1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: Let us pray and they stone Stephen calling upon God 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 1: and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit Bacts seven fifty 3 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 1: nine my God. In the same way, Stephen displayed an 4 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:23,280 Speaker 1: unwavering commitment to his convictions. Unlock this level of conviction 5 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 1: in my life. In the face of authorities with the 6 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: power to execute. Stephen remained strong as he stood and 7 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: expressed what he knew to be the truth, both about 8 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: Jesus and the religious leader's stubborn hearts. In the same way, 9 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,919 Speaker 1: allow my life to resemble the same spirit and strength 10 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:52,599 Speaker 1: that Stephen possessed. May my life prove that I have 11 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 1: the presence of God in it. May my life prove 12 00:00:56,040 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: that I base my commitment on a biblical foundation. Allow 13 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 1: me to spot out and see the error of past 14 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: thinking and old ways of being. Allow my life to 15 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 1: stay steadfast as I keep my eyes on You, Jesus, 16 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: for I declare that commitment moves past the mind and 17 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: emotions and go straight to the will. Thank You for 18 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: my commitment that brings my mind and emotions into alignment 19 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: to achieve my purpose at all costs. Like Stephen, I 20 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: will look up to the heavens to gain my strength 21 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: and encouragement in Jesus name. Amen. Listening to these daily 22 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing from the 23 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: Lord by listening to to day's Bible in a Year, 24 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 25 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: A new enemy. In our last story, the Apostles were 26 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 2: beaten and imprisoned for preaching the name of Jesus, healing 27 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 2: the sick and feeding the poor, just as their Lord 28 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 2: before them. The Apostles found themselves suffering for the sake 29 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 2: of restoration. Now we see a new character arise. A 30 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 2: man named Stephen comes onto the scene to boldly proclaim 31 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 2: the good news of Christ. However, there is an evil 32 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 2: lurking near A man by the name of Saul watches 33 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 2: and waits for his opportunity to strike Stephan and any 34 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 2: Christian who dare mention the name of Jesus. Inspired by 35 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 2: the Book of Acts. 36 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,239 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 37 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 3: in a Year podcast. But before we begin, I want 38 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 3: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 39 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 3: to download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress, 40 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 3: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer 41 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 3: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress 42 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 3: in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free 43 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 3: from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress. 44 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 3: That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In our Last 45 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 3: time together, we heard about the religious leaders as they 46 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 3: threatened the apostles teaching and put them in jail. God 47 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 3: then sent an angel to open the prison gates and 48 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 3: send them to the temple again preaching the Gospel of Jesus. 49 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 3: Their opponents could find no real reason to keep them 50 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 3: in prison, and at the council of one of their 51 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 3: own Gamaliel, they release the apostles, but only after beating 52 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 3: them and warning them to never speak about the name 53 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 3: of Jesus again. Of course, the apostles would never stop. 54 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 3: You might as well tell the sun to stop shining, 55 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,360 Speaker 3: and they continued preaching the Gospel of Christ and winning 56 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 3: more and more people to a relationship with Christ, more 57 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 3: souls for Jesus. Today we'll hear about Stephen, the first 58 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 3: Christian martyr, who spoke boldly of Christ and paid the 59 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 3: ultimate sacrifice. And Christ will also meet a new enemy 60 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 3: to the Gospel, a zealous young rabbi named Saul, who 61 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 3: will lead the hunt for any who would proclaim the 62 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 3: name of Jesus, persecuting Christians. So let's listen now to 63 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 3: this reading from the Book of Acts. 64 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 2: Jews, Greeks, Romans, and many others were catching on to 65 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 2: the story of Jesus. One by one they joined the 66 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: apostles of Jesus. Together they served their communities and one another. 67 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 2: They were committed to the feeding of orphans and widows, 68 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,599 Speaker 2: and daily they met with one another to pray and 69 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 2: seek the truth of God. The church was becoming so 70 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 2: large that the the disciples could no longer meet the 71 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 2: needs of everyone on their own. So they appointed men 72 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:07,719 Speaker 2: of good reputation and strong faith to meet the needs 73 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 2: of the poor and destitute. Among these men was a 74 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:15,719 Speaker 2: man named Stephan, a man filled with God's spirit and boldness. 75 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:19,599 Speaker 2: Daily Stephan would enter into the temple gates and preach 76 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 2: the Gospel. His words were like sweet honey to weary hearts. 77 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 2: He spoke of forgiveness, empowerment, and repentance. However, the enemy 78 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 2: was at work among the religious leaders. They conspired against 79 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 2: Stephan and spread false rumors about his character. Yet Stephan 80 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 2: seemed immune to such dissension. He continued to serve, preach, 81 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 2: and love. No argument could come against the truth, he proclaimed, 82 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 2: and no rumor could undermine his good reputation as an 83 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 2: honest man. They brought him before a court of leaders 84 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 2: and judged him for his words. Do you speak out 85 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 2: against Moses and Abraham? They asked, isn't your devotion to 86 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 2: this Jesus and front against our ancestors. Stephan looked around 87 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,599 Speaker 2: the room and saw scowls like wolves. Jesus was brought 88 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 2: before this very court before he was crucified. He boldly 89 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: stood before them and spoke only the truth. So Stephan 90 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:18,239 Speaker 2: would do the same, no matter the cost. Stephan closed 91 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 2: his eyes and prayed to the Lord for a moment. 92 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 2: Then he lifted his eyes to all the men, You 93 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 2: stiff necked people, You are unclean in your hearts and ears. 94 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 2: How long will you resist the spirit of God speaking 95 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 2: to you. It was your fathers who killed the prophets 96 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 2: of old, and it is you who follow in their 97 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 2: footsteps by slaying the Messiah himself. You hold to the 98 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 2: words of Moses so tightly, but you have missed their 99 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 2: true meaning. The entire room erupted in anger. Stephan could 100 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 2: not even take a second breath before he was stormed 101 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 2: by temple guards. A club flew straight to his jaw 102 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 2: as he fell to the floor, and he was bound 103 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 2: in ropes. Stephan was tacked to the floor as he 104 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 2: took kicks to his face and ribs. He peered towards 105 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 2: the door. A man was standing at the entrance, smiling 106 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 2: at him with a crooked grin. The man who had 107 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 2: conspired against him and many others, the terror of all Christians, 108 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 2: Saul of Tarsus. Stephan was drugged by his feet out 109 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 2: beyond the gates of Jerusalem. An angry mob of temple 110 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 2: goers and pharisees followed. As the guards tied Stephan to 111 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 2: a pole. Facing the crowd, Stephan scanned his surroundings. They 112 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 2: were outside the city gates, which could only mean one thing. 113 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 2: Stoning Stephan's bruised eyes watched as men picked up rocks 114 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 2: the size of their fists. Evil grins and angry scowls 115 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:47,119 Speaker 2: surrounded him. Stephan breathed in deeply and looked up to Heaven. 116 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 2: He fixed his gaze firmly to the skies, directing his 117 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,679 Speaker 2: heart towards his lord. I see the King of Glory, 118 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 2: Stephan said. His tears streamed down his face. I see 119 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 2: the heavens open in the Son of God standing at 120 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 2: the right hand of the Father. As Stephan yelled this, 121 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 2: the crowd erupted in battle cries and threw their stones. 122 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: One stone was hurled directly at his chest, cracking his 123 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 2: ribs in sternum. Another cracked his knee in shin. Stephan 124 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 2: gave out a blood curdling scream. Stephan had his gaze 125 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 2: firmly fixed towards heaven. As the barrage of stones flew 126 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 2: through the air. Stephan whispered, Lord, do not hold this 127 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:33,680 Speaker 2: against them, until another stone hid his temple, knocking him out. 128 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 2: Stones continued to fly towards Stephan's lifeless body until he 129 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 2: was reduced to a pile of flesh and broken bones. 130 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 2: There behind the crowd, holding people's coats and garments, was 131 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 2: Soul of Tarsus. As people took back their clothes and 132 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 2: walked away, Paul stepped forward to observe Stephan's mangled corps. 133 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 3: Paul spat at. 134 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:03,599 Speaker 2: It blasphemous Christian. Then he turned away, hell bent on 135 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 2: destroying and murdering every last man, woman, and child who 136 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 2: dared proclaim the name of Jesus. 137 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 3: As we begin today's reading, we find a growing number 138 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 3: of Christian believers. The Holy Spirit is working through the 139 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 3: disciples to bring more and more people to faith in 140 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 3: Christ and into the fellowship of the Church. This church, 141 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 3: the community of Faith, loved one another and served with 142 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 3: the heart of Christ, caring for those in need, including 143 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:40,079 Speaker 3: the widows among them. As the church grew, this task 144 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:43,079 Speaker 3: became too much for the apostles to take on alone, 145 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 3: so seven godly men were selected and appointed as deacons. 146 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 3: These deacons would handle the care of the community and 147 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 3: the church. But just as the size and influence of 148 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 3: the church was growing, even winning many religious leaders and 149 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 3: priests to Christ, also was the hatred of those who 150 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:05,679 Speaker 3: opposed the Gospel, who wanted to destroy this movement, the 151 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 3: movement of Jesus Christ. We learned that one of the 152 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 3: seven men chosen to serve the church was a man 153 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 3: named Stephen. What a man. He was filled with the 154 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit and had a desire to spread the good 155 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 3: news of the Gospel. Soon Stephen began facing stiff opposition, 156 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 3: and those trying to discredit him brought false charges of 157 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 3: blasphemy against him. Because they could not tear down his arguments, 158 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 3: they accused Stephen of speaking against Moses and the Law 159 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 3: and saying Jesus would destroy their customs and places of worship. 160 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 3: It is a reminder to us that the enemy does 161 00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:45,319 Speaker 3: not fight fair. The devil knows he is no match 162 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 3: for God's truth, and so he often attacks with lies, 163 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 3: just as he did with Adam and even the Garden. 164 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 3: These lies and half truth are an attempt to stop 165 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 3: God's plan in God's purposes. Stephen was taken before the 166 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 3: High Priest and ask if he was in fact saying 167 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,560 Speaker 3: such things. He could have simply denied Jesus and tried 168 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 3: to walk away by explaining himself, but Stephen saw this 169 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 3: as an opportunity, an opportunity to boldly preach Jesus before 170 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 3: a crowd of people, and that's exactly what he did. 171 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 3: He went all the way back in the scriptures to 172 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 3: Abraham and trace the line of God's promise to the 173 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,559 Speaker 3: father of the Jewish faith, all the way to the 174 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 3: Jewish Messiah. It is quite a Bible study when you 175 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 3: hear it, when you read it. He was showing them 176 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 3: that everything written in the scriptures, both the Law and 177 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 3: the prophets, was leading up and pointing to Christ who 178 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 3: is the fulfillment of it all. And yet the people listening, 179 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 3: so many of them were still blind to the truth, 180 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 3: rejecting Jesus, rejecting God's word. And just as they killed 181 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 3: the prophets who spoke God's word and announced the Messiah's coming, 182 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:57,199 Speaker 3: they will now kill one of God's preachers. The words 183 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 3: of Stephen enraged the council, and those gathered and were 184 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 3: told that they were grinding their teeth. They were just 185 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 3: filled with rage. This is how much they hated hearing 186 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 3: the truth. Then, in Acts seven fifty five, here's what 187 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 3: we read. But he that is Stephen, full of the 188 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of 189 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 3: God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 190 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 3: What encouragement just to see a little bit of heaven, 191 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 3: a glimpse of God's glory. But rather than keep the 192 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 3: vision to himself and hold on to the comfort of 193 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 3: knowing that he was right, Stephen again spoke to the crowd, 194 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 3: telling them what he was seeing. It was too much 195 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 3: for them, so they rushed him, took him outside the 196 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 3: city to be stoned, and there he was martyred. Stephen 197 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 3: became the first of many Christian martyrs that day, just 198 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 3: as Jesus had told the disciples before he ascended that 199 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:53,720 Speaker 3: soon they would be taken where they did not want 200 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 3: to go, they would face persecution. Stephen was then led 201 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 3: to his death, and yet even in that moment he 202 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 3: echoed the very words of Jesus from the Cross Father, 203 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 3: forgive them receive my spirit. When we face opposition and resistance, 204 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 3: or cancelation, even persecution and suffering for preaching the truth 205 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 3: of the Gospel, how are we going to react? How 206 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 3: will we respond? Will we be courageous and confident or 207 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 3: will we be cowardly? Will we keep sharing Christ no 208 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 3: matter the consequences. Will we bodally stand for Christ and 209 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 3: our generation. Will we see the glory of God and 210 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 3: experience the grace of God and share that with others 211 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 3: without compromise? And what is our attitude to those who 212 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 3: hate the Gospel or the gospel that we preach? Do 213 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 3: we fight back? No? In Christ, we submit our lives 214 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 3: to God's hand and seek forgiveness, even for those who 215 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 3: may oppose us and could even hurt us. Stephen, in 216 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 3: the midst of these tragic circumstances, did not waver. He 217 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 3: gave his life to follow Jesus all the way to Heaven. Finally, 218 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 3: as we closed out today's reading, we met a man 219 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 3: who would soon break onto the scene as the most 220 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 3: fierce enemy of Christ and the Church. A young man, 221 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 3: a rabbit rabbi by the name of Saul, who stood 222 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 3: and watched as Stephen was stoned, even held the garments 223 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 3: of those who stone them. He watched Stephen die. Saul 224 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 3: hated the followers of Jesus, and he was about to 225 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: unleash a level of persecution that early believers had not 226 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 3: yet experienced. But nothing could stop the movement of God's spirit. 227 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 3: Nothing could stop the Church of Jesus Christ. And the 228 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 3: next time we'll hear how God worked through Philip to 229 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 3: take the good news to Samaria and even to the 230 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 3: ends of the earth. Let's pray together, Dear God, how 231 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 3: we thank you for the example of Stephen's courage. May 232 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 3: our faith be fearless. May we boldly proclaim the good 233 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 3: News of Jesus. May we live and stand for our 234 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:07,160 Speaker 3: faith no matter what we may face. Give us your strength, 235 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 3: O God, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, 236 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 3: may we live and die for you and for your glory. 237 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 3: In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's 238 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 3: Bible into Year podcast. Before we go, I want to 239 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 3: let you know about a unique ebook that's yours to 240 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 3: download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress, 241 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 3: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer 242 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 3: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress 243 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 3: into your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free 244 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:44,119 Speaker 3: from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress. 245 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 3: That's Jagraham dot org slash stress