Jobey McGinty - September 4, 2022
Driven by Love
Stephen, faced with an accusation of blasphemy, responds not by defending himself but, rather, by defending the Gospel. Similar to Jesus providing His followers a history lesson on the road to Emmaus, Stephen walks his accusers through Old Testament truths, which point directly to Jesus. Stephen's primary motivation is obviously not a love of self, nor is it even a love of those around him (although that is clearly evident in his response)...he is primarily motivated by his love for the Father, and that love compels him to boldly provide his witness, even in the direst of situations. ABOUT THIS SERIES: The Acts of the Apostles could be better titled, "The Acts of the Holy Spirit Through the Empowered Church," because it is the story of what God did through an unlikely group of people as the early church was born. God takes unlikely, weak, foolish, and unequipped people, and sends them on a mission to bring His Good News to those who are in need of it. But He doesn't send them out alone. He gives them His Holy Spirit, who unites them, strengthens them, equips them, and leads them in His wisdom to do an accomplish His will and work. Every believer is given His Spirit, and every believer is called to this mission, and together we will walk in the good works that He has prepared for us in this Unstoppable Mission: to see His glory and salvation proclaimed to the least, last, and lost from every tongue, tribe, and nation, even to the ends of the earth.
Scripture References: Acts 7:1-16
