Sermons About Martyr
"The Long View of Suffering: Of Martyrs and Bystanders"
Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 Acts 7:55-60. This is in many ways the sequel to my previous message on Palm Sunday. That Sunday's sermon dealt with many of the personal realities of how we deal with suffering in relation to God. That's the "short view"...suffering on an individual scope. Today takes a huge step back from that. We will glance at the powerful story of the intersection of one martyr--Stephen--and one bystander--Saul. But we won't let the drama and excitement of this powerful account eclipse what Luke, as author, was intending to convey through this story's setting in the grand scheme of his two-volume story we call Luke-Acts. In fact, such a perspective on the story grants us a powerful lesson on the "long view" of suffering--looking at it from God's perspective rather than ours. The main thrust of today's message is that when we take the long view of suffering, we share in God's kingdom in some extraordinary ways.
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The Persecuted Church
Pastor Matt Adair delivers a compelling and thought provoking message regarding the role of the persecuted church. Just as Paul, persecuted and imprisoned, was able to write words of wisdom and encouragement to the church of Phillipi, so too do the present day martyrs show us the value (even at the cost of our own lives, freedom, and finances) of pursuing after Jesus Christ.
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Facing Persecution
In the upside-down value system of Jesus, persecution actually leads to joy.
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Origins: Persecution and Martyrdom in the Church (Acts 4:1-31, 6:8-15, 7:54-60)
Origins: The Early Church in Acts Persecution and Martyrdom in the Church Acts 4:1-31, 6:8-15, 7:54-60
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The Execution of Stephen (Acts 6:8-8:3)
Stephen was the first martyr in the church. He was executed as the result of circus trial in which he was falsely accused. The defense that Stephen gives in reply to the charges against him, provide us with a sweeping view of God's redemptive relationship to Israel. The execution of Stephen sparks a flame that eventually becomes a fire spreading across the world as the gospel moves beyond Jerusalem and into the Gentile nations.
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Qualified to Testify - Part 1
The word witness in the Greek is from the word "martoos", and it means martyr. Suprisingly, those that are to be witnesess for Christ must 1st be qualified as martyrs. On this basis, are you qualified to testify for Him? Hear the answer and what this really means in this 2 part series.
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Stephen Owned It
The early church grew at an enormous pace. How did the church keep up with the growth and still care for everyone?
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