It is an interesting thought how most people are chasing the American dream, or making sure they are happy, their families are happy, their friends are happy, and even their pets are happy. But if we have confused the mission, it’s not about being happy in our relationship with Jesus, but instead, it is about having fulfillment in our relationship with Jesus. See happiness is subjective and is truly about self-gratification, but when we strive for fulfillment we have an introspective look inside our hearts and souls and make the sacrifice to accomplish and endeavor in the hard things. Happiness avoids the hard things, because it is no fun, and it is difficult. But fulfillment sees the end goal and knows that the hard things are worth the journey and the wait.
When Our Values Reflect Christ, Our Mission Becomes Clear, and it is Fulfilling
(MULTILINE)
This morning we will see this tension of Stephen living on mission because he was fulfilled. In his fulfillment of being in a relationship with Jesus, he was content and enjoyable to be around, he enjoyed his task inside of the early church, and it led him to be able to do wonders, and signs, and even reach the ultimate fulfillment- a death that Jesus honored.
Because we are more focused on happiness than fulfillment we tend to convince ourselves of a few lies—lies that keep us from living on mission for Jesus. We’ve allowed fear, insecurity, and self-preservation to dictate our discipleship rather than the Spirit of God. Here are a few of the lies that we tell ourselves that point to other areas of our life than discipleship with Jesus.
Lie #1: “I’m not spiritual enough.” We tell ourselves we’re not good enough, smart enough, or holy enough to serve, engage, or be on mission. But this is a lie. No one is good enough—that’s why we need Jesus. Our qualification for mission is not our perfection, but His righteousness in us.
Lie #2: “I don’t know what to say.” We fear being caught off guard—standing in front of people, critics, or skeptics with no words. Yet, Jesus already addressed this fear. In the Gospels, He promised that the Holy Spirit would empower us and give us the words and wisdom we need when we need it (Luke 12:11-12). This isn’t an excuse for laziness in our study of Scripture, but a promise of divine help when we stand for Him.
Lie #3: “If I follow Jesus fully, it will cost me too much.” Deep down, we fear that if we truly surrender to Jesus, we’ll lose comfort, security, or even our lives. We worry that God will send us to the ends of the earth, or maybe worse—to the church nursery. We fear rejection at work, awkwardness with friends, or being misunderstood by family. But this is another lie. Following Jesus does require sacrifice—but the reward of living for Him outweighs every earthly cost.
Lie #4: “It is not my job to be a witness or live on mission, that is the job of the church, missionary, and pastor.” We tend to push opportunities away because not only are we worried about our own happiness, we do not want to offend someone else. So we pawn living as a witness for Jesus Christ off. It also speaks to the truth of us not being prepared to give an account for the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, because we are not living on mission, we are not focused on our values that we desire others to see Jesus in us, and we lack a fulfillment, so we chase the American dream of being happy.
In my own life, my top core value is this: “To be a follower of Jesus Christ.” I want everything I do to flow from that first and most important value. When Jesus is at the top of the list, everything else falls into place—my priorities, my purpose, and my mission. Stephen’s Example: This morning, we’re diving into the longest sermon recorded in Acts, delivered by Stephen—the first Christian martyr. Stephen wasn’t a pastor, an apostle, or a theologian. He was an everyday man—chosen by his peers not for his credentials, but for his character. He was full of wisdom and the Spirit of God, and he was on mission.
As we read about Stephen, don’t ask yourself, “What would I do if I were in his situation? Instead, ask, “How much of Jesus do others see in me?” Stephen lived with values that reflected Christ. His unwavering commitment challenges us to consider whether we are living on mission for Jesus—or on mission for self-preservation.
Disruptions Happen
Acts 6:8-15
Ministry Isn’t Confined to a Task Instead, the Spirit Reveals It
(MULTILINE)
Mission-Minded People Don’t Check Out—They Press On
(MULTILINE)
The Gospel Comforts and Confronts
(MULTILINE)
Delivering Truth in Our Conversations
Acts 7:1-53
We Don’t Need a Stage to Deliver the Truth, We Need Conviction
(MULTILINE)
When the high priest asks Stephen, “Are these charges true?” (Acts 7:1), Stephen doesn’t answer with a defense—he answers with the Scriptures.
Stephen Points to Disobedience Throughout History and God’s Devotion in His Promises
(MULTILINE)
Stephen starts with the foundation of their faith—the covenant between God and Abraham. He reminds them that before Israel was a nation, God called Abraham out of Mesopotamia with a promise: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, Acts 7:2-3).
He begins by recounting God’s covenant with Abraham. God’s Covenant with Abraham (Acts 7:1-8)
God’s promises are fulfilled through faith, not self-righteousness
Joseph’s Rejection and God’s Sovereignty (Acts 7:9-16) Next, Stephen moves from Abraham to Joseph—a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus. He reminds the Sanhedrin that Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery out of jealousy (Genesis 37:11, Acts 7:9), yet God was with him.
Moses and the Israelites’ Rebellion (Acts 7:17-43). Stephen then shifts to another defining figure in their history: Moses. He reminds them that after the patriarchs died, their descendants became slaves in Egypt. Yet, God raised up Moses to be their deliverer (Exodus 2:10, Acts 7:20). Through signs and wonders, God used Moses to free them from Pharaoh’s oppression (Exodus 7-12, Acts 7:36).
But despite witnessing miraculous plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and their own liberation, the Israelites quickly fell into rebellion. Stephen recalls how, while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the people demanded that Aaron make them a golden calf. (Acts 7:41, referencing Exodus 32:1-6).
The Temple: Temporary and Insufficient (Acts 7:44-50). Stephen then addresses the temple—the most sacred symbol in their faith. He reminds them the Tabernacle was originally a portable dwelling where God’s presence moved with His people (Exodus 25:8-9, Acts 7:44-45).
Later, Solomon built a permanent temple (1 Kings 6:1, Acts 7:47), but Stephen makes a bold point: even this holy place could not contain God’s presence.
Quoting Isaiah, Stephen says: “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 66:1-2, Acts 7:49-50).
The Spirit of the living God cannot be domesticated or controlled—it moves with His people. God’s presence is not confined to places—it dwells in people.
Confronting Their Stubborn Hearts (Acts 7:51-53). After walking them through their own history of rebellion, Stephen boldly shifts the focus from the past to the present. He declares that they are the ones on trial, not him.
Stephen holds nothing back: “You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it” (Acts 7:53). His words cut deep. Stephen was declaring that they were guilty of the same rebellion that plagued their ancestors—they had resisted the Spirit of God. Rejecting the Spirit always leads to resisting the truth.
Our story of disobedience can reveal God’s devotion.
(MULTILINE)
Jesus Is Present During Our Suffering
Acts 7:54-8:3
In Our Darkest Moments Jesus is Present
(MULTILINE)
In the Final Moments, We See Jesus Standing in Honor of Victory
(MULTILINE)
How We Live and How We Die Has an Impact On People
(MULTILINE)
But there was one man in particular who was impacted—Saul. “Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). Though Saul stood by approving of Stephen’s execution (Acts 7:58), he could not escape the memory of Stephen’s unwavering faith. Perhaps the image of Stephen’s face, shining like an angel, haunted him. Perhaps Stephen’s final prayer of forgiveness pierced Saul’s conscience. Perhaps Stephen’s death became the seed of conviction that would later bloom into Saul’s radical conversion.
It is entirely possible that Saul himself was the one who recounted this event to Luke, giving us this vivid and detailed account. The very man who once persecuted Stephen would later write: “I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Stephen’s death did not silence the gospel—it sparked the fire of gospel expansion through the life of Paul, who would later write over half of the New Testament.
Jesus is Present in Our Suffering Stephen’s story is a reminder that Jesus does not abandon us in our trials—He stands with us. When we are rejected for our faith, He is present. When we feel alone in our suffering, He is near. When the world condemns us, He stands as our Advocate.
But Stephen’s story also challenges us: Are we willing to reflect Jesus in our suffering—not just in our victories? Are we willing to pray for those who persecute us, as Stephen did? Are we living with an eternal perspective, knowing that this life is not the end? Stephen’s final words challenge us to trust Jesus with our spirit and extend forgiveness, even to those who wrong us. When we face suffering, let us remember: Jesus does not sit idly by—He stands with us.
Today’s Takeaways:
Do People See Jesus When They Look at Our Face?
(MULTILINE)
Are You Prepared for Conversations About Jesus?
(MULTILINE)
Have You Checked Out or Are You Pressing On?
(MULTILINE)
Here’s the reality: boldness doesn’t mean being a bully. It doesn’t mean being brash or argumentative—it means being grounded in truth and Spirit-led. There will be moments when you miss the mark, and there will be moments when you courageously speak up about Jesus. In today’s information age, there is no shortage of resources. So if you fear being asked a difficult question, become a student of the Word. Research it. Ask godly, wise people. Wrestle through it. But don’t stop there—verify it against Scripture. When you are asked about your faith—and you will be asked—be prepared with an answer that points to Jesus, not just your own words. This is how you live on mission—ready to testify to the hope you have in Christ.
Stephen’s life reminds us that being filled with the Spirit is not a momentary experience—it’s a way of life. His death was tragic in the eyes of man, but victorious in the eyes of heaven. And while he left this earth, he entered into the presence of the glorified and risen Jesus—the same Jesus who stood in honor of His faithful servant. May we live with that same boldness, that same dependence on the Spirit, and that same heavenward perspective. Not fearful of what man can do to us, but boldly declaring the hope of Christ, confident that Jesus stands with us, even in our darkest moments.