THE HIGH COST OF CHRISTIAN LIVING (15 OF 41)
Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-60
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The High Cost of Christian Living (15 of 41)
Series: Acts
Richard Bradley
Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-60
Did you know there is a vast difference between being saved and being a Christian? Many think they're the same thing - they're not. Being saved means you're not going to hell when you die. Being a Christian means you're daily living for Christ. Today's passage introduces us to a real Christian.
This is a lengthy passage that makes no sense if you break it up. It has to be followed to its natural conclusion. Out of necessity we'll leave out Stephen's sermon to the Sanhedrin because it's so long. Someone once declared that he deserved stoning for peaching such a long sermon. No doubt many churches have felt exactly the same from time to time.
Stephen, one of the first deacons, paid a heavy price for Christian living. What kind of price would you be willing to pay?
THE HIGH COST OF CHRISTIAN LIVING INCLUDES OPPOSITION
8 Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Then some from what is called the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen.
Verse 8 is absolutely critical to the rest of this story. Notice that Stephen was full of grace and power. Grace is the unlimited access of God to someone's life and power is a power that belongs only God. God granted His power to Stephen as He had for others for the performing of signs and wonders.
Does God still do this? Doesn't seem likely does it? Do you know of anyone one out there who is performing miracles, signs, and wonders? God can perform a miracle any time He chooses He just doesn't do it through us; but He did Stephen. If unbelievers will oppose men like Stephen who could perform miracles, signs, and wonders don't you think Lucifer will put it into their hearts to oppose those who can't do miracles, signs, and wonders like us?
Like Stephen, are you ...
Series: Acts
Richard Bradley
Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-60
Did you know there is a vast difference between being saved and being a Christian? Many think they're the same thing - they're not. Being saved means you're not going to hell when you die. Being a Christian means you're daily living for Christ. Today's passage introduces us to a real Christian.
This is a lengthy passage that makes no sense if you break it up. It has to be followed to its natural conclusion. Out of necessity we'll leave out Stephen's sermon to the Sanhedrin because it's so long. Someone once declared that he deserved stoning for peaching such a long sermon. No doubt many churches have felt exactly the same from time to time.
Stephen, one of the first deacons, paid a heavy price for Christian living. What kind of price would you be willing to pay?
THE HIGH COST OF CHRISTIAN LIVING INCLUDES OPPOSITION
8 Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Then some from what is called the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen.
Verse 8 is absolutely critical to the rest of this story. Notice that Stephen was full of grace and power. Grace is the unlimited access of God to someone's life and power is a power that belongs only God. God granted His power to Stephen as He had for others for the performing of signs and wonders.
Does God still do this? Doesn't seem likely does it? Do you know of anyone one out there who is performing miracles, signs, and wonders? God can perform a miracle any time He chooses He just doesn't do it through us; but He did Stephen. If unbelievers will oppose men like Stephen who could perform miracles, signs, and wonders don't you think Lucifer will put it into their hearts to oppose those who can't do miracles, signs, and wonders like us?
Like Stephen, are you ...
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