Acts 8:1

         Stephen knew God. He knew Jesus. He was full of grace and power from the Spirit. He was well respected. And wise. He was a descendant of Abraham. And a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was falsely charged. He defended himself with the whole counsel of God. But he didn’t protect himself from getting out of a jam. His goal was to speak the truth in love, no matter the consequences.

         Stephen brought an accurate charge against the Jewish leaders. He explained their stubbornness and their deliberate resistance to the Holy Spirit. And their ultimate and eternally shameful sin, betraying their Rescuer and murdering their Messiah.

         The Jewish leaders, and a young man named Saul, didn’t take too kindly to Stephen’s message of who Jesus was and what Stephen accused them of doing to Jesus. There was no Gamaliel here this time to speak reason and warn of the danger of “fighting against God.” Stephen answered faithfully about God’s great rescues of the past but sought no earthly reprieve from the mortal threat before him. And so, the wicked leaders had it their way, and they murdered Stephen. Little did they know it was to their ruin, not his.

In my experience, we often don’t see things from God’s eternal perspective. We are worried about finances and liabilities and inconveniences. We are desperately afraid people will find out that we aren’t perfect and are sinners.   The modern Church is preoccupied with keeping appearances up.   But to what end? God sees through it all. Persecution isn’t the end of the world. Death isn’t either. What is a tragedy is choosing the wrong horse, choosing riches and worldly stuff over a good reputation (Proverbs 22:1). The absolute disaster is divided loyalties. Stephen’s example should be our example - giving an honest account of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Stephen will forever have a great reputation as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

Let’s be honest for a second. I’m concerned about the modern Church. Could Stephen make the same charge against us as he did the Jewish leaders? I’m worried that many of our leaders and organizations look more like Simon (who we’ll discuss shortly) than Stephen. I’m concerned that the Church is not following God’s way and the example of the Acts Church.

But the good news is the Good News. That is, despite our dysfunction, God’s purposes always prevail. With God, victory, without ruin. I pray for opportunities for each of us to lead as servants and to influence with the passion and conviction of Stephen. I know that God is good and loving, and patient with us. And I trust that He will show us how to follow Him with purity, loyalty, and His perspective.

         Lord Jesus, thank you for Stephen. For your glorious plan of redemption. For your patience and long suffering. May we entirely turn to you, Lord God. Amen.

Our daughter, Meghan Grace, and her boys.