understand God's love before you could fully recognize it yourself?
As we reflect on these people, let us remember how God has used them to build us up. We should also examine the foundation of our own lives. Is God the foundation upon which we are building, or have we relegated Him to a decorative part of our lives that we turn to only when convenient?
God does not ask us to be perfect or to solve every problem in someone else's life. He asks us to trust Him and remain faithful with what He has entrusted to us. We may never see the finished building, but we can trust that our faithfulness is not wasted in His hands.
Reflection Questions:
What do you think God has spoken to you through the sermon? What are main takeaways from the sermon?
How do you want to apply the messages in your life and in your ministry?
What is one practical way you can lay a brick of love, patience, or encouragement in someone's life this week?
