The Pentecost Effect - Finishing Strong When Others Are Giving Up

Sermon: The Pentecost Effect - Finishing Strong When Others are Giving Up

Scripture Lessons - Acts 7:54-60 “The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.”

Introduction: Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to help the Apostles in the work of ministry was a man who was bold, honest and full of the Holy Ghost, wisdom, faith, and power. As a faithful follower of Christ, his only crime was being obedience to the Lord. His story is told in Acts 6 and 7 where we see a man who started well, lived out his faith and finished strong. Finishing strong is a sign of commitment, integrity, and excellence. Finishing strong is about choice. Each of us has the power to choose how we live out our faith, fulfill our assignment or whether we finish strong or weak. Finishing strong speaks of believers continuing until they end up at the feet of Jesus. Finishing strong means going against all odds and overcoming them. As the challenges come, and they will, believers must stand against them in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen became the first recorded Christian martyr who is killed because of his unwavering belief. He is the first person mentioned in the bible who died because of the conviction of his faith in Christ. Accusing the Jewish leaders of killing Jesus who was the Christ and suggesting that no one really need the whole temple system anymore because the true temple has come in Jesus himself. No one really needed to keep offering sacrifices week-by-week at the temple, and that no one could be put right with God and be saved by keeping of the law was more than they could bear. In a fit of rage, they stoned Stephen. Just as Stephen was faithfully used by the Holy Spirit to serve tables with grace, proclaim the Gospel with boldness, healed the sick with power, he endured suffering and death with grace.

The power of Pentecost spread throughout Jerusalem as the disciples followed the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As the church grew, so did the opposition. The scare tactics of the Jewish leaders had failed to silence the church. It was decided that Stephen the man of our lesson was too persuasive and must be stopped. The Jewish leaders believed Stephen’s death would serve as a warning to every other follower of Jesus and the movement would collapse. The church has always been persecuted in the world. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The songwriter said it this way in the hymn, Am I a Soldier of the Cross, "Must I be carried to the skies, On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas?"

Stephen was one of seven men who were chosen to serve the daily distribution of food to the widows. We are told in chapter 6 that Stephen was full of grace and power and was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But then opposition arose against him from certain synagogue leaders, but they were unable to stand up against Stephen’s wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. So when they could not defeat Stephen in debate, they decided to make some false accusations of blasphemy against him, and so Stephen was seized and brought before the Sanhedrin – the religious rulers of the Jewish people to be tried. As Stephen sat and listened to the false witnesses, the Bible says that when the Sanhedrin looked at him, they could see that he had the face of an angel. There was something about Stephen’s countenance that prompted comparisons to angels who stand in God’s presence and reflect God’s glory. So, when Stephen stood before his accusers, glowing with the face of an angel, he was radiating God’s wisdom and heaven’s glory. Without speaking a word, Stephen’s countenance gave witness that he was the Lord’s faithful servant. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see. your good works and glorify your Father which is in. heaven." Stephen was a shining example.