In today"s sermon, "Saint's True Thanksgiving And Death", according to the section "Summary from last week (32)": Why does God purposely allow resentful situations in our lives? What happens when we start having intimacy with God?
What happens when we realize Christ's perfection in us? How does Satan work when we are trying to solve our problems? What is the true power of the Gospel really about? What is the task of a deacon, and how does he accomplish it?
In the section "You stiff-necked people, ... You always resist the Holy Spirit!": What are the two kinds of spiritual people in the history of the Bible, and who are they? Why is the righteousness produced by human efforts considered to be "unrighteous"?
According to Matthew 12:31-32: What sin or blasphemy will never be forgiven? What is the only way to heal a "stiff-necked" condition, and how is this accomplished? What is spiritual circumcision, and what makes it possible?
How does "circumcision of the heart" begin, and why does God purposely allow this to happen? What will we realize as we walk through "the deep valley of darkness"?
In the section "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, ... "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God"(vv.55-56)": What intervenes to make a distinction between true repentance and anger when hearing the Word of God (see Romans 11:8)? What glorious reality made Stephen surpass the fear of death when he saw heaven open and Jesus standing there?
How does Romans 14:8 reflect our reality realized in the death of Stephen? How is our true thanksgiving reflected in Romans 8:38-39? What have we gained and discovered about our predestined role as deacons of Christ's church?
In the section "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ... When he had said this, he fell asleep.": How did Stephen walk the same path as Jesus did at the end of His life? What did Stephen realize when he suffered severe pain and persecution due to his preaching of the Gospel message?
In the "Conclusion": By God's grace, how can we find the message of truth in all situations that we are a "Christ". How does becoming a deacon make you realize that you can experience the death of Stephen today (see Psalm 95 and Hebrews 3)?
In "What More Can He Say", by Ray Stedman: Notice the figure of Saul of Tarsus in the background of this entire scene and explain how Stephen is a witness of the Gospel, while Saul is a witness to the Gospel. Do you think this is intentional by the author?
What were the statements made against Steven regarding his speaking against the temple and the law? How did he refute these charges in Acts 7:37 and Acts 7:44-50? What are your feelings regarding man being the "temple of God"?
What three patriarchal figures does Stephen use to develop his argument against the Sanhedrin? Comment on the phrase: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church". Contrast the apostles laying their hands on Stephen to the Sanhedrin "laying their hands" on him.
In today's daily devotion, entitled "For Sale - As Is": How is the remodeling of your "house of God" progressing?