1 00:00:00,689 --> 00:00:04,010 Speaker 1: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: Matthew 5.8 Heavenly Father, we want to see you. We 3 00:00:11,260 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: want to see your glory revealed in the beauty of creation, 4 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:19,730 Speaker 1: the wonder of your works, and the joy of relationships. 5 00:00:21,470 --> 00:00:24,950 Speaker 1: Open our eyes to who you are, what you're doing, 6 00:00:26,050 --> 00:00:29,730 Speaker 1: and where you want to take us. Show us the 7 00:00:29,810 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: splendor of your glory and the wonder. 8 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 2: Of your character. 9 00:00:35,180 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 1: Purify our hearts so we can see you with clear vision, 10 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:46,970 Speaker 1: untainted by the world, sin, and apathy. Whatever is clouding 11 00:00:47,090 --> 00:00:52,090 Speaker 1: our vision, remove it. Whatever is hindering our ability to 12 00:00:52,170 --> 00:00:57,380 Speaker 1: see you clearly, cleanse us from it. Create in us 13 00:00:57,580 --> 00:01:01,980 Speaker 1: a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit 14 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:07,780 Speaker 1: within us. Strip away the impurities that cloud our vision 15 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:12,569 Speaker 1: and hinder our relationship with you. Help us to focus 16 00:01:12,630 --> 00:01:17,050 Speaker 1: on the things that are true, noble, righteous, and pure, 17 00:01:18,310 --> 00:01:21,750 Speaker 1: so that our hearts may be a mirror of your own. 18 00:01:23,410 --> 00:01:25,630 Speaker 1: We are grateful, Lord, for the grace that makes this 19 00:01:25,690 --> 00:01:31,520 Speaker 1: transformation possible, and we pray that our lives will be 20 00:01:31,530 --> 00:01:39,639 Speaker 1: a testament to the beauty of a pure heart. In Jesus' name, amen. 21 00:01:41,459 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 22 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast, gospel stories retold with cinematic flair and 23 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:55,450 Speaker 1: honest reflections. remain here for a gripping story about the 24 00:01:55,550 --> 00:02:00,710 Speaker 1: stoning of Stephen. If this podcast has blessed you, consider 25 00:02:00,770 --> 00:02:05,430 Speaker 1: sharing it with a friend. Doing so ensures that we 26 00:02:05,490 --> 00:02:11,350 Speaker 1: can continue to make these stories. The mountain hummed with 27 00:02:11,450 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: power as Jesus spoke to the crowd. People were awed 28 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: at the upside-down nature of his words. He was reframing 29 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:28,210 Speaker 1: what it meant to be blessed. It was backward, counter-cultural, 30 00:02:29,450 --> 00:02:31,210 Speaker 1: but profoundly moving. 31 00:02:31,669 --> 00:02:35,090 Speaker 3: Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the 32 00:02:35,130 --> 00:02:39,070 Speaker 3: kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they 33 00:02:39,180 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 3: shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they will 34 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 3: inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst 35 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:52,660 Speaker 3: for righteousness for they What does it mean to be 36 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 3: pure of heart? 37 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:55,500 Speaker 4: Are those with pure hearts somehow blessed with spotless records? 38 00:03:20,710 --> 00:03:25,429 Speaker 2: Without sin or scar to hinder their sight? Or does 39 00:03:25,470 --> 00:03:31,970 Speaker 2: purity come from somewhere else, perhaps someone else? This is 40 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 2: the Jesus Podcast, gospel stories told with cinematic flair and 41 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 2: honest reflection. I'm Ethan, one of your hosts from Pray.com. 42 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,660 Speaker 2: If you've been a faithful follower of this podcast, we'd 43 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:47,420 Speaker 2: love it if you took a moment to leave a 44 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:51,380 Speaker 2: review and share it with a friend. These small things 45 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 2: matter in the podcasting world. Thanks for supporting us and 46 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 2: being a part of this community. We've been spending this 47 00:03:59,100 --> 00:04:02,580 Speaker 2: new season connecting Jesus' Sermon on the Mount with other 48 00:04:02,660 --> 00:04:07,130 Speaker 2: stories from the Bible. Our focus is on Matthew 5 49 00:04:07,130 --> 00:04:11,150 Speaker 2: verse 8 when Jesus declares, Blessed are the pure in heart, 50 00:04:11,610 --> 00:04:15,930 Speaker 2: for they shall see God. We will explore the meaning 51 00:04:15,970 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 2: of this profound promise and how it is beautifully illustrated 52 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 2: in the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, as 53 00:04:24,020 --> 00:04:29,540 Speaker 2: recounted in Acts chapter 7, verses 54 through 60. 54 00:04:30,300 --> 00:04:33,719 Speaker 1: The synagogue of the freedman rested on a grassy hill, 55 00:04:34,339 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 1: slightly elevated above the east side of Jerusalem. Its pillars 56 00:04:39,339 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 1: were carved from imported cypress wood, and the inside was 57 00:04:43,660 --> 00:04:50,390 Speaker 1: immaculately adorned with tapestries and precious stones. The wealthier and 58 00:04:50,450 --> 00:04:55,109 Speaker 1: more influential Jews attended the synagogue, many of them merchants 59 00:04:55,690 --> 00:05:00,780 Speaker 1: and city officials. It was a perfect stage for Saul 60 00:05:00,820 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 1: of Tarsus. Here he would begin his campaign against the 61 00:05:06,380 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: followers of Jesus. He knew just how to sway them. 62 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:16,929 Speaker 1: The crowd arrived eager to hear Saul speak. They gawked 63 00:05:17,010 --> 00:05:21,450 Speaker 1: at him like a prince. Saul soaked in the affection. 64 00:05:22,810 --> 00:05:28,790 Speaker 1: Saul ceremoniously opened up the scroll of Micah and read, But. 65 00:05:28,670 --> 00:05:33,190 Speaker 5: You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans, 66 00:05:33,850 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 5: out of you will come for me one who will 67 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:42,220 Speaker 5: be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from ancient times. 68 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,140 Speaker 1: Saul drew a deep breath and reasoned. 69 00:05:45,820 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 2: With the crowd. 70 00:05:47,020 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 5: There has been a stir. In the city of Jerusalem, 71 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 5: what began as blasphemous whispers have turned into loud and 72 00:05:56,140 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 5: annoying trumpets. There's a group of men and women who 73 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:06,109 Speaker 5: call themselves People of the Way. These people claim to 74 00:06:06,210 --> 00:06:09,729 Speaker 5: follow the Messiah as foretold by Moses and the prophets. 75 00:06:10,750 --> 00:06:19,830 Speaker 5: This so-called Messiah was a carpenter from Nazareth. Nazareth! The 76 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 5: prophets are clear. The Messiah will come from the lineage 77 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 5: and city of David. He will come in power, glory, 78 00:06:28,220 --> 00:06:32,140 Speaker 5: and majesty. He will come as a conquering king, no 79 00:06:32,190 --> 00:06:35,350 Speaker 5: doubt to overthrow the grip of Rome and restore us 80 00:06:35,390 --> 00:06:40,690 Speaker 5: to Zion. But these people insist on worshipping a false 81 00:06:40,750 --> 00:06:45,180 Speaker 5: prophet who worked with stone in the middle of nowhere, Nazareth. 82 00:06:46,110 --> 00:06:48,950 Speaker 5: Such men and women deserve a title fitting for how 83 00:06:49,150 --> 00:06:53,979 Speaker 5: absurd their Messiah seems. Maybe instead of calling them people 84 00:06:54,010 --> 00:06:57,300 Speaker 5: of the way, we should call them Nazarenes. 85 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:03,100 Speaker 1: Saul smiled as the crowd mocked at the disciples' expense. 86 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 1: He wore the arrogance of title and prowess proudly. Saul 87 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,110 Speaker 1: continued to teach and rile up the crowd against the 88 00:07:12,170 --> 00:07:17,140 Speaker 1: followers of Jesus. This would be his strategy. travel from 89 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:23,300 Speaker 1: synagogue to synagogue, battling with rhetoric and charisma. He was 90 00:07:23,380 --> 00:07:27,700 Speaker 1: at an advantage since no one matched him in knowledge, righteousness, 91 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:32,370 Speaker 1: or ability. Saul concluded his teaching and dismissed the people. 92 00:07:33,690 --> 00:07:37,310 Speaker 1: They left the synagogue and went into the courtyards. Many 93 00:07:37,370 --> 00:07:40,610 Speaker 1: of them remained there to discuss what had just been taught. 94 00:07:42,250 --> 00:07:44,820 Speaker 1: Saul expected most of the people to be gone by now. 95 00:07:45,630 --> 00:07:49,250 Speaker 1: for a meal under the shade. But instead, a large 96 00:07:49,330 --> 00:07:53,830 Speaker 1: crowd gathered at the corner of the courtyard. Someone stood 97 00:07:53,870 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: among them, shouting and speaking with a passionate voice. Saul 98 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:03,460 Speaker 1: walked closer and saw that the man was none other 99 00:08:04,140 --> 00:08:09,460 Speaker 1: than Stephen, a follower of the way. Saul's rage was 100 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:13,670 Speaker 1: ignited when he heard Stephen proclaim the news about Jesus 101 00:08:13,810 --> 00:08:19,850 Speaker 1: of Nazareth. Stephen spoke about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. 102 00:08:21,190 --> 00:08:25,390 Speaker 1: He refuted Saul's assertion by saying Jesus was in fact 103 00:08:25,510 --> 00:08:31,430 Speaker 1: born in Jerusalem, as the prophet Micah foretold. Many Pharisees 104 00:08:31,570 --> 00:08:36,650 Speaker 1: argued with him, but Stephen's wit was too quick. Saul 105 00:08:36,750 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 1: burst through the crowd before it got out of hand 106 00:08:39,340 --> 00:08:40,130 Speaker 1: and shouted,'. 107 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 5: Step down, Stephen! Your blasphemy is not welcomed here! 108 00:08:45,010 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 4: Brothers, I beg you to see with clear eyes. This 109 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:52,300 Speaker 4: Jesus whom we speak of is the Messiah you've all 110 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 4: been waiting for. 111 00:08:53,940 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: Saul gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He pointed 112 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 1: at Stephen with righteous fury. 113 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 5: Your false Messiah hung on a cross in front of everyone. 114 00:09:05,570 --> 00:09:08,150 Speaker 5: Moses himself said that anyone who hangs on a tree 115 00:09:08,230 --> 00:09:10,030 Speaker 5: is considered cursed by God. 116 00:09:10,650 --> 00:09:14,450 Speaker 1: Saul stepped forward even more confident in his knowledge of Scripture. 117 00:09:15,170 --> 00:09:18,230 Speaker 5: If someone suffers in such a way and is considered 118 00:09:18,309 --> 00:09:21,950 Speaker 5: cursed by God, how could he possibly be the Messiah? 119 00:09:22,630 --> 00:09:25,170 Speaker 1: The crowd nodded their heads at Saul's response. 120 00:09:25,850 --> 00:09:29,710 Speaker 4: Saul, surely you know it was Moses, the prophets, and 121 00:09:29,790 --> 00:09:33,290 Speaker 4: David who foretold the Messiah would suffer and be cursed. 122 00:09:34,010 --> 00:09:36,569 Speaker 4: Your hatred for the Romans fuels your image of a 123 00:09:36,650 --> 00:09:40,630 Speaker 4: conquering political king. The scriptures clearly tell us that the 124 00:09:40,670 --> 00:09:44,450 Speaker 4: Messiah would come to suffer and be considered cursed on 125 00:09:44,490 --> 00:09:48,130 Speaker 4: our behalf. Does not Isaiah say he was pierced for 126 00:09:48,190 --> 00:09:52,700 Speaker 4: our transgressions? He was cursed for our iniquities. Upon him 127 00:09:52,770 --> 00:09:56,610 Speaker 4: was the punishment that brought us peace. And by his wounds, 128 00:09:57,270 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 4: we are healed. Was it not the. 129 00:09:50,030 --> 00:09:51,010 Speaker 5: Stephen stepped closer to Saul. 130 00:09:51,050 --> 00:09:52,630 Speaker 4: It was not a threat. 131 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:25,820 Speaker 1: But an invitation, an invitation to see clearly and think soberly. 132 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:31,510 Speaker 1: Saul did not take the invitation, but the crowd did. 133 00:10:33,690 --> 00:10:38,430 Speaker 1: Stephen's words stirred them up. They respected Saul and his intellect, 134 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: but loved Stephen for the purity of his heart. There 135 00:10:44,300 --> 00:10:50,420 Speaker 1: was an undeniable gap between them. which made Saul seethe 136 00:10:50,540 --> 00:10:56,089 Speaker 1: with anger. Jesus is alive, Stephen declared to the crowd. 137 00:10:56,530 --> 00:10:59,950 Speaker 4: He is alive, and I'm inviting you to come and 138 00:11:00,170 --> 00:11:03,910 Speaker 4: join me in the building of his kingdom, a kingdom 139 00:11:03,990 --> 00:11:06,630 Speaker 4: built on love and justice. 140 00:11:07,530 --> 00:11:10,450 Speaker 1: The group walked past Saul and drew closer to Stephen. 141 00:11:11,750 --> 00:11:15,500 Speaker 1: Saul stepped back and turned to the other Pharisees. They 142 00:11:15,540 --> 00:11:20,540 Speaker 1: had to act quickly. before Stephen converted everyone there. So 143 00:11:20,580 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: he came up with a plan. He and the other 144 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,829 Speaker 1: Pharisees began to whisper lies and false events into the 145 00:11:27,870 --> 00:11:28,530 Speaker 1: people's ears. 146 00:11:30,090 --> 00:11:32,690 Speaker 5: Did he just say the words of Moses no longer matter? 147 00:11:33,450 --> 00:11:35,570 Speaker 5: I heard him claim that the temple should be destroyed. 148 00:11:36,330 --> 00:11:38,870 Speaker 1: It didn't take long for the lies to have their effect. 149 00:11:40,050 --> 00:11:43,479 Speaker 1: Saul watched as the crowd began to stir against Stephen. 150 00:11:44,620 --> 00:11:48,860 Speaker 1: They yelled and cursed him. shouted for him to be arrested. 151 00:11:50,370 --> 00:11:55,730 Speaker 1: Saul smiled, satisfied with himself. As the crowd raved against Stephen, 152 00:11:56,470 --> 00:11:59,530 Speaker 1: they led him into the hall of polished stones and 153 00:11:59,630 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 1: shoved him before Ananias and the council. Saul removed himself 154 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:07,740 Speaker 1: from the crowd and took his place among the council. 155 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:11,020 Speaker 5: He is speaking against the temple and the law. He 156 00:12:11,059 --> 00:12:14,349 Speaker 5: said Jesus of Nazareth would return to destroy this place 157 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:16,030 Speaker 5: and our customs. 158 00:12:16,630 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: They lied But Stephen said nothing in his defense. He 159 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:27,100 Speaker 1: didn't resist or quarrel. He instead remained still as the 160 00:12:27,140 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 1: people berated him. He was unusually calm for someone who 161 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:37,059 Speaker 1: was on trial. Saul noticed that he had the same 162 00:12:37,179 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: confidence as Peter and John when standing before the council. 163 00:12:42,420 --> 00:12:48,860 Speaker 1: The threat of prosecution did not affect these Nazarenes. Ananias, 164 00:12:49,059 --> 00:12:53,229 Speaker 1: adorned with his breastplate of gold and jewels, gazed down 165 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:57,950 Speaker 1: at Stephen. The high priest was indignant and ready to 166 00:12:58,030 --> 00:13:02,069 Speaker 1: rain down curses. He drew a deep breath to rage 167 00:13:02,130 --> 00:13:08,179 Speaker 1: against Stephen, but something caused him to pause. The high 168 00:13:08,260 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 1: priest was frozen in terror as he looked upon the Nazarene. 169 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:18,459 Speaker 1: For a moment, The veil between the spiritual and physical 170 00:13:18,540 --> 00:13:23,820 Speaker 1: realms was pulled back, and he saw the face of 171 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: an angel over Stephen. It was unlike anything Ananias had 172 00:13:29,540 --> 00:13:32,939 Speaker 1: ever seen. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. 173 00:13:34,260 --> 00:13:41,100 Speaker 1: The angel vanished, but the palpable presence of something supernatural remained. 174 00:13:43,090 --> 00:13:46,570 Speaker 1: Ananias rose from his seat, and pointed down at him. 175 00:13:47,660 --> 00:13:53,730 Speaker 4: Are these things true? Are you claiming Jesus of Nazareth 176 00:13:53,790 --> 00:13:54,870 Speaker 4: was the Messiah? 177 00:13:55,370 --> 00:13:59,449 Speaker 1: The room was held in suspense as Stephen gathered his thoughts. 178 00:14:00,730 --> 00:14:04,050 Speaker 1: He peered up where Saul was seated, and then back 179 00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:07,170 Speaker 1: at the high priest. He drew a deep breath. 180 00:14:07,570 --> 00:14:12,030 Speaker 4: Brothers, fathers, men of Israel, hear me! 181 00:14:12,670 --> 00:14:17,150 Speaker 1: Stephen began with his arms stretched out wide His voice 182 00:14:17,490 --> 00:14:21,930 Speaker 1: was controlled. He did not quiver or crack under the 183 00:14:22,070 --> 00:14:28,150 Speaker 1: angry mob's intense glares or the council's indignant presence. He 184 00:14:28,210 --> 00:14:32,910 Speaker 1: was resolute, face set on something unseen. 185 00:14:33,470 --> 00:14:36,460 Speaker 4: Allow me for a moment to remind us of where 186 00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 4: we came from. Long ago, the God of heaven and 187 00:14:40,740 --> 00:14:44,500 Speaker 4: earth appeared to Abraham when he was settled in Mesopotamia. 188 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:48,300 Speaker 4: Yahweh called out to him with an invitation. Go out 189 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:51,140 Speaker 4: from the land of your kin and step into the 190 00:14:51,180 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 4: land that I have promised you. Abraham stepped out in 191 00:14:55,380 --> 00:14:58,470 Speaker 4: faith and God led him to the land, the very 192 00:14:58,530 --> 00:15:02,670 Speaker 4: land on which you stand on today. Yet this land 193 00:15:02,750 --> 00:15:07,470 Speaker 4: was not the true inheritance God promised. No, there was 194 00:15:07,530 --> 00:15:12,570 Speaker 4: something greater. God promised him descendants that would outnumber the 195 00:15:12,690 --> 00:15:17,850 Speaker 4: stars in the sky. First came Isaac, then Jacob, and 196 00:15:17,890 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 4: from Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. 197 00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:23,820 Speaker 5: We do not need a history lesson from you, Stephen. 198 00:15:24,460 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 4: These twelve patriarchs, much like the men we follow today, 199 00:15:28,820 --> 00:15:34,010 Speaker 4: were imperfect and flawed. Consumed by jealousy, they sold their 200 00:15:34,070 --> 00:15:38,670 Speaker 4: youngest brother Joseph into slavery. But God was with Joseph. 201 00:15:39,300 --> 00:15:42,860 Speaker 4: He rescued him from prison. He gave him favor before Pharaoh. 202 00:15:43,500 --> 00:15:46,300 Speaker 4: He was made ruler over Egypt at a time when 203 00:15:46,340 --> 00:15:49,860 Speaker 4: the world needed him most. It was a time when 204 00:15:49,940 --> 00:15:54,420 Speaker 4: our forefathers were starving and would die without food. But 205 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:58,950 Speaker 4: Joseph made a way for them. Joseph, a favored son, 206 00:15:59,260 --> 00:16:03,550 Speaker 4: betrayed by his brothers and sold for 30 pieces of silver, 207 00:16:04,290 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 4: delivered them in their time of need. Does that sound 208 00:16:08,180 --> 00:16:10,220 Speaker 4: familiar to any of you, council? 209 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,220 Speaker 1: Stephen looked at the council to see if they could 210 00:16:13,340 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: make the connection between Jesus and Joseph. Judas had sold 211 00:16:18,700 --> 00:16:21,580 Speaker 1: Jesus out to the Sanhedrin for 30 pieces of silver. 212 00:16:22,740 --> 00:16:25,620 Speaker 1: But the council was too prideful to see the connection. 213 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:27,970 Speaker 1: So Stephen continued. 214 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:32,490 Speaker 4: The people multiplied in Egypt and there arose another Pharaoh 215 00:16:32,750 --> 00:16:36,690 Speaker 4: who enslaved our forefathers. He dealt cruelly with our race 216 00:16:37,130 --> 00:16:40,310 Speaker 4: and killed our infants. It was out of this chaos 217 00:16:40,350 --> 00:16:44,180 Speaker 4: that the great Moses was born. He was adopted by 218 00:16:44,300 --> 00:16:48,810 Speaker 4: Pharaoh's daughter and lived as a prince among slaves. He 219 00:16:48,830 --> 00:16:51,650 Speaker 4: was a king in some ways and a slave in others, 220 00:16:52,030 --> 00:16:56,100 Speaker 4: but God destined him to be an advocate, a bridge 221 00:16:56,420 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 4: between poverty and royalty. He killed an Egyptian in defense 222 00:17:01,660 --> 00:17:04,790 Speaker 4: of an Israelite brother, but they still did not accept 223 00:17:04,850 --> 00:17:08,030 Speaker 4: him as one of their own. Out of fear, he left. 224 00:17:08,710 --> 00:17:11,930 Speaker 4: And after wandering in the wilderness as a shepherd, God 225 00:17:12,270 --> 00:17:16,270 Speaker 4: appeared to him. Engulfed in fire was the voice of 226 00:17:16,330 --> 00:17:19,490 Speaker 4: God calling out to him, I am the God of 227 00:17:19,530 --> 00:17:24,340 Speaker 4: your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I have seen the 228 00:17:24,380 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 4: affliction of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries. 229 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,980 Speaker 4: I have come to deliver them. And so I am 230 00:17:32,060 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 4: sending you, Moses. 231 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: As Stephen spoke, The crowd momentarily forgot about their hatred 232 00:17:38,820 --> 00:17:43,540 Speaker 1: for him. He was so eloquent and knowledgeable that he 233 00:17:43,700 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: gripped their attention. 234 00:17:45,420 --> 00:17:49,260 Speaker 4: They rejected Moses before. They scoffed at him. They said, 235 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:54,189 Speaker 4: who made you ruler and judge over us? They rejected 236 00:17:54,270 --> 00:17:57,730 Speaker 4: Moses before. They scoffed at him. They said, who made 237 00:17:57,790 --> 00:18:02,670 Speaker 4: you ruler over us? This man God sent as a 238 00:18:02,750 --> 00:18:06,810 Speaker 4: ruler and a judge was rejected. But that did not 239 00:18:06,910 --> 00:18:11,400 Speaker 4: stop him. He led them out of slavery. He performed 240 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 4: wonders and signs before them. Plagues descended from heaven. The 241 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:21,310 Speaker 4: Red Sea parted. He received the oracles of God and 242 00:18:21,350 --> 00:18:25,310 Speaker 4: imparted them onto the people. The same law you hold 243 00:18:25,450 --> 00:18:31,210 Speaker 4: so dearly was given by Moses, an outcast. And even 244 00:18:31,330 --> 00:18:35,869 Speaker 4: after all this, the people still rejected Moses and they 245 00:18:36,030 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 4: still rejected God. After all God had done from them, 246 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 4: they thrust him aside like rubbish and asked for another 247 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:49,260 Speaker 4: God to worship. They made one from gold and jewels. 248 00:18:51,690 --> 00:18:58,350 Speaker 4: They always reject God and his leaders. They always turned 249 00:18:58,430 --> 00:19:03,419 Speaker 4: from him. All throughout our history, our forefathers ignored God 250 00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:07,770 Speaker 4: for their self-righteousness and sin. As it is written in 251 00:19:07,810 --> 00:19:11,929 Speaker 4: the prophet Amos, Did you bring me sacrifices during the 252 00:19:11,990 --> 00:19:14,260 Speaker 4: forty years in the wilderness, O Israel? 253 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:14,340 Speaker 2: No. 254 00:19:15,780 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 4: You took up the idols and the images you made 255 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:23,189 Speaker 4: to worship, and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon. 256 00:19:23,950 --> 00:19:27,709 Speaker 4: Our forefathers did not just have miracles from Moses. They 257 00:19:27,750 --> 00:19:32,090 Speaker 4: also had the tabernacle. They had the manifest presence of 258 00:19:32,330 --> 00:19:37,470 Speaker 4: God himself. Then, to make God even more present among us, 259 00:19:38,190 --> 00:19:39,940 Speaker 4: Solomon built the temple. 260 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:45,390 Speaker 1: Stephen paused and looked up to the council. His eyes 261 00:19:45,510 --> 00:19:47,209 Speaker 1: watered with passionate tears. 262 00:19:47,910 --> 00:19:49,970 Speaker 4: Here's the key for all of us men of Israel. 263 00:19:50,980 --> 00:19:55,090 Speaker 4: The Most High God is not confined to buildings made 264 00:19:55,119 --> 00:20:01,750 Speaker 4: by men. Look around you. These halls do not constrain 265 00:20:01,770 --> 00:20:07,230 Speaker 4: our God. The prophet Isaiah said, Heaven is my throne 266 00:20:08,170 --> 00:20:11,730 Speaker 4: and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house 267 00:20:11,750 --> 00:20:14,550 Speaker 4: will you build for me? Where is the place I 268 00:20:14,609 --> 00:20:19,550 Speaker 4: find rest? Have I not made everything that is? 269 00:20:20,430 --> 00:20:24,570 Speaker 1: The council shifted in their seats, growing angrier by the second. 270 00:20:25,730 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 1: Stephen's prose enraptured the crowd. He spoke with an angel's 271 00:20:30,859 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 1: eloquence and a prophet's passion. Stephen's grip tightened. Something shifted 272 00:20:38,380 --> 00:20:43,659 Speaker 1: in Stephen. like a changing wind before a storm. His 273 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 1: eyes darted up at the council, and he raised his 274 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: voice like a trumpet, shouting, You. 275 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:58,200 Speaker 4: You stiff-necked people. You are circumcised into flesh, but your 276 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:02,050 Speaker 4: heart is far from God. Your ears are closed to 277 00:21:02,109 --> 00:21:06,610 Speaker 4: the truth and your eyes are blinded. How long will 278 00:21:06,650 --> 00:21:10,830 Speaker 4: you resist the Holy Spirit? Will you continue in the 279 00:21:10,910 --> 00:21:14,210 Speaker 4: sins of your forefathers and reject God for the idolatry 280 00:21:14,230 --> 00:21:19,879 Speaker 4: of religion? Your ancestors killed every prophet that proclaimed the 281 00:21:19,940 --> 00:21:24,890 Speaker 4: coming Messiah. And you have followed in their footsteps by 282 00:21:25,050 --> 00:21:27,010 Speaker 4: murdering the Messiah himself. 283 00:21:27,790 --> 00:21:30,790 Speaker 1: Stephen opened his hands to them and pleaded. 284 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,619 Speaker 4: You have the gift of the law placed in your hands, 285 00:21:35,180 --> 00:21:40,300 Speaker 4: but have not truly searched its meaning. God is offering 286 00:21:40,340 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 4: you a chance to see and believe. Believe, I beg 287 00:21:46,220 --> 00:21:49,770 Speaker 4: you to see for your own souls and the souls 288 00:21:49,830 --> 00:21:50,710 Speaker 4: of these people. 289 00:21:51,170 --> 00:21:51,970 Speaker 2: Silence! 290 00:21:52,609 --> 00:21:56,550 Speaker 1: Ananias shouted. He was fuming and foaming at the mouth 291 00:21:56,609 --> 00:22:00,859 Speaker 1: in anger. The rest of the Sanhedrin and Saul stood 292 00:22:00,910 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 1: to their feet and cursed him. Whatever remained of the 293 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:08,300 Speaker 1: high priest's patience had been wiped away. 294 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:12,679 Speaker 4: Get him out of my sight! Take him out and 295 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:14,290 Speaker 4: kill him for what he said! 296 00:22:14,950 --> 00:22:18,149 Speaker 1: The crowd wrapped Stephen up in a violent rage and 297 00:22:18,230 --> 00:22:22,630 Speaker 1: carried him out. There was no declaration of guilt, no 298 00:22:22,710 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: trial before Roman authorities, no sentencing of death. There was 299 00:22:28,619 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 1: only rage. A rage fueled by guilt, shame, and prideful dogma. 300 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:41,659 Speaker 1: Stephen was dragged through the city by his feet. The 301 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:44,619 Speaker 1: back of his neck and head ground against the rocky 302 00:22:44,700 --> 00:22:48,030 Speaker 1: path as they took him outside the gates to the 303 00:22:48,140 --> 00:22:53,230 Speaker 1: Rock of Execution. The jagged stone loomed over the crowd 304 00:22:53,290 --> 00:22:57,410 Speaker 1: like a giant. The bottom was stained red from executions 305 00:22:57,450 --> 00:23:02,710 Speaker 1: of the past. Saul remained behind the crowd, quietly watching 306 00:23:02,770 --> 00:23:06,310 Speaker 1: the scene unfold like he was attending a play he 307 00:23:06,350 --> 00:23:11,010 Speaker 1: had written. The men threw off their coats and placed 308 00:23:11,050 --> 00:23:16,090 Speaker 1: them at Saul's feet. He held the coats and beheld 309 00:23:16,350 --> 00:23:20,910 Speaker 1: the chaos. The elders picked up jagged stones and held 310 00:23:20,950 --> 00:23:25,170 Speaker 1: them over their heads one by one. They surrounded Stephen 311 00:23:25,510 --> 00:23:30,210 Speaker 1: and spat out curses. The stage was set for Stephen 312 00:23:30,290 --> 00:23:35,850 Speaker 1: to meet his end. But to Stephen, it wasn't the end. 313 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:42,580 Speaker 1: He stood beneath the stone with his head postured toward heaven. 314 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 1: All was still for a moment. Stephen drew a deep 315 00:23:49,780 --> 00:23:55,679 Speaker 1: breath and locked his gaze upward. His eyes widened as 316 00:23:55,760 --> 00:23:59,169 Speaker 1: if he was seeing someone looking down at him from above. 317 00:24:00,850 --> 00:24:05,270 Speaker 1: A grin curled on the sides of Stephen's face. His 318 00:24:05,450 --> 00:24:10,470 Speaker 1: jaw began to shake. and tears of joy fell gently 319 00:24:10,710 --> 00:24:14,970 Speaker 1: down his cheeks. As the crowd raged and cocked their 320 00:24:15,090 --> 00:24:18,490 Speaker 1: arms back to cast their stones, Stephen spoke. 321 00:24:20,530 --> 00:24:21,270 Speaker 4: I see him. 322 00:24:22,109 --> 00:24:27,050 Speaker 1: Childlike glee tumbled out of Stephen's voice. Although he was 323 00:24:27,109 --> 00:24:33,359 Speaker 1: about to meet his end, Stephen's heart melted with unhinged joy. I. 324 00:24:37,790 --> 00:24:39,070 Speaker 1: Stephen opened his arms. 325 00:24:39,690 --> 00:24:42,570 Speaker 4: I see the heavens open and the Son of Man 326 00:24:42,690 --> 00:24:44,830 Speaker 4: standing at the right hand of God. 327 00:24:45,369 --> 00:24:49,070 Speaker 1: The purity of Stephen's heart opened his eyes to see 328 00:24:49,150 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 1: that he wasn't alone. Jesus was standing, leaning forward and 329 00:24:56,540 --> 00:25:01,580 Speaker 1: attentive to him. The first man lifted his stone and 330 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 1: hurled it at Stephen's ribs. He fell to his knees 331 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:11,240 Speaker 1: and gasped, coughing up blood. No one laughed. No one mocked. 332 00:25:12,460 --> 00:25:15,440 Speaker 1: They were filled with too much hate to enjoy the moment. 333 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,810 Speaker 1: Another stone was chucked at Stephen, hitting him in the jaw. 334 00:25:20,950 --> 00:25:25,030 Speaker 1: He screamed in pain, but kept his gaze fixed on 335 00:25:25,070 --> 00:25:30,290 Speaker 1: the sky. Through the clamoring, a prayer spilled out of 336 00:25:30,390 --> 00:25:35,640 Speaker 1: Stephen's limp jaw. Lord Jesus, he said with blood spilling. 337 00:25:35,380 --> 00:25:38,080 Speaker 4: Out of his mouth, receive my spirit. 338 00:25:38,700 --> 00:25:42,820 Speaker 1: The crowd was determined to end it quickly. A shower 339 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:47,090 Speaker 1: of jagged stones descended upon Stephen, hitting his head, legs, 340 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:53,730 Speaker 1: and body. Stephen couldn't move. His face was nearly unrecognizable. 341 00:25:54,670 --> 00:26:00,290 Speaker 1: His limbs were falling off his body. And blood stained 342 00:26:00,369 --> 00:26:06,669 Speaker 1: the earth beneath him. But even amid the onslaught, wallowing 343 00:26:06,770 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 1: in a puddle of his death, Stephen managed to cry 344 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:16,879 Speaker 1: out a final prayer. From the bottom of his belly, 345 00:26:17,550 --> 00:26:20,310 Speaker 1: Stephen billowed to the heavens, yelling. 346 00:26:21,390 --> 00:26:24,850 Speaker 4: Lord, do not hold this sin against them. 347 00:26:25,950 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 1: Please forgive them. And as he said these things, a 348 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:38,109 Speaker 1: final stone crushed his head and ended. The crowd huffed 349 00:26:38,190 --> 00:26:42,929 Speaker 1: in euphoric rage like animals hovering over their slain prey. 350 00:26:44,580 --> 00:26:47,879 Speaker 1: They spat down at him and turned away from the 351 00:26:47,940 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 1: body with self-righteous pleasure. One by one they took their 352 00:26:55,359 --> 00:27:01,700 Speaker 1: coats back from Saul and left. Saul was the last 353 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 1: to leave. He stood over Stephen's lifeless and bloody corpse 354 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:14,200 Speaker 1: and sneered. He turned his back to him and marched 355 00:27:14,300 --> 00:27:21,810 Speaker 1: back to the city. For that entire month, Saul refused 356 00:27:22,490 --> 00:27:28,030 Speaker 1: to look up. He was afraid of what Stephen saw 357 00:27:28,950 --> 00:27:29,609 Speaker 1: before dying. 358 00:27:37,010 --> 00:27:40,030 Speaker 2: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. 359 00:27:41,250 --> 00:27:44,760 Speaker 2: Jesus speaks here of an inner purity, a heart that 360 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 2: is undivided and wholly devoted to God. To be pure 361 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:55,020 Speaker 2: in heart means having sincere intentions, free from deceit and hypocrisy. 362 00:27:56,760 --> 00:28:00,830 Speaker 2: It's about having a single-minded focus on God, desiring to 363 00:28:00,930 --> 00:28:05,350 Speaker 2: live in a way that pleases Him. Jesus promises that 364 00:28:05,650 --> 00:28:09,350 Speaker 2: Those who are pure in heart will see God, not 365 00:28:09,450 --> 00:28:12,750 Speaker 2: just in the afterlife, but also in their daily experiences, 366 00:28:13,310 --> 00:28:18,390 Speaker 2: recognizing His presence and work in their lives. As citizens 367 00:28:18,450 --> 00:28:21,600 Speaker 2: of heaven, we are called to cultivate a pure heart, 368 00:28:22,740 --> 00:28:26,359 Speaker 2: one that reflects the character of Jesus and allows us 369 00:28:26,420 --> 00:28:30,780 Speaker 2: to perceive God more clearly. Now, let's turn to the 370 00:28:30,820 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 2: story of Stephen. found in Acts 7, verses 54-60. Stephen, 371 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:41,770 Speaker 2: one of the first deacons, was known for his strong faith, wisdom, 372 00:28:42,290 --> 00:28:46,490 Speaker 2: and fullness of the Holy Spirit. His powerful preaching and 373 00:28:46,710 --> 00:28:50,190 Speaker 2: unwavering commitment to the gospel led to his arrest and 374 00:28:50,290 --> 00:28:55,830 Speaker 2: trial before the Sanhedrin. Despite the hostility he faced, Stephen 375 00:28:55,890 --> 00:29:02,420 Speaker 2: remained steadfast and pure in heart. In Acts 7, 54-60, 376 00:29:02,540 --> 00:29:05,780 Speaker 2: we read, When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, 377 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 2: they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, 378 00:29:10,020 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 2: full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and 379 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,219 Speaker 2: saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the 380 00:29:16,260 --> 00:29:20,360 Speaker 2: right hand of God. Look, he said, I see heaven 381 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 2: open and the Son of Man standing at the right 382 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:26,719 Speaker 2: hand of God. At this they covered their ears, and, 383 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:29,700 Speaker 2: yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed 384 00:29:29,780 --> 00:29:32,290 Speaker 2: at him. dragged him out of the city, and began 385 00:29:32,330 --> 00:29:36,140 Speaker 2: to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at 386 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:39,740 Speaker 2: the feet of a young man named Saul. While they 387 00:29:39,780 --> 00:29:44,830 Speaker 2: were stoning him, Jesus prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 388 00:29:45,890 --> 00:29:48,570 Speaker 2: Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, 389 00:29:48,610 --> 00:29:51,690 Speaker 2: do not hold this sin against them. When he had 390 00:29:51,750 --> 00:29:56,790 Speaker 2: said this, he fell asleep. Stephen's vision of heaven opened, 391 00:29:57,070 --> 00:29:59,670 Speaker 2: and his ability to see Jesus standing at the right 392 00:29:59,710 --> 00:30:02,750 Speaker 2: hand of God is a powerful testament to the promise 393 00:30:02,790 --> 00:30:07,780 Speaker 2: of Matthew 5.8. His purity of heart enabled him to 394 00:30:07,860 --> 00:30:11,760 Speaker 2: see God even in his final moments. When we look 395 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:15,620 Speaker 2: at the world with a pure heart, every circumstance changes. 396 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:19,680 Speaker 2: People are no longer villains with you as the victim. 397 00:30:20,750 --> 00:30:25,030 Speaker 2: Stephen's response to his persecutors revealed a pure heart that 398 00:30:25,190 --> 00:30:30,390 Speaker 2: clearly sees God moving in every moment. He prayed for 399 00:30:30,410 --> 00:30:33,770 Speaker 2: their forgiveness, reflecting the depth of his pure heart and 400 00:30:33,850 --> 00:30:39,060 Speaker 2: his alignment with God's will. Remember Jesus praying something similar 401 00:30:39,180 --> 00:30:43,280 Speaker 2: while he hung on the cross? Since Stephen saw the 402 00:30:43,340 --> 00:30:46,340 Speaker 2: world with a pure heart, he was able to capture 403 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:51,690 Speaker 2: moments to reflect Christ, even in a harsh and hostile environment. 404 00:30:53,450 --> 00:30:56,650 Speaker 2: How can we, like Stephen, live out the values of 405 00:30:56,730 --> 00:31:03,040 Speaker 2: being pure in heart as taught in Matthew 5, verse 8. First, 406 00:31:03,540 --> 00:31:07,959 Speaker 2: we are called to seek God's presence. Like Stephen, we 407 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:12,350 Speaker 2: should seek to live in God's presence continually. This involves 408 00:31:12,550 --> 00:31:17,090 Speaker 2: daily prayer, worship, and studying Scripture to keep our hearts 409 00:31:17,410 --> 00:31:22,170 Speaker 2: focused on Him. Yet, this goes beyond the religious practices 410 00:31:22,230 --> 00:31:26,560 Speaker 2: we've been taught since Sunday school. Seeking God's presence is 411 00:31:26,580 --> 00:31:31,620 Speaker 2: akin to seeking His kingdom. Looking for areas in our 412 00:31:31,700 --> 00:31:35,270 Speaker 2: lives where Jesus is moving and wanting us to move. 413 00:31:36,130 --> 00:31:42,430 Speaker 2: Moments where we can show compassion, kindness, and justice. To 414 00:31:42,490 --> 00:31:47,680 Speaker 2: seek God's presence is to bring God's presence. Wherever we are, 415 00:31:47,980 --> 00:31:53,690 Speaker 2: whatever the time, no matter the circumstances. Second, we must 416 00:31:53,810 --> 00:31:59,330 Speaker 2: cultivate sincerity. Being pure in heart means having sincere and 417 00:31:59,430 --> 00:32:04,710 Speaker 2: genuine intentions. We should strive to be honest and transparent 418 00:32:04,810 --> 00:32:09,739 Speaker 2: in every relationship, avoiding deceit or hypocrisy. We can get 419 00:32:09,780 --> 00:32:13,720 Speaker 2: this one twisted. Sometimes we can do the right thing, 420 00:32:14,240 --> 00:32:18,240 Speaker 2: but for the wrong reasons. Paul said that in 1 421 00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:24,150 Speaker 2: Corinthians 13 1-3. He said, If I speak in the 422 00:32:24,210 --> 00:32:27,190 Speaker 2: tongues of men or of angels but do not have love, 423 00:32:27,710 --> 00:32:30,650 Speaker 2: I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 424 00:32:32,230 --> 00:32:34,490 Speaker 2: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom 425 00:32:34,690 --> 00:32:37,350 Speaker 2: all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a 426 00:32:37,410 --> 00:32:40,070 Speaker 2: faith that can move mountains but do not have love, 427 00:32:40,630 --> 00:32:44,060 Speaker 2: I am nothing. If I give all I possess to 428 00:32:44,100 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 2: the poor and give over my body to hardship that 429 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:50,860 Speaker 2: I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. 430 00:32:52,100 --> 00:32:55,320 Speaker 2: It is not enough to do the right thing. We 431 00:32:55,380 --> 00:32:59,430 Speaker 2: must have the right intentions. That only comes when we've 432 00:32:59,550 --> 00:33:04,810 Speaker 2: cultivated our hearts like a garden, pruning dead branches and 433 00:33:05,090 --> 00:33:09,590 Speaker 2: pulling out weeds. That only comes when we've cultivated our 434 00:33:09,650 --> 00:33:13,520 Speaker 2: hearts like a garden, cutting off dead branches and digging 435 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:18,480 Speaker 2: out weeds. We only become sincere people when we've done 436 00:33:18,520 --> 00:33:22,959 Speaker 2: the hard work of working on our hearts. Third, we 437 00:33:23,020 --> 00:33:27,160 Speaker 2: must maintain a focus on God. A pure heart is 438 00:33:27,420 --> 00:33:32,600 Speaker 2: undivided and focused on God. We should prioritize our relationship 439 00:33:32,640 --> 00:33:36,160 Speaker 2: with Him above all else, ensuring that our actions and 440 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:40,900 Speaker 2: decisions reflect our commitment to Him. Focusing on God is 441 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:45,130 Speaker 2: less about reading your Bible 24-7 and more about looking 442 00:33:45,170 --> 00:33:48,570 Speaker 2: for areas where you can see His beauty, His blessings. 443 00:33:50,180 --> 00:33:53,530 Speaker 2: It's often said that the opposite of worship is complaining. 444 00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:58,950 Speaker 2: Those who focus on God find themselves unshackled by complaining 445 00:33:59,510 --> 00:34:04,270 Speaker 2: because they see opportunities for beauty wherever they go. Lastly, 446 00:34:04,730 --> 00:34:10,430 Speaker 2: and perhaps the most difficult, we must forgive others. Stephen's 447 00:34:10,510 --> 00:34:14,300 Speaker 2: prayer for his persecutors demonstrates the purity of his heart. 448 00:34:15,500 --> 00:34:19,410 Speaker 2: We too should forgive those who wrong us. reflecting God's 449 00:34:19,489 --> 00:34:24,540 Speaker 2: grace and mercy. Easier said than done, right? We all 450 00:34:24,600 --> 00:34:28,200 Speaker 2: carry wounds with us. We all bear the scars of 451 00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:33,380 Speaker 2: those who've wounded us, abused us, or abandoned us. For Stephen, 452 00:34:33,840 --> 00:34:37,430 Speaker 2: they were literal scars. How was he able to forgive? 453 00:34:38,489 --> 00:34:42,690 Speaker 2: The answer is simple, but no less profound or difficult 454 00:34:42,730 --> 00:34:46,730 Speaker 2: to practice. Stephen was able to see the bigger picture. 455 00:34:47,690 --> 00:34:50,660 Speaker 2: You see, When you are the main character of this story, 456 00:34:51,260 --> 00:34:55,719 Speaker 2: every slight against you is a main event. Every insult, argument, 457 00:34:56,010 --> 00:35:01,270 Speaker 2: or passive-aggressive stare is an affront to the protagonist. But 458 00:35:01,330 --> 00:35:04,230 Speaker 2: what if you aren't the main character of this story? 459 00:35:05,330 --> 00:35:09,120 Speaker 2: What if you are one part in a much grander narrative? 460 00:35:10,460 --> 00:35:15,680 Speaker 2: What if this was Christ's story? What if this was Jesus' story? 461 00:35:16,580 --> 00:35:19,540 Speaker 2: and you were one of many followers bent on blessing 462 00:35:19,580 --> 00:35:24,340 Speaker 2: the world with His love and His character. The slights 463 00:35:24,390 --> 00:35:28,529 Speaker 2: of others would seem less important. In fact, their persecution 464 00:35:28,590 --> 00:35:32,850 Speaker 2: reveals their deep need for a Savior. And since you're 465 00:35:32,870 --> 00:35:36,029 Speaker 2: all about the mission, forgiveness and restoration are on the 466 00:35:36,090 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 2: front of your mind instead of bitterness and revenge. As 467 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:44,160 Speaker 2: we reflect on Jesus' words, Blessed are the pure in heart, 468 00:35:44,580 --> 00:35:48,219 Speaker 2: for they shall see God. and the story of Stephen's 469 00:35:48,300 --> 00:35:52,940 Speaker 2: vision and forgiveness, let us strive to cultivate purity in 470 00:35:53,000 --> 00:35:58,290 Speaker 2: our own hearts. May we seek God's presence, live with sincerity, 471 00:35:58,690 --> 00:36:04,270 Speaker 2: maintain our focus on Him, forgive others, and reflect Christ's character. 472 00:36:05,150 --> 00:36:07,830 Speaker 2: Let us pray for the grace to be true citizens 473 00:36:07,870 --> 00:36:11,560 Speaker 2: of heaven, living out the purity that allows us to 474 00:36:11,660 --> 00:36:17,180 Speaker 2: see God in every aspect of our lives. Amen. Thanks 475 00:36:17,239 --> 00:36:20,390 Speaker 2: again for listening to the Jesus Podcast. You know what 476 00:36:20,430 --> 00:36:23,330 Speaker 2: to do. Like, subscribe, and share it with your friends. 477 00:36:23,989 --> 00:36:25,930 Speaker 2: We'll see you next time as we dive into a 478 00:36:26,010 --> 00:36:29,250 Speaker 2: love story between a young warrior and a captive beauty.