We can learn two things from the murder of Stephen: an encouragement from Stephen’s boldness, and a warning from those who murdered him. Have you truly received the Gospel? Are you hiding behind external things, or religious things to protect you from the Gospel? What are you holding on to that is preventing you from obeying God’s call? Beware of being so focused on the externals that you miss Christ. This will cause you to harden your heart and to use external things as weapons against those who are trying to speak truth into your life. Have you begun to resist the Holy Spirit? If so, repent now! Look to Christ alone for forgiveness.