After Pentecost: The Disciples DeployedSample

God’s Glory, Our Motivation

God’s hand was on Stephen, which only angered those who wanted the movement of God they were witnessing to end. Stephen lived such a blameless life that his persecutors had to make up lies to take hold of him, but when they took Stephen before the authorities, their accusations did not stand up. Stephen’s very countenance shone with purity and evidence of God’s favor. The comprehensive Gospel message he preached not only refuted the accusations of his accusers, but removed any excuse those present might have had for their lack of faith in Jesus Christ. 

One of Stephen’s elders, Peter never led the members of the early Church to believe that God would protect them from physical harm. Instead, he warned them that suffering could be a part of God’s will and plan for their lives and told them to make sure their suffering counted for the Kingdom by glorifying God in their response to that suffering as Jesus had done.

Contrary to what some believe, Jesus did not want to die on the cross for us. He was willing, but He did not want to. Had there been another way for God to redeem our traitor race, Jesus would have preferred that God do it that way. In fact, He asked God to ‘take the cup,’ or free Him of the responsibility if possible the night before He was arrested. As there was no other suitable sacrifice for our sin, Jesus obeyed. Yes, Jesus loved us. Yes, He wanted to see us restored to fellowship with the Father, but when it came right down it, Jesus chose to die for God’s glory alone. 

Before He died, Jesus prayed a prayer out loud for the benefit of those who were listening. Peter heard that prayer. Moved by Jesus’ desire and commitment to glorify God at all costs, Peter made God’s glory the motivation for everything he did and encouraged others to do the same. 

What about you? If someone wanted to discredit the Gospel using you as evidence, how easy would they find their task? How far are you willing to go to advance the truth of the Gospel? What are you willing to sacrifice? What are you not willing to sacrifice? Would you die for the sake of the Gospel if God asked you to?