Message Notes:
Big Idea: A faith worth having is a faith worth holding onto — even when it’s costly. Stephen shows us what surrendered, Spirit-empowered faith really looks like.
[Acts 6:8–10]“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles… None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.”
- Stephen wasn’t an apostle — he was a servant-leader faithfully meeting needs.
- Yet he preached Jesus with boldness and power.
- The next great awakening won’t be built on spiritual celebrities, but on everyday believers practicing faithfulness in their context.
- Stephen didn’t change the world because he had a title — he changed it because he had the Spirit.
- God loves to use ordinary, surrendered people to accomplish eternal things.
[Acts 6:15]“Everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.”
- His boldness was supernatural — produced by the Spirit of God.
Stephen is given the chance to speak — and instead of defending himself, he declares God’s story (Acts 7:1–50).
[Acts 7:51–53]“You stubborn people!… Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?… You deliberately disobeyed God’s law…”
- He confronts the same religious system that killed Jesus — likely before the same High Priest, Caiaphas.
- Stephen isn’t trying to win an argument; he’s pointing people to Jesus.
- God doesn’t call us to say what’s popular — He calls us to say what’s true.
- When God calls you to speak, the Holy Spirit gives both the wisdom and the words.
[Acts 7:55–56]“Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven… ‘Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing…’”
- Jesus is almost always pictured seated — but here He’s standing.
- As Stephen stands for Jesus, Jesus stands for Stephen.
[Acts 7:59–60]“‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ … ‘Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!’”
- Stephen echoes Jesus’ final words on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46).
- People will die for a lie they believe — but no one dies for a lie they made up.
- Stephen’s faithfulness became the spark God used to move the mission forward.
[Acts 8:1, 4]“A great wave of persecution began that day… But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News wherever they went.”
- Persecution scattered the church — and that scattering spread the gospel to Judea and Samaria.
- What looked like a setback was God setting up the next chapter.
- God used Stephen because he was available.
- He spoke truth because he was surrendered.
- He stood firm because he was filled.
[Romans 12:1–2]“Give your bodies to God… Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…”
It’s: “Will I live surrendered to Jesus — even when it costs me my comfort, plans, reputation, or control?”**
“God, I don’t want a convenient faith — I want a surrendered one.Give me courage to follow You even when it’s costly.Use my life to move Your mission forward.”
Application Questions
- What stood out to you from this message and why?
- What is one thing God is telling you to
- What is one thing God is telling you to
- How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?