September 1st-5th Devotional
A 5-Day Devotional: The Faith and Fate of Stephen
Listen to the devotional podcast here
This devotional will guide you through the powerful story of Stephen, a pivotal figure in the Book of Acts, often referred to by Pastor Rod as "The Faith and Fate of Stephen". We will explore his life, ministry, and ultimate martyrdom, drawing lessons for our own journey of faith, as we sift through the Book of Acts. Pastor Rod aims to provide an overview and context to the Word of God as we move through this series.
Day 1: Full of Grace and Power
Devotional: Welcome as we begin our look at Stephen, a well-known character from the Scriptures. The section of Acts we are studying, from chapter 6, verse 8 through chapter 7, verse 60, is dedicated to Stephen's story, which Pastor Rod titles "The Faith and Fate of Stephen". Stephen was a remarkable individual, described in Acts chapter 6, verse 8, as being "full of grace and power," doing great wonders and signs among the people.Pastor Rod explains that Stephen was converted after the ascension of Christ, meaning he never personally saw Jesus on earth. Yet, Stephen came to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by the Holy Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within him. Pastor Rod notes that Stephen was essentially "going out and being Jesus," living a life filled with grace and power, performing signs and wonders. His life demonstrates that a deep, Spirit-filled connection with Christ is possible even without having walked with Him physically. Stephen was chosen as one of the seven to serve, a role that freed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. Stephen became the first person recorded in the New Testament to be killed for his faith, making him the first martyr. His life serves as a powerful example of living fully for Christ.
Declaration: With Stephen's example, I declare that I will seek to be full of grace and power, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me to do God's will in my life, as Pastor Rod taught from the Scriptures.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Stephen, as shared by Pastor Rod. Fill me with your grace and power, just as you filled him. Help me to live a life that reflects Jesus, doing wonders and signs in my sphere of influence. May your Spirit dwell strongly within me, guiding my every step. Amen.
Day 2: Confronting Opposition with an Angelic Countenance
Devotional: As Stephen continued his ministry, full of grace and power, he began to dialogue or dispute with various groups from synagogues like the Freedmen, Cyrene, Alexandria, Sicily, and Asia Minor. These individuals "could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking". Frustrated, they became upset and riled up, instigating others, including the people, elders, and scribes. They then set up false witnesses to lie and make false accusations against Stephen, fabricating charges against him.The charges against Stephen were severe: they claimed he spoke "blasphemous words against Moses and God" and that he said "Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us". These accusations, as Pastor Rod highlighted, were entirely fabricated and made up. Yet, even in the midst of these grave and false accusations, something extraordinary happened. As "all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel". Pastor Rod explained that the Greek word for "gazed" (atenas atinzo) means they were fixed in eye contact, zoned into what they were looking at, unable to take their eyes off Stephen because he had this "face of an angel". Stephen's demeanor, even under intense pressure, radiated a divine presence, a testament to his unwavering faith.
Declaration: I declare that in the face of opposition and false accusations, I will trust in God's presence to radiate through me, giving me an "angelic countenance" that reflects His peace and truth, as seen in Stephen's life and shared by Pastor Rod.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me the strength and grace to face adversity and false accusations with a spirit like Stephen's. Help me to remain steadfast in truth, allowing your peace to be evident on my face, even when others are hostile. May my life be a testimony to your unwavering presence, no matter the circumstances. Amen.
Day 3: The Peril of Hypocrisy and Misguided Zeal
Devotional: The religious leaders and others who accused Stephen held the Torah, the temple, and Moses as sacred. They viewed the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, not just as a guide for living, but also as an act of devotion toward God. Pastor Rod noted that some even declared that neglecting the study of the Torah was worthy of death, and that it was better never to have been born than to be unable to recite its words. They believed God might be more lenient on idolatry, sexual immorality, murder, or apostasy than on neglecting the Torah. Their zeal for the law was immense, seeing it as fundamental to their Jewish identity and existence.However, the very law they cherished so deeply highlighted their hypocrisy. One of the Ten Commandments, found in Deuteronomy chapter 5, verse 20, states: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor". By setting up false witnesses and fabricating lies against Stephen, they were breaking the Ninth Commandment, the very law they claimed to uphold. As Pastor Rod starkly put it, "the very law church they have charged Stephen with breaking is the very law they are breaking themselves". This grave hypocrisy stemmed from several factors: they let their emotions override their reason, they let the lie become bigger than the truth, and their pride blinded them to God's will, prioritizing their own "righteousness in defense of ego" over true holiness. This serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of misguided zeal and the importance of genuine adherence to God's truth.
Declaration: I declare that I will seek genuine holiness over self-righteousness, examining my heart to ensure my devotion is sincere and free from hypocrisy, upholding God's truth in my words and actions, remembering Pastor Rod's teaching on the dangers of pride and emotion.
Prayer: Almighty God, forgive me for any times I have allowed emotions or pride to overshadow your truth, leading to hypocrisy in my own life, as Pastor Rod illuminated. Help me to truly value your word, not just outwardly, but in the sincerity of my heart. Grant me discernment to recognize and reject false zeal, and guide me to live a life that genuinely honors you and your commandments. Amen.
Day 4: Bold Proclamation and Heavenly Vision
Devotional: When the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these things so?", he responded with a lengthy sermon, a powerful defense of his faith. In his speech, Stephen boldly laid out God's history with Israel, culminating in a sharp accusation against the leadership: they had killed the past prophets and murdered Jesus Himself. As Pastor Rod described, this only intensified their fury. Scripture says they "grounded their teeth at him," a visceral, physical reaction reflecting "intense anger, hostility towards Stephen's bold proclamations of truth". It showed their refusal to accept his message.Yet, even as their rage boiled over, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, did something remarkable. Pastor Rod pointed out that Stephen again "gazed into heaven". And what did he see? He saw Jesus "at the right hand of the Father". Stephen, "funny about Stephen" as Pastor Rod said, just "can't shut up" about this glorious vision, and immediately declared what he was seeing, telling everyone. This proclamation "ticked them off even more," making them "so irate that Scripture says that they went and they seized him." Pastor Rod clarified that this "seized" was not a gentle invitation but a violent grabbing. Stephen's unyielding commitment to truth and his ability to see beyond his earthly circumstances into the heavenly realm are profound testaments to his faith. He chose to proclaim what he knew and saw, regardless of the consequences, demonstrating incredible spiritual courage.
Declaration: I declare that I will proclaim God's truth boldly and, like Stephen, maintain a heavenly perspective that allows me to see Jesus even amidst earthly turmoil and opposition, as Pastor Rod exemplified through Stephen's vision.
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage of Stephen to speak your truth, even when it is unwelcome. Open my spiritual eyes to gaze into heaven and see Jesus at your right hand. Help me to maintain a heavenly perspective that transcends earthly challenges and to fearlessly share what you reveal to me, regardless of the anger or opposition it may provoke. Amen.
Day 5: The Ultimate Surrender and Forgiveness
Devotional: The fury of the religious leaders escalated to a violent act. They seized Stephen with such rage that they dragged him outside the city. Pastor Rod explained that they "skipped that part" of pronouncing him guilty, proceeding directly to stoning him to death. They even "took off their garments, laid it at the feet of this guy named Paul Saul," not as a sign of respect, but so "they did not want to have anything restricting them because everybody picked up a stone and threw it at Stephen". This was a mob scene.As Stephen was being pelted with rocks, he made two profound statements. First, he cried out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Second, falling to his knees, he prayed with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them". Pastor Rod highlighted that these final words strikingly mirror the words Jesus spoke on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" and "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit". Stephen's death was a testament to his Christ-like character, offering forgiveness even to his murderers and surrendering his spirit to Jesus.Pastor Rod concluded by leaving us with three vital lessons from Stephen's story:1. Let your reasoning be louder than your emotions. Stephen remained calm and forgiving despite intense anger directed at him. As Pastor Rod and his wife Shelly discuss, sometimes we need someone to be our "voice of reason".2. Let truth be more important than wanting to be right. Stephen embraced the truth of Christ, knowing it would set him free, as John 8:31-32 states. Truth will always set you free; lies keep you in bondage.3. Let God's will be what guides you, not pride. Stephen surrendered to divine guidance, acknowledging that his understanding was limited compared to divine wisdom. As Pastor Rod preached, we must surrender to God; He is our anchor, the truth, the Alpha and Omega. May we, like Stephen, choose humility, truth, and God's will to guide our lives.
Declaration: With Stephen's radiant faith as my example, I declare that I will let reasoning guide my emotions, truth prevail over pride, and God's will direct my life, so I may honor Him in all I do, following Pastor Rod's teaching this morning.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for this message this morning, and for Stephen's courage and the truth he proclaimed, even to his death. Forgive us when our emotions, lies, or pride leads us astray from your will, as Pastor Rod led us to pray. Help us to walk in your truth, to let reason guide our hearts, and to seek holiness over being right. May our lives reflect your grace and power, as Stephen allowed it to do, even in the face of ultimate opposition, surrendering our spirits and offering forgiveness. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Listen to the devotional podcast here
This devotional will guide you through the powerful story of Stephen, a pivotal figure in the Book of Acts, often referred to by Pastor Rod as "The Faith and Fate of Stephen". We will explore his life, ministry, and ultimate martyrdom, drawing lessons for our own journey of faith, as we sift through the Book of Acts. Pastor Rod aims to provide an overview and context to the Word of God as we move through this series.
Day 1: Full of Grace and Power
Devotional: Welcome as we begin our look at Stephen, a well-known character from the Scriptures. The section of Acts we are studying, from chapter 6, verse 8 through chapter 7, verse 60, is dedicated to Stephen's story, which Pastor Rod titles "The Faith and Fate of Stephen". Stephen was a remarkable individual, described in Acts chapter 6, verse 8, as being "full of grace and power," doing great wonders and signs among the people.Pastor Rod explains that Stephen was converted after the ascension of Christ, meaning he never personally saw Jesus on earth. Yet, Stephen came to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by the Holy Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within him. Pastor Rod notes that Stephen was essentially "going out and being Jesus," living a life filled with grace and power, performing signs and wonders. His life demonstrates that a deep, Spirit-filled connection with Christ is possible even without having walked with Him physically. Stephen was chosen as one of the seven to serve, a role that freed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. Stephen became the first person recorded in the New Testament to be killed for his faith, making him the first martyr. His life serves as a powerful example of living fully for Christ.
Declaration: With Stephen's example, I declare that I will seek to be full of grace and power, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me to do God's will in my life, as Pastor Rod taught from the Scriptures.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Stephen, as shared by Pastor Rod. Fill me with your grace and power, just as you filled him. Help me to live a life that reflects Jesus, doing wonders and signs in my sphere of influence. May your Spirit dwell strongly within me, guiding my every step. Amen.
Day 2: Confronting Opposition with an Angelic Countenance
Devotional: As Stephen continued his ministry, full of grace and power, he began to dialogue or dispute with various groups from synagogues like the Freedmen, Cyrene, Alexandria, Sicily, and Asia Minor. These individuals "could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking". Frustrated, they became upset and riled up, instigating others, including the people, elders, and scribes. They then set up false witnesses to lie and make false accusations against Stephen, fabricating charges against him.The charges against Stephen were severe: they claimed he spoke "blasphemous words against Moses and God" and that he said "Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us". These accusations, as Pastor Rod highlighted, were entirely fabricated and made up. Yet, even in the midst of these grave and false accusations, something extraordinary happened. As "all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel". Pastor Rod explained that the Greek word for "gazed" (atenas atinzo) means they were fixed in eye contact, zoned into what they were looking at, unable to take their eyes off Stephen because he had this "face of an angel". Stephen's demeanor, even under intense pressure, radiated a divine presence, a testament to his unwavering faith.
Declaration: I declare that in the face of opposition and false accusations, I will trust in God's presence to radiate through me, giving me an "angelic countenance" that reflects His peace and truth, as seen in Stephen's life and shared by Pastor Rod.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me the strength and grace to face adversity and false accusations with a spirit like Stephen's. Help me to remain steadfast in truth, allowing your peace to be evident on my face, even when others are hostile. May my life be a testimony to your unwavering presence, no matter the circumstances. Amen.
Day 3: The Peril of Hypocrisy and Misguided Zeal
Devotional: The religious leaders and others who accused Stephen held the Torah, the temple, and Moses as sacred. They viewed the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, not just as a guide for living, but also as an act of devotion toward God. Pastor Rod noted that some even declared that neglecting the study of the Torah was worthy of death, and that it was better never to have been born than to be unable to recite its words. They believed God might be more lenient on idolatry, sexual immorality, murder, or apostasy than on neglecting the Torah. Their zeal for the law was immense, seeing it as fundamental to their Jewish identity and existence.However, the very law they cherished so deeply highlighted their hypocrisy. One of the Ten Commandments, found in Deuteronomy chapter 5, verse 20, states: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor". By setting up false witnesses and fabricating lies against Stephen, they were breaking the Ninth Commandment, the very law they claimed to uphold. As Pastor Rod starkly put it, "the very law church they have charged Stephen with breaking is the very law they are breaking themselves". This grave hypocrisy stemmed from several factors: they let their emotions override their reason, they let the lie become bigger than the truth, and their pride blinded them to God's will, prioritizing their own "righteousness in defense of ego" over true holiness. This serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of misguided zeal and the importance of genuine adherence to God's truth.
Declaration: I declare that I will seek genuine holiness over self-righteousness, examining my heart to ensure my devotion is sincere and free from hypocrisy, upholding God's truth in my words and actions, remembering Pastor Rod's teaching on the dangers of pride and emotion.
Prayer: Almighty God, forgive me for any times I have allowed emotions or pride to overshadow your truth, leading to hypocrisy in my own life, as Pastor Rod illuminated. Help me to truly value your word, not just outwardly, but in the sincerity of my heart. Grant me discernment to recognize and reject false zeal, and guide me to live a life that genuinely honors you and your commandments. Amen.
Day 4: Bold Proclamation and Heavenly Vision
Devotional: When the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these things so?", he responded with a lengthy sermon, a powerful defense of his faith. In his speech, Stephen boldly laid out God's history with Israel, culminating in a sharp accusation against the leadership: they had killed the past prophets and murdered Jesus Himself. As Pastor Rod described, this only intensified their fury. Scripture says they "grounded their teeth at him," a visceral, physical reaction reflecting "intense anger, hostility towards Stephen's bold proclamations of truth". It showed their refusal to accept his message.Yet, even as their rage boiled over, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, did something remarkable. Pastor Rod pointed out that Stephen again "gazed into heaven". And what did he see? He saw Jesus "at the right hand of the Father". Stephen, "funny about Stephen" as Pastor Rod said, just "can't shut up" about this glorious vision, and immediately declared what he was seeing, telling everyone. This proclamation "ticked them off even more," making them "so irate that Scripture says that they went and they seized him." Pastor Rod clarified that this "seized" was not a gentle invitation but a violent grabbing. Stephen's unyielding commitment to truth and his ability to see beyond his earthly circumstances into the heavenly realm are profound testaments to his faith. He chose to proclaim what he knew and saw, regardless of the consequences, demonstrating incredible spiritual courage.
Declaration: I declare that I will proclaim God's truth boldly and, like Stephen, maintain a heavenly perspective that allows me to see Jesus even amidst earthly turmoil and opposition, as Pastor Rod exemplified through Stephen's vision.
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage of Stephen to speak your truth, even when it is unwelcome. Open my spiritual eyes to gaze into heaven and see Jesus at your right hand. Help me to maintain a heavenly perspective that transcends earthly challenges and to fearlessly share what you reveal to me, regardless of the anger or opposition it may provoke. Amen.
Day 5: The Ultimate Surrender and Forgiveness
Devotional: The fury of the religious leaders escalated to a violent act. They seized Stephen with such rage that they dragged him outside the city. Pastor Rod explained that they "skipped that part" of pronouncing him guilty, proceeding directly to stoning him to death. They even "took off their garments, laid it at the feet of this guy named Paul Saul," not as a sign of respect, but so "they did not want to have anything restricting them because everybody picked up a stone and threw it at Stephen". This was a mob scene.As Stephen was being pelted with rocks, he made two profound statements. First, he cried out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Second, falling to his knees, he prayed with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them". Pastor Rod highlighted that these final words strikingly mirror the words Jesus spoke on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" and "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit". Stephen's death was a testament to his Christ-like character, offering forgiveness even to his murderers and surrendering his spirit to Jesus.Pastor Rod concluded by leaving us with three vital lessons from Stephen's story:1. Let your reasoning be louder than your emotions. Stephen remained calm and forgiving despite intense anger directed at him. As Pastor Rod and his wife Shelly discuss, sometimes we need someone to be our "voice of reason".2. Let truth be more important than wanting to be right. Stephen embraced the truth of Christ, knowing it would set him free, as John 8:31-32 states. Truth will always set you free; lies keep you in bondage.3. Let God's will be what guides you, not pride. Stephen surrendered to divine guidance, acknowledging that his understanding was limited compared to divine wisdom. As Pastor Rod preached, we must surrender to God; He is our anchor, the truth, the Alpha and Omega. May we, like Stephen, choose humility, truth, and God's will to guide our lives.
Declaration: With Stephen's radiant faith as my example, I declare that I will let reasoning guide my emotions, truth prevail over pride, and God's will direct my life, so I may honor Him in all I do, following Pastor Rod's teaching this morning.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for this message this morning, and for Stephen's courage and the truth he proclaimed, even to his death. Forgive us when our emotions, lies, or pride leads us astray from your will, as Pastor Rod led us to pray. Help us to walk in your truth, to let reason guide our hearts, and to seek holiness over being right. May our lives reflect your grace and power, as Stephen allowed it to do, even in the face of ultimate opposition, surrendering our spirits and offering forgiveness. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen
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