Sermons on Acts 7:54-8:4:

The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

(Preached on July 4th): This message focuses on the first church-wide persecution in Acts. Attention is given to the implications the Gospel has for believers as members of both God's kingdom and a country.

* The difficulty in approaching a July 4th message: - We sometimes "read" America into Scripture when we shouldn't - Bible doesn't reference America as a country of predict the events of July, 1776 * If we're not careful, we end up using today to exalt a nation instead of Christ - We do not worship ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

True Christianity Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Dec 7, 2010

Learning how to be the church in today's world through learning from the book of Acts.

We live in a time in history where religion and spirituality seems to be at an all-time high. Everyone seems to have some sort of religious belief system – even if it’s something they found on the internet or something they made up themselves. And to go along with all this spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-24

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming Spirit Filled And Empowered Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 20, 2015

The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to empower us- immerse us in His presence so as to enable us to live Christ like and to do the work of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Opening Video Illustration: Holy Spirit everyday Sermon Series: Soul Care and the role of the Holy Spirit Thesis: The Holy Spirit takes an active role in the life of the spirit filled believer to help care for their soul. Scripture: John 14:15-18: 15 “If you love me, you will obey what I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discerning Genuine From Counterfeit Christianity Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Mar 10, 2015

What is Genuine Christianity and what does it look like? Is there such a thing as Counterfeit Christianity? And how can we recognize the difference, in our own life and for our own protection in the lives of those who try to influence and lead us?

Discerning Genuine from Counterfeit Christianity Genuine Christianity produces Courage Counterfeit Christianity produces Insecurity Genuine Christians are focused on Christ Counterfeit Christians are focused on Self Genuine Christianity results in Joy Counterfeit Christianity results in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:2-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Stood Up For Me

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jan 27, 2014

Our word “MARTYR” is a transliteration of the Greek word for “WITNESS.” By their lives and by their deaths, the martyrs have borne witness for “JESUS CHRIST, THE FAITHFUL WITNESS.”

TITLE: HE STOOD UP FOR ME SCRIPTURE: ACTS 7:54-60 Can I talk to you this morning from the subject – He Stood Up For Me. Stephen was the President of the Jerusalem Board of Deacons. He was a leader in the church. He seems to have been an eloquent and fiery proclaimer and defender of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

Where Does God Live? Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 3, 2015

Stephen's Acts 7 defense before the Jewish leaders is a masterful theological treatise on the presence of God. But it was a message with ominous implications to these power-hungry leaders. Stephen's message has applications to us today 2000 years later.

Where Does God Live? Series: Acts Chuck Sligh May 3, 2015 TEXT: Turn to Acts 7 INTRODUCTION Have you ever heard a church referred to as “God’s house?” I’ve often used this term myself, speaking of the importance of being faithful to “God’s house” by ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen The Perfect Example Of Martyrdom

Contributed by Lay Man on May 29, 2015

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where ..

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where they started to stone him. Stones were hurled ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Huddle And Scatter Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 31, 2015

The 1st church at first didn't spread outside of Jerusalem. It took a persecution to scatter believers into the surrounding areas, making the 1st beachheads of the Gospel. This sermon focuses on getting out of the church house and into the world.

Huddle and Scatter Acts Series Chuck Sligh May 31, 2015 (Adapted from a sermon by John Hamby titled “Gathered but Not Scattered” found on SermonCentral.) TEXT: Turn to Acts 8 INTRODUCTION Quotation – I want to read you something by way of introduction, by Tony Evans in a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

When Purpose And Passion Meet

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Jun 4, 2014

When one possesses passion and purpose they are mostly unstoppable.

When Passion and Purpose Meet. Here is one of my early ones. Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Ecc. 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Saul Meets Stephen Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 22, 2014

This is the beginning of sermon series based on the travels of Paul, and there is no place to begin like the beginning.

It would appear that he had everything going for him. He was one of the leaders of the early church. He was a person of influence and integrity and he had the respect and honour of his colleagues and peers. Think about it, how would you like to be described as “a person full of faith and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Wesleyan

Good News – Bad News For The Church Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Sep 8, 2014

Stephen's death and the following persecution was a bad news/Good News Scenario. On the one hand it was a very negative thing for the church. Yet God used this evil to motivate the church with the Great Commission they had previously ignored.

GOOD NEWS – BAD NEWS FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Acts 8:1-4 Dorn Ridge Church Of Christ, September 07, 2014 INTRODUCTION: 1.) The story has been told of a man waking up in the hospital after a car accident. A.) As the man gains consciousness, his doctor says to him, I have good ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Caution: Restoring New Testament Evangelism Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2014

This lesson examines what the Bible means when it talks about evangelism and then compares this to what we see being called "evangelism" today. Have we redefined evangelism to ease our consciences?

Introduction Our first lesson was a reminder of our mission. We have been given the green light to evangelize by the Lord, and this mission was given to each and every Christian, not just a select few. Each one of us are called by God to “love our neighbor as ourselves” and to have an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Journey Of Faith

Contributed by Darrin Fish on May 7, 2014

Have you truly encountered God’s grace? Has he revealed to you the depth of your sin? Has he awakened you to the miracle of his mercy? Has he offered you a new and fuller life? And are you will to take Him up on his offer.

The Journey of Faith Acts 9:1-22 Background Story • The church is flourishing in Jerusalem, • But resistance is intensifying, • It’s all starting to come to a head following the death of Stephen, • Stephen can be viewed as the church’s first martyr. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

Thankfulness In The Face Of Trouble Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Oct 25, 2013

Stephen has just been stoned, Saul is ravaging the church, and many believers are going to rancid prisons getting beaten and fighting off the rats, just because they love Jesus. is the basis for my Thanksgiving sermon. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Bear with me.

Here in chapter 8 of the book of Acts we are finally introduced to this Pharisee named Saul. Perhaps no other religious person in Israel had more of a zealous hatred for Christ and Christians. Let’s pay close attention to the very first verse of Acts chapter 8: “Saul approved of his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-40

Lord Jesus, Receive My Spirit

Contributed by William Baeta on Nov 11, 2013

“And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’” Acts 7:59.

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit Text: Is. 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Acts 7:54-60 Today is Saint Stephens’s Day when we remember the first martyr of the Christian Church. His death in the service of Christ, taking place a day after Christmas, reminds us of the cost involved in discipleship. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed