Following the Footsteps of Stephen

Following the Footsteps of Stephen
(Acts 6:15-8:1)
Rev. Eugene Cha

 I. Who was Stephen?

 II. As a follower of Jesus, Stephen faced death without fear (vv. 6:15)
His ministry gained a lot of attention in the community; he knew trouble was coming
He was prepared to face death without fear he learned in life to trust Christ without fear

 III. As a follower of Jesus, Stephen faced death with no bitterness in his heart
(vv. 7:59-60)
If anyone had a good reason to be angry and bitter it was Stephen
He was prepared to face death with no bitterness in his heart because he practiced in life the art of forgiveness

 IV. As a follower of Jesus, Stephen faced death with his eyes focused squarely on
Jesus (v. 7:56)
He wasn’t concerned with himself; he wasn’t concerned with the situation at hand
He was prepared to face death with his eyes focused on Jesus because he lived his life with his eyes focused on Jesus

 V. As a follower of Jesus, Stephen knew the scripture (vv. 7:51-53)
He didn’t just know the scripture but he was immersed in scripture; he interpreted the world around him with the scripture
Stephen was prepared to face death looking to scripture because he lived his life looking to scripture

 VI. Application
Are you prepared to face death without fear?
Are you prepared to face death with no bitterness?
Are you prepared to face death with your eyes focused on Jesus?
Are you prepared to face death looking to scripture?