Today we look at the story of Stephen, who is often referred to as the first martyr of the Christian faith.  Of course technically Jesus is first and without His death there is no Christianity, but Stephen is the first one recorded after that.  He delivers an amazing sermon that takes the people of Israel through all of their history.  It starts in Acts 7:2 and goes all the way through some of the verses we are looking at today.  I encourage you to read the entire thing but for our purposes today we will simply look at the end of the chapter.

“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.” 54 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.

I am struck by Stephen’s boldness and the forgiveness he offers in the midst of being stoned to death.  When it comes to being bold in sharing our faith I think we often grasp at excuses for not doing it. “I don’t want to offend anyone.”  “I don’t know what to say.”  “I’ll leave that to the professionals.”  This story is a great reminder of just how serious the early church took the Great Commission.  It was one of the final messages of Jesus for us to go and make disciples.  I pray that God might give all of us the boldness of Stephen in sharing our faith and Jesus’ love with the world!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave