Supporters’ Extra: Stephen’s Message
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Stephen's story in Acts 7 is a startling one. The fact that they killed him for what he said is really quite something.
He had really let them have it - about how they refused to accept Christ, and so were guilty before God. Then we read: "When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 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. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him." (Acts 7:54-58)
Covering Our Ears
Sadly, there are still many people today - Jews and Gentiles - who refuse to accept Jesus, and who cover their ears and yell at the top of their voices to avoid receiving the truth. Maybe not literally, but in a metaphorical sense… read or listen to this full devotion on my Patreon page here – for a monthly amount of your choice.
Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself enough to accept help on the way to the cross. Examine today whether pride is keeping you from both receiving help and offering it to others
This evil King Manasseh found redemption – when he fulfilled the conditions. God’s forgiveness isn’t unconditional. We need to do what Manasseh did
Solomon's humble prayer teaches us to ask for God’s help with the same spirit.
William Greathouse was able to disagree with other Christians and still remain friends.
As we begin Holy Week, let’s remember how Jesus came humbly as a servant, willing to embrace humiliation as He obeyed God.
We begin a Lenten journey together with challenging words from John Wesley about examining our hearts. Use this Ash Wednesday to think carefully about what needs to change in the way you live and think.
The Pharisees cared more about what people thought than what God thought. Yes we must represent God well, but never in a way that puffs us up.
Genuine worship involves laying down our pride and achievements at Jesus' feet, just as the wise men and heavenly elders did. This Christmas season, take time to bow before Him in true humility, surrendering all your crowns of self-reliance.
Stop holding back; bow down and let Jesus take the lead, and experience the true change only He can bring.
Christians do great things for God, while acknowledging that it is God Himself who does achieves great things through us.
In a world where status is important, Jesus calls us to childlike humility, caring little for status and position.
Awarded with the highest honour in the land, Wally Herron didn’t get puffed up. He humble gave thanks and relinquished the glory to God.
Our enemy tries to kill our humility and make us bombastic and arrogant in God’s presence. But the true follower of Jesus is always humble and thankful.
We have a habit of obscuring God’s glory and moving ourselves into view. But even our stories are meant to point to God, not us!
Stephen's accusers covered their ears and yelled to drown out the truth - a warning against the noise and distraction that can keep us from hearing God's voice today.