THEME:
Life can be very hard. But no matter how difficult life becomes, you are never really alone. Stephen’s last days will show you that God will never leave you. He will never abandon you. God will still be with you when no one else will.
KEY SCRIPTURE:
Acts 6:1-15
Acts 6:1
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.
Acts 6:5a
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…
Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Like Stephen, God is faithfully by your side as you do what he’s called you to do
Mark 13:10
And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
Acts 6:10-14
But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 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, 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.”
Don’t dwell on what people think, just seek to please God and abide in him
John 8:44b
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Acts 6:15
And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
The presence of God in your life is transforming you into the person you want to be
Exodus 34:29
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.
Matthew 17:2
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”