The English word, face, originated from the Latin word, “facies,” which means a plank of wood.
The face was only considered as a physical appearance.
But, in fact, the face plays a much more important role than just being a shape.
Face portrays one’s life.
Koreans especially considered that the face reflects one’s personality or character, not just a shape or a physical appearance.
Our face portrays our character, personality, and even the states of the soul.
What’s worrisome these days is that expressions of joy and peace are gone from many of our faces.
We live a hectic life, and as a result, we’re missing out the light and grace on our face.
You know, Abraham Lincoln, he had many episodes about the face.
Abraham Lincoln was not a handsome man.
Some people say that he grew a beard in order to hide his face.
One day, Abraham Lincoln was delivering a speech to the National Assembly.
A congressman from the opposite party pointed a finger at Abraham Lincoln and shouted out loud that Abraham Lincoln is a hypocrite who has two faces.
Abraham Lincoln replied, “If I had another face, do you think I’d wear this one?”
There is another episode as well.
You probably all know, Abraham Lincoln said “every man over forty is responsible for his face.”
It does not mean that you have to be handsome or pretty.
It does not mean you have to wear make-up.
Lincoln believed that whatever people have on the inside is reflected on their face.
I think that is true.
Then, as Christians, how should our face be like?
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul said, “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
What we should portray on our face is joy, gratefulness, and praying.
Let’s go back to today’s scripture.
Look at Acts 6:15.
“And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel...”
It is said that Stephan’s face was like the face of an angel.
It’s such an interesting expression.
What does it mean to have a face of an angel?
When we see a handsome or beautiful movie star or model, we say that they look handsome or beautiful.
But we don’t really say that their faces are like the face of an angel.
Then, what does it mean to have a face of an angel?
Well, the Bible does not explicitly explain what it looks like to be like the face of an angel.
So, it’s hard to say, but I think faces like the face of an angel are bright faces that make others feel peaceful.
So, people who have peace and joy on the inside are the ones who can have faces like an angel.
I hope all of us here have faces like an angel.
I hope all of us have faces that are bright so that other people can see that we believe in Jesus Christ who gives us joy and peace.
I’d like to share a story about when I was living in Korea.
I was waiting for my friend on the street.
A stranger came to me and asked, “are you a pastor?”.
I was so shocked, so I asked him, “how did you know that?”.
Then, he said, “you look like a pastor.”
Do you agree?
Do I look like a pastor?
Well, I don’t’ know.
By the way, the stranger asked me to buy something.
Obviously, he approached me to sell something to me.
Again, having an angel’s face does not mean wearing make-up.
We can have it without make up.
If we don’t know how, we will have to learn it from Stephan’s story.
When life gives you a hard time, how can we maintain an angel’s face on our face?
If you look at the beginning part of Acts 6, there was a conflict at the church.
Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.
So, apostles chose seven men of good standing and full of the Spirit and of wisdom to take care of that matter while they continued to devote to prayer and serving the word.
One of the chosen men was Stephan.
Stephan must have prayed hard and played a peacemaker role in order to resolve the issue.
The conflict got finally resolved.
And the church became a peaceful place again, full of Words of God.
That was not it.
Stephan did great wonders and signs as well.
In Acts 6: 8 it is said,
“Stephan, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”
Yes, Stephan was full of God’s grace and power.
And God used him to do great wonders and signs.
Some people did not like it though.
They tried to complain to Stephan. Let’s look at verse 9.
“Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephan.”
Look at the word, Freedmen.
Freedmen are people who came back to their country after being freed from slavery from Roman soldiers.
They came from different parts of the world like Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia.
They stood up and argued with Stephan.
But this many people could not withstand Stephan though, because of the wisdom and the spirit with which Stephan spoke.
Then, they started using physical force.
They instigated people and slandered Stephan.
In verse 11, it is said,
“We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
They confronted, seized, and brought him before the council.
They tried to kill him, condemning him.
The council was a place where it could happen.
Jesus was also crucified at the council.
Let’s look at verses 13-14.
They brought false witnesses and had them say,
“This man never stops saying things 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 handed on to us.”
Doesn’t this scene remind you when Jesus was accused before being crucified?
It’s very similar.
If you look at Acts Chapter 7, Stephan was eventually stoned to death.
Imagine you were there.
People are staring at Stephan who got falsely accused.
20190630 Sunday Worship Sermon
“Face of an Angel” (Acts 6:8-15)
The English word, face, originated from the Latin word, “facies,” which means a plank of wood.
The face was only considered as a physical appearance.
But, in fact, the face plays a much more important role than just being a shape.
Face portrays one’s life.
Koreans especially considered that the face reflects one’s personality or character, not just a shape or a physical appearance.
Our face portrays our character, personality, and even the states of the soul.
What’s worrisome these days is that expressions of joy and peace are gone from many of our faces.
We live a hectic life, and as a result, we’re missing out the light and grace on our face.
You know, Abraham Lincoln, he had many episodes about the face.
Abraham Lincoln was not a handsome man.
Some people say that he grew a beard in order to hide his face.
One day, Abraham Lincoln was delivering a speech to the National Assembly.
A congressman from the opposite party pointed a finger at Abraham Lincoln and shouted out loud that Abraham Lincoln is a hypocrite who has two faces.
Abraham Lincoln replied, “If I had another face, do you think I’d wear this one?”
There is another episode as well.
You probably all know, Abraham Lincoln said “every man over forty is responsible for his face.”
It does not mean that you have to be handsome or pretty.
It does not mean you have to wear make-up.
Lincoln believed that whatever people have on the inside is reflected on their face.
I think that is true.
Then, as Christians, how should our face be like?
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul said, “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
What we should portray on our face is joy, gratefulness, and praying.
Let’s go back to today’s scripture.
Look at Acts 6:15.
“And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel...”
It is said that Stephan’s face was like the face of an angel.
It’s such an interesting expression.
What does it mean to have a face of an angel?
When we see a handsome or beautiful movie star or model, we say that they look handsome or beautiful.
But we don’t really say that their faces are like the face of an angel.
Then, what does it mean to have a face of an angel?
Well, the Bible does not explicitly explain what it looks like to be like the face of an angel.
So, it’s hard to say, but I think faces like the face of an angel are bright faces that make others feel peaceful.
So, people who have peace and joy on the inside are the ones who can have faces like an angel.
I hope all of us here have faces like an angel.
I hope all of us have faces that are bright so that other people can see that we believe in Jesus Christ who gives us joy and peace.
I’d like to share a story about when I was living in Korea.
I was waiting for my friend on the street.
A stranger came to me and asked, “are you a pastor?”.
I was so shocked, so I asked him, “how did you know that?”.
Then, he said, “you look like a pastor.”
Do you agree?
Do I look like a pastor?
Well, I don’t’ know.
By the way, the stranger asked me to buy something.
Obviously, he approached me to sell something to me.
Again, having an angel’s face does not mean wearing make-up.
We can have it without make up.
If we don’t know how, we will have to learn it from Stephan’s story.
When life gives you a hard time, how can we maintain an angel’s face on our face?
If you look at the beginning part of Acts 6, there was a conflict at the church.
Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.
So, apostles chose seven men of good standing and full of the Spirit and of wisdom to take care of that matter while they continued to devote to prayer and serving the word.
One of the chosen men was Stephan.
Stephan must have prayed hard and played a peacemaker role in order to resolve the issue.
The conflict got finally resolved.
And the church became a peaceful place again, full of Words of God.
That was not it.
Stephan did great wonders and signs as well.
In Acts 6: 8 it is said,
“Stephan, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”
Yes, Stephan was full of God’s grace and power.
And God used him to do great wonders and signs.
Some people did not like it though.
They tried to complain to Stephan. Let’s look at verse 9.
“Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephan.”
Look at the word, Freedmen.
Freedmen are people who came back to their country after being freed from slavery from Roman soldiers.
They came from different parts of the world like Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia.
They stood up and argued with Stephan.
But this many people could not withstand Stephan though, because of the wisdom and the spirit with which Stephan spoke.
Then, they started using physical force.
They instigated people and slandered Stephan.
In verse 11, it is said,
“We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
They confronted, seized, and brought him before the council.
They tried to kill him, condemning him.
The council was a place where it could happen.
Jesus was also crucified at the council.
Let’s look at verses 13-14.
They brought false witnesses and had them say,
“This man never stops saying things 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 handed on to us.”
Doesn’t this scene remind you when Jesus was accused before being crucified?
It’s very similar.
If you look at Acts Chapter 7, Stephan was eventually stoned to death.
Imagine you were there.
People are staring at Stephan who got falsely accused.
How would he feel?
How scary would it be?
But, how was he?