The Example of Stephen

I. Introduction
   A. Stephen- a wonderful Biblical example
      1. was not afraid of the Gospel
      2. the Gospel was his life
      3. the Gospel ended his earthly life
      4. saw a great promise
   B. We can learn much from such an example
      1. faith
      2. power
      3. boldness

II. Stephen in Acts 6
   A. Chosen as one of the seven, verse 5
      1. highly esteemed among the disciples and apostles
      2. first name, hence, first chosen
         a. a man truly competent to serve the Lord
      3. epithet: "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit"
         a. he walked by faith- 2 Corinthians 5:7
         b. showed the gifts of the Spirit, Galatians 5
            i. seen in verse 10, he was wise
   B. Performing signs, verse 8
      1. "full of grace and power"
         a. power=his faith
         b. Romans 1:16-17, the Gospel is power
      2. "performing great wonders and signs among the people"
         a. Mark 16:17-18- mark of a believer
         b. strong in the Lord
   C. Truth and its consequences, verses 9 through 15
      1. Verses 9-11
         a. Stephen argued with men
         b. his Truth, Jesus, could not be "coped with."
         c. 2 Thessalonians 2:10: the deception of wickedness was here, since 
            the truth was not accepted
      2. Verses 11-14
         a. falsehood had to be devised against him
         b. not truth- men made to lie
      3. Verse 15
         a. his face shone as an angel
         b. shining with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:7-8)

III. Stephen in Acts 7
   A. The trial
      1. condemned falsely
      2. did he clear himself?  
      3. No; he used the opportunity to preach (2 Timothy 4:2)
      4. worked for the truth (2 Corinthians 13:8)
   B. verses 51-53
      1. bold
      2. Proverbs 28:1, he with truth is as bold as a lion
      3. was not ashamed of the Gospel- 2 Timothy 2:15
      4. spoke the Truth, and condemned them for their deeds, as Jesus did 
         (Matthew 23:29-36)
   C. Stoned for it
      1. "cut to the quick," verse 54
         a. Truth hurts when you are not of it (John 8:46-47)
         b. lack of truth shows: 1 Timothy 6:3-5
         c. hence, they stone him
   D. The wonderful vision
      1. saw glory of God and Jesus (verses 55-56)
      2. promise of what is to come
   E. Verse 57
      1. "closed their ears"
      2. Isaiah 6:9-10
      3. 2 Timothy 4:3-5
   F. The forgiveness
      1. verse 60
      2. reminiscent of Jesus- Luke 23:34
      3. ultimate in forgiveness
      4. if Stephen could forgive those who stoned him, can't you people?

IV. Conclusion
   A. Stephen was a man full of faith, a champion of Christ
   B. He would not compromise nor was ashamed of the Gospel
      1. spoke it in front of a most hostile crowd
      2. condemned people who deserved it
   C. Example for us
      1. are we ashamed of the Gospel?
      2. do we refuse to speak the truth, or try to sugarcoat it?
      3. are we willing to forgive those who would condemn and kill us?
   D. Stephen lived and died for the Gospel
   E. it is Truth, and cannot be confounded
      1. if you have not obeyed the Truth, we give you an opportunity to do so 
         as we stand and sing