I. The Application of Stephen’s Message vv. 51-53
A. Resistance to the Holy Spirit v. 51
B. The Solidarity of Unbelief vv. 51-52
C. Privilege without Stewardship v. 53
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefields besides, is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”
- Martin Luther (1483–1546)
II. The Response to Stephen’s Message vv. 54, 57-59a
A. What They Did with Guilt v. 54
B. What They Did with Truth v. 57
C. What They Did with the Faithful Witness vv. 58-59
III. Stephen’s Crown
A. Won by an Abiding Vision of Christ v. 56
“…since we have so great a cloud of witnesses…
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame…” Hebrews 12:1-2
B. Won by a Prevailing Exercise of Prayer v. 59
C. Won by an Unflinching Faithfulness to the Goal
What is the goal?
“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners….”
I Timothy 1:15