Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! “He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep. —Acts 7:55-60
Setting our gaze upon God brings
“Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” —Acts 7:55
How did Stephen’s gaze upon Christ transform how he lived?
(1) Stephen’s gaze allowed his
“You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.” —Acts 7:51-53
“Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” —Luke 12:11-12
(2) Stephen’s gaze led him to
“He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” —Acts 7:60
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…But love your enemies, do what is good…Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” —Luke 6:27-28, 35, 36
(3) Stephen’s gaze provided
“And after saying this, he fell asleep.” —Acts 7:60
“And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” —Acts 7:58
Stephen’s gaze on God led to God transforming the lives of
“The church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen.” —St. Augustine
“He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” —Acts 7:56
“They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him.” —Acts 7:57
“Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” —Acts 7:56
Questions for reflection:
How would your life transform by setting your gaze upon God?
How can you set our gaze on God?
For further study:
Scripture: John 14:1-14; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10
Resources: “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer
Community Group Guide:
How do you set your gaze on God throughout your life?
How do you see the Spirit most at work in your life through your focus on Christ: words, love, peace, or something else?
How has the gaze of another believer been impactful to your life?
What is something you regularly interact with that God uses to remind you to set your gaze upon the Kingdom?
To prepare for next week: Come and Hear; Psalm 66:8-20