Pastor Ken started his sermon using Martin Luther King and his pursuit of non-violence to break the chains of segregation and racism. This calling of God became his passion. It eventually cost him his life. Stephen finds himself in the same predicament. His calling from God becomes his passion. Acts 6:8 states that Stephen, full of grace and power performed great wonders and signs among the people. He is consumed to see the Kingdom of God be manifest among his own people the Jews. And God is definitely confirming such. However opposition (human and demonic) will ALWAYS arise and push back. Peer pressure is nothing to be taken lightly. Many a God's prophets experienced a lonely existence because they were ostracized for their passion to bring about need change to a society or people stuck in bondage. Those in power tend to cling to the ordinariness of comfort, are rarely opened to change, excluded others, and relegate God's purposes and reason for change as secondary to their comfort. This is the group that confronted Stephen and tried to quell his ministry.

Stephen could have "cooled" his response a bit. This would have perhaps saved his life.But his passion for Jesus was enough to not back down from his convictions. But he was willing to die for what he believe. He died a martyr's death for the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the hands of Jewish religious leaders.

We live in a country where religious and social tolerance is highly esteemed. But I don't think this will last much longer. As Christians we are called not to be conformed to this world. When we stand for gospel values, we undoubtedly find ourselves swimming up stream constantly against the "comfort zones" of our society and world expectations. Maybe we are not called to be martyrs like Stephen. But like Stephen, we should expect pushback. And like Stephen stepping back or backing down is not an option.

Holler back with your comments or thoughts.

Larry