I want to share with you all this morning the story of a man who was faithful to His Lord. This man committed to serving Jesus every day in every way—and ultimately in the ultimate way.

Allow me to briefly direct your attention to one of the richest accounts in the book of Acts—Stephen’s sermon and death.

Follow Jesus in your devotion.

“Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.’

And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:1–6)

Stephen is chosen, among the other seven men, for the distinction of being “full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Yet even when compared to the rest of these men, he stands out. Luke only ever describes three men as being “full of the Spirit”: Jesus (Luke 4:1), Barnabas (Acts 11:24), and Stephen (here and Acts 7:55).

For clarification, being “full of the Holy Spirit” is not the same as being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” While these two expressions sound very similar, they are different.

Being “filled with the Spirit” refers to a miraculous appointment, such as the Apostles received in Acts 2:4. Usually this involves prophecy of some kind. While it’s clear that Stephen had miraculous abilities and used them in his ministry, the description of being “full of the Spirit” refers to his character, not his miracles.

In conjunction with his faith and wisdom, Stephen’s fullness of the Spirit shows us a man who is serious and devout. Jesus devoted significant time to prayer and devotion, and it’s clear that Stephen did too. The apostles wanted men who were like them—and like Jesus—to take their place in this ministry.

You will not draw close to God in public, but in private. Emulate Jesus in your personal devotion to God.

Follow Jesus in your teaching.

“And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and were arguing with Stephen. But they were unable to oppose the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.” (Acts 6:7–10)

As we’ve seen in our Sunday morning class, the church starts off in Jerusalem—and doesn’t actually spread out for a while. Confidently suppressing the naysayers, Stephen becomes one of the frontrunners of the Jerusalem church. The Jewish opposition cannot hold a candle to his ministry.

While using different words, this description reminds me of the preaching of Jesus. John described Him as “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Then at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, we learn this:

“Now it happened that when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matt 7:28–29)

Stephen’s ministry and teaching was effective because it channelled the divine power of God. Rather than try to impress his audiences with his smooth tongue, Stephen sought to convict them with the wisdom of God.

Our ministry and teaching should similarly reflect Jesus’s method by redirecting people’s attention to God and His power.

Follow Jesus in your character.

“Then they secretly induced men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came up to him, dragged him away, and brought him to the Sanhedrin.

And they put forward false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases speaking words against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.'” (Acts 6:11–14)

A huge reason why his preaching was so effective was because of his reputation. Stephen was such a righteous and morally upright man that no one could convict him of real crimes.

Again my mind races to the scene in Jerusalem that night, when Jesus was dragged before the Sanhedrin. Unable to find fault, they resorted to false witnesses. An eerie resemblance exists between these two trials.

Stephen now stands before the same court experiencing the same sham. His character was so perfect and Christlike that he suffers the same injustices.

Follow Jesus in your fearlessness.

“And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel.

And the high priest said, ‘Are these things so?’

And he said, ‘Hear me, brothers and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran…'” (Acts 6:15–7:2)

“‘You men—stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears—are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. And which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not observe it.'” (Acts 7:51–53)

Just as Jesus frequently called out the Pharisees and Sadducees for their hypocrisy, so also does Stephen. He preaches a scathing rebuke of their wicked heritage—not one descended from Abraham’s righteousness, but from their forefather’s murderous hands.

Stephen minces no words, but stands strong in the face of persecution. He preaches the truth fearlessly. This sermon is the longest in the entire book of Acts—by far.

Are we so committed to following our Lord that we are willing to be bold and unashamed of the truth? Or do we simper like cowards when our religious friends need to hear the truth?

Stephen knew what was coming. He knew Jesus’s story. You do too. He preached anyway. Will you?

Follow Jesus in your focus.

“Now when they heard this, they became furious in their hearts, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'” (Acts 7:54–56)

Even though Steven faced persecution, he never wavered in his concentration. Nothing they could do would affect his focus on serving and following Jesus.

The Hebrews writer instructs us to do the same. You must not allow sin, guilt, suffering, persecution, or anything else that Satan waves at you to distract you. Instead, focus on Jesus.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:1–2)

Just as the suffering Jesus faced did not deter Him from His mission, so also Stephen kept his duty in mind—to the very end.

Don’t let anything pull your gaze from your Savior, but instead concentrate on Him as He did on you.

Follow Jesus in your conviction.

“But crying out with a loud voice, they covered their ears and rushed at him with one accord. And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he was calling out and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!'” (Acts 7:57–59)

Jesus taught:

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

and He demonstrated that love by dying for every man. Before He died, Jesus made the call of discipleship to all men:

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt 16:24–25)

He calls His disciples to follow Him, not only in life, but also in death.

Stephen was the very first person to prove his loyalty to Jesus. I wonder how Jesus felt, knowing Himself what dying for someone was like?

The word “witnesses” in verse 58 is the Greek word martyrēs—martyrs. Yet Stephen is the true martyr. In Acts 22, Paul recognizes that fact, saying,

“And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and guarding the garments of those who were slaying him.” (Acts 22:20)

Although Paul once stood there, his own hands covered in blood, he recognized that Stephen was the true witness that day: a witness of his Lord.

Follow Jesus in your forgiveness.

“Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ And having said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60)