Dying With a Purpose: Stephen Saw the Lord Standing

Dying With Purpose: Stephen Saw the Lord Standing

“And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts7:56

Death can be a horrible experience. Some people have died tragic deaths, experiencing great pain and suffering, while others went peacefully with no suffering at all. The case with Stephen was more like the former than the latter. He died a terrible and painful death, but in his suffering, he saw God’s glory…He saw Jesus!

Truly Paul had it right. “To suffer for him (Christ), is to reign with him!” (2 Timothy 2:12) To see Jesus standing and waiting for him was worth all the pain and suffering he went through as he took a stand for Christ. Death, whether it is painful or not can be endured if we follow suit with the same conviction as Stephen. There are three standings that were present during Stephen’s death.

·       He was in good standing with God by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

·       He took a stand against the hardness of heart of the Jewish leaders as they were “Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart, always resisting the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 7:51)

·       Because of his faithfulness to Christ, “Even unto death,” (Revelation 2:10) he saw Christ standing a God’s right hand waiting to receive him into glory.

Stephen suffered because of the message. Many others suffer because of sickness, sorrows, and spiritual warfare. Whatever the case it takes the same conviction and standing to endure them all. Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed that we think we cannot stand. We may have “Heavy hands and weak knees” as the writer of Hebrews wrote. (Hebrews 12:12) But he encourages believers to strengthen these that they may remain holy and be able to see God. (Hebrews 12:14) Because of Stephen’s conviction to the message and understanding that true holiness comes from being in a relationship with God through Christ, at the end of it all, Stephen saw Christ standing! Paul said in Ephesians 6:13 “And when you have done all, stand!” When you take a stand for Christ, Christ will stand for with you and stand for you.

I want to encourage you today to Stand in Christ and Stand for Christ and by doing so at the end of it all you will Stand with Christ!

Pastor Robby