Living Examples - Stand Up for Jesus

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “ ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ ”        (Acts 7:56)   
      Passage: Revelation 22:12-21

         Whenever a trial is held, the two sides typically bring witnesses to speak against the defendant or in behalf of the defendant. When Stephen was put on trial, there were false witnesses who lied about him, but there was no one who came to stand up for him. None of the twelve apostles, who had laid hands on Stephen to be a servant/leader in the church, came to stand up for him. None of other six men who served with him came to stand up for him. None of the thousands of believers who were in Jerusalem came to stand up for him, nor did any of the hundreds or thousands of people who had been helped by him.
        No one stood up for Stephen on earth, but when Stephen looked up to heaven, God opened the portals of glory and let Stephen see something described no where else in all the New Testament. He was Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Every other place that describes Jesus in heaven, gives the picture of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God, except at the martyrdom of Stephen. Jesus stood up. He stood up in Judgement over those who stoned Stephen and He stood up as the advocate on behalf of Stephen. He stood up in honor of Stephen and He stood up to welcome Stephen home. The chances are that you will not be called upon to be a martyr for Christ, but wherever you are and in whatever situation you encounter, be committed to stand up for Jesus. Jesus will stand up for you.  

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)