10/01/2021
*UMCA Adult Sunday School* *Lesson Two 10/1/2021*
*Topic:* Stephen is faithful unto death
*Text:* Acts 7:51-60; 8:1
*_Main Lesson:_* In whatever situation we find ourselves, we must be faithful.
*Memory Verse:* 1Corinthians 1:9. "God, who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (NIV)
*LESSON OUTLINE*
1. The persecution of Stephen Acts 7:51-52,58
2. The prayer of Stephen Acts 7:59-60
3. The scattering of the believers Acts 8:1
*INTRODUCTION*
There is a great reward attached to faithful service in the vineyard of God. One is said to be faithful when his/her deeds are upright and acceptable before God. When pastor's preach and teach it, but live contrary to what they say, they are not faithful. Faithfulness has to do with loyalty, honesty, sincerity, justly discharging one's duty without compromise, and totally depending on Jesus Christ the author and finished of our faith. It also requires commitment, zeal and passion to fulfill the mandate of God without looking back, even at the point of temptation and persecution. A faithful lifestyle does not only make us unique beings, it also identifies us with Christ according to our memory verse.
*1. The persecution of Stephen Acts 7:51-52,58*
Do not quit your service for God as a result of persecution. Many people in search of shelter, what to eat or drink, jobs or positions have quit serving God in their quest. Whatever we are going through in life, we are not alone; God is with us. Stephen did not stop spreading the gospel, inspite of the fierce opposition he faced ... He did not compromise his faith. Though he was arrested, dragged out of the city and stoned, yet, he remained faithful to his calling to preach. His attitude was, like that of Paul, who said, "for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). We as Christians, should not permit the flesh to rule us but instead allow the Holy Spirit to take His place so that we can overcome and witness for Christ in all situations we find ourselves. We should also know that it is not an easy journey. There are many dangers on the way. Matthew 24:13 says, "But he that shall endure to the end the same shall be saved."
*2. The prayer of Stephen Acts 7:59-60*
Faithful Stephen was not praying for his enemies to become crippled, nor did he pray that God should blind them. He did not pray that his enemies should die. These are the things many Christians today would have done. Rather, while they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He did not hurl curse at God; he did not curse the womb that conceived him; he did not curse the day he was born, as other people might have done. Instead, he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." This was the second prayer he uttered. This action paints a picture of Stephen as a true Christian indeed. In Luke 23:34, Jesus similarly prayed: "Father, forgive them..." even though He was nailed to the cross without being guilty of any offense. It means that God does not want the death of a sinner. He wants them to repent so that they may inherit the kingdom of God. We Christians should always remember that we are saved to save others, so like Jesus and Stephen, we should intercede for their salvation, even when they are persecuting us.
*3. The scattering of the believers Acts 8:1*
After the death of Stephen, a great persecution broke out against the Church at Jerusalem, and believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Paul began to destroy the Church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Paul's attitude towards believers only fuelled their witnessing for Christ. They were not discouraged; rather they spread and preached the word wherever they went, and God was with them. Many miracles and wonders accompanied the preaching of the Gospel. They did not fold their hands, neither did they quit. The persecutions only rekindled their faith to do more for God. Stephen was buried by godly man (Acts 8:2). Indeed, we can say that Stephen fought the good fight of faith.
*Application:-*
Believers should not be discouraged by any persecution or adverse circumstances, but rather, we should keep on fighting the good fight of faith by being living witnesses for Christ.
*Questions:*
1. How can we become faithful Christians like Stephen today?
2. What will help us to persevere until Jesus returns?
*Prayer:* Help me Lord to be a faithful and a committed servant.
*UNITED WE STAND*
