The Cost of True Discipleship: The Story of Stephen
In Acts 6:5-54, the narrative of Stephen unfolds as a man full of faith, grace, and power. Despite performing wonders and signs, he faces opposition, false accusations, and ultimately martyrdom for preaching the Gospel. Stephen stands firm, even in the face of persecution, reflecting the true cost of discipleship.
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COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP Acts 6:5... They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; (& 6 others)
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP Acts 6:8Now Stephen, a man full of God s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia who began to argue with Stephen.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 10But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.13They produced false witnesses, who testified, This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us. 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 51 You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!52Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him 53you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 54When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56 Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep.
6 WAYS TRUE DISCIPLE CAN BE COSTLY 1/ Career Eph 2:10For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
6 WAYS TRUE DISCIPLE CAN BE COSTLY 1/ Career 2/ Our words 3/ Our Time 4/ Possessions 5/ Relationships 6/ Our whole life
TRUE DISCIPLE CAN BE COSTLY 1Cor 6:19You are not your own;20you were bought at a price.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP Gal 2: 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP Phil 3:8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
