Bible Verses for Sunday Service August 28, 2022
Psalm 105:3
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Announcements:
After the service today we will meet at the park in Huntley for a picnic. Be sure you bring your own lawn chairs and food to share. We will spend time throwing horseshoes or just visit under the shade trees.
Awana starts on September 14th at 6:30PM and runs to 8:00PM, and we will be meeting every Wednesday until April. Please get the word out to encourage children come, and please be in prayer for this important ministry. Besides reminded you about Awana’s impending start, Steve also reminded us that although we have 12 leaders committed to help, we could always use some more help, and it is a rewarding ministry. You could also help by baking cookies and saving the kids from Walmart cookies. Lastly don’t forget the Awana meetings for your group. Directors for each group will contact their people to let them know a day and time.
Thank you! Steve thanked those individuals who donate their time and energy to keep our building and grounds looking nice. Don West waxed the floors and Gary and Julie Robinson mowed the grass.
Sermon:
Continuing in Acts, Pastor spoke to us on “The Story of Stephen” using as his text Acts 6:8 through 7:60. Pastor chose to frame his preaching on Stephen through his death and last words. Many people have famous last words and Pastor recited some of them. Not often does the Bible record last words, but it does for Jesus and Stephen. Their words are very similar, calling on the Lord to receive their spirits. Now our challenge is not to good last words, but to live a life such that we could have good last words. So let’s review the life of Stephen, what is it about?
Fundamentally, the Bible story of Stephen’s life is the story of his death, his stoning. He was falsely accused of blaspheming by men angry that they could not win a theological argument with him. These men seized him, took him to the Sanhedrin and lied about what he did, resulting in him being sentenced to death.
He was given a chance to defend himself, and did so well. Going right to biblical history he showed how Christ was the fulfillment of all of the old testament. But the authorities rejected this.
Based on the Sanhedrin’s failure to understand scripture, Stephen was viciously treated. An innocent man was condemned and executed, just like Jesus. Pastor chose to remind us that this continues today and is part of God’s plan, even though it often makes no sense to us. Let us take heart by considering the victory in Christ that is Stephen’s death.
While it will seem strange to non-believers, the story of Stephen’s death is a story of victory. This victory can be seen in 3 aspects of his life. Firstly, and perhaps most important, the victory can be seen in how Stephen exhibits Christ. He even looked like an angel when dying, “the face of angel.” This calm in the face of adversity is characteristic of Christ. Think of the peace Christ showed in front of Pilate.
Besides exhibiting Christ, Stephen also envisioned Christ. Stephen saw Christ in his death and spoke of him sitting at the right hand of God. He saw Him interceding for us at God’s right hand. But, he also saw Christ welcoming him home. Who could not have peace in the moment with this welcome?
Lastly, Stephen entreated Christ, his last words being a prayer to Him. Stephen asked for forgiveness of his persecutors, “Father, forgive them….” Pastor connected this to our actions. Do we act as we are being watched by Christ? Could the Lord use us, our testimony for His purposes? While these concepts are illustrated in Stephen’s death, we could use them well in our lives. Let us leave here today and think on these things so that we can exhibit some of this our lives this coming week.
Accessing the Service, Bulletin and Sermon Outline:
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