Graduation Sunday

This past Sunday we had the privilege of celebrating 4 graduates. I am incredibly thankful for all 4 of them, as I have gotten to know them in various settings inside and outside the church. It is encouraging to see how they have grown through the years.

As we picked up in Acts 7:44-8:3 on Sunday morning, in my mind at least, it served as a fitting word for our graduates as they journey on to the next chapter in life. And this word, not only serves to inform and inspire graduates, it is meant to serve as encouragement for all of us to press us on in faithfulness to Christ, as we strive to finish well.

I sought to draw out 3 implications from the passage. I hope these will challenge you this week.

#1 – Stand Firm in the Truth (Acts 7:44-53)
As we pick up with Stephen’s speech, we are immediately drawn to his courage. A courage that enables him to stand firm in the truth. He continues to highlight the truth that God’s presence is not limited to or restricted by a physical building. That God transcends all human structures and that His presence is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
Stephen overflows with courage as he calls the Jewish leaders to rightly respond to God’s Word and not be like ‘their fathers’ who rejected God’s messengers.

• Our courage often comes from having deep convictions. Spend time in God's Word and be molded and shaped by it, so that your convictions and commitment to the truth would be strengthen. 
• In what ways do you find yourself resisting God's Word in your life?

#2 – Fix Your Eyes on Jesus (Acts 7:54-60)
We are now drawn to Stephen’s vision.

The religious leaders were filled with rage because of Stephen’s rebuke, so they sought to destroy him. But Stephen looks heavenward. It’s as though he gets a vision of the heavenly temple. And he sees the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And in doing so, Stephen recognizes that Jesus stands in judgment upon the religious leaders,  he stands as his advocate in God’s court, and he stands to welcome him home.
With his eyes fixed on Christ, he then follows the example of Jesus in his death as he commits his spirit to the Lord, and pleads for forgiveness for those who are sinning against him.

Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Look around and be distressed. Look within and be depressed. Look at Jesus and be at rest.”

• Where do you look? Where is your gazed fixed?
• Do you look at the world? Do you look within? Or do you look at Jesus?

We become what we behold. The more time we spend with Him the more we become like Him.

#3 – Leave a Legacy of Faithfulness (Acts 8:1-3)
I’m not sure how often you think about leaving a legacy. As we age, we begin thinking more about making a lasting impact on younger generations. I’m not sure Stephen thought about this. But what we do know is that he was faithful to Christ to the end. And he had an impact on those who witnessed his death.

The stoning of Stephen had a ripple effect far beyond Jerusalem. His death led to the church scattering from Jerusalem to reach Judea and Samaria for the gospel. This was in fulfillment of the mission of Christ found in Acts 1:8.
His death, certainly, had some impact on Saul who was eventually called and converted by Christ in Acts 9.
His death impacts you and me. As ordinary Christians, we are empowered to proclaim Christ as Lord to those near and far, trusting that God will use our faithfulness for the advancement of the gospel.  

Your life can count for Christ! In the same way God used Stephen, He wants to use you and me to reach our family, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers. He wants to use us to reach those who are close to God and those who are far from God.

We can leave a legacy of faith, as we behold the glory of God in Christ, as we stand firm in the truth of the gospel, and as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen!

For this week: Read Acts 8:4-25