Sermons on Stephens Defence:

The Church Established Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 11, 2017

The genuine mission to the Gentiles begins, and Antioch in Syria becomes the center for the developing church, leaving Jerusalem behind with a narrow view of evangelism. For the first time the church actively proselytized Gentiles.

May 13, 2014 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: III.E.1: The Church established (11:19-21) Scripture (Acts 11:19-21; KJV) 19 Now they which ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

God's Truth: Still Fresh After Four Thousand Years Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 17, 2017

This Scripture speaks to us about: 1. Godly wisdom (vs. 1-4). 2. God's world (vs. 4-5). 3. God's Word (vs. 5-7). 4. God's work (vs. 8).

God's Truth: Still Fresh after Four Thousand Years Acts 7:1-8 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Sept. 15, 2013 BACKGROUND: *In Acts 6-8, God gives us the story of a Christian named Stephen. This New Testament believer was one of the heroes of the early church. Stephen was chosen to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Leaders & Martyrs Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Oct 25, 2013

We have gotten so used to novelty in the church that a common response to this theme, was a rather sympathetic gesture inferring, “What, have you run out of good ideas?” Preaching and prayer just don’t seem that innovative and frankly to many, are the boring part of church.

For the first few chapters of Acts we have heard about the beginnings and growth of the early church in Jerusalem after Pentecost. This was done almost exclusively through prayer and preaching. And Satan was working hardest through the religious leaders, not to stop miracles and such, but to stop ...read more

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

Leaders & Martyrs Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Oct 11, 2013

For the first few chapters of Acts we have heard about the beginnings and growth of the early church in Jerusalem after Pentecost. Now we start to see some of the growing pains and the spread of the church over the next several chapters.

Alistair Begg, one of my favourite preachers who spoke daily in Chicago when I was there in May, shared a story from a pastor’s conference he held at his church last year. The theme of the conference was, from our passage today, “we will devote ourselves to the preaching of the word and ...read more

Glimpsing God's Glory Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 25, 2021

Our God is great and is full of glory. Just a glimpse of that glory made a difference for Moses, Stephen and Paul. And like them getting a glimpse of God's glory will transform and empower us.

Introduction: A. You’ve heard it said: “There are two sure things in life: #1 – There is a God, and #2 – You are not Him!” 1. In our new series that we began last week, we are working to understand those two realities – there is a God and you and I are not Him. 2. We must realize that it’s not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-18, 2 Corinthians 4:1-7, Exodus 34:6-8, Exodus 34:29-30, Acts 6:15, Acts 7:54-60  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Witness Equals Martyr

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 23, 2022

When he opened his mouth, it was a powerful word that came forth. At the end of his speech, they had two choices.

Monday of 3rd week of Easter I’d like to think that preaching has come a ways since the days of Stephen. If you read the rest of this chapter of Acts, you get the impression that Stephen had some kind of martyr complex. Remember that the word martyr in Greek means witness. He was so on-fire with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Catholic

Taking A Good Look Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jul 13, 2004

A message about how Stephen’s message to the Sanhedrin in the 1st century applies to Christians in the 21st century

SERIES: “LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH” TEXT: ACTS 6:8-8:1 TITLE: “TAKING A GOOD LOOK” INTRODUCTION: A. Throughout the course of life there are certain people who seem to stand out from the pack. These are people like Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stephen: His Life & His Love; Pt 1 By Dr. Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Sep 7, 2004

While in seminary, I was asked, "What is the best translation of the New Testament?" I replied, "My Grandmother." Today Stephen serves as our best example of the qualities of a servant. Let’s examine them together!

Introduction I. I was standing in the hall following Chapel at Seminary and was asked by a fellow student, what I thought was the best translation of the New Testament was, I replied, "My Grandmother..." Surprised my friend continued his questioning by returning with, "I didn’t know your ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen: His Love & His Life; Pt 2 By Dr. Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Sep 14, 2004

Godly, bold, spiritual are just a few words to describe the man Stephen. His life is an example for us all to follow. Let’s examine why!

Introduction Godly, bold, faithful, friend, by now your asking, "Where can I meet a guy like this..." if you are a single girl. They are hard to find. However, you can read about such a person and discover too that his life served as the best example for us all to follow. To begin with, his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Acts, Part 10- Dying To Please Jesus; The Martyrdom Of Stephen Series

Contributed by Mark Strauss on May 4, 2006

Let’s see how it begins: •Verse 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. •Stephen is obviously a multi-talented individual. He not only takes care of the widows, but he’s out there on

“Dying to Please Jesus” The Martyrdom of Stephen Acts 6:8-7:59 One of great movies of recent years is Amadeus, a mostly fictional account of the life of the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. •The story is told from the perspective of Antonio Salieri, a fellow composer. •As a young boy, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon Vi: Boldness Epitomized By Stephen Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 15, 2020

In anti-Christian environments, mature Christians must be willing to remain steadfast in their beliefs about God and His Son Jesus Christ, and be bold in speaking the truth in love with compassion.

SPREADING THE WORD DESPITE THE ODDS - FIVE NEW TESTAMENT WITNESSES STEPHEN EPITOMIZED BOLDNESS . . . (Acts 6 and 7) After the little band of believers in Christ received power associated with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-60

Go! And Pour Out Your Worship - John 12:1-11 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 1, 2025

John 12:1-11 teaches us what it means to truly worship Jesus—not just with our words but with our whole lives.

Go! And Pour Out Your Worship - John 12:1-11 Introduction: A Moment of Extravagant Worship Picture the scene: Jesus is reclining at a dinner table in Bethany. The fragrance of a costly perfume fills the air. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, has just broken open a jar of expensive oil and poured it ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11, Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 2:15, Matthew 10:28, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 15:17, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fireworks Never Saved A Soul

Contributed by Jeff Riedel on Jul 9, 2014

4th of Jul fireworks are bought each year. The amount spent is staggering. People are starving around the world yet we still spend on such things. What could be done with that kind of money in Haiti, the Sudan,India....etc? What does God say about it?

Sermon: 1 Tim 6:19 This message in no way is intended to bash people of wealth. Many people of wealth are very wonderful Christians and they contribute greatly to the church. ILLUSTRATION: A man invited Charles Spurgeon to a country church as the guest speaker. Spurgeon was asked to give ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:19, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 6:24, Romans 14:11-12, Hebrews 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

The Second Christian Martyr(Acts 6) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

This is an exposition of the passage on Stephen who was the first martyr.

INTRODUCTION We all need heros - those who would embody and be incarnate examples of that which is true, good, and beautiful. Who are your heros? Athanasisus, Luther, Calvin, William Wallace, Theodore Roosevelt, Rambo? We need heros. Today we consider the hero, Stephen. Remember that the Word of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed