Introduction: It has been said, “A FAITH that FIZZLES at the FINISH was FAULTY at the FIRST”! This is the “acid test”!! How is your faith in Jesus? Today, we are looking at a man whose FAITH did not FIZZLE at the FINISH. By the way, one of the hallmarks of the Church is the PERSEVERANCE of the SAINTS. 

Listen to the words of Jesus, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)

Speaking of continuing in His Word, have you heard about Stephen?

1. Stephen dared to be filled with Faith in Jesus!

“8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” (Acts 6:8)

2. Stephen dared to defend his Faith in Jesus!

“9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:9-15)

3. Stephen dared to die for his Faith in Jesus!

“51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it……. 54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:1-60)

Stephen was one of the first martyrs of the early Church. He was FAITHFUL! Saul never got over witnessing this dedicated servant dying for his FAITH in Jesus Christ. 

Conclusion: Someone has stated that a CHRISTian is like a tea bag. It is not any good until it gets thrown into HOT WATER! Stephen was thrown into HOT WATER! But he was congratulated by JESUS CHRIST in heaven!! Welcome home my child!!! Did you notice that our Lord and Savior STOOD up in heaven and welcomed his FAITHFUL servant named Stephen to his new heavenly home?

His FAITH did not FIZZLE at the FINISH!