The courage and faith of Stephen

Acts 7

51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

The Stoning of Stephen54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

How many of us have the courage of Stephen? He was so faithful to Jesus Christ that he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah until his death. In Chapter 7 of the book of Acts, Steven welcomed the Holy Spirit and let God work in him all the way to the point of stoning. He did not run from it, like Jesus did not run from the cross. The Holy Spirit used him to convict the Sanhedrin of horrendous crime of killing our Lord and Savior.

Stephen died an innocent man, found guilty of the crime of blasphemy because he placed blame on the Jewish leaders.  He told them truthfully that throughout history they refused the leadership of God because they were corrupted by the devil in so many words.  Stephen, like Moses and the prophets before him pleaded with the people to follow God, and they died a sinner's death. Very Christ-like, huh? Mark 9:12 states, Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

Do you have the courage and faith to tell the truth about the enemy while ataring at death? Will you serve God? Do you have faith that despite threat or action against you, Jehovah Nisi will be glorified through you? 1 Peter 3:14 says, But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Search yourselves deeply as you read and pray on this. Do we as the Church have what it takes to stand up for God?  While doing remember these three pieces of Scripture: James 5:9-11 (NIV)

9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!  10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Luke 9:22-24 (NIV)

22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Mark 8:34-36 (NIV)

The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Aa for mine and me, we WILL serve the Lord!