TGP: The Murdered Servant

Intro Option 1: The stand

Watch video about Jim Elliot

Persecution still happens.

Evert day

Joining efforts: praying

Picture in Acts

Main Point: Stephen preached the gospel with wisdom and boldness and was faithful to Jesus even at the cost of His life.

Q. What does sharing the Gospel require?

Sharing the Gospel requires wisdom.

Acts 6:8–15 (ESV)

8 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, 13 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.

Sanhedrin = most powerful religious leadership

Never waivers

Ordinary, yet wise

Gift of the Holy Spirit

Q. What is wisdom? What makes someone wise?

Wise people in our lives

We trust them for advice

Wisdom = discernment

Q. Stephen’s entire speech revealed He knew God’s word (7:2-53). What is the connection between knowing God’s Word and having wisdom?

Shares Israel’s history

Saw that Jesus is Messiah

Wisdom = result of knowing God through His word

We have this opportunity

Q. What does sharing the Gospel require?

Sharing the Gospel requires wisdom.

Sharing the Gospel requires boldness.

Acts 7:51–53 ESV

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Starts with “we,” shifts to “you.”

Boldly speaks the truth

Q. Why is it sometimes difficult to tell people when they’ve done something wrong? What do you worry about?

Not easy

Worry about the outcome > stay silent

Stephen risked everything

Q. Does God call us to be this bold today? Why or why not?

Nor reserved for apostles

With love, gentleness and respect

Deep trust = relying on God for boldness

Who will speak up?

Cost of silence is great

Q. What does sharing the Gospel require?

Sharing the Gospel requires wisdom.

Sharing the Gospel requires boldness.

Sharing the Gospel requires sacrifice.

Acts 7:54–60 (ESV)

54 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.

First Christian martyr

Held nothing back

He was willing

Q. How was Stephen able to willingly sacrifice His life to defend the truth of the Gospel? Could you do this? Why or why not?

Difference between religion and relationship

Pharisees were religious

Stephen knew Christ

Willingly sacrificed because of trust

Fully devoted to God vs. fully devoted to religion.

Q. What areas of your life are you withholding from God?

Likely won’t happen to us

Other forms

Sacrificing popularity, time, future plans, relationships

Easy to cling to.

Loosen grip because of His identity

Trust Him when He asks for sacrifice

Christ Connection:

In his death as the first Christian martyr, Stephen followed in the footsteps of His Savior. Both Jesus and Stephen were falsely accused and charged with blasphemy. Both prayed for their executioners. And both entrusted their spirits to God as they died. As a follower of Jesus Christ, Stephen reflected His master in life and in death.

Head; What steps Can you take to gain wisdom from God?

False perceptions about age and wisdom

Examples of wise young people in Scripture

First step: fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10)

Shouldn’t be terrified

Fear = holy respect

Go to Him for wisdom

Studying Bible

Praying

Look to Bible, ask HS for guidance

Growing in knowing God = growing in wisdom

Heart: What does it mean that Stephen’s face appeared like an angel’s (6:15)? How can we experience peace even when we’re in difficult situations?

Stephen’s obedience = trust in Christ

Standing against persecution in peace

No doubt in Jesus

Distrust often creeps in

Personal experience

But God is faithful.

Can trust no matter what we face.

Reward in Heaven

Sacrifice = worth it

Hands: What is the impact of you not being bold or making sacrifices when God asks you to?

Ask the cost for doing these things

Focusing on what we give up

Better question: cost for not doing these things?

The Bottom Line: Boldly pursue wisdom and sacrifice.

PRAY