Faithful Witness: Living Truth in Every Season

We began the Coptic New Year not with fireworks but with the memory of the martyrs, and with the lamp of John the Baptist set before us so we might start well—day, year, and life. John teaches us what witness really is: not merely to speak about truth, but to live it, and if it comes to it, to die for it. He was not the Light, but a lamp lit by the Sun, pointing away from himself to Christ. The Church places the martyrs first in our calendar because their faith does not shrink under fire; it grows stronger. Their blood, as Tertullian said, is the seed of the Church; their example steadies believers and stirs seekers.

I urged us to measure faithfulness not by how others respond, but by whether we fix our gaze on Christ and do what is right. Some will repent; others will gnash their teeth. Our task is steadfast obedience. Stephen shows this beautifully: full of the Holy Spirit, he looked into heaven, forgave his murderers, and his witness became a seed the Lord watered in the conversion of Paul. The world prizes longevity, power, and ease; the Church prizes confession stronger than fire and love more powerful than the sword.

We also honored Saint Verena, who models another face of martyrdom: daily self-offering. She carried purity and practical love into an unprepared world—teaching, nursing, serving the forgotten—showing that martyrdom is not only by the sword, but by continual self-emptying for others. So we hold these threads together: humility that says, “He must increase, and I must decrease”; courage that speaks truth even when it costs; a reconciler’s heart that refuses violence and prays for the salvation of opponents; and a heavenward gaze that keeps us steady.

As we enter this year, we do not aim to win arguments but to be faithful. We speak the truth in love, endure suffering with patience, and live as ministers of reconciliation. We stay ready—in season and out of season—to give an account, preaching Christ with our lives more than our mouths. Blessed is the year that begins with Christ, continues with faithful witness, and ends in the heavenly kingdom.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faithfulness is measured by focus, not by outcomes. Stephen teaches us to look into heaven and keep our eyes on Christ even when our words provoke resistance. The heart of witness is obedience, not applause; reception belongs to God, steadfastness belongs to us. Let rejection purify your motives rather than silence your voice. [04:38]
• 2. Speaking truth costs, but it frees. John confronted Herod, and the martyrs bore a confession “stronger than fire” and a love “more powerful than the sword,” reminding us that truth-telling is an act of love toward God and neighbor. Even when rejected on earth, such witness is accepted before God. Courage is not bravado; it’s fidelity when fidelity hurts. [06:08]
• 3. Not all martyrdom bleeds; some quietly pours out. Saint Verena shows the martyrdom of daily service—purity, teaching, tending the sick, dignifying the overlooked. Holiness here is a long obedience in the same direction, a thousand small deaths to self for the life of others. Let your ordinary day become an altar. [10:12]
• 4. Reconciliation is the Christian’s posture, even amid suffering. We do not answer violence with violence; we speak the truth in love and desire the salvation of those who oppose us, as Paul desired for Agrippa. Real witness works for peace while refusing to compromise the gospel. Pray as you speak; bless as you bleed. [07:23]
• 5. Be ready in season and out of season—life first, then lips. Our calling is not to win debates but to live a life that preaches Christ, and then to give an account when asked. Readiness is formed by hidden faithfulness so that public moments ring true. Let this new year be formed by habit, not hype. [13:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Opening blessing and Coptic New Year
• [01:15] - John the Baptist as our model for beginnings
• [02:57] - What it means to witness: lamp pointing to Christ
• [04:38] - Focus on Christ, not people’s responses
• [06:08] - The strength of the martyrs’ confession
• [07:23] - Willingness to suffer and the ministry of reconciliation
• [08:54] - Saint Verena: purity, service, and hidden holiness
• [10:12] - Daily martyrdom and self-sacrifice
• [11:39] - Stephen’s vision and unexpected fruit in Paul
• [12:30] - Humility, courage, and purity woven together
• [13:15] - Ready in season and out of season
• [14:10] - New Year exhortation: begin, continue, end with Christ

Bible Reading

- John 1:6–8 — “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.” - Acts 7:55–60 “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.” - 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 1:6–8, how many times does the word “witness” appear, and what is John sent to witness about? How did the sermon describe John’s role with the image of a lamp and the Sun? [02:57]
2. From Acts 7:55–60, what did Stephen see, what did he say, and what did he pray while being stoned? List the details from the verses.
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:18–20, who starts the work of reconciliation, and what titles or roles are given to believers?
4. The sermon said some respond to witness with repentance and others with hatred. What two responses do we see around Stephen in Acts 7, and where does Stephen fix his focus? [04:38]

Interpretation Questions

1. “He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.” What does it mean for a Christian to be a lamp and not the source? How would this shape how someone speaks about themselves versus Christ? [02:57]
2. Stephen prays, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” What does this show about a reconciler’s heart, and how might such forgiveness bear fruit in others (think of Saul’s presence)? [11:39]
3. If God is “making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20), what does faithful appeal look like when truth-telling is costly? How can courage and reconciliation be held together without compromising either?
4. The sermon said our job is obedience and focus on Christ, not controlling outcomes. How does that reframe success and failure in spiritual conversations, at work, or in ministry? [04:38]

Application Questions

1. Where do you sense you need to speak truth in love this week even if it costs you something (approval, comfort, an easier path)? Write the exact one or two sentences you plan to say, and when you will say them. [06:08]
2. Name one person who opposes you or frustrates you. What is one reconciling step you will take in the next 72 hours (prayer of blessing, apology, practical help, honest but gentle conversation)? Write the short prayer you will pray for them. [07:23]
3. In what area have you been measuring faithfulness by outcomes (likes, quick results, people’s reactions)? What practice will help you refocus on Christ this week—daily fixed prayer, an end-of-day examen, or a short Scripture you will rehearse when rejected? Pick one and schedule it. [04:38]
4. Choose one “daily martyrdom” act in the spirit of St. Verena—hidden, costly service for someone overlooked (cleaning, caregiving, tutoring, hospital visit, bringing a meal). What will you do, for whom, and when this week? [10:12]
5. Pre-decide a blessing you will speak when mistreated (for example, “Lord Jesus, have mercy on them and on me”). Who will you tell for accountability, and when will you report back? [07:23]
6. “He must increase, I must decrease.” Where is God inviting you to step out of the spotlight so Jesus is clearer (sharing credit, turning a compliment into testimony, reducing self-promotion online)? Name one concrete step and do it this week. [10:12]
7. Be ready in season and out of season. Which habit will you build this month so your life speaks before your lips—daily Scripture plan, a 1-minute testimony prepared, weekly fasting, or fixed times of quiet with the Lord? When will you start, and who will check in with you? [13:15]