Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Acts 8:2-4 "2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." Saul, who becomes Paul, was at the very least an accomplice when Stephen, the first martyr, was killed. In today's verses we read that Saul "made havock." Stephen went to be with our Lord and Savior. Devout Christians mourned him and have been mourning martyrs ever since. (Nearly 5 thousand last year alone.) The silver lining to this very dark cloud... "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." Persecution motivated Christians to leave their homes and go "abroad." This helped spread the Gospel message. When we move, we take many things with us. Clothes, toothbrush, pillows, sheets, blankets, food, and more! W

Acts 8:1 "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." Saul, who becomes Paul, was at the very least an accomplice when Stephen, the first martyr, was killed. As we read in today's verse, "there was a great persecution against the church..." The Jewish leadership and the occupation army of the Roman Empire were all out to get Christians. Unfortunately, things have not changed. This year, 317 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecution. Last year: 4,998 Christians were murdered for their faith. 14,766 Churches and Christian properties were attacked. And, 4,125 Christians were detained by oppressive authorities. This should not be acceptable to anyone. Our culture likes to champion the health and well-being of individuals. People will sight "human righ

Acts 7:59&60 "59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 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." Saul who becomes Paul, the author of the Letter to the Romans and many other New Testament books. Paul is an amazing case study! He was at the very least an accomplice when, Stephen, the first martyr was killed.  Unfortunately, persecution of Christians has continued to this day. We can feel sorry for ourselves as Christians in the USA as secular humanism takes over our society, BUT, the rest of the world is even more dangerous for Christians. 317 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecution. Last year: 4,998 Christians were murdered for their faith. 14,766 Churches and Christian properties were attacked. And, 4,125 Christians detained by oppressive authorities. Please take a look for yourself at the The 2024 World

Acts 7:56-58 "56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 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." SAUL. Saul who becomes Paul, the author of the Letter to the Romans and many other New Testament books. Paul's writings enrich our knowledge and experience of our Lord and Savior. Even his writings from prison are inspirational and encouraging. Paul is an amazing case study! Here, in the seventh chapter of Acts, they have arrested a Jesus-follower named Stephen for speaking against the temple, Moses, and the Law. Most of the chapter is Stephen's defense. His arguments don't advance his own innocence as much as convict the Jews of their shortcomings. This enraged them and brought their anger to such an excessive leve

Acts 7:54&55 "54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 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," We have been studying the Apostle Paul and his wonderful contributions to our FAITH. Chief among them is the book of Romans. Where Paul teaches about the meaning of the law, the Gospel, sin, punishment, grace, faith, justice, Christ, God, good works, love, hope, and the cross. Paul's writings enrich our knowledge and experience of our Lord and Savior. Even his writings from prison are inspirational and encouraging. Paul is an amazing case study! Paul is all the more amazing because he did NOT start this way. He started out as Saul, a devout, well-educated and zealous Jew. Along with the other leaders of the Jewish community, they were out to crush the growing Christian church. Here, in the seventh chapter of

Romans 1:1&2 "1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)" This week we have studied Paul's amazing writing and what a phenomenal Apostle he was. He helped inspire Lydia to help get the early Church started in her town. Even when writing from his prison cell, Paul was inspirational and encouraging. Paul's healthy confidence was in God's grace and mercy. Paul is experienced in God's provision and leading. As good as the letter to the Philippians is, it's not as good as Paul's letter to the Romans. According to Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation, the Book of Romans is a rich source of teaching about what a Christian SHOULD KNOW. Luther wrote about Romans; “comprises briefly the whole Christian and evangelical doctrine and prepares an introduction to the entire Old Testament.” In Romans Paul teaches about the mean