Podcasts about Acts 7

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08112026.mp3 The post Living the Life of a Martyr – Acts 7:59-60 – August 11, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

IntroductionStephen's trial draws to a conclusion. We are confronted with the hardship of living in a sin-cursed world. Stephen is doing everything right. He is faithful to the Lord. He speaks the truth. He boldly proclaims Christ. The apostles' faithfulness has been rewarded with thousands of converts. One would think that this is going to be the trend. Stephen tells us otherwise. Stephen is faithful, and his reward is rejection, being dragged outside the city, and killed.We are moved to a question: What do we do with a gospel like this? We might second-guess and ask, should Stephen have backed off? Should he have softened his message? Should he have simply swept Christ under the carpet so that he could preserve his life?This narrative forces us to question: Is Jesus really essential to the Christian life, or is he something we can make optional when following him becomes difficult? We see in Acts 7 that Christ is not optional. We need Christ because our own righteousness will never be enough. And what we discover in Stephen's death is that earthly suffering does not mean Christ has abandoned his people. In fact, Christ is standing in heaven. He is not taking a passive stance, but an active stance in advancing his gospel despite this setback.The Contrasted Perspectives: Stephen and the MobThe first thing we see is the contrast between Stephen and the crowd. Stephen has just laid out the history of God's covenant interaction with Israel. His summary is that God is faithful and his people have been unfaithful. The crowd is furious. They are shouting, grinding their teeth, covering their ears, and eventually rushing him as a group. Stephen has called them "uncircumcised in heart and ears." The crowd only confirms his indictment. They cover their ears, they refuse to listen, and they refuse to evaluate their own history. They are physically demonstrating fruits that prove Stephen's accusation. They have decided that they know the truth, they know their theology, they know their system, and they are not going to listen to anything that challenges it. We are reminded to be careful when we are so certain.How do we know when to be certain and when to repent? The real issue is Christ. Stephen is not saying that Moses was unimportant or that God's covenant dealings with Israel were meaningless. He is showing that all of these things were pointing beyond themselves to Christ. The law reveals the holiness of God, and it exposes our inability to meet that holiness by our own efforts. The administration given through Moses points us toward the greater reality that comes in Jesus Christ. If we think we can stand before God on the basis of our own accomplishments, we will end up aligned with the crowd. We need Christ. Christ is not optional. We need to take his yoke upon us because there is no other way to life. He is the proper successor to Moses.The ultimate contrast is that as the crowd accuses Stephen, he receives vindication. Luke tells us, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looks up and sees heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. The very Christ whom they rejected, the Christ whom they killed, is standing in glory. Stephen sees the risen and vindicated messiah advocating on his behalf.A Contradictory Profession of FaithThis leads us to the second thing we see: Stephen's profession of faith stands in direct contradiction to the profession of the mob. Political wisdom might have told Stephen to keep his mouth shut. Sometimes silence is golden. They are already angry, and Stephen has every reason to know that saying more is not going to make things better. But Stephen is overwhelmed by the Spirit, and he says, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."Stephen's testimony is very important. Stephen is identifying Jesus as the Son of Man, the Messiah, the one Daniel 7 points us toward. The very man whom they had rejected and killed is now standing in the glory of heaven. And notice that Christ is standing. Normally we think of Christ seated at the right hand of God (Psalm 110), enthroned in glory. But here he stands. The picture is not of a passive Savior who has gone to heaven and simply watches what happens to his people. Christ is active. He is ruling. He sees Stephen. He knows what is happening. Stephen may look abandoned from an earthly perspective, but heaven tells us that Christ is active in his rule.The crowd thinks they are judging Stephen, but Stephen has already been vindicated by Christ. They want to put down a dangerous heretic, but Stephen bears witness to the reality that they did kill the messiah. This communicates the complexity of a fallen world. We might think that our current circumstances mean we are bearing the weight of our sin. However, we might be part of the bigger picture. We need to see that our hope is not found in our circumstances, our reputation, or our earthly success. Our hope is found in the risen Christ who stands at the right hand of God. We might not always understand why history unravels the way it does, but we know that Christ is standing as our shepherd-king.The Contrasted VictoriesThe world will view Stephen's death as an absolute failure. Stephen is dragged outside the city and executed. The crowd gets what it wants. The Sanhedrin does not stop them. A man who faithfully preached Christ is dead. If we were simply looking at the circumstances, we might ask, "Where is the victory?"But Luke is showing us something much bigger. Stephen's death identifies him with Christ. Stephen is now experiencing exactly what Christ said would happen. He is cast outside the city, just as Christ was rejected and cast out (Luke 4:29). And even in his death, Stephen echoes the posture of his Savior. He asks the Lord not to hold this sin against them, and he entrusts his spirit to Christ (Acts 7:59-60; cf. Luke 23:34, 46). There is no bitterness here. There is confidence. Stephen knows that death does not have the final word. He is passing from this life into the presence of the Lord who is standing at the right hand of God.And then Luke gives us another remarkable detail: Saul is there. Stephen's outer garment is laid at Saul's feet. This tells us that Saul has authority and could stop it. He might not give the order, but he approves of this execution. This is the man who goes to ravage the church.The Lord's victory still shines through. The persecution drives the gospel to Samaria. Saul will become one of the most aggressive missionaries in the early church. Ironically, this man will have a passion to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. We see that Christ is still ruling in the midst of what appears to be a setback.That is the irony of the Christian life. The Lord does not promise that faithfulness will always produce earthly comfort. Sometimes obedience hurts. Sometimes faithfulness costs us something. Sometimes the church appears to be losing. But Christ is not passive. He is standing and ruling over history. The gospel advances despite what appears to be a huge setback.ConclusionShould Stephen have watered down Christ's significance? Should he have made Christ less central? Should he have treated Jesus as something optional?No. Because Christ is Lord. Stephen sees him standing in heaven. And that is what gives Stephen confidence in the middle of suffering. The world may say that Stephen is the loser, that he was a fool for being so committed to Christ, that he should have kept his mouth shut. But Stephen knows something the mob does not know. His life is not ultimately defined by what happens to him in this age. His life is defined by Jesus Christ, and his certainty is guaranteed in Christ.And that is our hope as well. We live in a sinful world, and God's redemptive purposes often work themselves out in ways that are not pretty or comfortable. But Christ is not passive. He is standing in the glory of heaven. He is ruling, defending, protecting, and advancing his church. And even when we cannot see how he is doing it, Christ is still at work.Stephen's confidence was not in Stephen. It was in Christ. His hope was not that this life would turn out in victory. His hope was that Christ would shepherd him through this life and into the life to come. And so when we find ourselves facing suffering, opposition, disappointment, or things that simply do not make sense, we remember where our hope is. It is not in ourselves. It is in Jesus Christ. We are assured that taking the yoke of Christ is not tyranny. It is life. And because Christ has made us his own, we can press forward with confidence in his power.Our life is found in Christ. Therefore, let us press forward, trusting him, even when faithfulness is costly, because Christ Jesus has made us his own.

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08102026.mp3 The post The First Martyr – Acts 7:57-58 – August 10, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08092026.mp3 The post Jesus Standing By – Acts 7:55-56 – August 9, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08082026.mp3 The post Grinding Teeth – Acts 7:54 – August 8, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08072026.mp3 The post Don't Make the Same Mistakes – Acts 7:51-52 – August 7, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

acts 7

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08062026.mp3 The post God Is Greater Than His Temple – Acts 7:1-2 – August 6, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

IntroductionStephen stands falsely accused. He has been set up by false witnesses who claim that he has blasphemed Moses, the Temple, and God. These charges are serious and warrant death under Moses. Stephen is invited to give a defense by the high priest when he says, “Are these things so?” One would think that Stephen would defend himself, but Stephen knows they do not want him to be acquitted on the charges because that would make them look bad. If Jesus is the Messiah, then the ruling council killed God's very deliverer. Stephen does not defend himself, but presents the history of God interacting with his people throughout the ages. He shows that they are doing to Christ exactly what their fathers had always done to God's messengers.God Works Outside CanaanThe God of glory appears to Abraham in Mesopotamia. Abraham was not in Canaan, but outside Canaan. God's work and promise are never confined to a local city or land. In fact, we see that in their history they sold their own brother into slavery. Stephen moves to the story of Joseph ending up in Egypt. The Lord not only protects Joseph there, but preserves his people despite their betrayal of Joseph. The temple, Canaan, and Jerusalem do not contain God. He works outside the promised land. He has been a faithful shield to his people, but they have not been faithful to him. God Delivers His PeopleClearly, the Lord can protect the people outside the land. Now we move to Moses' story. Joseph dies, and there is a new Pharaoh in the land. This Pharaoh forgets what Joseph did for Israel. He deals shrewdly (craftily, deceptively) with Israel. He desires to weaken them by killing the male infants. Not only is God's people in a foreign land, but now there is a hostile leader to the Lord's people. The Lord predicted to Abraham that his descendants would be oppressed. The Lord starts to quietly work on his deliverance. God raises up Moses. Moses should have been destroyed. Instead, he ends up adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. He is educated in Pharaoh's house, and Stephen summarizes Moses by saying that he was mighty in word and deed. Moses tries to relieve Pharaoh's oppression by killing an Egyptian. He thought the Israelites would see this as an act of deliverance. No, when Moses confronts two Israelites fighting, the one accuses Moses of attempting to murder them rather than give them relief. Moses is asked, “Who made you ruler and judge?” Moses is rejected. He spends the next 40 years of his life in the wilderness. One day Moses meets God at the burning bush in the wilderness. God has heard the groaning of His people for generations. He is not indifferent. Moses, who once tried to deliver in the flesh by killing an Egyptian and was rejected by his own people, is now sent by God as the true deliverer. The Lord's people are led out of Egypt by his hand. In the process, Stephen reminds them that Moses himself spoke of a coming Prophet like himself (Deuteronomy 18). This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the definitive word and action of God, ultimately delivering his people. However, like Israel in the wilderness and in the land, they ignored the prophets, worshipped false gods, and never truly sought the Lord. God's Continual Provision Despite Rejection God provides the tabernacle in the wilderness. He meets with people there. The tabernacle enters the land with Israel. This is replaced by the temple. The problem is that people think that the temple is holy in itself. They are not seeing the God who uses these means to commune with his people. God's people continue to pursue false gods. Amos recounts their pursuing false gods (Amos 5). Isaiah reminds the people that the Lord dwells beyond the land (Isaiah 66:1-2). God's people cannot look beyond the tangible gods. This is a human problem. Stephen lays out the core of the problem: “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” Their heart is not tender to the Lord. They are like oxen who stiffen their neck against the farmer's direction. They will not go where he leads them. They will not and have not taken on the yoke. (cf. Matthew 11:28)ConclusionStephen's sermon recounts God's working in history. He has been faithful, protective, and present with his people. His people have responded with a deaf ear and an unyielding presence. The temptation is not unique to first-century Israel. We too can become attached to traditions, institutions, or routines while neglecting humble submission to Christ. We can become stiff-necked, insisting on our own way instead of yielding to our Savior.The prophet like unto Moses is ultimately Christ. He is the agent and action of God's redemption. He is the greater Joseph who was rejected, and then exalted. He provides better provision than bread alone. He is the substance of eternal life. He is the greater Moses who delivers his people from a far greater slavery than Egypt. He is greater than the temple and the tabernacle, for he is God in the midst of us. Therefore, the call is not merely to admire Stephen's courage but to embrace Stephen's Christ. We are invited to take Christ's light yoke upon us. We are to be a people praying for the Lord to search our hearts. (Psalm 139:23)Let us be a tender people to the Lord's purpose. Let us find our identity and peace in our redeemer.

Stephen's final sermon wasn't designed to win applause—it was a bold call to repentance. In Acts 7:23–60, we see the tragic pattern of humanity rejecting God's messengers while discovering the unchanging faithfulness of God. This passage challenges us to ask an uncomfortable question: Am I resisting God's voice, or responding to it with a softened heart? Whether you've faithfully followed Jesus for years or you're wrestling with questions about faith, this message reminds us that God's grace continues to pursue people who have rejected Him. Stephen defends himself against accusations by walking through Israel's history, showing how God's people repeatedly rejected the very leaders He sent to rescue them. Through the lives of Moses, the temple, and the Law, Stephen reveals a deeper problem—not ignorance, but hardened hearts resisting the Holy Spirit. This sermon explores the progression of spiritual resistance and the hope found in repentance before our hearts grow cold. Even as Stephen is rejected and ultimately martyred, he reflects the heart of Christ by praying for those who are killing him. His life points us to Jesus, who bore our sin on the cross, offered forgiveness to His enemies, and remains faithful even when humanity rejects Him. The invitation of the gospel is still the same today: repent, believe, and receive the grace God freely offers through Christ. If you're looking for a church home, we'd love to welcome you to Harvest Church in Arroyo Grande. Join us as we grow together through God's Word, worship Jesus, and experience authentic biblical community. We'd love to have you worship with us. If you're looking for Bible teaching, verse-by-verse study, expository preaching, and a Christ-centered Christian sermon that helps you grow in following Jesus, we invite you to join us Sundays at 9am & 11am. Learn more about Harvest Church at www.agharvest.org.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  the account of Stephen riving the history of GOD's people and how he mentioned about Moses and the burning bush.  Scripture References: Acts 7:30; Genesis 12:3;  Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-8; Acts 6:3; Acts 6:13-7:30; Exodus 3:1-3 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S OTHER PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Series: 2026 Class: ActsService: Wed Bible StudyType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Josh Haub

Truly following Jesus is to be Akin to him. Akin = family, closely related, aligned.  In Acts 7, Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin and, instead of defending himself, boldly points to God's faithfulness throughout Israel's history. His message reminds us that following Christ means choosing truth over comfort and belonging to Jesus above all else. Pastor Scott Goodman walks through Acts 7:1–22, showing how the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses all point to Christ and call us to trust God's Word, keep moving in faith, and become more like Jesus. If you're looking for a church home in Arroyo Grande, we'd love to welcome you to Harvest Church. Join us as we grow in God's Word, worship Jesus, and build authentic community together. Harvest Church is committed to Bible teaching, verse-by-verse study, and expository preaching that helps people grow in following Jesus. Join us Sundays at 9am & 11am. Learn more at www.agharvest.org.

Acts | Surrendered Lives | Acts 7:54-8:8In today's sermon, pastor Abie Kulynych discusses the life os Stephen's life and God's purposes in difficult circumstances that followers of Jesus Christ are sometimes called to face.

Love, Community, and Truth: A Conversation with Natalie Runion In Episode 144 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane welcome Natalie Runion—USA Today bestselling author, speaker, worship leader, and founder of the Raised to Stay community—for an honest conversation about love, biblical community, and living in truth. Drawing from her experiences in ministry and the messages of her bestselling books Raised to Stay and The House That Jesus Built, Natalie shares how believers can pursue healing without abandoning the Church, embrace authentic Christian community, and hold tightly to truth while extending grace. Together, they discuss the beauty of imperfect people pursuing a perfect Savior and why healthy relationships are essential to spiritual growth. Whether you've experienced church hurt, are longing for deeper community, or simply want to love people more like Jesus, this conversation will encourage you to remain rooted in Christ and committed to building His Church. Learn more about Natalie, her ministry, speaking events, books, and the Raised to Stay community at: NatalieRunion.com ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams ____________________________________   Get Jamie's Newest Book: Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Acts7-9 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Judges3;Acts7;Jeremiah16;Mark2 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Acts 7 (Stephen) | Acts | Marlee Kastens by First Christian Church

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Acts | Trusted God | Acts 7In today's sermon, pastor Abie Kulynych discusses the life os Stephen's life and God's purposes in difficult circumstances that followers of Jesus Christ are sometimes called to face.

We read Peter's stirring sermon in Acts 3:11-26, understanding his references to Deuteronomy 18, as well as Genesis chapters 15, 18, 22, 26, and 28, and considering the wonder of how the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ, bringing blessing to both Jew and Gentile, knitting them together into one body, and healing each person who trusts in His Name.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus  (NOT a Morning Mindset resource)   ⇒ Listen to our other podcasts: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:51–53 - “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. [52] Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, [53] you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Underwrite one daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: Subscribe to the SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish Subscribe to the CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com   

Andrew Phillips-7/12/26-Acts 7

Share a commentA single sentence can expose an entire life plan. When Moses steps into a fight and tries to position himself as Israel's deliverer, the response is sharp: “Who made you a ruler and judge over us?” We follow that question through Acts 7 and Exodus 2 to uncover what goes wrong when calling turns into self-appointment, and when passion tries to replace God's authority.We talk through Moses' unique preparation in Egypt, his education, influence, and leadership potential, then the moment he “looks this way and that” and chooses a method God never asked for. The result is a sobering case study in getting ahead of God: serving God while ignoring God, using pragmatic tactics that seem to work, and discovering you can be right about the need and wrong about the timing. Along the way, we connect Moses' shortcut to the New Testament pattern of spiritual warfare in 1 Timothy 2, where Paul calls believers to prayer even under corrupt and violent leadership.We also bring it home with three concrete questions for Christian decision making and spiritual leadership: Is impatience shaping your choices, are you violating God's counsel to get what you want, and are you planning everywhere but up? If you're facing a big decision, building a ministry, or feeling the pressure to act now, this conversation will slow you down in the best way. Subscribe for more Bible teaching, share this with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review with the part that challenged you most.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Share a commentA single sentence can expose an entire life plan. When Moses steps into a fight and tries to position himself as Israel's deliverer, the response is sharp: “Who made you a ruler and judge over us?” We follow that question through Acts 7 and Exodus 2 to uncover what goes wrong when calling turns into self-appointment, and when passion tries to replace God's authority.We talk through Moses' unique preparation in Egypt, his education, influence, and leadership potential, then the moment he “looks this way and that” and chooses a method God never asked for. The result is a sobering case study in getting ahead of God: serving God while ignoring God, using pragmatic tactics that seem to work, and discovering you can be right about the need and wrong about the timing. Along the way, we connect Moses' shortcut to the New Testament pattern of spiritual warfare in 1 Timothy 2, where Paul calls believers to prayer even under corrupt and violent leadership.We also bring it home with three concrete questions for Christian decision making and spiritual leadership: Is impatience shaping your choices, are you violating God's counsel to get what you want, and are you planning everywhere but up? If you're facing a big decision, building a ministry, or feeling the pressure to act now, this conversation will slow you down in the best way. Subscribe for more Bible teaching, share this with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review with the part that challenged you most.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Series: ACTS | Living With A Missional Edge | Jordan Prip • 7.5.26

IT'S HERE! Pre-Order the 4th installment of the Ashtown Burial Series at ashtownburials.com.In this episode, Douglas Wilson considers the Supreme Court's birthright-citizenship decision and possible paths forward, examines the sin of making and worshiping the golden calf, and reviews Kurt Vonnegut's practical writing advice in Pity the Reader. For more from Doug, subscribe to Canon+: https://canonplus.com/  

Jonathan Winchester-7/5/26-Acts 7

It is hard to imagine praying for the people actively trying to kill you. Stephen does exactly that, asking God to forgive the very men stoning him while a young man named Saul watches at the edge of the crowd, holding the coats. The first Christian martyr dies praying for his murderers, and one of those murderers becomes the missionary who later carries the gospel across the empire. This chapter shows what it looks like to die the way Christ taught us to live.  The Rev. Mark Loder, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church & School in Howard Lake, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 7:23-60. To learn more about St. James Lutheran, visit stjameshl.org. The book of Acts picks up where the Gospels leave off. Jesus has risen. He has ascended. And now what? Acts answers that question. Luke tells the story of how the Holy Spirit built the Church from a handful of frightened disciples in Jerusalem into a movement that reached Rome itself. Along the way, you get Pentecost, the first sermons, the first martyrs, the conversion of Paul, the first church councils, shipwrecks, riots, and the persistent, stubborn work of God through Word and Sacrament even when His people didn't have a plan. If you've ever wondered how we got from Easter morning to the Church you sit in today, this is the book. Tune in for this new series on Thy Strong Word with Pastor Phil Booe and guest pastors as we open up the Book of Acts.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Your Response To Those Who Oppose You Now May Turn Them To Christ If You've Reflected Him Acts 7:59-60 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

As we continue our study through the book of Acts, we spend studying Stephen's arrest, trial, and his death. It was a lot to get through, but we made it.For more information visit ChristCommunity.Life

05 Deuteronomy 8-9; 20 Proverbs 28; 44 Acts 7

Be Careful Not To Become Stiff-Necked! Acts 7:48-53 48“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: 49“ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50Has not my hand made all these things?' l 51“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Send us Fan Mail***Read the Bible in a Year with me in 2026 right here on the podcast!***Bible Verses of the Week: Week 26: 1 John 4:9-10Welcome to the podcast Move Forth With Grace!  We will be reading the entire Bible in a year.  This is such a perfect way to get into God's Word each day and to develop your own relationship with God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am your host Angela and want to first of all say that I am not an expert in Theology or Church History or a Minister and I never will claim to be.  I am a  wife and mother who has been reborn and want to be of service to God in gratitude for calling me back home. Welcome to the Podcast! The Bible that I will be reading from is the McArthur Daily Bible.  It is a New American Standard Bible.Thank you for being here....thank you for becoming less like you and more like Jesus.May you Move Forth with Grace today!Love, Angela Connect with me on social media or send a prayer request to me on my website here:https://campsite.bio/moveforthBible Teachers that I recommend:Mike Winger on https://biblethinker.org/meet-mike/John McArthur on https://www.gty.orgDr. Chuck Missler on www.khouse.orgNancy Missler on www.kingshighway.orgDale Partridge on www.relearn.orgChuck Smith on http://www.pastorchuck.org/RC Sproul Eschatology Playlist:https://youtu.be/n22MRa0P6_I?si=Aw53nQLSteu6T3-ASupport the show

Remain Focused On God Not Allowing Your Heart To Turn To The World Acts 7:37-39 37“This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.' h 38He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. 39“But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

Send us Fan Mail***Read the Bible in a Year with me in 2026 right here on the podcast!***Bible Verses of the Week: Week 26: 1 John 4:9-10Welcome to the podcast Move Forth With Grace!  We will be reading the entire Bible in a year.  This is such a perfect way to get into God's Word each day and to develop your own relationship with God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am your host Angela and want to first of all say that I am not an expert in Theology or Church History or a Minister and I never will claim to be.  I am a  wife and mother who has been reborn and want to be of service to God in gratitude for calling me back home. Welcome to the Podcast! The Bible that I will be reading from is the McArthur Daily Bible.  It is a New American Standard Bible.Thank you for being here....thank you for becoming less like you and more like Jesus.May you Move Forth with Grace today!Love, Angela Connect with me on social media or send a prayer request to me on my website here:https://campsite.bio/moveforthBible Teachers that I recommend:Mike Winger on https://biblethinker.org/meet-mike/John McArthur on https://www.gty.orgDr. Chuck Missler on www.khouse.orgNancy Missler on www.kingshighway.orgDale Partridge on www.relearn.orgChuck Smith on http://www.pastorchuck.org/RC Sproul Eschatology Playlist:https://youtu.be/n22MRa0P6_I?si=Aw53nQLSteu6T3-ASupport the show

Always Remember God Is Sovereign, There Are No Surprises To Him Acts 7:17 17“As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.

Send us Fan Mail***Read the Bible in a Year with me in 2026 right here on the podcast!***Bible Verses of the Week: Week 26: 1 John 4:9-10Welcome to the podcast Move Forth With Grace!  We will be reading the entire Bible in a year.  This is such a perfect way to get into God's Word each day and to develop your own relationship with God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am your host Angela and want to first of all say that I am not an expert in Theology or Church History or a Minister and I never will claim to be.  I am a  wife and mother who has been reborn and want to be of service to God in gratitude for calling me back home. Welcome to the Podcast! The Bible that I will be reading from is the McArthur Daily Bible.  It is a New American Standard Bible.Thank you for being here....thank you for becoming less like you and more like Jesus.May you Move Forth with Grace today!Love, Angela Connect with me on social media or send a prayer request to me on my website here:https://campsite.bio/moveforthBible Teachers that I recommend:Mike Winger on https://biblethinker.org/meet-mike/John McArthur on https://www.gty.orgDr. Chuck Missler on www.khouse.orgNancy Missler on www.kingshighway.orgDale Partridge on www.relearn.orgChuck Smith on http://www.pastorchuck.org/RC Sproul Eschatology Playlist:https://youtu.be/n22MRa0P6_I?si=Aw53nQLSteu6T3-ASupport the show

When You Witness For Jesus Share Your Faith And Your Changed Life Acts 7:1-3 1Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” 2To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. 3‘Leave your country and your people,' God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.'

In spite of a brilliant defense, Stephen suffers the death penalty (unjustly). The human tendency is to get fighting mad at those who threw their stones, but wait to see how Stephen reacted.

Download the Journey Through Scripture Bible reading plan. Make a donation on my Ko-fi account. Check out more art by Matt Novak.

Download the Journey Through Scripture Bible reading plan. Make a donation on my Ko-fi account. Check out more art by Matt Novak.

Send us a message!We walk through Stephen's trial in Acts 7 and listen as he traces God's faithfulness from Abraham to Moses to the temple. We sit with Stephen's death, the appearance of Saul, and Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit gives us words when fear hits. • Stephen accused with false witnesses and yet marked by the Spirit's calm • A fast, coherent overview of the Old Testament storyline through Abraham, Joseph, and Moses • Israel's repeated pattern of resisting God's messengers and drifting into idolatry • God's presence not contained by buildings, with the temple put in its proper place • Stephen's bold confrontation of the council and the cost of telling the truth • Stephen's vision of Jesus and his Christlike words of forgiveness at death • Luke 12:11–12 as comfort for believers who fear saying the wrong thing • Preparing our hearts through prayer so the Spirit can speak through us  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.