Sermon Summary
Acts 6:1–9; 7:2, 51–60
Stephen was chosen to help care for overlooked widows, served with faith and the Holy Spirit, and continued bearing witness to Jesus even when opposition cost him his life. His final moments revealed both his trust in Christ and his willingness to forgive.
In her All Saints Day message, “There’s a Price to Pay,” Pastor Carol Brown invited us to remember the saints who have gone before us and consider what faithful living asks of us today. Following Jesus is not always easy. Stephen’s story shows how service, courage, and forgiveness belong together in a life devoted to God.
His story begins with a practical need. Some widows were being missed in the daily distribution of food. The apostles called for seven men of wisdom and good character, filled with the Spirit, to take responsibility for that work while they continued praying and teaching. Stephen was among those chosen.
Pastor Carol connected that responsibility directly to our congregation. “That is our job,” she said, reminding us to feed those who are hungry and care for people who need us. At NBFFC, that calling takes shape through preparing and delivering food, visiting those who are shut in, and making time for people who spend much of their lives alone. A delivery brings more than a meal. It can also bring conversation, laughter, and the reassurance that someone cares.
Stephen also shared God’s Word, and his ministry met fierce resistance. Pastor Carol drew parallels between his experience and Jesus’ suffering: opposition, false accusations, and people determined to silence him. His faithfulness did not protect him from cruelty. There was a price to pay.
Yet what stood out most was Stephen’s response. As the stones were thrown, he looked toward heaven and saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand. He entrusted himself to the Lord and prayed for those killing him to be forgiven. Even in that moment, his witness reflected the Savior he loved.
That forgiveness brings the message close to home. We know what it means to be hurt, whether someone intended the harm or not. Stephen’s example asks us to consider how we respond. Pastor Carol emphasized that although his body was wounded, his spirit remained steadfast, filled with the Holy Spirit.
“When you’re tempted to give up, remember Stephen’s faith,” she urged. All Saints Day reminds us that suffering does not have the final word. Those who belong to Christ are held forever in His love.
The heart of this message is to remain faithful to Jesus, even when serving, trusting, or forgiving is costly. This week, make time to call or visit someone who is lonely. Help meet a practical need through a meal or another act of care. Bring a hurt before God and ask for help moving toward forgiveness. In moments of discouragement, pause and turn your attention back to Christ. As Pastor Carol prayed, “May our hearts remain fixed on Christ.”