History’s First Christian Martyr!
Sermon Date:
August 8, 2010
Scripture:
Acts 7:54-60
Series:
Heroes of the Faith
Speaker: Dr. Donald McKay
Acts 7:54-60: “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Stephen was not the only individual in the history...
Another hero who had it rough – that’s what Stephen was. In fact he’s the first hero in our series whose heroism cost him his life. Yet his behavior in the midst of horrific trouble was nothing short of exemplary and provides us with another example to follow when we’re in trouble too!