Stephen’s Death




Acts 7:54~60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. (60)





♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal # 23 O for a Thousand Tongues





 Who do you think is the scariest person in the world? It is probably someone who stakes his life for something. If someone is ready to die for something, no one can beat him. If you stake your life for something, the problems you face and the things people say are inconsequential. Stephen was ready to lay down his life and stood up for the Gospel. Stephen was a witness to the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. He placed the last words of Jesus in his heart and soul. The end of Stephen''s life was one of the most beautiful in history. He proclaimed the greatest message in the greatest field, and was a turning point in the history of evangelism and missions. Even now his last works continue to influence us. How is that possible?






1. The realm of the Word
 Stephen had access to the realm of the Word that other people didn’t know about. The religious leaders did not understand this realm. He was martyred after testifying about Christ and the Gospel. This is the Word that moves the world. When God’s Word enters our heart, mind, and soul, works begin. When the pastor stands on the pulpit, he should pray that God gives him the Word. Believers should pray that they can hear God’s voice through the pulpit message. If this happens, works will surely arise.






2. The heavenly realms
 Stephen saw the heavenly realms. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and saw God’s glory. He saw Jesus at the right hand of God and the doors of heaven opening. He didn’t have to die to see heaven. When he held onto God’s Word, God opened up the doors of heaven. If you place God’s Word in your heart, God will mobilize His angels. This is the mystery of the heavenly realms, and the secret to receiving answers to prayer.






3. The earthly realms
 Stephen saw the earthly realms. He saw how the Jewish people were doomed to perish. He saw the fundamental problem of mankind and the suffering of nonbelievers. He saw how religious people were being deceived by Satan into living religious lives. That is why he prayed ‘Lord, do not hold their sin against them.’ Stephen''s death played a great part in Paul''s conversion, which in turn led to the doors for world missions being opened.






● Forum Topic - Evangelism and missions began anew through the life of one man, Stephen, whose life was changed by the Gospel. Do you possess the Word that will be a turning point in your life today? Are you ready to stake your life for the Gospel?






Core Worker Message / 2009.9.12