THEME:
Stephen was the first Christian martyr. He courageously shared truth with his life on the line. You may not be asked to give your life, but you can most certainly expect discipleship to be costly. So, when you stand alone, like Stephen, and when you know that if you say the truthful thing, you’re going to lose something: What will you do?
KEY SCRIPTURE:
Acts 7:1-8:3
Acts 7:1
And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”
If you choose to be like Stephen, be on the lookout for obvious gospel opportunities
Acts 7:54-8:3Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
If you choose to be like Stephen, take heart and know that Jesus will stand with you
If you choose to be like Stephen, you must learn to forgive like Jesus forgives
Acts 7:59-60
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Acts 7:58b
And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 8:3
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
If you choose to be like Stephen, you can know that God will use your suffering for good
Peter Marshall
“God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessings can come out of the difficulty.”