The Story Of Stephen Series

We resume our yearlong study of the book of Acts today. Acts is a bridge book. It is a bridge between the Gospels, which describe the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and the letters, which unfold the life and nature of the church. And in the early part of Acts, we are introduced to five brief biographies that I want to introduce to you now. If you enjoy reading a biography, then you’ll benefit from these short bios. Think of these five men as the Mount Rushmore of Acts, if you will. First, there’s Stephen, who we’ll look at in more detail in the moments to come. Stephen is Christianity’s first martyr. Other than the death of Jesus, no death gets as much space in the pages of the Bible as the death of Stephen.

Second, we’ll see the misstep of a newcomer, Simon. He’ll ask to buy the gifts of the Spirit for a price. Simon’s story is a story of man who doesn’t get it.

Our third bio is a story you wouldn’t believe even if your mother told you. It’s the story of man who sought to kill Christians becoming a Christian. His story is so pivotal that we’ll spend two weeks looking at the incredible life of Paul. I want you to meet Peter, a hero of the faith but it’s stubborn racial prejudice that blinds him. He’s so locked into his views that God puts in him in a trance to shake him loose. And we round out the series with Barnabas, someone so warm and encouraging you’re going to want to emulate him.

Five stories, five lives, five people – the study of the book of Acts. Let’s look at the final day in the life of a remarkable hero.

Today’s Scripture

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council…

An accusation is made against him in verse 13-14: and they set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.’ 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8–15)

For now, we’ll move Stephen’s past it to see the final moments of Stephen’s life.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60 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.” (Acts 7:54–60)

Stephen is the first Christian martyr & a hero of the Christian faith. Stephen begins an effective preaching ministry and is eventually pulled before the Sanhedrin, the ruling council. Now, Stephen may not be our example of how to give a speech for they kill him after his speaking. No, the speech isn’t Stephen’s success. It’s his faithfulness that is his success.

Mark this: Stephen’s death marks a turning point in the early church. Because the average person now joins with the Jewish priests in turning against Christianity, Christians flee Jerusalem. As they run, they share the gospel all over the world. And here’s the secret to Stephen: he didn’t live long enough to see how his life was truly successful.

1. Serve Like Stephen

The baseball world has been talking about the Japanese baseball phenom, Shohei Ohtani. Shohei Ohtani is a rare Japanese baseball player who is reminding many of the legend of Babe Ruth. Now with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani is an effective pitcher but also really good with the bat. His first two games pitching in the major leagues were excellent and he is homering every 10 times he is at the plate. For the baseball fans in the room, when’s the last time you heard of a pitcher hitting as the Designated Hitter? Ohtani is a two-way star but Stephen is a five-way person – let me show you.