July 19th & 23rd
Acts Pt. 3
Winsome Witness
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
—Acts 1:8
Christ-LIKENESS in Persecution
“They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit …”
—Acts 6:5b
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
—Acts 6:8
Opposition arose …
—Acts 6:9
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
—Acts 6:15
“… rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips … 10 and … put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
—Colossians 3:8,10
Christ-FOCUS in Persecution
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
—Acts 7:51-53
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
—Acts 7:54-56
“The Word of God is sharper than a double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
—Hebrews 4:12
But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.
—Luke 22:69
That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms …
—Ephesians 1:20
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
—Colossians 3:1
Christ-DESTINY in Persecution
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
—Acts 7:59
Christ-COMPASSION in Persecution
Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
—Acts 7:60
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
—Luke 23:34
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Next Steps:
1. Today I accept Jesus as my Savior for the first time.
2. When problems arise, I will display a winsome witness.
3. When truth is attacked, I will stand up.
4. When I pay the price, I will do It with a smile.