← Back to sermon library

in terms of preaching and missionary 
endeavor and the epistles that he wrote. But I want to end on 
the final note with reference to Stephen. He ultimately demonstrated 
dependence on the triune God. Brethren, that ought to be our 
prayer. We ought to want to just finish well. I don't want to 
abandon the Lord. I don't want to recant. I want 
to be able to deal with and bear up, I'm speaking for all of us, 
with whatever it is they throw at me, with whatever it is they 
hurl at us. That ought to be our prayer, 
that in death we don't dishonor our blessed master. He expressed 
courage in the face of martyrdom. He doesn't shrink back. He doesn't 
cry out. He doesn't run from there. He doesn't say, well, 
what about my rights? I'm not getting the case or the jurisprudence 
that I stand in need of. No, he bears up under this with 
great courage. As well, he evidences Christ's 
likeness in his trial and affliction. He imitates the Savior. Lord, 
do not charge them with this sin. Lord, receive my spirit. These were what Christ did on 
the cross, and Stephen imitates that. But I want to underscore 
finally with something that's very familiar to at least half 
or three quarters of you, Heidelberg Catechism number one. What is 
your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, 
but belong body and soul in life and in death to my faithful Savior 
Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my 
sins with his precious blood. He has delivered me from the 
tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such 
a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will 
of my Father in heaven. In fact, all things must work 
together for my salvation. Because I belong to Him, Christ, 
by His Holy Spirit, also assures me of eternal life and makes 
me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for 
Him. Christ is our only comfort in 
life And in death, it has been well said of the people of God 
that they die well because of the God of the people that is 
poised to receive the Spirit when we separate from the body. Stephen teaches us glorious truths. God demonstrates glorious things 
in this passage. And while it is bloody, while 
it is brutal, while it is wretched, and while it is definitely Contrary, 
in terms of any approach to law abidingness on the part of people, 
it does evidence the grace and the mercy and the goodness of 
our God.