WHEN LIFE GETS HARD   Part 2: Stand Up 

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Acts 6:5 (NIV) They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Acts 6:8 (NIV) Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 

 

Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. 

 

Acts 7:51-52 (NIV) You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. 

 

Will I change the world, or will the world change me?  

 

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. 

 

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 

 

When others bow, I will stand up for my purpose. 

 

Acts 6:13-14 (NIV) This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us. 

 

Acts 7:1-2 (NIV) Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!” 

 

I refuse to settle for anything less than God’s best for my life. 

 

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

 

When others bow, I will stand for my church. 

  

Acts 6:9-10 (NIV) Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the 

Spirit gave him as he spoke. 

 

Acts 7:52-53 (NIV) Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it. 

 

 

The enemy’s greatest strategy against the church is not persecution from the outside but division from the inside.  

 

A united church is a powerful church. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 

 

Acts 7:58-60 (NIV) 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 

 

Luke 23:34 (NIV) Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 

 

When others bow, I will stand up for my faith. 

 

Acts 7:54 (NIV) When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 

 

2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

 

Ephesians 6:13-14 (NIV) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then… 

 

Acts 7:55-56 (NIV) 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.” 

 

When I stand, Jesus stands with me.