Never Ending Story - Running Your Race

Standing Tall

Stephen’s sermon - Abraham, Moses, David - still rebelled

Obedient -spoke up and stood up

Unwelcome Message

Gospel offends and angers the world

Crowd - rage

Higher Approval

Son of man sitting - Now standing

Stephen - peace - bold

Us and Them

Difference between believers and the world

Difference between church and other organizations

good out of bad

Romans 8:28 HCSB

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Truth of Consequences

Jews - condemnation - 3rd murder - God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

AD 70 - Jerusalem destroyed

Church - liberation - spread the Gospel - not just a Jewish sect

Power in Obedience

Not all called to be martyrs - but called to be living sacrifices ready to die

Jim Elliot - 1956

Romans 12:1–2 HCSB

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Power in Obedience

Harder to live for Him than die

Phil 3

Run your Race

Hebrews 12:1 HCSB

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" — Jim Elliot