Stephen, the Martyr

Acts 6:8-12, 7:51-60

The 1st to Preach the Gospel as a world-wide gospel.

I: Stephen Confronts National Pride.
1. Pride and Prejudice, A Mark of the Nation.
2. They preferred their stuffy little world.
3. To open the gospel to all offended the Pharisees.
4. Stephan’s Message:
a. Any ground is Holy Ground when one finds God there.
b. Abraham called from a far country.
c. Jacob lived much of his life in Egypt. He was buried in Shechim in despised Samaria.
d. Moses was born and educated in Egypt.
e. It was at Mt. Sinai, in Arabis, where the Law was given.
5. The Jews were in the Habit of rejecting Gods Will for their natural pride.
6. All this reached its climax in the crucifixion.

II: “They were Cut to the Heart.”
1. Once too often they were faced with a rejected and crucified Christ.
2. They were about to follow the pattern of their fathers.
3. They stopped their ears to shut out the truth.
4. They acted like an enraged mob.

III: Stephen:
1. His outlook on death, one of conquest.
2. His spirit of Grace. “Lord lay not this sin to their charge.”
3. “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” Victory!
4. “Behold, I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.”
5. “And Saul.”

“The Blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
“The wealthy couple is little. Girl played for the distinguished crowd.”