Living Examples - Respond with Trust in God
Pray – (1/2 minute)
Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at hem. 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. . . . While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 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. And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.” (Acts 7:54-60)
Passage: Matthew 6:5-15
Stephen gave a bold, clear witness to Jesus before the Jewish rulers and their response was to stone him to death and he became the first believer to be killed for the faith. While the Apostles had faced persecution early on, things had settled some in Jerusalem and the persecution was not severe. However, Stephen’s martyrdom would set off a wave of persecution that would result in believers being scattered from Jerusalem and lead to the gospel being spread outward into the world, just as Jesus commanded.
Stephen not only gave a strong verbal witness, he gave us an example of a godly response of trust in God through any trial and hardship all the way to death. First, he faced his trial by faith. He looked up to God in devotion instead of looking down in depression and disappointment. Second, he forgave the accusers by faith. He followed the pattern of Jesus and it paved the way for Jesus to save Saul. Third, he flew to Jesus by faith. Death is just the transition to heaven. Whatever you face, respond with trust in God. He will give you strength and use you to point others to Him.
Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)