TITLE: STAND FIRM EVEN IN THE FACE OF DEATH

TITLE: STAND FIRM EVEN IN THE FACE OF DEATH

SCRIPTURE:

“When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”  (Acts 7:54—60 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

         Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. His courage in the face of opposition from religious leaders, who could not stand up to the wisdom the Spirit gave him when he spoke, is truly inspiring.  Stephen was chosen to be one of the people who solved the problems in the early days of the Church, a testament to his unwavering faith and bravery. 

         Even though he was a man full of God’s grace and power and even performed great wonders and signs among the people, he was not spared from the evil intentions of those who hated him.  We, too, can be doing all the right things and, with God on our side, will not be spared from the evil around us.  Stephen knew very well that there was danger involved when he was appointed as one of the problem solvers for the infighting that was going on in the church. 

         God could have spared Stephen’s life from the hands of his haters.  Likewise, God could have spared Christ from the hands of the haters and sinners who crucified him.  However, God allowed what happened to Christ and Stephen to occur because of his will and the purpose of why they exist.  Being a Christian and called by God is not all about my happiness and comfort.  It is about my obedience to do God’s will, even if it involves harm to myself. 

         I am reminded that we are called to believe in and suffer for him.  Stephen spoke the truth that cost him his life.  Not every one of us is called to be a martyr like Stephen, but all of us must be willing to stand the truth even in the face of physical harm people seek to do to us.  My takeaway today from Stephen is:

• I must be prepared to be criticized and willing to speak God’s truth at any cost.
• I must accept that being full of the Holy Spirit does not guarantee immunity from harm.
• I must learn that the only approval I need for the truth is to keep the focus on who Jesus is and who calls me.
• I must never bow the knee to those who give false accusations against me. 
• I must accept that my stand for the truth may invite more trouble and possible physical harm.
• I must learn to pray for those criticizing and persecuting me for upholding Christ’s truth.
• And lastly, I must expect and accept that my stand for truth may cost me my life. 

Many physical harms are happening even today to many believers around the world.

Many have indeed lost their lives for upholding the truth.  I am comforted that my life is in Christ whether I live or die.  The main thing I am reminded of is that we must stand firm even to death.    

APPLICATION:

         I am nowhere near any criticism or life-threatening situation like Stephen’s. But I will continue to seek the Lord for courage and an obedient heart to accept any consequences of upholding his truth before others.  I have learned from Stephen to trust God totally with my life and let him lead and guide me to whatever end he wishes and plan for me. 

PRAYER:

         Heavenly Father, like Stephen, please help me to see that I am not immune from the cruelty of evil around me.  Please teach me to trust you totally with my life.  Help me to be someone who, despite the criticism and the threats of physical harm, will not back down nor bow to the pressure I face because of upholding your truth.  Lead and guide me, Jesus, to be like you, who defies life and death situations and keeps your truth.  I need you, Lord.  Amen!