A Courageous Preacher
TEXT: ACTS 7:36-53
Key verse: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” (Acts 7:51,52).
One of the major attributes of the Almighty God is that His wrath is preceded by His warning. He keeps no one in the dark as to the consequence of one’s action. He warns through His messengers, pastors and prophets of the eternal doom awaiting the unrepentant sinner and the rebellious backslider. Despite this, many still live a life of wickedness, sin and evil.
Stephen had graduated from being a food distributor to becoming a great miracle worker, preacher and consummate evangelist. He was bold and courageous, wise and full of faith, grace and power. He confronted the people with the gospel of Christ. “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10). He took them down memory lane and pointed out how they had always resisted the Holy Ghost in their walk with God.
The Church of Christ is passing through a rocky terrain today. There is need for bold and courageous preachers to warn the people of the dire consequences of rejecting Christ. We must be ready to suffer all forms of indignities like those who have gone before us.
The pleasure at the end is greater than the pain of the present hour. There is eternal salvation for those who endure to the end. And like Stephen, let us labour now in spite of persecutions and false accusations to the glory of God.
Thought for today: Spend and be spent for Christ.