Finding Your Purpose in Times of Trial - Acts 6

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Discovering God’s Purpose in Everyday Challenges

This morning we’re going to explore a topic that we all face in our everyday experiences – Finding Our Purpose in Times of Trial. Our lives are filled with challenges, whether they’re in the workplace or within our own families. These challenges test our faith, our patience, and our trust in God as we navigate circumstances that are often beyond our control.

Consider the dynamics of the workplace, where trials can surface in subtle or obvious ways. Perhaps you’ve been overlooked for a promotion you deserved, or you’ve had to navigate through office disputes of different kinds. These situations test our patience and our integrity, just as Stephen, who we’re talking about today, faced false accusations and conflict in his time of ministry.

Or maybe your trial comes from within your own family, where tensions can cut even deeper. Family disputes over money or differing values can create deep rifts that are difficult to mend. Here we find a need for wisdom and peace-making based on the early church’s approach to solving their conflicts.

James 1:2-3 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Rather than complaining or grumbling, James tells us to count it joy when we encounter trials. God allows trials on our lives to strengthen our dependence on Him and to help us grow spiritually. Through these trials, God shapes our character and teaches us perseverance that cannot be learned any other way.

Romans 12:18 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

God calls us to be peacemakers in every area of our lives, whether in our workplaces or in our homes. God does not promise that we’ll be able to bring peace to every situation, but we can walk and live in peace. Our responsibility is obedience, not control over the outcome.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

We are reminded that our trials connect us not only to each other but also to Christ Himself – sharing in His sufferings and ultimately in His glory. Today, we’re going to learn how we, like Stephen and the early church, can find our purpose even when faced with the most challenging trials. In every trial we face, there lies a hidden opportunity to discover and fulfil your God-given purpose.

A purpose to grow in faith and impact our world for the better by sharing God’s truth.

Be a Peacemaker to Resolve Conflict

Acts 6:1 (ESV) Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

The first part of this verse sounds great, the disciples were increasing in number. More people were being saved and added to the church, which meant that there were different kinds of people being saved. The Hellenists whose native language was Greek were increasing alongside the Hebrew speaking Jews.

At that time, widows needed to be supported, either by the synagogue or by the church for those who had become believers. For some reason, the Greek-speaking widows were not receiving enough daily food. There was a conflict within the church between two different groups of people.

Acts 6:2-3 (ESV) And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

The apostles called a meeting of all the disciples, the believers, to address the issue. God’s purpose for the apostles was to preach God’s Word, and what needed to be done was for the serving of food for the widows to be overseen. The apostles directed the people to choose seven men to lead this ministry.

The requirements were that they be of good reputation, Spirit-filled, and wise. This ensured that the practical needs of the church would be met without compromising the spiritual mission. God’s wisdom brought clarity and direction in the midst of conflict.

Acts 6:4-5 (ESV) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

The apostles made clear that their main purpose was to be devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word. The gathering of believers chose Stephen, described as a man full of faith and full of the Spirit, along with Philip and five others. The church, led by apostolic leadership, brought peace to the internal conflict and restored unity.

Choosing Peace Through Godly Wisdom

As believers, God calls us like the apostles to be peacemakers in the trials of our lives. Many of the trials in our lives revolve around conflict between people, and we are invited to seek God’s wisdom in these moments. Ask for God’s wisdom to show you a win-win resolution to the conflict.

In this story, there was no discussion of who or what caused the problem, only a focus on solving it. Seek to encourage the people involved in the conflict to embrace the solution with humility. Have a vision for the future unity that you can pray for everyone to accept.

Perhaps you’re not dealing with two different people and trying to be a peacemaker, but rather a conflict between you and another person. Ask God how you can bring peace through forgiveness, even if you were the one wronged. Be a peacemaker to resolve conflict.

Rely on the Holy Spirit and Your Faith

Acts 6:6-7 (ESV) These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

The seven chosen to administer the widow ministry were now publicly put in place. The result was that God’s Word grew in impact and the disciples multiplied. A great many of the Jewish priests also became believers in Jesus.

So we see that the peacemaking efforts were bearing much fruit in the life of the church. God honored their obedience and unity by expanding His work. Faithful service opened the door for greater influence.

Acts 6:8 (ESV) And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Stephen had been put in place to administer serving food to widows, yet God was working powerfully through him. He had been described as being full of the Spirit, wisdom, and faith, and now we see that he was also full of grace and power. This power was manifest as he did great wonders and signs.

Acts 6:9-10 (ESV) 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.

Stephen was not only serving the widows and doing great wonders and signs, but he was also teaching about Jesus to everyone who would listen. Different factions of Jews began to argue with Stephen about his teaching. However, Stephen was speaking with God’s wisdom and through the Holy Spirit.

Living Dependent on God’s Power

In times of trial and opposition, we also must rely on the Holy Spirit and our faith. Jesus promised that when we are in trials, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak. This reminds us that our strength is not found in ourselves but in God’s presence within us.

In the trials that we face in life, we are often tempted to rely on our own skills to overcome them. That will never work, because every trial and conflict that you face in life has been allowed by God. He allows it to bring His blessing into your life as you are a blessing to others.

Is your faith grounded in the truth of God’s Word so nothing can move you from it? Are you spending time with God in prayer so that you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit? Those are the things we need in our lives so that we will be ready to face any trial with the wisdom of God.

Be Prepared to Face Opposition

Acts 6:11-12 (ESV) 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,

The public discussions and arguments that these unbelievers were having with Stephen were not going well for them. Stephen was refuting all their attacks on Jesus with God’s Word. So they secretly recruited false witnesses to lie about what Stephen was teaching.

These false witnesses accused Stephen of blasphemy, a crime with a penalty of death. They stirred up the people to create a mob and a riot. Stephen was apprehended and brought before the Jewish council.

Acts 6:13-14 (ESV) 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.”

Further false witnesses were set up to give additional false testimony against Stephen. They accused him of speaking against the Old Testament law and of saying that Jesus would destroy the temple. None of these accusations was true.

Acts 6:15 (ESV) And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s face was radiating the glory of God, which was physically discernible. This gives us an indication of how closely Stephen was walking with God and how filled he was with the Holy Spirit. Stephen was prepared to face demonic opposition, and so must we be.

Standing Firm When Truth Is Opposed

The strategies of Satan are the same today as they were in this story from two thousand years ago. As we spread God’s truth, Satan will oppose us with lies that lead people astray. He seeks to stir people up to oppose God’s truth and silence its message.

In order to silence the truth, Satan will often seek to harm those who spread it. Whenever you see destructive mobs and riots, you can be sure that Satan is behind it. There is a difference between a peaceful protest and a destructive mob or riot.

As you grow in faith and in the Spirit, you will grow in spreading God’s truth to those around you. Be prepared for opposition, because it will come in different ways. Don’t back down, but stand your ground and trust the Lord as you follow His purpose.

Conclusion: Finding Purpose in Every Trial

We began by talking about the trials we face in the workplace and in our families. Much like the trials faced by Stephen, these challenges are not merely to be endured but are opportunities to be embraced. God calls us to discover His purpose in every trial we face.

God calls us to be peacemakers who bring resolve to conflict with wisdom and humility. He also calls us to prepare for trials by living filled with the Spirit and grounded in His Word. Even when opposition comes and peace is not embraced by others, God remains faithful.

Through every trial, God will be there with you and for you as you carry out His purpose. You can find joy and meaning even in hardship as you trust Him. Like Stephen, you can walk in faith and fulfill God’s calling in times of trial.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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