Stephen stood before the very council that condemned Jesus to death. Instead of defending himself, he boldly proclaimed the gospel.

In this verse-by-verse study of Acts 7, we walk through Stephen’s powerful sermon—the longest recorded sermon in the book of Acts. By tracing the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Israel’s history, Stephen reveals a sobering pattern: God continually calls His people to Himself, yet they continually resist Him.

The same warning applies today.

It’s possible to know the Bible, attend church faithfully, and still resist the work of the Holy Spirit. This message challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask: Where am I resisting what God is calling me to do?

In this sermon you’ll discover:

• Why Stephen chose to preach instead of defend himself.
• How Abraham, Joseph, and Moses all point to Jesus.
• Why God cannot be confined to a building or religious tradition.
• The danger of loving religion more than Christ.
• The difference between conviction and condemnation.
• How to respond when the Holy Spirit is calling you to repentance.

Whether you’re new to Christianity or have followed Jesus for years, this passage is a powerful reminder that God desires surrendered hearts more than religious routines.

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60 (ESV)

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Join us each week as we teach through the Bible verse by verse at Fervent Church in Hutto, Texas.

Learn more: fervent.church