Title: Stephen's Last Prayer (Acts 07:54-60)
Contents This morning, I want to receive grace while thinking about the young deacon Stephen of the early Jerusalem church.
1. Stephen received the glory of his first martyrdom.
When you go to heaven, the martyr's prize is the biggest. According to Matthew 5, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness in the end, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice and rejoice when they revile and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil to falsely slander you because of me.” “Great is your reward in heaven.”
According to the sayings of the Father Tertullian, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. The blood of the martyrdom of the deacon Stephen built the church in Jerusalem. That blood seed bore the fruit of the conviction that Paul was committed to.
Although Stephen died, Rome was evangelized through Paul, Europe returned to God, and the whole world was filled with the Gospel.
2. Deacon Stephen was filled with the Word and the Holy Spirit.
A martyr is not made by my strength or belief. Only those who are filled with the Word and the Holy Spirit can give their life for the Lord at the decisive moment. God gives bold courage and power to those who meditate on the Word and consistently lead a life of prayer.
3. Saints must conclude well.
It is a pitiful person who runs well at first, but ends up wrong in old age. Everyone dies at some point. They die of disease, die in accidents, and die of old age. But it can be a glorious death or it can be a miserable death.
Although Stephen lived without a name, his final death proved how faithful he was, how loyal he was, and how obedient he was. That's right. True faith is always revealed in the day of trouble. It is revealed at the end. It's easy to fake something that's usually floaty. It may be making a fuss to hide a lie.
Everyone, what kind of faith are we? Where is our faith going now? How will our end end? If you think deeply, I hope that you will become the saints who pray and prepare for my end.