Message summary:  Satan has always sought to silence truth. The world hates the truth.

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"When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this (the truth), 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' (Acts 7:54-56).

We were stunned and deeply saddened yesterday at the assassination of Charlie Kirk who was such a bold voice of baseness and reason especially among young people. Among his final words were, "I believe in Jesus Christ". This act was certainly an act of persecution for "many live as enemies of the cross" (Philippians 3:18) although the exact motive is unknown. There are many elephants in the room.

It's persecution whether he was targeted specifically for his faith in Christ or his persistent exposure of the lies of this age. And that is what had angered so many about him. Satan has always sought to silence truth. The world hates the truth.

Stephen (my namesake) was the first Christian martyr. His martyrdom was a direct result of one of the great sermons in the New Testament, where he proclaimed the gospel and truth. Some are receptive to truth, others are ambivalent, but the Sanhedrin like many in our age were "furious and gnashed their teeth at him".

What follows is the assurance that God gave Stephen in the midst. "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'".

What might Stephen, who was likely a young man, have become if in the often mysterious providence of God if he had lived. Likewise Charlie Kirk was a young man, only 31 years old. Having done so much in his short life what might he have become as he aged?

The text goes on to vividly describe Stephen's manner of death, "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 7:57-60).

Just hours before his death Charlie met with Pastor Jack Hibbs who tells the story of Charlie's faith.*

Consider the shock many of us felt yesterday at Charlie's murder which must have been similar what the early disciples must have experienced when Stephen was stoned. Why, we yearn to know. But so many answers are unknown till the other side. Keep faithful and trusting.

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber