Costly Faithfulness
Life can take unexpected turns—setbacks, heartbreaks, and disappointments that challenge even the strongest faith. In those moments, it’s tempting to lose hope. But one truth stands firm: our hope is not based on who we are.
Stephen, the first martyr of the church in Acts 7, exemplifies this truth. He wasn’t a hero of faith because he was flawless. His strength came from God. As Stephen stood trial for his beliefs, he didn’t defend himself with his own merit but pointed to God’s work throughout history, showing us that hope is grounded in God’s unwavering character—not in our ability to control life’s outcomes.
Stephen’s sermon also invites us to see our faith as part of a much larger story. Remember our story because God’s faithfulness is revealed in our story. In Acts 7, Stephen recounts the history of Israel—how God continually forgave, restored, and blessed His people, despite their constant failures. This is not just Israel’s story—it’s ours too. We fall, God forgives. We wander, God restores. The pattern of God’s faithfulness is unbroken. If Stephen could cling to this truth in the face of death, how much more can we hold on to it in the ups and downs of daily life?
When Stephen spoke to the religious leaders, he boldly pointed out that they had missed the deeper truth of God’s promises. God’s truth does not require human approval. Even though the leaders rejected both Stephen and the Messiah he preached about, it didn’t change God’s reality. Stephen reminds us that just as God’s faithfulness isn’t contingent on our behavior, His truth isn’t dependent on human acceptance. Like gravity, God’s truth stands firm—even if society chooses to deny it.
Standing on trial, knowing he could be sentenced to death, Stephen saw hope in a powerful truth: God will either greet you on the other side OR God will see you through to the other side. As Stephen gazed toward heaven, he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, waiting to welcome him. Even though his earthly life ended in violence, Stephen’s faith was vindicated in eternity. Whether we are delivered from a trial or called home to God, both outcomes are covered in hope—because God is with us either way.
Stephen’s life also reminds us that God's mission doesn’t rely on our success. God’s work does not require our survival. In Acts 7:58, as Stephen was being stoned, his accusers laid their coats at the feet of Saul (who would later become Paul). Stephen’s death didn’t stop God’s work—in fact, it set the stage for Saul’s transformation and the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles. God’s mission is bigger than any single life, and His work will continue long after we are gone. This truth frees us from striving—we can serve faithfully, knowing that God’s plan isn’t limited by our performance.
Letting go of control is hard, but it’s necessary for genuine faith. When you and I let go of the control of our lives, there’s hope in giving God complete control. Stephen’s surrender to God, even in the face of death, reveals the peace that comes from trusting God fully. His faith wasn’t rooted in self-preservation but in the confidence that God’s plan is always good. When we release our grip on life and give God control, we find a hope that transcends circumstances.
In Acts 7, Stephen’s final words as he was being stoned were a prayer: “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin.” Even in his last moments, Stephen extended the same love and forgiveness Jesus showed on the cross. The truth is that Jesus loves you enough to die for you. Stephen knew this, and it empowered him to forgive those who were taking his life. Jesus’ love is the foundation of our worth and the source of our hope. We don’t earn His love—it’s freely given, even when we don’t deserve it.
Stephen’s story in Acts 7 reminds us that faith isn’t about controlling life or ensuring everything goes our way. Our hope is not based on who we are — it’s rooted in who God is. Even when we stumble or life gets messy, God’s faithfulness never falters. Like Stephen, we can trust that God’s story of forgiveness, restoration, and blessing continues in every season. In the face of trials, uncertainty, or even death, we can hold on to this truth: God is with us, He is for us, and His love will never fail.