Acts 7

Acts 7:54-60 (NIV84)

"54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 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. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep."

There are two things that really stick out to me here.

1. Verse 57.  They refused to hear the message that Stephen was preaching.  Revival isn't easy, and revival certainly won't be accepted by all people. Some people will accept the Truth and others might not, but we shouldn't let rejection stop us from preaching the gospel.  Stephen knew he was going to get stoned by the people, but he didn't even let death stop him from spreading the gospel.


2. Stephen forgave them.  It's important that during times of persecution and rejection that we don't hate our persecutors or those who rejected us.  Our number one desire shouldn't be revenge but it should be the redemption of our enemies.

Anyways, kind of short tonight but thanks for reading!

-JDWayt