STEPHEN EXECUTED

ILLUSTRATION: Cruise Ship vs Battle Ship

• Have you ever been on a cruise ship? They’re insane, aren’t they?

• The sheer fact a 228-ton vessel of metal can float is mind-blowing, but it’s not just that. Complete with power plants, massive restaurants, luxury spas, and waterparks, these things are like floating resort cities at sea.

• Modern vessels provide their passengers with every comfort imaginable. Cushioned lounges, daily housekeeping, fancy dining packages, and over-the top entertainment are all part of the experience at sea.

• On the flip side, have you ever seen a battleship? These mighty war machines cut through the open ocean with determination, manned by a crew prepared to fight.

• Are they luxurious? No.

• Is there a spa? Nope.

• Is there a fancy waterpark with fake waves to boogie board on? Not at all.

• Pastor Vance Havner once said, “The Christian life is not a cruise ship, but it’s a battleship.”

• While I was reading the Book of Acts, this statement came to mind and smacked me right in the face.

• While it may seem appealing to imagine our faith journey as a peaceful, luxurious voyage, the reality is that we are called to a life of conflict and challenges.

• Let’s pick up our story in the Book of Acts. After the miraculous events of Pentecost, the early apostles carried out their mission with laser focus.

• They immediately spread to different cities, preached to crowds, baptized new believers, and dealt with a lot of persecution along the way. Why? Because everyone hated Jesus.

• The Jewish leaders hated Jesus. Rome hated Jesus.

• After all, they killed him. They hated the fact that Jesus was getting more famous after his murder than during his ministry.

• This put the disciples in the middle of a battle—Christ vs. Caesar.

• Back then, the Christian life was a life of conflict. Their lifestyles were far from a vacation or a leisure cruise.

• They were at war.

• Rumors spread.

• People hid.

• Rome was throwing Christians in jail and threatening their lives.

• That did not stop the early leaders from preaching the gospel at every opportunity.

• A young preacher named Stephen found himself in front of the toughest crowd I could imagine: the council that elected to have Jesus executed.

• Unwaveringly, he challenged them on their disbelief, spoke with fiery words, and leveraged skilled arguments to present proof for Jesus.

• Did everyone repent as they had at Pentecost? No.

• Did people kindly ask him to leave? Not exactly.

• Sadly, this sermon turned into a siege.

• My heart hurts reading this. An eerie darkness cast Jerusalem into a shadow.

• Chanting echoed through city streets as an angry mob formed with a young preacher in the middle of the rioters.

• He wasn’t fighting.

• He wasn’t resisting.

• He wasn’t trying to talk them out of it.

• He was…glowing. Truly, “the glory of God” was upon him.

• Stephen was about to face the most horrendous ordeal one could imagine–an unjust execution.

• Stephen’s accusers dragged him out into the street and began to pelt him with large boulders and stones.

• These were designed to shatter bones, rip open skin, and leave their victims hemorrhaging. It was a disgusting and undignified way to die.

• Stephen’s glowing face did not show his agony. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59).

• With every rock that pummeled his flesh, Stephen got closer to meeting Jesus, the man he gave his life for.

• After the rocks stopped flying, the mob stopped shouting, and the apostle stopped moving, everyone gathered around a corpse.

• Stephen had become the first martyr for the Christian faith.

• At that moment, he was united with Jesus.

• Like a soldier on a warship wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, this story gives us two key defenses for life’s battles.

• There is no question that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:8-10 recounts how Stephen, “a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8).

• These miraculous acts were not for his own glory, but God’s. This divine connection drew people from all walks of life to the Christian movement while simultaneously stirring up animosity among those who rejected it.

• Even in the midst of this horrific scene, the early Christians stood as living testaments to the comforting and life-changing help that comes from the Holy Spirit. They were so full of the Spirit that they were empty of stress over death.

• Since life can feel like a battle, we need to have our defenses in place and our captain close. He’s calling the shots, keeping us safe, and setting up a strategy.

• The Holy Spirit allows you to have your leader as close as possible. He is with you in tough times. He is with you in battles. He is with you in persecution. He is with you in rejection. He is even with you in death.

• When you are filled with the Spirit, you are safe and sound. Since God is within you, not even death can harm you.

• There was also an intentional way the disciples carried themselves that protected their hearts well.

• While boulders continued to damage his organs and crush his limbs, Stephen didn’t curse or complain. Rather, he forgave his executioners.

• “Lord,” he implored, his voice hoarse, “do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

• I cannot help but assume the hearts of his assailants were twisted into knots.

• How can you forgive people while they are actively torturing you?

• At that moment, a ray of sunshine broke from the clouds and shot directly toward Stephen, bathing his bloodied form in a warm glow. It was as if a window had been opened to heaven.

• Rocks dropped with loud thuds as onlookers observed God’s power.

• The story of Stephen’s martyrdom challenges us to examine our own hearts. • How forgiving are we?

• Are we willing to kneel in prayer instead of taking vengeance?

• Are we willing to remain silent instead of spreading rumors?

• Can we extend the hand of forgiveness, even to those who seek to do us harm?

• Since the early Church was so terribly persecuted, Christians’ lives had to be marked by forgiveness.

• Mercy wasn’t negotiable for them.

• There were too many atrocities to count and too many evil people trying to cause them harm.

• Thus, they had to forgive frequently and freely.

• To do so is to walk in the footsteps of Jesus when He said from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (KJV; Luke 23:34). • This concept is not just theological; it’s logical.

• If the disciples let every betrayal turn into bitterness, they’d be completely overtaken by anger. • Thus, they had to release it. Not only was this what God commanded, it was what they needed.

Landing

• Your life will feel like war, so please be sure to protect yourself from the danger out there.

• The Holy Spirit will protect your life, and forgiveness will protect your heart.

• One keeps you safe, and the other keeps you steady.

• Like the early believers, embrace the Holy Spirit’s power and radical forgiveness.

• When you do, you are prepared to face any battle that comes your way. Be battle-ready.

• Be filled with the Spirit and forgiving of others.

TALK IT OUT

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and the lowest part of your week?

What do you think this means: “The Christian life is not a cruise ship, but it’s a battleship.”

What’s one thing that stood out to you from today’s message?

What do you find interesting about Stephen’s reaction to being attacked?

How does being filled with the Holy Spirit change the way you respond to life’s battles?

How can you become more in tune with the Spirit?

Why is forgiveness crucial for faith in the face of challenges?

Are there any places in your life where you need to extend forgiveness?

Application: Write down the name of the person you need to forgive tonight and place it somewhere you will see it. Pray for that person daily and begin to work towards forgiveness.

READING PLAN READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Acts 8

Acts 9

Acts 1

Acts 11

Acts 12

Acts 13

Acts 14

Do the following with each passage:

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.