From Stones to Grace: Responding to Hurt with Christ’s Love

Have you ever been stung by a bee? It’s sudden, sharp, and sometimes takes a moment before you realize what's just happened.

In many ways, being hurt by someone can feel like that unexpected sting. It could be a hurtful word from a close friend, an unkind act from a coworker, or an outright betrayal from someone you trusted.

And just like that sting, our first instinct is often to swat back, to retaliate, to defend ourselves.

How will we respond when someone hurts us?

What will you do the next time you’re betrayed or hurt by someone?

The next time people don’t act the way you think they should?

This morning we will look into the example modeled by a man named Stephen, who amidst the sharpest 'stings' of life, looked upwards and showed us the most profound, Christ-like response.

Today, as we delve into the life of Stephen, we're going to learn how to respond when life hits us with its hardest stones and rocks our world.

In life’s painful moments, our reactions reveal the depth of our faith and the essence of our character.

And based on Stephen’s response to his attackers, as well as Jesus’ command, we must forgive those who hurt us.

Let’s take a look...

Acts 7:54–60 NKJV

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being 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 said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

How should we respond to those who hurt us?

We Should Look to God When Someone Hurts Us

Acts 7:54–56 NKJV

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being 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 said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

The Jewish leaders were infuriated when they heard Stephen’s accusation.

Of what did he accuse them?

That they were the blasphemers

Hard-necked

Hard-headed

Hard-hearted

Stephen’s words “cut them to the heart.”

This is an interesting word in the Greek. The meaning of it is to “become violently emotionally affected” “to become infuriated.”

But the word picture behind it is likened to be “emotionally cut in half by a saw.”

Interestingly, it’s the same word that is used in Heb. 11:37, and translated that other martyrs were “sawn in two.”

They were so violently affected by Stephen’s history lesson, they “gnashed at him with their teeth” just like a pack of hungry snarling wolves.

The religious leaders were speechless. They ground their teeth together they were so angry.

How did Stephen respond? The first thing that jumps out is his immediate gaze towards heaven.

How should we respond when someone at work stabs us in the back. Or when a friend betrays us?

A. It begins with recognizing God’s sovereignty.

Trusting that God is in control, even in our pain.

Stephen looked up to God’s throne realizing God was in control

Theologian A. W. Pink wrote, “As [one] sees the apparent defeat of the right, and the triumphing of might and the wrong … it seems as though Satan were getting the better of the conflict. But as one looks above, instead of around, there is plainly visible to the eye of faith a Throne.… This then is our confidence —God is on the Throne.”

God knew what He was doing allowing Stephen to be killed for his faith.

This became the turning point in the Gospel spreading to the Samaritan nation, then the Gentiles.

And while recognizing God's overarching control, Stephen also draws strength directly from God's presence.

B. And we can draw strength from His presence. (55)

Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus standing to receive him to heaven.

Our Lord sat down when He ascended to heaven (Ps. 110:1; Mark 16:19).

Is it possible that Jesus stood as if to cheer the brave Stephen?

In our weakest moments, turning our eyes to God brings a comfort that is unparalleled.

C. And thirdly we can stay grounded in our faith (56)

Stephen said he saw the “Son of Man” standing at the right hand of God.

Even when faced with opposition, Stephen leaned in and proclaimed Jesus’ deity.

Only a few years before, Jesus had stood before this same tribunal and had been condemned for answering affirmatively the high priest’s question as to his being Israel’s Messiah and for saying of himself: “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62).

Now Stephen was saying, in effect, that his vision confirmed Jesus’ claim and condemned the council for having rejected him.

God will give us the strength to persevere when we look to Him.

Next...

We Should Go to Prayer When Someone Hurts Us

Acts 7:57–59 NKJV

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

The response of the Sanhedrin was immediate and violent.

They quickly saw the theological implications of Stephen’s response – Israel was guilty, the Law was temporary, the temple must be done away – so they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.

So in verse 58 they began to stone Stephen.

In verse 58 we have our first introduction to the man who became the greatest of followers of Jesus, Saul, who would later become Paul.

In verse 59 we see the same verb and tense repeated, “they kept on stoning.”

Then, with the strength from God’s presence and his faith, Stephen did something that many of us might find challenging. He went to prayer.

A. We can find solace in conversation with God.

In this case, Stephen prayed directly to Jesus, “receive my spirit.”

This prayer is reminiscent of Jesus’ prayer on the cross.

Prayer is more than just words. Stephen was ready to meet his savior.

Stephen’s prayer also reminds us of the importance of understanding God’s perspective in the midst of pain.

Jesus feels our pain. And God sees our pain from the perspective of eternity.

And understanding this perspective we can...

B. Surrender the outcome to God.

In situations where we’re hurt, and where control seems lost, Stephen’s prayer teaches us the essence of surrender, laying the outcomes at God’s feet.

Stephen knew he was going to die. He surrendered to God.

But that’s not all he did. From what he did next we learn that...

We Should Forgive and Pray for Those Who Hurt Us

Acts 7:60 NKJV

60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

A. Stephen followed Jesus’ ultimate example.

When Stephen chose to forgive, he was mirroring Jesus’ very words on the cross...”

But why? Why would Stephen, and even Jesus, choose to forgive those causing them pain?

B. They understood the power of forgiveness.

Forgiveness isn’t just for the one being forgiven; it’s a release for the one forgiving, a powerful tool that frees us move forward without constraint.

Not only that, Jesus commands us to forgive.

Matthew 18:21–22 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Based on Stephen’s response to his attackers, as well as Jesus’ command, we must forgive those who wrong us.

How will we respond with someone hurts us?

C. Respond with blessing instead of cursing.

Acts 7:60 NKJV

60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Respond with blessing instead of cursing.

How is that possible? Remember, Stephen was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Surrender to God, and let His Spirit fill you with forgiveness for those who hurt you.

As we come to the end of verse 60, I want us to pay attention to the concept brought out by Luke.

Stephen, “fell asleep.”

This old Greek verb and the metaphor of sleep for death is common in all languages, but is is very appropriate here, just as Jesus used it of Lazarus.

Our word English word cemetery comes from a form of this Greek word. It is the sleeping place of the dead.

One commentator calls this word choice “a picture word of rest and calmness which stands in dramatic contrast to the rage and violence of the scene.”

Conclusion:

We all have been hurt or will be hurt by someone in our lives. It's an inevitable part of the human experience.

Yet, Stephen's story, echoing the actions of Jesus Himself, offers us a profound roadmap. Stephen looked heavenward in the midst of pain, found solace in prayer, and chose forgiveness over revenge.

Just as each thread in the tapestry of our life has its purpose, even if it can't see the grand design, we too play a role in God's sovereign plan.

Our hurts, betrayals, and wounds aren't without purpose. Through them, God can work wonders, teaching us grace, resilience, and the overwhelming power of forgiveness.

So, as we step out today, remember Stephen.

Remember the immense strength it took to look to God, to pray, and to forgive in the face of persecution.

Let it inspire you to do the same – through the power of the Holy Spirit, to keep your eyes fixed on God, lean into Him in prayer, and always choose the path of love and forgiveness, no matter how difficult it may seem.

In doing so, you not only honor God but also become a beacon of His love and grace in a world that desperately needs it.