Stephen's Speech

Have you ever wondered what your final words in this world would be?

Acts 7: 1-52

It's so important for us to be sensitive and soft-hearted to the work that the Holy Spirit is doing.

Acts 7 records the final words of the disciple Stephen before he was martyred. They are so profound that they mark a turning point in church history. Some may humorously point out that Stephen’s final words became his final words for the very reason he had the boldness to proclaim them. He told the High Priest and the Jewish leadership, “You stiff-necked people…You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!...Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Why would Stephen ‘poke the bear’ by saying this? The answer of course is, because of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit had filled Stephen so much that he was performing signs and miracles. The Jews from the local Synagogue in Jerusalem had been unable to argue with him, in spite of their best efforts. So they had arrested and charged him with intending to destroy the temple and the customs of Moses. They clearly felt threatened by the work the Holy Spirit was doing and were desperately clinging to their current status quo.

But Stephen’s face shone like an Angel during his trial. He gave them a history lesson of what God had done to fulfill his precious promises. They were filled with murderous fury, and stoned him. In contrast, Stephen was profoundly overcome with Christlike peace, as if he already had one foot in the door of heaven, declaring “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”.

It's so important for us to be sensitive and soft-hearted to the work that the Holy Spirit is doing. Even if he calls us to change. Even if He empowers us to be bold. For the joy of the Spirit is far greater than anything else the world has to offer.

Pastor Ben