Faithfulness Amidst Persecution: Lessons from Stephen
Summary
Today, we are diving into the third week of our series, "Build Your Church," where we explore the book of Acts. We began by reflecting on the day of Pentecost, an extraordinary event where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in various languages, thus breaking the language barrier and allowing the gospel to spread to thousands who decided to follow Jesus that day [18:25]. This was a season of favor and growth for the early church, a time when they enjoyed the goodwill of all people [19:01].
However, as we move forward in Acts, we encounter a more challenging season for the early church, marked by intense persecution. This is a reminder that while the church may face difficult times, the promise of Jesus stands firm: the gates of hell will not overcome His church. This truth was evident in the life of Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who faced opposition from the religious leaders of his time [20:21].
Stephen was brought before the high council on false charges of blasphemy against Moses and God. Despite the accusations, Stephen's face shone like an angel's, a sign that God was with him. When asked to defend himself, Stephen seized the opportunity to recount the history of Israel, starting with Abraham. He reminded the council of God's faithfulness to Abraham, who left everything behind to follow God's call, even though he had to wait many years for the fulfillment of God's promise [22:19].
Stephen continued by recounting the story of Joseph, Abraham's great-grandson, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Despite this, God used Joseph to save his family from famine, demonstrating that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways [25:00]. Stephen then moved on to Moses, a central figure in Israel's history, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God. Despite Moses' significance, he too was rejected by the people of Israel multiple times [26:28].
Stephen's speech highlighted a recurring theme: God's chosen leaders were often rejected by the very people they were sent to save. He pointed out that the religious leaders were repeating the mistakes of their ancestors by rejecting Jesus, the Righteous One, and clinging to their traditions and the temple, which they had elevated to a status equal to God [29:30]. Stephen emphasized that God is not confined to temples made by human hands; He is far greater than any physical structure [30:46].
As Stephen concluded his speech, he directly confronted the religious leaders, accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying and murdering the Messiah. This bold proclamation enraged the council, leading them to drag Stephen out of the city and stone him. In his final moments, Stephen, like Jesus, prayed for his persecutors, asking God not to hold this sin against them [34:24].
Stephen's martyrdom serves as a powerful example of faithfulness in the face of persecution. He kept his eyes on Jesus, even as he faced death, and his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God gave him the strength to endure. This teaches us that in our own valleys, we must remain focused on Jesus, who is our hope and our future [38:41].
In conclusion, we are reminded that following Jesus does not guarantee a life free from hardship. Instead, it means walking in His footsteps, enduring trials, and keeping our eyes on Him. Our hope is not in this world but in our Savior, who has conquered the grave and continues to build His church [40:15].
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of the Holy Spirit: The day of Pentecost demonstrates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, breaking down barriers and enabling the spread of the gospel. This event reminds us that God can work through us in miraculous ways when we are filled with His Spirit. [18:25]
2. God's Faithfulness in Unexpected Ways: The stories of Abraham and Joseph show that God's faithfulness often unfolds in ways we do not expect. Even when we face long periods of waiting or difficult circumstances, we can trust that God is working for our good and His glory. [22:19]
3. Rejection of God's Messengers: Stephen's recounting of Israel's history highlights a pattern of rejecting God's chosen leaders. This serves as a warning to us to remain open to God's guidance and not to cling to traditions or structures that may hinder our relationship with Him. [26:28]
4. God is Greater Than Physical Structures: Stephen emphasized that God is not confined to temples or buildings. This reminds us that our faith should not be tied to physical places but to a living relationship with God, who is present everywhere. [30:46]
5. Faithfulness in Persecution: Stephen's martyrdom teaches us the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus, especially in times of trial. By focusing on Him, we find the strength to endure and the hope that transcends our present circumstances. [38:41]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:25] - The Day of Pentecost
[20:21] - Stephen's Arrest and Accusations
[22:19] - God's Faithfulness to Abraham
[25:00] - The Story of Joseph
[26:28] - Moses and Israel's Rejection
[29:30] - God is Greater Than the Temple
[30:46] - The Church Beyond Buildings
[34:24] - Stephen's Martyrdom
[38:41] - Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
[40:15] - Our Hope in Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:1-4 (The Day of Pentecost)
2. Acts 6:8-15 (Stephen's Arrest and Accusations)
3. Acts 7:54-60 (Stephen's Martyrdom)
#### Observation Questions
1. What miraculous event occurred on the day of Pentecost, and how did it impact the spread of the gospel? [18:25]
2. How did Stephen respond when he was brought before the high council on false charges? [21:25]
3. What was the reaction of the high council to Stephen's speech, and what ultimately happened to him? [34:24]
4. How did Stephen's face appear when he was accused, and what might this signify? [20:21]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the event of Pentecost teach us about the power and role of the Holy Spirit in the early church? [18:25]
2. How does Stephen's recounting of Israel's history serve as a critique of the religious leaders' actions and beliefs? [27:29]
3. Why is it significant that Stephen emphasized God is not confined to temples made by human hands? [30:46]
4. How does Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God provide him with strength and hope during his martyrdom? [38:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the day of Pentecost, how can you be more open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [18:25]
2. Stephen faced false accusations and intense persecution. How do you typically respond to opposition or false accusations, and how can you draw strength from Stephen's example? [21:25]
3. Stephen highlighted that God's chosen leaders were often rejected. Are there areas in your life where you might be resisting God's guidance or clinging to traditions that hinder your relationship with Him? [27:29]
4. Stephen emphasized that God is greater than any physical structure. How can you cultivate a living relationship with God that goes beyond attending church services? [30:46]
5. In times of trial, Stephen kept his eyes on Jesus. What specific steps can you take to keep your focus on Jesus during difficult seasons in your life? [38:41]
6. Stephen prayed for his persecutors even as he was being stoned. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or pray for, despite the hurt they may have caused you? [34:24]
7. Following Jesus does not guarantee a life free from hardship. How can you prepare yourself spiritually and emotionally to endure trials while keeping your hope in Jesus? [40:15]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The day of Pentecost was a pivotal moment in the early church, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in various languages. This miraculous event broke down language barriers and allowed the gospel to spread to thousands who decided to follow Jesus that day. It serves as a powerful reminder that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God can work through us in extraordinary ways. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome obstacles and be effective witnesses for Christ in our daily lives. [18:25]
Acts 2:4 (ESV): "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's power to break down barriers and enable you to share the gospel more effectively?
Day 2: God's Faithfulness in Unexpected Ways
The stories of Abraham and Joseph illustrate that God's faithfulness often unfolds in ways we do not expect. Abraham left everything behind to follow God's call, even though he had to wait many years for the fulfillment of God's promise. Similarly, Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, yet God used him to save his family from famine. These stories remind us that even when we face long periods of waiting or difficult circumstances, we can trust that God is working for our good and His glory. [22:19]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Think of a time when you faced an unexpected challenge. How did you see God's faithfulness in that situation, and how can you trust Him in your current circumstances?
Day 3: Rejection of God's Messengers
Stephen's recounting of Israel's history highlights a recurring theme: God's chosen leaders were often rejected by the very people they were sent to save. This serves as a warning to us to remain open to God's guidance and not to cling to traditions or structures that may hinder our relationship with Him. The religious leaders of Stephen's time were repeating the mistakes of their ancestors by rejecting Jesus, the Righteous One. We must be careful not to resist the Holy Spirit and miss what God is doing in our midst. [26:28]
Acts 7:51 (ESV): "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you."
Reflection: Are there any traditions or structures in your life that might be hindering your relationship with God? How can you remain open to His guidance today?
Day 4: God is Greater Than Physical Structures
Stephen emphasized that God is not confined to temples or buildings. This reminds us that our faith should not be tied to physical places but to a living relationship with God, who is present everywhere. The religious leaders had elevated the temple to a status equal to God, but Stephen pointed out that God is far greater than any physical structure. Our worship and relationship with God should transcend buildings and be rooted in our hearts and lives. [30:46]
Isaiah 66:1-2 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God that goes beyond physical places of worship? What steps can you take to ensure your faith is rooted in a living relationship with Him?
Day 5: Faithfulness in Persecution
Stephen's martyrdom teaches us the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus, especially in times of trial. Despite facing intense persecution, Stephen remained faithful and focused on Jesus, even praying for his persecutors in his final moments. His vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God gave him the strength to endure. This teaches us that in our own valleys, we must remain focused on Jesus, who is our hope and our future. [38:41]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you keep your eyes on Jesus during difficult times? How can His example and presence give you strength and hope in your current challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It's also not good to lie other places. God is not bound by this building. He is not bound by these walls. God cares about our hearts. He cares about what's happening, whether we're here or not. And it's a simple, silly thing. But sometimes we still allow a physical place to become this expression that it isn't. You guys realize that Crosspoint has a campus. But this building isn't Crosspoint. It's not. It could burn down and our church wouldn't cease to exist. This campus is not our church. We are his church. We are the body. We are his hands and feet." [30:46]
2. "Follow Jesus, and sometimes it'll be hard. Follow Jesus, and sometimes there'll be a lot of pain. But follow Jesus, and you'll have hope. Follow Jesus, and you'll have a future. Follow Jesus, and you won't be bound by the broken world that we live in. See, as we follow Jesus, what do we do in the valley? We do exactly what Stephen did. We keep our eyes on him. We stay locked in. We stay focused on Jesus." [38:41]
3. "The faithfulness of our God is so... So good. And so Stephen continues. He hops a few generations to Joseph. This is Abraham's great-grandson and starts to tell about Joseph. And some of you have heard the story of Joseph before. He's the guy with the coat with a lot of colors on it. And his brothers get jealous of him. And he ends up in Egypt. You guys know what I'm talking about? Anybody? All right. So he starts talking about Joseph. And Joseph lived this incredible life. God blessed him with wisdom. God gave him the ability to understand dreams, interpret dreams for people. It's a cool story, Joseph's story. He actually uses Joseph to fulfill his promise to Abraham." [25:00]
4. "Our hope's not here. Our hope is in heaven. Our hope is in our savior. Our hope has conquered the grave. And our hope will continue to build his church." [40:15]
5. "God doesn't always move in the way that you expect. And we have a pretty significant history as a people of rejecting those that God sends. Even the ones that we hold in such high esteem were rejected. And Stephen understands something here. That the acceptance or rejection of people just isn't all that important. That the only acceptance or rejection that we should care about is what God thinks about what we're doing. About what God thinks about how we are walking faithfully with him." [27:29]
### Quotes for Members
1. "You stubborn people, you are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you. Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute. They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the righteous one, the Messiah, whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God's law, even though you received it from the angels." [32:58]
2. "You are missing it. You're missing it just as bad as those people that came before. The people that you would read about who persecuted the prophets. That you'd be like, oh my goodness, these horrible people that persecuted these wonderful prophets. Like, that's you now. And you're missing it. You're missing what God's law is. You're missing the most important parts of his commandments. You're missing what he's done through Jesus. You're missing all of it. Because you're so focused on your pride. You're so focused on your political position. You're so focused on your precious building. Like, stop it." [33:46]
3. "He saw the glory of God. And he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. And he told them, look, I see the heavens open. And the son of man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. Then they put their hands over their ears. And began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city. And began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats. And laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned him. Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he fell to his knees shouting, Lord, don't charge them with this sin. And with that, he died." [34:24]
4. "The Most High doesn't live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, He's not bound. By that building. This is the Almighty we are talking about. And then he quotes scripture to them. He's like, You guys realize that, like, God, like, earth is like a footstool for him? Like, that's who you're talking about here? And yet you guys have become so attached to your building. You've become so attached to your structure that if people speak against the building, that's just as bad to you as speaking against God? One of those is a building built by a bunch of humans. And the other one is the Almighty. Like, you're missing it here. You're missing out on what the importance and the power of our God is." [29:30]
5. "Follow Jesus, and your life will look like his. Follow Jesus, and sometimes it'll be hard. Follow Jesus, and sometimes there'll be a lot of pain. But follow Jesus, and you'll have hope. Follow Jesus, and you'll have a future. Follow Jesus, and you won't be bound by the broken world that we live in. See, as we follow Jesus, what do we do in the valley? We do exactly what Stephen did. We keep our eyes on him. We stay locked in. We stay focused on Jesus." [38:41]
6. "God's not bound to our campus. And sometimes we fall into this line of thinking that the Pharisees, these teachers of religious law, fell into. Where a physical thing becomes almost equal with God. And that's just not, that's not who we are." [31:57]
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