Sermon: The Pentecost Effect - Finishing Strong When Others are Giving Up
Scripture Lessons - Acts 7:54-60 “The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and 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 opened 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.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.”
Introduction: Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to help the Apostles in the work of ministry was a man who was bold, honest and full of the Holy Ghost, wisdom, faith, and power. As a faithful follower of Christ, his only crime was being obedience to the Lord. His story is told in Acts 6 and 7 where we see a man who started well, lived out his faith and finished strong. Finishing strong is a sign of commitment, integrity, and excellence. Finishing strong is about choice. Each of us has the power to choose how we live out our faith, fulfill our assignment or whether we finish strong or weak. Finishing strong speaks of believers continuing until they end up at the feet of Jesus. Finishing strong means going against all odds and overcoming them. As the challenges come, and they will, believers must stand against them in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.
Stephen became the first recorded Christian martyr who is killed because of his unwavering belief. He is the first person mentioned in the bible who died because of the conviction of his faith in Christ. Accusing the Jewish leaders of killing Jesus who was the Christ and suggesting that no one really need the whole temple system anymore because the true temple has come in Jesus himself. No one really needed to keep offering sacrifices week-by-week at the temple, and that no one could be put right with God and be saved by keeping of the law was more than they could bear. In a fit of rage, they stoned Stephen. Just as Stephen was faithfully used by the Holy Spirit to serve tables with grace, proclaim the Gospel with boldness, healed the sick with power, he endured suffering and death with grace.
The power of Pentecost spread throughout Jerusalem as the disciples followed the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As the church grew, so did the opposition. The scare tactics of the Jewish leaders had failed to silence the church. It was decided that Stephen the man of our lesson was too persuasive and must be stopped. The Jewish leaders believed Stephen’s death would serve as a warning to every other follower of Jesus and the movement would collapse. The church has always been persecuted in the world. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The songwriter said it this way in the hymn, Am I a Soldier of the Cross, "Must I be carried to the skies, On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas?"
Stephen was one of seven men who were chosen to serve the daily distribution of food to the widows. We are told in chapter 6 that Stephen was full of grace and power and was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But then opposition arose against him from certain synagogue leaders, but they were unable to stand up against Stephen’s wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. So when they could not defeat Stephen in debate, they decided to make some false accusations of blasphemy against him, and so Stephen was seized and brought before the Sanhedrin – the religious rulers of the Jewish people to be tried. As Stephen sat and listened to the false witnesses, the Bible says that when the Sanhedrin looked at him, they could see that he had the face of an angel. There was something about Stephen’s countenance that prompted comparisons to angels who stand in God’s presence and reflect God’s glory. So, when Stephen stood before his accusers, glowing with the face of an angel, he was radiating God’s wisdom and heaven’s glory. Without speaking a word, Stephen’s countenance gave witness that he was the Lord’s faithful servant. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see. your good works and glorify your Father which is in. heaven." Stephen was a shining example.
There are several ideas that seem to emerge from Stephen’s story. First, before a person can give his life for the gospel, he must live his life for the gospel. One way God trains his servants for greatness is to place them in a humble place of ministry. Many fail to be used by God in greater places of service because they are unwilling to serve in a small place of service. Jesus said the pathway to greatness is the path of service. A real desire to serve Christ will always translate into service to others. Stephen learned these lessons well. Stephen also knew the word of God.
When it was Stephen’s turn to speak, he began with the words: “Brothers and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham…” and proceeded to give them a brief history lesson about God’s faithfulness and about Israel’s rebellion. Stephen’s presentation culminated with these truthful but hard words: “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 7:51) The Sanhedrin was enraged and clenched their teeth at him and decided to stone him to death. Stephen’s defense was powerful and on point. His logical response was convincing. His message proclaimed the fact that the Jews had misunderstood their spiritual roots; they had a history of rejecting God and the prophets; they had a habit of disobeying God and dishonoring his word. The Bible says: 55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:55-56) And as Stephen was being stoned to death, he knelt and prayed that God would not hold this sin against them.
How could Stephen finish so strong? How could he pray for his enemies so fervently and sincerely? I believe there are several things that Stephen did that made all the difference and allowed him to finish strong. Stephen started out right. Stephen was excellent in small things.
1. Stephen was Excellent in small things. We should strive for excellence in everything we do. Stephen served tables and care for the widows and needy in an excellent manner. That kind of attitude prepared Him for greater service in the kingdom. God could trust him with more. As he was serving, he started praying for people and miracles started to happen. It all began with faithfulness in small things. How faithful are you in small things? Zechariah 4:10 ask the question, “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Stephen was Excellent in small things.
2. Stephen kept His priorities Straight. He put first things first. Before he received a title or position, he excelled in spiritual qualities: faith, wisdom, grace, kindness, and power. The Bible says, he was full of faith and power. In other words, the Holy Spirit was so active in his life it could not be hid. We must live so the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives can be seen and experienced by others. How wonderful it is, that when Stephen was in his moment of greatest need, that God’s glory showed up – it showed up on Stephen’s face, and it showed up giving Him a glimpse of the heavenly glory of God’s throne. That glimpse of God’s glory gave Stephen the strength and courage to remain faithful unto death. He was excellent in small things, and he kept his priorities straight.
3. Stephen Stood on God’s Word. Stephen was a faithful student of the Word, and he knew how to apply it. Real understanding of God’s word leads to practical application. He not only knew the word, he also understood how to apply it. Real understanding of God’s word always leads to practical and compassionate actions towards people. In Israel’s history, they understood God working with them as His own special people, who were given a special covenant, a special law, and a special temple. In Stephen’s address, he set forth three basic ideas: There is progress and change in God’s program for His people. Abraham’s call was a change, Joseph’s call to Egypt was a change, Moses’ call to be a deliverer was a change, the Tabernacle was a call to change, and even the call to build a temple was a call to change. All these were types and shadow, signs and symbols of God’s presence, but were never intended to be the very home of God. Stephen’s point was clear: If God changed so many things in Israel’s history, Who could say, this new movement of power is not of God? The fact that God raised Jesus from the dead, is proof that this movement is the will and plan of God.
Stephen went on to say, the blessing of God is not limited to a land or a temple. Remember, Abraham was called outside of Israel, the promise was given before circumcision. Joseph was favored in Egypt. Moses was commissioned in Midian. The congregation received the law in the desert. The tabernacle was built in the wilderness. The Jews brought all things with them into this land. How could the temple be God’s dwelling place when the Scriptures declare, “Heaven is my throne room, and the earth is my footstool.”
Finally, Stephen moved to their history of rejection. Joseph was rejected by his brother. Moses was rejected by your fathers. “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” Israel like so many today, had great knowledge of Scripture, but missed the point of the Scripture. Instead of considering Stephen’s message, they were enraged by it. They put their fingers in their ears and refused to hear anymore. Now they were acting just like their fathers who killed the prophets and rejected their message. They were withstanding God’s purpose by refusing to acknowledge His work in the Church and His blessing beyond Israel’s border. Stephen was excellent in small things, kept his priorities straight, studied God’s word and rightly divided it. Stephen’s Foundation enabled Him to stand firm in face of opposition.
4. Stephen Followed His Lord. Stephen’s spiritual foundation enabled him to stand firm in face of opposition because he followed in the footsteps of his Lord. Stephen was able to stand firm and pray for his enemies as he faced the persecution of stoning. There he stood with his face shining as an angel’s face on the spiritual foundation built by Christ Jesus. He withstood their hatred, anger and attack and was honored with a glimpse of glory. Jesus stood to honor Stephen because he was a man of excellence, who kept his priorities straight, live the word and properly apply and did not flinch before his opposition. Stephen’s life followed the pattern of His Lord.
Both men stood before the Sanhedrin court accused of blasphemy. False witness stood up against both men, both were found guilty in a mocked trial, and both were sentenced to death. Both men died praying for their enemies. “Father, forgive them and lay not this to their charge.” The Jewish leaders felt that killing them would solve all their problems. In both cases, the church multiplied.
5. Stephen Received a Standing Ovation – Stephen was crowned with special honor as His Lord stands to receive him. Jesus’ standing position may imply the Lord was welcoming Stephen home. This is the climax of a well-lived life. In this glimpse of glory, Stephen sees what his Lord had promised (1) the Son of Man in the presence of the Father. (2) He sees the Savior of the world, not just a Jewish savior, but the savior of all. (3) He sees Jesus on the right hand, the position of strength and power. (4) He sees Him stand as the mediator between God and man, grant him totally access to God’ new temple, a new kind of priesthood and new life. The death of Stephen was not in vain. His death had an impact on the life of Saul. We must allow our witness to leave a lasting impact. Stephen was willing to die because he had found something to live for.
In this country, not many suffer martyrdom, but this world will never be a friend to grace. Our witness maybe rejected, and our presence may be shunned. You may be slighted for proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. Yet, living a life that glorifies God is still important. Honoring God in our lifestyle, conduct and words is important. We can finish strong. We must strive for excellence in all things we do for Christ, we must keep our priorities straight and put first things first, we must be faithful students of the word, understanding it and rightly dividing the word of truth. And finally, we must stand firm in face of opposition of a culture gone mad, drunk on pleasure, and intoxicated by ease. We must live so we can finish strong. There are many Biblical truths on finishing strong that will fortify our faith:
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”
Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 3:14, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us.”
2Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
Acts 20:24, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
2Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run with purpose in every step.”
We are called to finish strong! We run our race with purpose in every step. We are following in the footsteps of Jesus, as His disciples, so let’s finish strong! For we will be rewarded! Amen.
