Sermons on Martyrdom Of Stephen:

The Church Of Smyrna: Possessing The Wealth Of Heaven (Revelation 2:8-11)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 18, 2023

Within the city of Smyrna, there existed a struggling Christian community undergoing intense and withering persecution. The Lord Jesus came to them with a word of comfort for their dark days. Even though they were poor, they were, in fact, rich beyond imagination.

In our look at the seven churches of Asia Minor described in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we come to the second church the Lord Jesus addresses in terms of testimony and steadfastness to the Gospel. This is the church in the city of Smyrna, which was located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:36-38, Revelation 2:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Seventeen Percent Or The Seventy-Two? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 13, 2023

Frodo from Lord of the Rings is great fiction, but Jesus is the Risen King of the Universe.

Sunday After Easter 2023 A couple of years ago, Rasmussen surveyed Americans and found that seventy-two out of every hundred Americans believe that Jesus is Son of God and raised from the dead. Seventeen percent definitely deny that. Thomas the Apostle, after being told of Christ’s physical rising ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Catholic

All The Way To The End Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 23, 2023

Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John.

Saturday of 7th Week in Easter 2023 Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John. The apostle John was almost certainly the disciple who lay against Christ’s breast at the Last Supper, and here, right at the last paragraph of his Gospel, he repeats what can ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-31, John 21:20-25

Denomination: Catholic

There’s More To The Story

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 19, 2023

It seems that John has finished writing his gospel. But no! He adds another chapter.

For the last couple of Sundays we’ve been reading from John 20—the beloved disciple’s dramatic account of Jesus’ resurrection. We’ve stood with Mary Magdalene weeping outside the empty tomb as she mistook the risen Jesus for the gardener. And we’ve been with the disciples in the upper room as they ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Denomination: Episcopal

The Dwelling Place Of God

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Nov 27, 2019

Have you ever wondered where God dwells? Here is a short study that can be used for discussion on the "Dwelling Place of God."

I. SHARE PERSONAL STORIES OF HIS PRESENCE A. The Old Stump 1. Presence of God around the Old Stump (My trysting place) 2. 1 John 4:1-6 B. New York last week 1. Walking in Queens (I sensed the presence of God) 2. Driving through the Bronx and meeting with Pastor Sabino (I sensed the presence of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7, 1 John 4:1-6, Acts 7:48, Acts 17:24

Denomination: Church Of God

The Very Real Danger Of Spiritual Neglect Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jan 1, 2021

The issue of Christians who fall away from the faith was present in the New Testament, even as it is today. How can we prevent this from happening, and be vigilant against growing weary of following Christ ourselves?

Today we begin a new message series from the Book of Hebrews which I’ve entitled “The Faith that Endures.” It’s a sobering book because it addresses a sobering topic—an issue that I know that I would prefer not to admit that it exists. It addresses the issue of Christians who are tempted to fall ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14, Psalm 110:4, Psalm 102:25-27, Deuteronomy 32:43, 1 John 1:9, John 5:17-18, Hebrews 1:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

The Birth Of The Church Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Aug 27, 2015

We hear people talk about the New Testament church and wanting to be like the New Testament Church but what does that mean. This message looks at what it means to be a NT Church

The Birth of the Church Sigmund Freud wrote “The act of birth is the first experience of anxiety, and thus the source and prototype of the affect of anxiety.” Which might explain Andy Warhol’s statement “Being born is like being kidnapped. And then sold into ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

Ordination Sermon

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 8, 2007

Includes vows taken by the men being ordained, vows by their wives, by the Elders and by the congregation in attendance.

OPEN: Back in 1957 the 1st Brethren Church of Sarasota, Florida had a groundbreaking service. Ordinarily, a church will get a few shovels and certain people will turn over a few chunks of dirt. But recalling the words of Jesus, "Take my yoke upon you," this church decided to borrow an old one-horse ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Brave Believers Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Aug 15, 2011

4th in a sereis on the book of Acts. The stories of Stephen and Phillip affirm there are times in our lives when we must make a stand. There is no room to give in to the urge to cut and run in cowardly retreat!

Brave Believers Acts 6:8-8:40 (Fourth in the series, What’s Next? The Adventures of Growing in Christ) An early Christian leader named Tertullian (164-200AD) declared: “Kill us, torture us, condemn us, grind us to dust. The more you mow us down, the more we grow, for the seed of the church is ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 14, 2011

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, teaches us how we can be prepared to live and die for Christ.

* Our culture’s love of records and stats (i.e., longest hitting streak; first to land on moon; etc.) * Our culture’s love of “firsts” = they set the standard and give an example to everyone who will ever follow them * Stephen’s role as one among those who did something first...the first Christian ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Filled With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on May 5, 2009

Stephen was a man who existed in the state of being filled with the Spirit. He preaches a powerful sermon and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of the throne of God. Why is Jesus standing?

6. The Book of Acts June 28th, 2009 Filled with the Spirit We first meet Stephen in Acts 6. The church has been growing substantially and as it grows so do its needs. Many of these new issues should not be taking up the Apostles’ time. Their time is to be dedicated to prayer and to the ...read more

Denomination: *other

A Great Example For Every Christian Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 23, 2017

We should follow the footsteps of Joseph. 1. Remember that God is with us. 2. Remain true to God’s standards. 3. Remind people of the Savior.

A Great Example for Every Christian Acts 7:8-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Sept. 22, 2013 BACKGROUND: *Remember that here in Acts 7 one of the first deacons was on trial for the cause of Christ. His name was Stephen, and he was on trial for his life before the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:8-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sticks And Stones

Contributed by David Roth on May 2, 2020

Easter 5(A) In His death Christ opened an ocean of mercy for the whole world. We who have received that mercy, who live in His mercy, cannot help but to be merciful and forgiving towards others. Christ forgives so we forgive. He has forgiven us and removed our hearts of stone.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Sticks and Stones” The word of the risen Christ spread quickly. The disciples needed help in caring for the widows and orphans. They choose Stephen. He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60, Ezekiel 36:25-36, Ephesians 5:25-27, Hebrews 10:22

Denomination: Lutheran

Explaining The Gospel Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 21, 2020

The ground of the gospel is cultivated in the Old Testament.

Explaining the Gospel Acts 7:1-60 Rev. Brian Bill February 22-23, 2020 Several months ago, I was quickly backing our Chevy Cobalt out of the garage, not really paying attention, when all of a sudden, I heard the sound of plastic shattering and glass breaking. As I slammed on the brakes, I looked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Baptist

Two Lessons We Must Learn Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 30, 2012

Some in the Church were complaining. The text makes it appear that their complaining was like the “buzzing of bees.” The topic was the welfare of the widows in the congregation. In that day the only help that widows received came from the Church.

Two Lessons We Must Learn Acts 6:1-15, 7:54-60 Introduction Our study of the book of Acts makes it clear that the Church has displayed its ability to handle the opposition of an unfriendly world. For example, last week we read that the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist