Psalm: 108 Meditation: ActsImagine the self control needed to face false charges in a trial when the verdict is already known. Stephen addresses each of the charges against him with facts from Scripture that showed the true history and rebellion of the Israelites. His answers and demeanor enraged the Sanhedrin and caused them to violate …
Tag: Stephen
Thursday, June 23
Psalm: 105:1-22 Meditation: ActsA man is brought before the highest court in the land and is accused of the most heinous crimes and everyone notices the face of an angel? This is what happens when Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin for his trial. All look upon him and “saw that his face was like …
Monday, December 27
Psalm: 119: 73-96 Meditation John: While not an apostle, Stephen was the first of an array of martyrs. John, on the other hand was an Apostle, and in this reading, Jesus intimates to Peter that John will not die as a martyr. This, just after Jesus warned, or better, prophesied that Peter would die in …
Sunday, December 26
Psalm: 119:49-72 Meditation Isaiah: We are living in the midst of the Second Advent; much of what was said before Jesus came can also be said today. Stephen, the first martyr’s (witness) death is remembered today. Suddenly, with his stoning, this whole Jesus People movement becomes serious – it may actually cost us our lives. …
Monday, August 23
Psalm: 78:1-39 Meditation Acts: This reading brings to a close both Stephen’s sermon and his life. Stephen is regarded as the Church’s first martyr and his life and death are remembered by the Church on the day after Christmas. Stephen accuses his accusers as being just as “stiff-necked” and “uncircumcised” both in heart and ears …
Friday, August 20
Psalm: 103 Meditation Acts: This section of Scripture brings us to the middle of Stephen’s (the deacon) sermon. With this, Stephen demonstrates how thoroughly he had memorized God’s word, much like Paul. While I know all the particulars of the events Stephen is recounting, I could never do it the justice that it deserves. These …
Saturday, December 26
Psalms: 18 Meditation Acts: Today, the Church celebrates the life of Deacon Stephen, the first martyr (or “witness”). We can make several assumptions about Stephen: he was a Greek; burdened with the welfare of the Greek widows and orphans; an evangelist. Acts 7 covers Stephen’s last day on earth and recounts his sermon to the …
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Psalm: 33 Meditation Luke: Another prism through which to glimpse what was happening on the Mount of Olives. Jesus is praying but His disciples (Peter, James, & John) were asleep a few feet away. Jesus is praying for God to take the cup from Him. The answer is “No.” Jesus’ response: “Not my will but …
Friday, June 26, 2020
Psalm: 107 Meditation Acts: This passage of scripture finds us smack dab in the middle of the first published sermon of a follower of Jesus: Stephen, the Church’s first martyr. I wonder if any of us could recount as eloquently as Stephen even the life of Christ. Probably not. This shows just how deeply these …
Going Deeper: May 3
Read Acts 6:1-15 together. Watch the sermon video (available at pacificunionchurch.org/churchsmall) Listen. What is the new normal that Stephen embraced? What was the promising future that he looked forward to? How did this impact his life? Respond. What in the current new normal of corona-virus do you embrace? How has this changed your relationship with …
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