Redeeming Injustice: Faith, Forgiveness, and the Gospel

The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of wrestling with the concept of God redeeming unfair and wrong situations in our lives. Drawing inspiration from the example of a Japanese brother who preached the gospel despite experiencing wrong, the pastor urges the listeners to move from panic, anger, and bitterness to forgiveness and a desire to share the gospel with their enemies. The pastor also highlights the early church's ability to take the gospel to Judea and Samaria despite facing persecution, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's call to use our own experiences of injustice to spread the good news.

The pastor then reflects on the story of Stephen, who blessed and pleaded for his enemies as he was being stoned to death. This event marked the beginning of a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem. However, this persecution actually became the vehicle for the spread of the good news, just as Jesus had foretold. The pastor uses the analogy of dandelions, explaining how when you try to get rid of one, it spreads and multiplies. Similarly, when the church faced persecution and believers were scattered, they took the gospel with them, resulting in an ever-increasing number of people embracing the faith.

The pastor also discusses the persecution faced by the early followers of Jesus. The disciples were initially told to stop preaching and healing in the name of Jesus, but they continued to do so, risking their lives. The pastor emphasizes the wisdom of a leader who suggested waiting to see if this opposition was from God. The disciples were spared from death but were severely beaten. The sermon then shifts to the story of Stephen, who is now facing the same religious organization and institution. Stephen boldly proclaims Jesus of Nazareth as the only way to God and performs miracles in Jesus' name as a sign of Jesus' resurrection.

The pastor then focuses on the intense confrontation between Stephen and the religious leaders. Stephen boldly defends himself against the accusations of blasphemy, turning the tables on his accusers by accusing them of being the worst form of blasphemers. This statement triggers increased anger and rage among the leaders, who begin to gnash their teeth at Stephen. However, amidst the chaos and hostility, Stephen remains calm and composed. Instead of looking at the crowd or panicking, he looks up to heaven and sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

The sermon concludes with the pastor sharing the inspiring story of Mr. Kano, a Japanese immigrant who faced discrimination and injustice in America. Despite the hardships he faced, Mr. Kano served his fellow inmates and ministered to them during his three-year imprisonment. After his release, he dedicated the rest of his life to serving as a pastor and priest, devoting himself to the Japanese immigrant community. When offered reparations for his incarceration, Mr. Kano declined, stating that God had used that terrible experience for a greater purpose.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

Acts 7:54-60 (NIV) — > When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 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. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 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. 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.

2. Acts 8:1-4 (NIV)
> And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

3. Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
> But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Observation Questions

1. What did Stephen see when he looked up to heaven during his trial? How did he respond to the vision? ([02:28:37])
2. How did the members of the Sanhedrin react to Stephen's vision and his proclamation? ([02:28:04])
3. What was Saul's role in the stoning of Stephen, and what actions did he take afterward? ([02:34:09])
4. How did the early church respond to the persecution that followed Stephen's death? ([02:36:38])

Interpretation Questions

1. What does Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God signify about Jesus' authority and role? ([02:30:26])
2. How does Stephen's prayer for his persecutors reflect Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:44? ([02:35:24])
3. In what ways did the persecution of the early church contribute to the spread of the gospel, as seen in Acts 8:1-4? ([02:37:11])
4. How might Stephen's calm and composed demeanor in the face of death serve as an example for believers today? ([02:28:37])

Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you faced an unfair or wrong situation. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in light of Stephen's example? ([02:44:51])
2. Stephen forgave his persecutors even as they were killing him. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? What steps can you take to move towards forgiveness this week? ([02:35:24])
3. The early church used their experiences of persecution to spread the gospel. How can you use your own experiences, whether positive or negative, to share the good news of Jesus with others? ([02:36:38])
4. Stephen remained calm and focused on God during his trial. What practices can you incorporate into your life to help you stay focused on God during challenging times? ([02:28:37])
5. Mr. Kano saw his unjust imprisonment as an opportunity to minister to others. How can you reframe a difficult situation in your life to see it as an opportunity for God's work? ([02:10:40])
6. The early church scattered and preached the word wherever they went. How can you be more intentional about sharing your faith in your daily interactions? ([02:37:11])
7. Stephen's boldness in proclaiming Jesus as the only way to God led to his martyrdom. How can you be bold in your faith, even when it might lead to opposition or discomfort? ([02:19:59])