FEELING THE PRESSURE - THE ACTS Part 3 One Family Church Video Sermons

FEELING THE PRESSURE -The Acts Part 3

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:


All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:16.

Pressure builds Power through Perseverance.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

hupo-meno

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God . . . Acts 7:55

The power within you is greater than the pressure around you.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit. . . . John 14:16

[G]reater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

[M]y yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 28:30

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

[T]hey all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Acts 7:57-58

Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:58


God always uses the pressure for his ultimate purpose

But Stephen . . . looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55

I lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord. Psalm 121:1
[S]uffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4

My brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13