With admiration, a crowd of worshipers give their choir a standing ovation. It is the congregation's way of showing their appreciation for the outstanding performance of the Easter cantata, ‘Amazing Love, How Can it be?’

Stephen presented a sermon of hard facts to his hearers. His delivery cut to the quick.

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it (Acts 7:51-53 NKJV).”

The religious leaders were not keepers of God’s word; they were losers of salvation. They did not approve of Stephen or his message.

“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth (Acts 7:54 NKJV).”

Stephen looked above for his affirmation…

“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56 NKJV)!”

Jesus, who ‘sits’ at the ride side of His Father, (Romans 8:34) stood to His feet!

Stephen had faced the opposition; with forgiveness and abiding faith, he faced death.

“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep* (Acts 7:59-60 NKJV).” 

[*died/definition mine]

Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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