51 “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. 53 You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. 58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.

Big Idea: Faithful witnesses are not defined by talent, personality, or position—but by being filled with the Spirit, speaking God’s Word with conviction, and standing firm for Christ even unto death.

5 they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose . . .

• His Character : Full of the Spirit & Wisdom

Who you are matters before what you say or do.

• His Conduct : Servant & Witness in Action

A Server of Tables (vv. 2–6) — He embraced the humble role of distributing food

A Maker of Disciples (vv. 7-8) — His simple act of service had a ripple effect.

Challenge: Find one humble act of service this week—something that might seem small to you, but could have a big ripple effect for someone else. 

A Defender of the Faith (vv. 9-10) — He spoke with wisdom and grace.

What looks small in the moment has eternal consequences in the kingdom.

•  His Countenance : Face Like an Angel

Sometimes the most powerful witness is not the words we speak, but the peace we display.

• What does my life reveal about who or what I’m filled with?

• Am I depending on the Spirit’s power more than my own talent or personality?

• In what ways might God be calling me to deepen my character before expanding my influence?

2 “Brothers and fathers,” he replied, “listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, 3 and said to him: Leave your country and relatives, and come to the land that I will show you. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. 53 You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

•  His Message was BIBLICAL

His authority didn’t come from his personality, but from God’s Word.

A faithful witness doesn’t rely on clever arguments, he relies on the truth of Scripture.

One-Week Scripture Challenge:

Day 1 – Memorize One Verse.

Day 2 – Use It in Conversation.

Day 3 – Pray It.

Day 4 – Encourage with It.

Day 5–7 – Repeat with Another Verse.

• His Message was CHRISTOLOGICAL

Stephen brought it all to a Christ-centered conclusion: everything in Scripture leads to Jesus.

A faithful messenger never loses sight of Jesus.

• His Message was CONFRONTATIONAL

He was willing to confront sin directly, even at personal cost.

A faithful witness doesn’t hold back hard truth.

• Do my words consistently reflect God’s Word, or more often my own opinions?

• When I speak about faith, do I point people clearly to Jesus?

• Am I willing to speak truth with courage and grace, even when it’s unpopular?

When they heard these things, they were enraged… they rushed together against him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. . . . While they were stoning Stephen, he called out: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’”

A faithful witness doesn’t shrink back when opposition comes.

A faithful witness sees beyond the pain to the presence of Christ.

A faithful witness reflects Christ to the very end and extending forgiveness even to their enemies.

• How do I respond when following Jesus costs me comfort, approval, or safety?

• Where am I fixing my eyes when trials come—on the problem, or on the presence of Christ?

• Does my life display the same forgiveness and surrender that marked Stephen’s final moments?

 1. Be filled with the Spirit daily.

 2. Weave God’s Word into your words.

 3. Stand firm with grace when tested.