WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.780 Acts chapter 7. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:11.560 This evening we're looking at the last part of chapter 7 and into chapter 8. 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:18.980 As we consider Stephen, as we've been looking at him this evening, thinking of Stephen the martyr. 00:00:20.260 --> 00:00:22.300 Verse 54, we read these words. 00:00:22.300 --> 00:00:27.339 Now when they heard these things, they were enraged and they ground their teeth at him. 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:35.960 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 00:00:36.519 --> 00:00:43.960 And he said, behold, I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:44.780 And so on. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:56.620 Well, as you look through the book of Acts up to this point, you see the early church being the witness to the Lord Jesus. 00:00:56.620 --> 00:01:00.060 And how initially everything seems to be going so well. 00:01:00.120 --> 00:01:03.100 You see an amazing growth in the early church. 00:01:03.740 --> 00:01:05.540 But how does that growth come about? 00:01:05.540 --> 00:01:14.980 Well, as you read through the chapters, you find that you see faithful people gathered together and praying to God. 00:01:15.520 --> 00:01:24.500 You see people preaching the word of God, such as Peter on the day of Pentecost and thousands turning to the Lord. 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:25.700 You think this is wonderful. 00:01:25.800 --> 00:01:26.560 This is great. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:32.219 What a blessing to see everything going so well and the church growing in this way. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:38.620 But as you continue to read through the book of Acts, and especially as you come to this passage, 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:43.099 we've been looking at where we see Steve and you see another way the church grows. 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:44.740 And it's a surprising way. 00:01:45.300 --> 00:01:48.719 And it's maybe not the way we would want the church to grow. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:54.200 But it's often the case that it is through persecution that the church will grow. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:56.959 And you read about that. 00:01:57.039 --> 00:02:05.840 Even Jesus himself mentioned that in the Sermon on the Mount, in the Beatitudes, where he says in verse 10 of Matthew 5, 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:12.259 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:21.560 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:25.859 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. 00:02:26.519 --> 00:02:30.139 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:37.060 And that's a message that Stephen has already reminded them of here. 00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:43.759 In verse 52, as we read, which of the prophets did not your fathers persecuted? 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:49.020 And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the righteous one. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:54.319 And you see so many similarities between Stephen and the Lord Jesus. 00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:01.939 And it's a reminder to us, Stephen, that this is what every Christian should desire to be like. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:04.439 To be more Christ-like. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:10.699 And so we come to the conclusion here of looking at Stephen's life by looking at Stephen the martyr. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:16.579 What we've seen of him so far is how he was chosen as one to serve tables. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:21.860 It doesn't sound very glamorous, and yet in it all, he was serving the Lord. 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:22.979 He was a faithful man. 00:03:23.020 --> 00:03:24.740 He was full of the Spirit. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:31.919 And here, as we've seen in chapter 7, then we looked at the message that he brought to the people. 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:39.339 He presented to the people what they had done before God, how they had turned away from him, and their need to repent. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:44.279 We see now the reaction of the people when they heard these things. 00:03:44.679 --> 00:03:46.099 They were enraged. 00:03:46.679 --> 00:03:54.319 But what we see now is that even in his martyrdom, it is the Lord who is glorified. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:58.400 And indeed, as we see, the word is spread. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:04.379 The word martyr itself comes from the word witness. 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:06.699 It is to witness. 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:11.859 And that is what Stephen is doing here, is bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:21.819 The Lord Jesus, who himself is described in Revelation chapter 1, verse 5, as Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:26.220 That word witness is where martyr comes from. 00:04:27.020 --> 00:04:34.340 And so here is Stephen the martyr, bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:41.919 The one who freed us from our sin by his death and by his resurrection. 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:54.959 And from the early church onwards, you see Christian martyrs such as Stephen, martyred for their faith and their witness to the Lord Jesus Christ, down through all the generations. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:00.519 In our own day, it's still the case that Christians are martyred around the world. 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:07.139 As we thought of organizations such as Release International, Open Doors, Steadfast Global. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:09.099 Why is there a need for them? 00:05:09.539 --> 00:05:12.819 Because of the persecution the church is suffering. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:19.699 Places such as the Middle East, India, Nepal, many parts of Africa, North Korea. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:28.579 Christians are challenged on a daily basis to renounce their faith, to convert to other religions, to pay religious taxes. 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:32.419 And ultimately many to face execution. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:37.740 But they remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:42.879 Because they know that there are greater blessings with him. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:51.099 It's not just about the here and now, as we sang in Psalm 23, the Lord with us through the peaceful times. 00:05:51.219 --> 00:05:55.060 The Lord with us through that valley of the shadow of death. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:57.480 But our journey doesn't come to an end there. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:03.680 You see that in God's house, forevermore, there's a dwelling place for God's people. 00:06:04.220 --> 00:06:10.040 And that's what the life of Stephen encourages us by and reminds us of as well. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:16.500 So what can we take from Stephen this evening and his martyr, him being a martyr? 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:20.439 Well, there's three things I want us to think about as we look at this. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:23.279 The wickedness of man, first of all. 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:27.420 Then the grace of God in the midst of it all. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:32.800 And then the greater good that God can bring out of these things as well. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:37.699 So the first thing we see is the wickedness of man. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:42.659 Here is Stephen in the midst of his own life experience. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:49.780 He's facing up a crowd who are enraged and gnashing their teeth, grinding their teeth at him. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:56.560 But it says in verse 55, but he full of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:57.440 --> 00:06:59.420 The Lord is with him. 00:06:59.960 --> 00:07:02.860 Just as he is going through that verse in Psalm 23. 00:07:03.520 --> 00:07:05.900 Yet though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 00:07:05.940 --> 00:07:08.600 He knows that the Lord is with him. 00:07:09.280 --> 00:07:10.520 That the Lord is near. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:12.500 And we'll see it as we go through it. 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:16.419 Just how powerful his vision of the Lord is. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:22.879 But the first thing we notice here is the analogy of the shepherd leading his sheep. 00:07:23.859 --> 00:07:27.799 And how faithful the Lord is to Stephen here. 00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:33.259 And how precious a thing that is for ourselves this evening too. 00:07:33.859 --> 00:07:38.259 That we can take heart from the experience of Stephen here. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:40.360 That here he is. 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:44.579 He has had a time of blessing seeing the church grow. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:47.939 That time when God has led him by the still waters. 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:51.000 But here he is now going through this valley. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:54.899 This time where the shadow is drawing close. 00:07:55.899 --> 00:08:00.879 And yet here he is still so assured that the Lord is with him. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:04.740 He is full of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:14.180 And what our text this evening makes clear for us is the difference between Stephen who is trusting in the Lord. 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:17.139 And those who are persecuting him. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:23.259 You see those who have heard the message and they're enraged at what they've heard. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.800 They grind their teeth. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:28.759 They block their ears. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:30.300 It says to us as well. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:35.720 And they rush him to take him out of the city to stone him. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:39.620 The gospel is so offensive to them. 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:41.600 They want no more to do with it. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:44.240 They want to hear nothing else from it. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:50.259 But when you look at verse 55, you see the great difference between Stephen. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:53.200 And this is the way the Christian should be as well. 00:08:54.060 --> 00:09:01.480 That as we face up to many challenges in this world, a people who reject and even revile against the gospel. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.200 That this is how we are to be. 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:04.440 This is our response. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:08.100 It says of Stephen, but he. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:13.000 In these simple words, it defines the difference. 00:09:14.040 --> 00:09:22.800 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God. 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:25.320 He was different. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:27.680 He was a Christian. 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:30.639 He knew Christ and he knew Christ with him. 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:32.160 And he knew where to look. 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:36.980 He looked up into heaven and saw the glory of God. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:45.220 God, Satan does not sit idly by as the Lord is at work here in this world as well. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:49.480 Satan wants to snatch a people for himself. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:54.720 He wants a people to turn and be enraged against the gospel. 00:09:55.840 --> 00:10:01.519 And God, even though he sees his people suffering such as Stephen here. 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:03.440 This is the hard part for us. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:05.800 You think, why didn't he intervene? 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:11.200 Why didn't he miraculously protect Stephen here? 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:16.600 Why does he allow this choice young man to be cut down in his prime? 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:20.800 Well, it takes eyes of faith to see why. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:30.120 Because, as we'll see later, you see that even in the midst of this, the persecution, the suffering, the greater good of God goes on. 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:36.500 But what you're reminded of here, too, is that that is good for Stephen in it all. 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:39.519 He knows that there is greater to come. 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:50.159 He has this action here where he's calm, clear-headed, articulate, even kind towards the crowd as they rush to stone him. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:53.319 But they are angry. 00:10:54.079 --> 00:10:56.659 They are gnarling at him. 00:10:56.719 --> 00:10:58.519 They're gnarling and grinding their teeth. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:10:59.699 They're so enraged. 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:04.839 And this is just a reminder to us of the wickedness of man. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:09.319 And how often we see this again and again. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:12.219 Things that we cannot understand. 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:14.759 Suffering for God's people. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:16.379 That we sometimes think, why? 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:18.720 Why this way? 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:26.960 But down through every generation, we see man's inhumanity to man. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:32.059 Again and again, we're reminded of the evil of this world. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.860 Time and again. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:38.500 You look in history, and it's there constantly for us. 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:44.960 Every January, the 27th of January each year, is Holocaust Memorial Day. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:51.279 As always, a powerful reminder to us of how evil mankind can be. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.659 Millions died in awful ways. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:12:01.080 And we cannot understand some of these things. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:05.639 But we can learn that God is still with his people in it. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:11.019 And one survivor who you probably all heard of was Corrie Ten Boom. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:15.319 And how she spoke of the wickedness that she saw. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:17.460 And many others have done likewise too. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:22.340 But also to see the love and grace of God in it all too. 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:23.639 And she once said this. 00:12:23.699 --> 00:12:30.039 There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:34.240 And that's the way we sometimes have to look at things. 00:12:34.839 --> 00:12:38.799 To remind ourselves that in the wickedness of mankind in this world, 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:44.419 there is no pit so deep that God's love cannot go deeper. 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:48.679 Regardless of the reason that hardship has come, 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:52.059 every believer needs to be like Stephen here. 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:54.620 A but he believer. 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:57.360 That whatever is going on around us, 00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:59.519 whatever is going on even in our own experience, 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:04.220 that we have this faithful view of Stephen. 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:07.259 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:10.740 gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.879 That we remind ourselves again and again 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:16.799 that the Lord is with us always. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:21.259 Just as Psalm 23, such a precious Psalm to us. 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:22.979 You go through the valley, 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:26.259 but there's always that destination at the end of it. 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:29.379 That dwelling place with God. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.339 And so as we ourselves, 00:13:32.479 --> 00:13:35.859 as we face up to the wickedness of man around us, 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:38.159 whether it's in the distant lands 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.279 where we pray for persecuted people, 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.979 whether it's in our own nation, 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:43.620 or even on our own doorstep, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:47.360 when we face up to the challenges that are around us through sin. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:50.580 That we don't respond with evil. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:53.919 That we don't respond like for like. 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:56.399 That we make sure our eyes, 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:59.259 our focus is fixed on the Lord. 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:04.980 That we seek to be a glorious witness for him day by day. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:08.200 Praying for faithful patience and grace 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:12.419 to be his witness to all around us. 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:16.319 We have the wickedness of man all around us. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:20.019 But we're reminded certainly of the grace that overcomes. 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:24.419 And we see what grace does in this passage. 00:14:24.599 --> 00:14:28.759 Grace is illustrated in many different ways here for us. 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:32.699 Remarkably, you see it in the people 00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:36.000 who are gathered around even stoning Stephen. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.179 And there's one in particular who we see. 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:44.419 And his name is Saul. 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:49.700 And in just a few words in this passage, 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:52.539 it says that as they stoned him, 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:54.539 the witnesses laid down their garments, 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.820 this is in verse 58, 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:59.700 at the feet of a young man named Saul. 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:03.500 All the people that were gathered around, 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:05.800 he's the only one that's named. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:09.480 A young man named Saul. 00:15:10.180 --> 00:15:14.940 You see his name referenced then in chapter 8, verse 1. 00:15:15.020 --> 00:15:18.340 And Saul approved of his execution. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:24.540 And from there, he continued to persecute. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:27.000 He continued to go on. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:30.820 It says then in verse 3 of chapter 8, 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:33.720 but Saul was ravaging the church 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.960 and entering house after house. 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.800 He dragged off men and women 00:15:37.800 --> 00:15:39.460 and committed them to prison. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:41.440 And you're beginning to think to yourself, 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:43.980 how can grace be seen here 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:46.779 in the person of Saul? 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:49.639 And it's a reminder to us 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:55.320 that when people view the grace of God at work, 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:56.639 when people view Christians 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.500 as Saul was viewing Stephen here, 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.159 it doesn't mean that there's going to be 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:01.560 an instant response. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.519 In fact, if you look at Saul here, 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:06.159 it says his heart's going harder. 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:08.139 He's going the other way completely. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:10.600 He's becoming more and more determined 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.320 to persecute the church. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.080 He's going around. 00:16:14.760 --> 00:16:16.620 He's dragging them out, men and women, 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.980 committing them to prison. 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:21.300 So it's as if he's going further away. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.379 And you're saying to yourself, 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.560 how can any good come out of this? 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:29.620 Seems as if he's going further away. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.879 And yet, all you have to do 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.540 is jump into chapter 9. 00:16:35.400 --> 00:16:37.500 And you see the grace of God. 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:42.279 But Saul, still breathing threats 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:44.559 and murders against the disciples of the Lord. 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.740 He's still at it. 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.779 But what happened? 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.960 He met with the Lord on the road to Damascus. 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:55.320 And his life was transformed. 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:58.019 As a reminder to us, 00:16:58.059 --> 00:17:00.179 even as we see a persecuted people 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.940 around the world, 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:01.940 whatever it is, 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.440 in foreign lands, 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.539 and even in our own lands, 00:17:04.580 --> 00:17:06.880 as we see such a contempt 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.580 of the Christian faith just now 00:17:08.580 --> 00:17:10.640 and so many against the Christian faith, 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:12.539 it seems to be getting worse. 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:16.259 It's not time to stop praying for them, 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.680 but to pray even more 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.840 that the persecutors would be like Saul, 00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:21.080 watching on, 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:23.160 maybe seeming in our eyes to get worse, 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.620 but that the Lord would meet them 00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:27.519 and transform them 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.279 just like he transformed Saul 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:31.619 by that wonderful grace. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:35.440 So we see grace at work 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:37.119 in unbelievable ways here. 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:41.299 We see also the grace God gives to Stephen. 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.639 And you notice just how, 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:45.299 we've sort of touched on this already, 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:47.259 how the Lord is with him 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:50.359 and with him in a remarkable way. 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:53.240 And you think of those who are present here, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.200 not watching on, 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:57.259 but those who are present with Stephen. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:59.640 And when you read verse 55, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.119 it says, 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.059 but he, 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.960 full of the Holy Spirit, 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.480 gazed into heaven 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.099 and saw the glory of God 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:10.920 and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.960 What do we have in that verse? 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:15.839 We've got all the members of the Trinity. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.579 They're all there. 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.240 He's full of the Holy Spirit, 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:22.759 the comforter that Jesus had promised. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.359 We see that he's looking up into heaven 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:27.459 and he's seeing the glory of God. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.519 And at the right hand of God 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.179 is Jesus, 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:30.779 the Son, 00:18:31.199 --> 00:18:33.259 standing at the right hand of God. 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:34.639 He's there standing, 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:36.579 waiting for Stephen. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:39.399 It's a remarkable image. 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.979 And he goes on to say in verse 56, 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.539 and he said, 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.359 behold, 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:45.399 I see the heavens opened 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:46.359 and the Son of Man 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:49.619 standing at the right hand of God. 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:52.579 Now we often read of Jesus 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:55.139 being at the right hand of God, 00:18:55.219 --> 00:18:56.159 but he sat, 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.919 sitting at the right hand of God. 00:18:59.959 --> 00:19:00.559 But here, 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:03.179 he is at the right hand of God standing. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.239 So he's waiting 00:19:05.239 --> 00:19:07.859 just to welcome Stephen home. 00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:10.159 So we have them. 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.299 They're all there. 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.739 They're all present. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.579 And what a view, 00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:16.859 what a vision he's got here. 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:19.319 What he sees is remarkable. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:20.319 You know, 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:22.159 we've marveled these last few weeks, 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:22.759 some evenings, 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:24.879 when we see the northern lights 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:26.599 and how spectacular they are. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.919 We lift up our gaze in the skies 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:30.579 and you see these lights 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:32.199 dancing in the skyline. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:36.339 And you think how amazing that is. 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.419 And yet here, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.699 we see Stephen 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:41.879 with a much more greater view 00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:43.119 than anyone could ever have 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.079 with the northern lights. 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:46.299 He sees the glory of God. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.779 He sees it all 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.899 as he lifts his eyes 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:50.119 up to heaven. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:53.619 And even in his dying moment, 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.460 you see the grace of God 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.899 at work in him, 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.799 at work through him. 00:19:59.419 --> 00:20:00.440 Look at the words 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.819 that he sees. 00:20:02.899 --> 00:20:04.759 As he's in the throes 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:06.899 of just the last moments 00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.599 of his life, 00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:09.619 he's seeing these things. 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:12.099 But he also has words 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.539 to speak. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:16.359 And he says in verse 59, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.799 Lord Jesus, 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:20.519 receive my spirit. 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.359 And then in verse 60, 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:23.819 he says, 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.879 falling to his knees, 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.680 he cried out 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.799 with a loud voice, 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.259 Lord, 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:29.420 do not hold this sin 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.759 against him. 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.500 And again, 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:32.940 you think, 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.399 where do these words, 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.859 what do they remind us of? 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:38.079 The words of Christ 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:39.339 as he was crucified. 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:40.799 Father, 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:42.639 into your hands, 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:44.500 I commit my spirit. 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.139 And Father, 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.379 forgive them, 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.679 for they know not 00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:49.279 what they do. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.579 They're so alike. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.199 And it's a reminder 00:20:52.199 --> 00:20:53.439 to us as well 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:54.759 that this is how 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.980 we are to be as well. 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.879 We are committing ourselves 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.879 into the Lord's hands, 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.179 into the Lord's care 00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:03.839 at all times. 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:05.419 And we are also 00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:06.399 to have that kind 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.299 of attitude too. 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.159 Lord, 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:10.019 do not hold this sin 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.319 against them. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.980 Forgive them 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.539 for what they do. 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.679 Charles Spurgeon 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.740 once said 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:20.000 of Stephen's death 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.459 that it was 00:21:20.459 --> 00:21:22.539 full of Jesus. 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.859 It's full of Jesus' 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.819 sin, 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.559 he said. 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.279 It's full of Jesus' 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.059 invoke 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.439 that's called upon. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.220 It's full of Jesus' 00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:33.199 trusted. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.019 And it's full of 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.539 Jesus imitated. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.199 And again, 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.259 it's just such a powerful 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.819 reminder to ourselves 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:42.240 of the way we should 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.079 seek to live 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.639 our lives too, 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.399 to be Christ-like 00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:47.159 and to know 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:48.279 the grace 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.119 of God 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:49.959 in that way. 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.359 And that's the grace 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.119 that he promises 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:53.220 to you 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.819 and to me. 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.419 Grace 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.159 for every 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:57.159 occasion 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.879 in life. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.299 Grace 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.359 to live 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.559 day by day. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.799 Grace 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.799 to witness 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.799 grace 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.799 to him 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.039 day by day. 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.119 Grace 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:10.659 to die. 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:12.259 But the Lord 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.819 is with us. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.279 The grace 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.980 of God 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.359 is a remarkable 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.240 thing. 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.159 Finally, 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.259 we see here too 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.399 God's 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.759 greater purpose 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.960 in it all. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.779 No one 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.579 suffers 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.519 for Christ 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.720 in vain. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:31.480 that is a great 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.860 truth 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.559 that we see 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.720 in Stephen's 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.000 life 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.600 and every 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.620 Christian's 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.539 life as well. 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.019 No one 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.640 suffers 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.960 for Christ 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.339 in vain. 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:43.039 Even as Stephen's 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.960 life is taken 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.000 from him here, 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.839 God has a purpose 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.660 in it all. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.559 It was Tertullian, 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.559 the early church 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.000 father, 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.579 who said, 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.799 the blood 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.859 of the martyrs 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.259 is the seed 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.480 of the church. 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.819 In other words, 00:22:58.899 --> 00:22:59.279 that even 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.579 through the 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.399 death of the 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:01.980 Christians 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.460 over generations, 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.099 that that would 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.919 be the seed 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.919 of the church. 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.480 That is where 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.039 growth 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.220 would come. 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.699 And you see 00:23:10.699 --> 00:23:11.279 here that even 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.039 as this 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.559 persecution 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.500 was done, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.039 something else 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.139 happened as well. 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:18.139 That the word 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.320 of God 00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.120 spread. 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:20.720 It says in 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.580 verse 1 of 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.620 chapter 8 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.400 that there arose 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.020 on that day 00:23:24.020 --> 00:23:24.440 a great 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.120 persecution 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:26.480 against the 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.720 church, 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.160 and they were 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.720 scattered 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:29.200 throughout the 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.780 regions. 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.000 The Christians 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.740 were scattered, 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.160 but what happened 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.660 as they were 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.080 scattered? 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:34.660 Well, 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.180 just go down 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.820 to verse 4. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:36.000 Now, 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:36.660 those who were 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.180 scattered 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:38.259 went about 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.020 preaching the 00:23:39.020 --> 00:23:39.320 word. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.640 Philip went 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.140 down to the 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.900 city of Samaria 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.540 and proclaimed 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.080 to them 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:44.160 the Christ, 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.480 and there was 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.300 much joy 00:23:46.300 --> 00:23:47.820 in that city. 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.639 it says. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.539 Even through 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.899 Stephen's 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.319 death, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.659 through his 00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:54.240 witness, 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.559 through his 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.059 life, 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.480 the church 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.639 bore fruit. 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:00.740 And you just 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.399 think again 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.460 of Saul 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:04.299 and how he 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.899 looked on 00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:05.379 at this 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.599 stoning of 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.039 Stephen and 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.879 approved of 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.359 it all. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:09.740 And yet 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.579 this Saul 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.720 who became 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.019 Paul and 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.539 who God 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.139 used for 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.679 the growth 00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:15.139 of the 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.579 church 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.879 over many, 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.740 in many 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.140 different 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.760 places. 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.080 And you 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:20.440 think of 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.700 some of 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.300 the words 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.280 that Paul 00:24:22.280 --> 00:24:22.900 would later 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.600 speak. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:24.880 And how 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.440 different the 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.380 words that he 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:26.680 had been 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.220 saying at 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.800 this time 00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:29.160 when he 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.920 says in 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.860 1 Corinthians 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.560 15, 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.480 verse 58, 00:24:33.260 --> 00:24:33.660 therefore, 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.900 my beloved 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.820 brethren, 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.880 my beloved 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.460 brethren, 00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:39.960 those who he 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.700 had persecuted, 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.360 those who he 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.660 had dragged 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.480 out and 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.060 committed to 00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:44.440 prison, 00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:45.360 they are now 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.199 my beloved 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:46.799 brethren. 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.000 And he 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.519 says to 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:48.759 them, 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.419 be steadfast, 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.659 immovable, 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.659 always abounding 00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:54.799 in the work 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.519 of the Lord, 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:57.439 knowing that 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:58.059 your labour 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.279 is not in 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.219 vain in the 00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:00.579 Lord. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.719 And you 00:25:02.719 --> 00:25:03.279 just wonder 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.679 are these 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.659 words linked 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:06.299 to this, 00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:08.579 to Stephen's 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.119 stoning, 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.979 or looking 00:25:10.979 --> 00:25:12.279 back to the 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.819 death of 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.339 Christ. 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.000 And you 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.299 think, 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:15.899 how many 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.720 thought that 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.099 that was 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.379 it, 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.720 that was 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.279 the end, 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.539 when Christ 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.339 was crucified, 00:25:21.679 --> 00:25:22.220 that will 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.919 finish off 00:25:22.919 --> 00:25:23.599 the church, 00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:24.480 but no, 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.740 it grew. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.179 Or as 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:28.179 Stephen is 00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:28.679 stoned, 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.319 they're thinking 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.319 this will put 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.879 an end to 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.359 the witness 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.079 of the church, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.859 what happened? 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:33.879 The seed 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.720 was scattered. 00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:36.679 And so he 00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.259 says, 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.099 your labour 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.159 is not 00:25:40.159 --> 00:25:40.719 in vain 00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.599 in the 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.000 Lord. 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.339 No matter 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.359 what you 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:44.799 are doing 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.259 for the 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.599 Lord, 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.539 it is 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:48.099 not in 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.480 vain. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.659 There have 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.240 been periods 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.579 in our 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.159 own nation 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:52.139 where the 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:52.579 Christian 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.099 church 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.559 would seem 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:53.819 to have 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.819 been cast 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.500 away in 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.919 so many 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.500 places. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.000 And there 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.599 was a time 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.019 in the 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.339 1600s when 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.399 many parts 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.119 of Scotland 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.779 saw martyrs 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.579 in their 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.619 lives taken 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.279 because they 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.719 would not 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.739 turn their 00:26:08.739 --> 00:26:09.239 back on 00:26:09.239 --> 00:26:09.599 the Lord 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.059 Jesus. 00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:11.519 And our 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.159 time in 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:13.779 Dumfries was 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.299 certainly a 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.039 time when my 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.500 eyes were 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.939 opened to 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.239 that, 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.559 where there's 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.979 many monuments 00:26:17.979 --> 00:26:18.919 to martyrs 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.719 of the past. 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.139 In the town 00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:22.000 centre near the 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.679 bus station 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:23.459 of Dumfries, 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.500 there's a 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.599 stone monument 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.099 there. 00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:28.219 And on it 00:26:28.219 --> 00:26:29.719 is the name 00:26:29.719 --> 00:26:30.419 James 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.379 Kirko. 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.719 And he 00:26:32.719 --> 00:26:33.719 was shot 00:26:33.719 --> 00:26:34.399 in the town 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:34.859 there in 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.479 May 1685. 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.139 because of 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:37.799 his faith 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.699 in the 00:26:38.699 --> 00:26:39.439 Lord Jesus. 00:26:41.219 --> 00:26:42.139 Then further 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:42.699 down the 00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:43.259 coastline 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.579 there's a 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.279 town called 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.819 Wigtown. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.519 And there 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.099 near that 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.279 town is a 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.799 memorial to 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.659 two ladies, 00:26:51.459 --> 00:26:52.419 two Margarets, 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.719 who again 00:26:53.719 --> 00:26:54.539 were martyrs 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:54.819 for the 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.679 Christian faith, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.299 Margaret Wilson 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.559 and Margaret 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.239 McLaughlin. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.159 And they 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:01.659 would not 00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:02.299 turn their 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.959 back on the 00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:03.619 Lord Jesus. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.079 And so they 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.159 were tied to 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.920 posts out 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.240 in the 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.060 sand where 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:09.580 the 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:11.500 Solway Firth 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.140 comes in. 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:13.660 And the 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.180 tide was 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.880 coming in 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.960 upon them 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.340 and rising 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:17.740 up. 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:18.900 And the 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.500 soldiers were 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.100 telling them 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:21.060 to renounce 00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:21.700 their faith, 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.519 but they 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.960 wouldn't. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.519 Instead, 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.259 they sang 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.640 Psalm 25, 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.720 even as the 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.220 tide was 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.640 coming up 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.060 over their 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.340 head. 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.440 And there 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.100 they died 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.379 for faith 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:32.959 in the 00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:33.639 Lord Jesus. 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.279 And that's 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.799 not that 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.339 long ago 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.199 in our 00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:37.819 own nation. 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.399 And we 00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:39.799 say to 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.279 ourselves, 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:40.619 we will 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.359 never see 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.319 days like 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.000 that again. 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.319 But even 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.959 if we do, 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.079 do we not 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.599 still have 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.240 that great 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.719 hope? 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:50.039 That hope 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.839 that is ours 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:52.219 in Christ. 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.000 John Bunyan, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.399 the author of 00:27:55.399 --> 00:27:55.959 Pilgrim's 00:27:55.959 --> 00:27:56.439 Probes and 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:56.939 other books, 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.599 he spent 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.539 12 years 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.719 in jail 00:27:59.719 --> 00:28:00.299 because of 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.919 his faithful 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:02.219 preaching of 00:28:02.219 --> 00:28:03.079 God's word. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.099 And he 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.799 once wrote 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.199 this, he 00:28:05.199 --> 00:28:05.379 said, 00:28:05.439 --> 00:28:06.199 a smile 00:28:06.199 --> 00:28:07.119 or a 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.859 kind look 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.740 from Christ 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.939 shall be 00:28:09.939 --> 00:28:11.179 worth more 00:28:11.179 --> 00:28:12.579 than 10,000 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.399 worlds. 00:28:14.419 --> 00:28:15.319 Again, he 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.019 was reminding 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.079 us to 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:17.819 fix our 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:19.119 eyes on 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.539 the Lord 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.039 Jesus, 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:22.319 to keep 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.000 our eyes 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:24.099 on him 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:24.959 and to 00:28:24.959 --> 00:28:25.480 keep that 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.019 day in 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:27.000 mind when 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.539 the Lord 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.599 will come. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.920 In 1 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:31.399 Peter 4, 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.319 verse 14, 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.859 it says, 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.019 if you are 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.879 insulted for 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.240 the name 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.019 of Christ, 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.899 you are 00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:38.440 blessed because 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.420 the spirit of 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.119 glory and 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.779 of God 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:42.899 rests upon 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.339 you. 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.420 And that's 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.099 what we see 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.299 in Stephen. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.559 Even as he 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.399 was stoned 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.839 here, he 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.659 gazed up 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.259 to heaven 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.159 and he 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:53.619 saw the 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.240 glory of 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.700 God and 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.119 Jesus 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:56.440 standing at 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.960 the right 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:58.279 hand of 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.779 God. 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.100 And that 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.360 is the 00:29:00.360 --> 00:29:00.779 kind of 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.279 Christian 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.279 that we 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.019 should strive 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.720 to be as 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.079 well. 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.240 Every one 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.620 of us 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.400 to be 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.120 faithful in 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:07.660 whatever we 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.120 are doing 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:08.500 for the 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:08.720 Lord, 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.360 remembering 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:10.460 our labor 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.620 is not 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.319 in vain. 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.700 Even when 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.360 things seem 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.900 to be going 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.860 against us, 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.640 God has 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.440 a purpose 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.600 and a plan 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.299 in it all. 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:21.860 And there's a 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.720 greater good 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.420 God 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.480 at the 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:23.880 end of 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.180 it as 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.559 well. 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.680 Just as 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.759 Stephen saw 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.539 the Lord 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:27.880 Jesus 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.880 standing at 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.299 the right 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.940 hand of 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.339 God, 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.860 so every 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.420 Christian 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.120 remembers 00:29:33.120 --> 00:29:34.339 that the 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.019 Lord will 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.559 welcome 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.640 his people 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.079 home. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.640 That we 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:39.860 might suffer 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.860 in this 00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:41.299 world, 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.380 but there 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:42.980 is greater 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.120 to come, 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.460 and that 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:45.860 is through 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:47.079 faith in 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.440 the Lord 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:47.880 Jesus, 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.579 the faith 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:49.440 that we've 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.100 seen in 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.519 Stephen. 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.799 Stephen the 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.339 man who 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.680 was a 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.099 godly 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.039 man and 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.660 a wise 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.000 man. 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.720 Stephen's 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.980 message was 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.519 one of a 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.420 real God 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.319 to a 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.319 real people. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.579 And Stephen 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.160 the martyr 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.920 saying, 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.099 I looked, 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:04.740 look, 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.299 I see 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.400 heaven open 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:06.759 and the 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.139 son of 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.099 man standing 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.440 at the 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.180 right hand 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.400 of God. 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.099 He saw 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.619 the glory 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.160 of God, 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.779 but remember 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.279 this, 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:14.559 he saw 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.619 people around 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.359 him too, 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.420 and his 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.160 prayer was, 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.579 Lord, 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.660 do not 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.500 hold this, 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.660 against 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:21.960 them. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.119 So may 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.680 we keep 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.379 our eyes 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.220 on the 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.960 Lord Jesus, 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.500 but keep 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.059 our eyes 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.359 on the 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.180 world around 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.799 us too, 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.700 in a 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:31.279 prayerful 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.599 way, 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.519 that they 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:32.920 would not 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.539 perish, 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.619 but see 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.139 the glory 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:35.819 of God 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.160 for themselves. 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.259 Amen. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:38.720 Let us 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.160 pray. 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.599 Our 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.299 Father in 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.519 heaven, 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.079 we thank 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.559 you for 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.119 your word 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.500 and for 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.960 the boldness 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.579 of Stephen 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.180 as we have 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.200 seen so much 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.859 of in this 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.400 passage. 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.500 we pray, 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:50.740 Lord, 00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:51.019 that you 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.519 will fill 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.640 us with 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.560 that seal 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:55.720 of emotion 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.420 and devotion 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.019 to those 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.759 around him, 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.680 longing, 00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.360 Lord, 00:30:59.420 --> 00:30:59.660 that they 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.160 would know 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:01.140 the glory 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.700 of God 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.019 in their 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.519 lives, 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.040 that that 00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:03.380 might be 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.000 our prayer 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.600 too for 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.280 those around 00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:05.620 us. 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.540 But too, 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:06.740 Lord, 00:31:06.800 --> 00:31:07.200 we pray 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.440 that you 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:07.960 will keep 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.500 us with 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.200 our gaze, 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.340 our vision 00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:11.200 fixed on 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.640 Jesus, 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.940 the one 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.380 who has 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.019 gone before 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:15.060 us and 00:31:15.060 --> 00:31:15.800 prepared the 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:16.400 way for 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:16.640 us. 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:16.900 Lord, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.540 bless 00:31:17.540 --> 00:31:18.220 your 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.640 word 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.240 to us 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.420 and 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:19.800 pardon 00:31:19.800 --> 00:31:20.120 our 00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:20.440 sin 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:20.580 in 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:20.720 it 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:20.980 all. 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:21.860 We ask 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.160 it in 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.500 Jesus' 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:22.960 name. 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:23.720 Amen. 00:31:23.780 --> 00:31:23.920 Amen. 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.160 Amen. 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.620 Amen. 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.080 Amen. 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:38.680 Amen. 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:40.700 Amen. 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:44.700 Amen. 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:44.759 Amen. 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.120 Amen. 00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:45.960 Amen.