Introduction: Really, what should be our {Christian} response to the Charlie Assassination, including the memorial? After praying and seeking our Lord’s face on the matter, our response should be threefold, and in this order.
1. A Call to WITNESSING! (Acts 6:15) – “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
Stephen was bold. He was focused. He had grit. Did you notice as you read the text that he was not afraid? Fearless, wouldn’t you say? His message was timely, truthful, and tormenting to those listening. Luke, inspired by the Holy Ghost, writes that it “cut” straight to the heart!
Even though the crowd listening tried to stop up their ears from hearing, they could not escape the penetrating and convicting words as he unloaded the Word of God. There was no way of avoiding the arrows of God’s righteousness. They were stunned, pricked, and exposed. That meant there were only two responses… repent or revolt. The latter was chosen.
However, in the midst of persecution came a mighty conversion! One named Saul, who participated in the murder and stoning of a Spirit-filled witness, was eventually forever changed. Paul would later become a flaming missionary who turned the world upside down by the power of God!
2. A Call of WARNING! (Acts 7:51–52) – “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which 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.”
God’s wrath and judgment is on the horizon. His impending doom is inevitable. His Word will accomplish its purpose. While the wheels of God’s retribution may roll slowly, nevertheless, they are on track.
Do you know of anybody who is standing on the tracks of the wrath of the Lamb? Warn them. Talk with them. Persuade them before it is eternally too late.
3. A Call for WATCHING! (Acts 7:55–60) – “But 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, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And 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. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And 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.”
Are you WATCHING for Jesus? Thank God, He is watching for you! In fact, someone said that JESUS CHRIST stood up to CHEER Stephen on as he was fulfilling his Father’s Will. John the beloved writes, “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” (Rev. 2:10). Welcome to your New Home!
Conclusion: So now that we have established our response of Witnessing, Warning, and Watching, which way will you respond?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
