I remember hearing a testimony of young man who was a sailor. He was a drunk, rude, self-centered and anti-Christian. But God had other plans for this young man. To his dismay, his bunkmate happened to be Christian and never gave up on him no matter how rude he was. There came a day when the self-centered sailor hit the wall, and there was his friend showing him the love of Jesus. Because of this, it wasn’t long before the drunken sailor asked Jesus into his heart and God began a lifetime of reconstruction.
After he got out of the navy ,the transformed sailor dedicated his life to telling others how Jesus transformed him. Not only could God change him, He could change their live also. It was the power of his story that drew people to Jesus and that gave them hope!
Stephen’s Story
Stephen used the power of the story of the nation of Israel to convey to the religious leaders their acts of rebellion against God. In addition, this history gave Stephen an opportunity to talk about Jesus. Stephen wanted them to turn from their sin and turn toward God where true hope could be found.
Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?” 2 This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran.[1] Acts 7:1-2. Stephen went on to tell the story of the nation of Israel from Abraham to the death of Jesus on the cross. Stephen’s story was powerful, but their hearts were so hard, they stoned him instead of repenting.
Was anyone listening to what Stephen said? Did he give his life for nothing? Acts 7:57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. [2]
Saul’s Story
In Acts 26 we learn about the conversion of Saul who was knocked off his horse on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians. Acts 26: 12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.
15 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness.
I think Stephen’s testimony stayed with Saul. Even though Saul wanted to deny that Jesus was Messiah, when he looked back at the story, it told him otherwise. Saul, who we know as the Apostle Paul, became the greatest missionary the world had ever seen. That day began his conversion to Christianity. In addition, he also went on to write much of the New Testament. Saul was some of the fruit of Stephen’s story of truth.
What is your story? How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior? How could the Lord use your story to lead others to Jesus and give them hope?
To hear more of the story of Stephen, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-when-life-is-threatened
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.