welcome to the living word of god as we come to the chapter seven of the book of acts we find that the elders and the Sanhedrin and the council could not accept and listen to the words of god through spoken through Stephen that they got hold of him took him out of the city and stoned him brothers and sisters sometimes when you speak the truth it will cut those who choose not to obey god and live a worldly life attracted to world position power entertainment they will be so upset with you and sometimes they will take you and throw you out they will take you and stone you brothers and sisters maybe not literally with stones but it will be no different from the experience of Stephen for speaking the truth for calling them stiff-necked for calling them uncircumcised hearts and ears for calling them that they have rejected the law of god I tell you but do not be afraid be strong like Stephen he was toned but he said I can see heavens open and I can see the son of man by the right hand of god I tell you brothers and sisters if we only remain faithful to the truth god will open our eyes open our eyes lord lord we want to see you don’t we sing that song god will open your eyes if we only choose to obey him and as they stone him and as the stone hid him one by one I tell you Stephen did not give up held on to that faith and hope and he said
verse 59 they stoned Stephen as he was calling on god saying lord Jesus receive my spirit let people throw stone on you let people accuse you let people make fun of you let people throw you out only surrender to god do not surrender to the accusations and the the troubles that they give you only surrender to god be like Stephen lord receive my spirit but in that prayer Stephen said please forgive them offer a prayer of forgiveness an intercessory prayer for everyone and Stephen went to sleep waiting for the return of Jesus may we be like Stephen . Amen