Preschool
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel. Mark 16:15
Faithful unto Death
Memory Verses
Primary
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Junior
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Background Scripture: Acts 6–7
Lesson Scripture: Acts 6:8–15; 7:54–60
Introduction
The apostle Paul made this statement, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). When this is truly how we feel, we are committed to living a faithful life, following the Holy Spirit through our journey. No life is more rewarding or fulfilling than that of a Christian. Serving the Lord will not be burdensome; rather, we will consider it a privilege and a blessing. We will have purpose in life and enjoy the blessings that God graciously gives us. When our time comes to die, we will be able to say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:7–8).
Key Verse
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2:10).
Lesson Scripture
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Then 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.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake.
11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
7:54 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,
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.
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.
Studying the Lesson
The event our lesson records happened as the New Testament church was beginning. Jesus had recently left the earth and returned to heaven to be with His Father. It became apparent that someone needed to look after the needs of those who could not care for themselves. Therefore, seven deacons were chosen by the members of the early church to minister to the widows and to serve tables.
Stephen was one of those chosen to minister to those in need. Stephen was also an evangelist, and the Scriptures bear record of him being “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). He was used of God to do “great wonders and miracles among the people” (v. 8). Stephen’s ministry drew the attention of the rulers of the synagogue, and they were filled with indignation at the power God had given him. They saw that this new way of worship did not require their service as leaders in the temple. God’s plan for the Christian faith would not include their duties, and they feared losing their position before the people.
The elders and scribes arrested Stephen and brought him before the council, where he was questioned concerning the matter. In order to build a case, the elders had men testify falsely against him, saying that he blasphemed against Moses, the prophets, and against God. God’s Spirit manifested Himself in Stephen, giving him the face of an angel, opening the way for him to tell how God had led His people from the time of Abraham to their present day (Acts 7:1–53).
When they heard Stephen’s testimony, they were cut to the heart and determined to do away with him. As the stones began to rain down upon him, he again demonstrated the power of God by crying with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). Stephen became the first martyr for the Christian faith.
Practical Truths for Today
The steadfast faith demonstrated by Stephen shows us the power that is available to every Christian. Though many martyrs have suffered similar trials throughout history, many Christians today face entirely different circumstances. Bodily persecution is something we read about happening in countries outside of North America. We wonder what we would do if we faced such opposition. Would our faith be strong enough to accept a martyr’s death? We do not know how we would react, but we know God would supply His grace to us even as He did to the martyrs long ago.
Perhaps a more important question is if our faith is keeping us within the will of God in our present day with the opportunities to indulge in the things the Bible calls the things of the world. “The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
The luxurious lifestyle available to the common people in our era is unprecedented. Our day may well hold greater challenges to Christian living than former times as we face many situations the Scriptures describe as perilous times. Jesus asked, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). In times of prosperity and easy living, lukewarm Christians may lose their way.
In John 3, Jesus described to Nicodemus the way into the kingdom. The surrender required to be born again and become a child of God continues to be the requisite to remaining faithful. Yielding our will to God is the cornerstone on which we build a relationship with Him. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Col. 2:6). We must be keen to follow the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit as He gives us direction for daily living. The present trials of our faith will be our undoing if we walk in our own selfish way. To be a church member and appear like a faithful Christian will not be enough.
Fathers must clearly demonstrate to their families that serving God is the most important thing in life. Children need to experience a daily devotional time with their parents when the Word of God is read and explained. This opens the way for the family to discuss the spiritual matters of life and lays a solid foundation for children to become sincere Christians. Attending church should not be considered optional; rather, we reverently attend whenever there is an opportunity. Love at home is taught in the Scriptures and is a fruit of the love of God in our hearts.
Children need to be taught self-discipline, good work ethics, and the value of sharing. Most of all, they need to learn that God as the Supreme Being has control of everything. This will help children understand their depravity and the need of their soul when the Lord calls them, setting the stage for a lifetime of service to God regardless where He directs.
We must not slip into being “at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1); rather, let us realize that life is too short and eternity too endless to waste our time living selfishly. Many blessings are in store for those who find places to serve. Workers are needed in the mission at home and abroad, young Christians are needed in service units, and volunteers are needed to visit, sing, and pray with the elderly and ailing ones. May God bless us to live faithfully so that when we stand in His presence, we can join that great crowd whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 21:27).
Questions
- We cannot earn our salvation; rather, we are saved by faith in God (Rom. 5:1). However, we will be judged by our works (Rev. 20:12). How does a clear understanding of faith and works translate into faithfulness?
- To what extent does a careful upbringing of our children ensure that they will be faithful?
- What is the evidence that all is well between us and God?
- Can we be too sure of our salvation?
- Living selfishly brings unhappiness and unfulfillment. What are ways to learn and teach the blessing of giving our time, talents, and service to God and our fellowmen, thereby reaping the blessings of a fulfilled life?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).