What We Can Learn from Stephen
Series: Acts
Chuck Sligh
April 26, 2015
NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation of this sermon is available upon request by emailing me at chucksligh@hotmail.com.
TEXT: Turn to Acts 6:9-15 – “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit [I believe this is a reference to the Holy Spirit here] by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
INTRODUCTION
Hebrews 11:38 speaks of the great saints of God who were persecuted by evil men as “those whom the world was not worthy.” These great saints shine as bright lights in this dark world.
Today we’re going to examine the story of Christianity’s first martyr, Stephen. Now this story spans a significant portion of the book of Acts, from chapter 6, verse 8 through chapter 9, verse 3. The text we just read sets the scene for Stephen’s trial and execution. Most of chapter 7 is devoted to Stephen’s sermon, which we’ll examine next Sunday. Today, we’ll pick selected portions from chapters 7-8 to glean some lessons we can learn from Stephen’s arrest, defense and martyrdom.
Paul says in Romans 15:4 – “For whatsoever things were written afore time [speaking of the Scriptures] were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” So let’s see what we can learn from Stephen today as we examine his trial and martyrdom.
I. FIRST, STEPHEN’S MARTYRDOM TEACHES US THAT DEATH IS GLORIOUS TO THE CHRISTIAN. – Go with me over to chapter 7 and let’s look at verses 54-60, which followed Stephen’s sermon: “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, [now watch this:] looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
In this passage I’m struck by the utter lack of fear Stephen exhibited in the face of death. As the mob rushes to stone him, Stephen doesn’t run or try to defend himself. Like Jesus on the cross, Stephen lays down his life and echoing Jesus’s request to the Father, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Stephen cries out as he is being stoned to death, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
There’s an instinctive, inborn fear of death in the human heart. But the Bible tells us that when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He conquered death once and for all for all who believe in him. That’s why Paul triumphantly proclaims, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? …57 But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57)
When Christian face death, they may understandably fear the pain and suffering that precedes death, but death itself and what’s on the other side of death isn’t a fearful thing to the believer. We who trust in Christ as Savior know that at the moment of our death we’ll be ushered into the presence of our wonderful Savior!
Illus. – In 1979 I went underwent surgery, knowing that our doctor was not always honest with his patients. I wanted the unvarnished truth—If I had cancer, I wanted to know; if it was serious, I wanted full information; if I was going to die, I wanted to prepare for it. So Susan had agreed to tell me the truth when I came out from surgery.
When I came out from under the anesthesia, I turned to Susan and said, “Well, what did the doctor say?”
She started to cry, and said, “You have cancer, and the doctor thinks you probably have about six weeks to live.”
At that very moment I felt a surge of peace come over me that I have never been able to adequately put into words. The best I can do is say a wave of peace washed over me and I literally felt it go from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. I said, “Honey, it’ll be alright,” and then turned my head on my pillow and went back to a sweet, peaceful sleep.
I can honestly say that, though the possibility of suffering later produced some fear, I never once felt fear or apprehension about death itself, I knew I was going to heaven when I die—so what was there to fear or worry about?— That I would receive a perfect body? That I would soon be in the very presence of Jesus? That I would soon see my brother, Al, who died when I was two years old? That I would walk streets of gold? No, I actually looked forward with anticipation to those things.
This confidence in the face of death is why many funerals for Christians end up being celebrations.
Illus. – One of our friends in the U.S. went to be with the Lord and the pastor, who was the son of the man who died, began the funeral by saying, “Today we’re here to celebrate the home-going of Loy Cook.” Some people in the congregation were shocked by that introduction, but most of the Christians there in that service nodded with understanding or said a hearty “Amen!” because they knew exactly what he was talking about. When Loy went to be with the Lord, he was far better off than anyone in that auditorium that afternoon! And the funeral—from the songs to the prayers to the sermon—were indeed a celebration.
It’s true!—It’s a glorious thing when God receives His children in heaven, and Stephen illustrates this for us in our text.
II. SECOND, STEPHEN’S DEATH SHOWS US THAT ROMANS 8:28 IS TRUE.
Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
How was this verse fulfilled in Stephen’s death? Look with me at Acts 8:1 – “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
Prior to this time, Christianity had become bottlenecked in Jerusalem. Jesus had commanded the disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel, but so far Christianity had not gone outside Jerusalem. But when Stephen was put to death, it unleashed a whirlwind of persecution.
What did this do? The end of verse 1 says that “…they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
The Jewish leaders thought that by persecuting and scattering the Christians, they would stop Christianity in its tracks. In fact, it only ACCELERATED the growth of Christianity. Instead of believers sharing the Gospel everywhere they went IN Jerusalem, they spread it everywhere they went OUTSIDE Jerusalem.
Look with me at chapter 8, verse 4 – “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
Yes, it appeared at the time that Stephen’s death and the persecution it triggered was a great blow to Christianity. But in fact, it was the pivotal event that GUARANTEED that Christianity would not remain some localized, insignificant sect of Judaism, but would become THE MOST POTENT SPIRITUAL FORCE IN HISTORY!
Yes, all things DO work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose! Stephen loved God—so much so that he was willing to die for Him—and he fulfilled the purpose to which he was called—to be a catalyst for the rapid spread of Christianity throughout the immediate region, which would eventually become the launching pad for the explosive growth of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire—and in time, the whole world.
III. THIRD, THE STORY OF STEPHEN REMINDS US THAT WE NEVER KNOW THE IMPACT OF OUR TESTIMONY BEFORE OTHERS.
I want you to notice a remarkable little detail in Acts 7:58 – “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.”
Now nothing in the Bible is recorded without a purpose. Why do you suppose the Holy Spirit thought it important to tell us where they laid Stephen’s clothes? This man, Saul, mentioned at the end of verse 58 is also mentioned again in Acts 8:2-3 – “And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”
This is none other than Saul of Tarsus who later converted to Christ, and we know him as the Apostle Paul. Many Bible students believe that Stephen’s martyrdom was instrumental in the eventual conversion of Paul to Christ. It must have made a significant impact on some level, for Paul mentions it when giving his testimony years later. In Acts 22:20 he says “And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.”
After Paul was saved, he made an indelible mark on Christianity, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit almost one-third of the New Testament CONTENT and about half of the actual NUMBER of New Testament books; and it was Paul, more than any other writer in the New Testament, who articulated the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith.
Could Stephen in his wildest dreams have foreseen that his life would influence this ONE PERSON for Christ, who would have such a profound impact on the world? You see, you never know who’s watching your life. You never know whom you might be influencing, often without even knowing it!
Illus. – I told you a few minutes ago about my brush with cancer. I was in the hospital for two weeks after my surgery. During that time, I never lost the peace God had given me. I was thinking through a lot of things, but one thing I had throughout the whole time was “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.”
The day before I checked out, one of the nurses was on her lunch break and she asked if I had a few minutes.
I said, “Sure. What’s on your mind?”
She said, “You probably didn’t notice, but I’ve been watching you and how you’ve been dealing with your cancer and how you interact with your wife and your friends. Sir, how can you be so calm, knowing your condition?”
Oh man, what an opportunity! I took my Bible out and shared the Gospel with her for a half hour! She didn’t give her life to Christ that day, but said she would think about it.
I left the hospital and four weeks later the doctor called to say they had misdiagnosed my cancer and with treatment I might live a long life.
Later we moved away, but I returned ten years later to see my oncologist for my ten-year check-up, and lo and behold, that nurse now worked for my oncologist! She told me her name and asked if I remembered who she was. I apologized and said no, I didn’t, and she reminded me of the conversation we had had ten years earlier and then it all flooded back to me. Then to my surprise, she said, “After our talk that day, I began attending a Baptist church near where I lived, and a few months later I gave my life to Christ and have been living for him since. All because of your testimony during a very trying time. I was watching you every day, and what I saw was REAL.”
I never had any idea my life and interactions were under such scrutiny by a stranger. You see, you never know how your life influences others—either for good and for evil. You never know who may be watching you as you live out your faith. Sometimes it’s not even who you think you’re influencing—so you’d better watch your every word and action so that they influence people for good and not for evil.
IV. FINALLY, STEPHEN’S PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM TEACH US THAT THERE’S A PRICE ASSOCIATED WITH BEING A CHRISTIAN.
If there’s anything you come to realize as a Christian, it’s that Jesus Christ demands that we be willing to give our ALL to Him, and that includes OUR LIFE if necessary. If you’re looking for a costless Christianity, you’ll never find it, or you’ll find a fraudulent Christianity—for there’s really no such thing as a “costless Christianity.” Such a phrase is by its very nature an oxymoron. There is really no such thing as a “costless Christianity.”
There are charlatan preachers who preach a health and wealth gospel—saying that Jesus came so we could be rich and have a problem-free life. This idea is foreign to the Scriptures and it’s the opposite of the reality of Christian experience throughout Christianity’s 2000-year history.
There has ALWAYS been a cost for being a believer in Jesus Christ! True believers have ALWAYS reaped scorn from the world. Persecution and rejection have been the RULE rather than the exception. And even today, in many parts of the world—places like many Muslim countries, parts of Nigeria, parts of India and other places in our world—it can cost you your very LIFE to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
You and I should expect nothing less. After all, if they persecuted Jesus, should we as His followers expect anything less? In 1 Peter 2, Peter talks about the persecution believers were facing. In verses 20-21 he says this: “…when ye do well, and suffer and suffer for it, [and] ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”
Just as Christ suffered for us, we too should be willing to suffer for Him.
CONCLUSION
My, how much we can learn from just one man’s towering testimony!
How might God be speaking to you this morning through the life and martyrdom of Stephen?
• Let me first ask you a simple question: Do you fear death?
If you’re a believer, you have nothing to fear. Turn your fears over to the Lord and look forward with hopeful anticipation to your “Graduation Day.” If you’re not sure that you’re a child of God, then come to Jesus who conquered death and hell and He’ll give you everlasting life.
• Second, are you facing a trial right now?
Be assured—all things DO work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. You may not even see it in this lifetime, as in the case of Stephen, but God is true to his Word. Believe it!—That truth can change your entire perspective on trials and problems.
• Third, are you watching how you live, knowing you may never know whom you might be influencing?
If there were someone, what kind of influence would your life leave? Oh Christian, be careful how you live your life! You never know who’s watching you! You may influence a person for heaven or hell FOR ALL ETERNITY— depending upon the influence of your life.
• Finally, are you willing to pay any price to serve God?
Are you looking for an easy road in the Christian life, or are you willing to follow Jesus wherever he leads you—even if it means to death?
Illus. – When April 20, 1999 Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold gunned down a dozen students and one teacher at Columbine High School. Although not widely reported at the time, videotapes made by the two killers clearly show an intense hostility against Christianity and Christians. Three of the victims were apparently targeted because of their faith in Christ.
Cassie Bernal was reading her Bible in the library when one of the killers confronted her and put a gun to her head.
“Do you believe in God?” she was asked.
Without hesitation, she replied, “Yes, I believe in God.”
“Why?” asked the killer in the dark trench coat. And before Cassie had a chance to answer, he pulled the trigger.
Cassie had a split second to answer that question, and without hesitation, she took her stand. What would you have said if the killer had pointed the gun to YOUR head? God help us to be willing to pay ANY price to please our wonderful Savior!
