July 15, 2018
Flannelgraph Faith: The Courage of Conviction
July 15, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Open:
Some people seem to have the gift of courage, while others struggle with stepping out of their comfort zone. Can you think of an example when you showed courage even though you were scared?
Today we continue our series using the modern version of the flannelgraph, choosing godly characters from the New Testament. This week we will focus on Stephen, a righteous man who became known as the first martyr of the Christian religion
Discuss:
Courage in our faith comes from above before it comes from within
- Read Acts 4:23-31. Peter and John had just been arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin. Can anyone tell the story of what had happened?
- These two men were perceived to be “unlearned and ignorant” (vs. 13) yet stood boldly before the ruling Jews. Where did their courage come from?
- Why is courage not natural for us? What are some areas where courage is desperately needed in our families? Why do we not take a stand?
- Read Acts 6:8. Why would God give us courage to defy fear?
Courage in our faith is from the overflow
- When are you—in any situation—the most confident? Why is that? As you spend more time with God, do you become “filled and overflowing” with His promises and faith in what He says?
- Read Acts 22:14. What do you know about Stephen? What did he answer when he was taken before the High Priest? Why did he have so much courage? Read Acts 6:8.
Courage in our faith will protect us from beginning to end
- Read Eph. 3:19, and Romans 15:13 (in The Living Bible if possible, or one that translates abound as “overflowing.”) Why do we have to have conviction in our faith before we can be used by God in courageous ways?
- Read Acts 7:57-60. You may ask, “where was God’s protection for Stephen as he was being stoned?” Will someone answer?
- Why did Stephen cry out to God to receive his spirit, and how could he find the love for those gnashing their teeth in hate as they killed him?
- Probably none of us feel we can face a death of martyrdom, yet every day across the world this is happening. Where do they get their courage?
Close:
The life and age of Stephen is one we know nothing about, although probably he was a husband and father. The Bible records he was a man “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:3-6). Would that we all had such a eulogy from God! Yet he had such faith that he was able to preach a very long sermon to the ruling Jews, laying the guilt for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at their door, not fearing his coming death. His conviction that Jesus was truly the Messiah gave him a courage that would face any attack against his belief.
Stephen had the courage of his convictions because he was confident in Whom he believed, and in what he believed. While we will not take a stand for our preferences, we will for our convictions. Do you know the difference? You may prefer a movie with no cursing, but if you continue to watch it, you do not have a conviction. Turning it off and removing it from your home means you have a conviction and will take a stand against it. That difference gives one confidence to face ridicule or back down! Those around Stephen that day saw a good man die; the Jews thought they were squelching the growing community who believed that Jesus was the Messiah; God saw the result: that those who would flee Jerusalem would take the news of the gospel of His Son and spread it throughout the world (Acts 8:1). May we all be so courageous in our conviction as to simply tell our neighbor before it’s too late.
Key Verse: Acts 4:19-20: But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (NKJV)
Focal Passages: Acts 4:19-20, 23-31; 6:8; 7:57-60 and Romans 8:38-39.