Sermons on Acts 7:1-8:17:

"When Life Seems To Be Closing In"

Contributed by David Washburn on Mar 25, 2002

We will each have a time in our lives where life seems to be closing in. We can turn to Stephen and draw stength and wisdom from how he coped when life closed in around him.

One day a man falls off a cliff, but manages to grab hold of a tree limb on the way down. The man calls out, “Is there anyone up there?” A voice answers back, “I am here. It is I, the Lord. Do you believe in me?” “Yes, Lord I believe, I really believe, but I can’t hold on much longer.” “That’s all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen's Sermon Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 18, 2002

This sermon encourages us to let go of human tradtions and seek God only--just as Stephen said to the religious leaders.

Stephen’s Sermon Acts 7 April 21, 2001 Intro: A. [Seeing Yourself in a Sermon, Citation: From a cartoon by Lee Johnson, The Best Cartoons from Leadership Journal, Volume 1 (Broadman & Holman, 1999)] Following the Sunday morning service, the pastor stood at the back of the church, shaking hands ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60, Acts 7:55-60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing Pains

Contributed by Daryl Bahn on Apr 22, 2002

The danger of growth is great. The need for growth is even greater. The love of Jesus, the Good Sheperd for his people is the greatest of all!

GROWING PAINS (Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60) Intro: Wouldn’t it be great if our church suddenly grew by the thousands? The book of Acts demonstrates that this is possible. It also reminds us to be careful what we wish for, because growth isn’t always easy or painless. It often means we have to deal ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-9, Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Lutheran

Not For Sale

Contributed by Jim Kane on Apr 23, 2002

How do we make ourselves acceptable to God? We can’t! We can only make ourselves available to Him and accept His forgiveness.

1. Last week as I introduced our current series, Living in Light of Easter, I asked you a question, “Who Are You?” It is a question about identity because when we make the decision to acknowledge the sin in our life and choose to accept and receive God’s forgiveness of our sin, those choices ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-24

Denomination: Church Of God

When The Spirit Moves Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 25, 2002

This sermon describes the predictable attacks of Satan when the Spirit moves in a church or a person’s life and how we should respond to those attacks.

When The Spirit Moves Acts 8:1-8 April 28, 2002 Intro: A. [illustration: From the sermon, "Spreading Power through Persecution" by John Piper, senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota] On January 9, 1985, a Congregational pastor in Bulgaria named Christo Kuleczef, was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prepare For Persecution

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 29, 2002

Have you ever noticed how much the Bible teaches about suffering for the cause of Christ? Are you ready to walk with Jesus through the valley of suffering in order to receive a crown of life? Let’s get ready.

Preparing for Persecution A couple of years ago we had a bad wind storm and afterward, as Jenny and I walked around our block we saw where a huge tree had fallen on top of a neighbor’s van. The van looked like a new one, but it was totaled by the tree. There were lots of other big trees in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church...built On A Rock

Contributed by Maurice Schaus on Apr 30, 2002

In a world where "sticks and stones" can hurt and tear people down, we are called to be "living stones," builting up one another with Chtist’s own love.

The Church…Built on a Rock “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” This refrain has been used by many a generation of children to ward off the attacks of teasing peers. The image of children throwing rocks at one another has taken on new meaning of late, as our news ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60

Denomination: Lutheran

The Great Power Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 3, 2002

This sermon is based on a man in Acts 8 who the people of the city referred to as "The Great Power." This sermon demostrates how the real "Great Power" is the Spirit of God!

The Great Power Acts 8:9-25 May 5, 2002 Intro: A. Today, we come to a couple of stories about a man whom the people in the city called "The Great Power." B. As we come to the teaching of the Word, I want to ask us to bow very meditatively and sing the first two verses #278 "Open My Eyes, that I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Survive In This World?

Contributed by Bob Briggs on May 14, 2002

What is it that will empower me for survival as I travel through this earthly existence?

Have you ever asked, How can I survive in this world? I have an answer for you, you can’t. The survival rate for people in this world is zero. Your thinking, thanks for sharing. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:31 For this world in its present form is passing away. This means, there will ...read more

Scripture: John 15:19, Acts 8:14-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Philip - The Evangelist

Contributed by Derek Adamsbaum on Oct 18, 2000

1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-40

What Are Positive And Negative Ways That Power Is Utilized

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Saul abused his religious powers in persecuting Christians, the early church and encouraging others to have Stephen put to death for preaching Christ.

1. Saul abused his religious powers in persecuting Christians, the early church and encouraging others to have Stephen put to death for preaching Christ. Since such a prominent figure as Paul practiced persecution, many people wrongly followed his example by whipping up opposition to growth of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Problems Of Presumptuous Sins

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How to overcome Presumptuous Sins

The Problems of Being Presumtuous Illustration:It is he who is in the wrong who first gets angry. William Penn. Presumption is an act of overstepping one’s proper bounds, it involves excessive effrontery or forwardness. To presume means that one takes upon oneself, without permission or ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:8-20, Acts 19:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Use The Wisdom Of God To Overcome The World's Wisdom

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Today it becomes increasingly tempting to rely on the world’s financial, scientific or educational wisdom. New insights are gained everyday. Knowledge doubles every five years according to Alvin Tofler in his landmark best seller Future Shock. Yet, throug

1. Today it becomes increasingly tempting to rely on the world’s financial, scientific or educational wisdom. New insights are gained everyday. Knowledge doubles every five years according to Alvin Tofler in his landmark best seller Future Shock. Yet, throughout all dimensions of life we come to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Prepare For Life's Changes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Change is inevitable but how we prepare to respond to it is a lifelong challenge. Let us learn how to make the most of life’s undulating cycles by learning all we can from the life of Joseph and Jacob. These two men experienced numerous ups and downs yet

1. Change is inevitable but how we prepare to respond to it is a lifelong challenge. Let us learn how to make the most of life’s undulating cycles by learning all we can from the life of Joseph and Jacob. These two men experienced numerous ups and downs yet finished victoriously. Theme: Stephen ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:8-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Respond To Those Who Fail To Appreciate You 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Throughout history some of the greatest people have been the least appreciated. Even worse, some of the most deserving people have been misunderstood, despised and rejected by those they tried to serve. Moses was a noble man of God who qualified as one of

1. Throughout history some of the greatest people have been the least appreciated. Even worse, some of the most deserving people have been misunderstood, despised and rejected by those they tried to serve. Moses was a noble man of God who qualified as one of histories most under appreciated heroes. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:20-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational