2. The story must go on… The Book of Acts Opening We love stories!
Examples:
Sports…Cinderella stories
Video Games… Role Play games (D&D)
News Media…
Books… Olivia
Transition: This AM, I want to re-tell the stories of the disciples in Acts, specifically, Stephen’s story.

3. 1st Century Believers’ Story…
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus (5:41-42)
The 1st century believers experienced suffering/ opposition/ persecution
5:41-42
Apostles had just been imprisoned and beaten.
H.S gave them joy and courage.

4. 1st Century Believers’ Story…
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people” (16:9-10)
10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews  at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’” (21:1—11)
16:9-10
H.S gave Paul reassurance of His presence and courage to carry on.
21:1-11
People pleaded to Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
For Paul, suffering wasn’t a reason to change direction (“not only ready to be bound but to die”).
Why is suffering their story?
Because Christ’s kingdom is expanding into the territory of Satan’s kingdom.
Transition: Let’s take a closer look at Stephen’s story.

5. Stephen’s Story
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people (6:8).
10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking (6:10).
15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel (6:15).
Stephen’s story marks the growth of the Kingdom beyond Jerusalem (fulfillment of Acts 1:8- receive power and be my witnesses).
Stephen had a strong connection with God
6:15…similar to 4:13…”these men had been with Jesus”.
Stephen re-tells Israel’s story (chapter 7).
Summary:
God raised up men (Joseph, Moses. Jesus) to act as deliverers of his people, but the Jews repeatedly rejected them and disobeyed the law given by God.
Tabernacle and temple became form of idolatry as they mistakenly thought God actually dwelt in the temple
…you always resist the Holy Spirit!

6. Stephen’s Story
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (7:54-56)
How did Stephen remain faithful despite suffering?
…saw the glory of God.
Glory= Doxa (Greek)
Connected to the OT word, Kabod (Hebrew), “to be heavy/ weight”, Shekinah glory, personal presence of God. Revealed/ manifest presence of the Lord.
Luke 2:9, glory of God revealed by the angels to the Shepherds at Jesus’ birth.
Exodus 40:34, glory of God that filled the tabernacle.
Stephen’s response
Similarities to Jesus' story
Summary: Stephen suffered but the story continued…
Being full of the Spirit didn’t remove suffering but gave him grace and courage to remain faithful.
Transition: suffering is not just a 1st century issue.

7. Video of Korean lady, Hea Woo, who suffered persecution in North Korea.
Hea Woo’s Story
Overview of Open Doors USA
How did Hea Woo remain faithful despite suffering?
…saw the glory of God.
Summary: Hea Woo suffered but the story continued…
Being full of the Spirit didn’t remove suffering but gave her grace and courage to remain faithful.

8. Our Story
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
We experience suffering today (2 Cor. 4:8-9)
Broader than death, torture, imprisonment
Broader than when you preach the gospel
Give examples:
Financial, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, Relational
Natural response= avoid suffering.
We must remain faithful in midst of suffering
Suffering prepares us for more glory (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

9. David Powlison
When you’ve passed through your own fiery trials, and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another person’s deepest distress. (Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 166)

10. Closing
Our story must become His story.
A resurrected, ascended, victorious story.
How?
We need a glimpse of His glory.
Financial provision in time of need
Friendship when feeling alone
Restored relationship when it seemed impossible
Healthy report when the diagnosis looked bleak
Peace in the middle of the storm
Hope in a storm of despair
We must position ourselves appropriately.
Response…Prayer