In Acts 6:8–7:60, Stephen faced a world that rejected the truth of God and ultimately killed him for faithfully proclaiming it. Accused of speaking against God’s law and the temple, Stephen responded by tracing Israel’s history and showing that the real problem was not that he had changed God’s law or worship, but that they had repeatedly rejected the people God sent, distorted true worship, and ultimately rejected Jesus, the Messiah.

Stephen’s confidence came from knowing that God had revealed Himself through His Word and that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises, the true Redeemer, and the only One worthy of worship. Even as he was being stoned, Stephen remained faithful, looking to Christ and trusting that what appears to be loss in this life is eternal gain in the life to come.

In this sermon, “Stephen’s Example,” we’ll see what it means to rightly follow God’s law and worship, how to recognize and expose false worship, and how knowing Christ gives us the confidence to remain faithful—even when the world hates us—for we know that only what is done for Christ will last.