Sermons on Stephen:

Where Is God When Life Crashes In?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2023

God always works in the life of His people, bringing glory out of our trials. Because He loves us, the pain experienced through our trials will exalt Him.

“As [the mob was] stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Moses Tries It His Way: An Exposition Of Exodus 2:11-25

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 21, 2020

We sing the hymn "Have Thine own Way" and all too often go out and do it our way.

Moses Tries it His Way: An Exposition of Exodus 2:11-25 How many times do we feel that God has a special calling on our lives, and we get into a rush trying to fulfill it? When we became Christians, we received the Holy Spirit in our lives. God has a purpose for every one of us. He has distributed ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Forgiving Close Ears

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 18, 2009

Deacon ordination service: deacons, like Stephen, must forgive and heal those who have chosen to close their ears to the truth.

When my son Bryan was small, sometimes he would go into a kind of daydream. He would sit there and seem to stare off into space, and if you spoke to him, he just wouldn’t hear. He would get so far into himself that we would have to wave our hands in front of his face and shout to get his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

God's Not Done! Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Oct 16, 2008

Stephen was able to face death because he had a sure faith. True faith will take us through any crisis.

God’s Not Done! Acts 7:51-60 Review: The early Church of Acts had many ups and downs, but they led to victory. Context: Stephen was able to stand in the face of death because he knew exactly what he believed in. There were no doubts. (Most of Chapter 7 is a retelling of the Old Testament and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hearing The Shepherd Means Following Him

Contributed by Eric Vertein on Apr 19, 2005

On Good Shepherd Sunday we consider how the first martyr Stephen not only heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, but followed him: in charity, in witness, and in forgiveness.

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a,51-60 4th Sunday of Easter – ILCW Year A April 17, 2005 Peace to all of you who are in Christ (I Peter 5:14b). Amen. Judge Lynwood Smith asked Eric Rudolph, “Did you plant the bomb that exploded at the New Woman All Women clinic here in Birmingham on January 29, 1998?" In a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Prayer Under Pressure Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 11, 2003

3rd in the series "Patterns for Prayer." The way Stephen faced death for his testimony is an inspiration and a pattern for us when we face persecution.

In midwinter of A.D. 320 Emperor Licinius sent out an edict that to show their allegience all soldiers were to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Forty members of the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome’s imperial army serving in Sevaste, in present-day Turkey refused the emporer’s order. Their captain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Work In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 24, 2017

1. He sees our struggles (vs. 17-19; 34). 2. He develops us with detours (vs. 20-30; 35-36). 3. He wants to meet us in a miraculous way (vs. 30-33). 4. He has missions in mind for us (vs. 34). 5. He wants to save our souls (vs. 35-37).

God's Work in Our Lives Acts 7:17-37 (Scripture Reading vs. 17-23) Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Sept. 29, 2013 BACKGROUND: *Here in Acts 7 we continue our study of the trial of Stephen. He was a good, godly man, and one of the first deacons. But in this chapter, he was on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:17-37

Denomination: Baptist

There's No Stopping The Mission Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Jan 13, 2007

Stephen had just been stoned, and the church again is faced with persecution but to the extreme order. They the church was being persecuted by the persecutor of persecutors, a man by the name of Saul.

THERE’S NO STOPPING THE MISSION Acts 8:1-4 There is a story told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that happens as being (positive or negative) remarking for the positive “This is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

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

Sharpening The Saw Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jun 16, 2006

Life Management 101, part 1. Seen in Stephen Covey’s principle of sharpening the saw some basic principles set forth in scripture.

Sharpening the Saw Series: Life Management 101 Wildwind Community Church June 18, 2006 David Flowers How many of you have heard the story told by Stephen Covey about the two men having a contest to see who could saw down a tree in the shortest time? The two men are in a forest, far from one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

How To Deal With Emotional Pain

Contributed by Victoria Pederson on Aug 30, 2015

A study of David's pains expressed in Psalm 55 and Dr. Stephens Ten Hidden Emotions to help us deal with our pain in everyday life.

Pain is a part of life that every person endures. The bigger question is: How do you handle your pain? Are you the kind that stuffs it down deep? Or do you wear it on your chest as a badge for all to see? David was a man who dealt with a lot of pain in his life. He was the youngest of seven ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

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

"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