TURNING POINT

 This is the manuscript of my message on Acts 6:8-15 delivered at at Bethel Baptist Church, Canton,NC on 9/14/25)

There have been events in American history that marked turning points. There were the gunshots at Bunker Hill that was significant in America’s fight for independence. There was the cry, “Remember the Alamo,” where men like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were martyrs for freedom. There was the firing on Ft. Sumter that began the Civil War. There was the call, “Remember Pearl Harbor,” as America’s rallying cry in WW2. This past week, reminded us of the solemn events of 9/11 and the terror attack on America. Last week also horrified us as Iryna Zarutska was brutally stabbed to death in Charlotte, NC. She had fled from the bloody war in the Ukraine to what she thought would be a safe place and fresh start, only to have a criminal who had been arrested 14 times, kill her. It was a wake-up call to a broken justice system that coddles criminals and fails law-abiding citizens. Then, on Wednesday our world was rocked when Charlie Kirk was assassinated. He was a courageous Christian conservative communicator who was having a real impact, particularly on young people—summoning them to stand for faith and freedom. A single bullet fired from a deranged 22 year old ended the life of a 31 year old, leaving behind a wife and two young children. The organization he founded was called “Turning Point, USA.”  I believe his murder was a turning point. I do not see how this nation and the church in America can be the same. I believe there is either going to be a turning to God in revival or a turning against God in rage. It remains to be seen which—and a lot of that depends on us. Charlie Kirk was a martyr for his faith. He was not the first and he will not be the last. Jesus told us that to follow Him was to take up the cross. We are summoned to walk the Calvary Road. Stephen was the first martyr. We will focus on his story today and think about what it means to us. It was a turning point, and today may be for you. 

1. Stephen’s life was marked by FULNESS, (6:8-15). Here we have a description of Stephen. 

• He was full of faith, (v. 8a). Fear writes its message in deep lines of worry on our face. But, faith can be seen in our countenance as well. We display serenity in adversity, a courage in opposition, a confidence in crisis, and radiate light in the darkness, (v. 15). We may be tempted to surrender to fear at the hostility we face from the world. It will paralyze us. But, faith will energize us. It is contagious and inspires others to stand. Charlie Kirk was unafraid to march onto a college campus and take on all challengers in debate. He did it with respect, yet resolve. Too many of us hide inside the church house, and do not take the Gospel beyond the walls. 
• He was full of power, (v. 8b). This was not fleshly effort but spiritual power. Strength streamed from the Spirit of God within Stephen. There should be something in my life that can only be explained by the presence of Jesus in me. The magnitude of our mission is too large for us, but with God all things are possible. Paul put it, “I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me,” (Phil. 4:13). May the Lord deliver us from effeminate, squishy religion and give us spines of steel to stand!
• He was full of wisdom, (v. 9-10). Stephen spoke with such wisdom that the critics were confounded. The wisdom of God is found in the Word of God. As you read Stephen’s message, you find it rooted in a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. God has given us the answers to life’s questions, the solutions to life’s problems. He has given us a message of hope that people desperately need to hear. That is why masses of people—and especially the young, would show up at a Charlie Kirk event. Maybe they would come to our churches, if we offered the the same hope! Give them the Word of God; take them deep into the Scriptures. 
• He was full of heaven, (v. 11-15). This guy was “out of this world!”  His body may have been on earth, but his heart was in heaven. This registered on his face. His passion was for Jesus and he lived for eternity. That is the people who make a difference in the world. Do we really believe what we say we believe?  Young people see through phonies. They can spot a fake a mile away. God give us a face that radiates with the glory of God because we spend so much time with Him!

2. Stephen’s life was not only characterized by fulness, but by FEARLESSNESS, (7:1-53). In this chapter we move from the description of Stephen to the defense of Stephen. There are three basic arguments in defense of his faith that are fearlessly presented. 

• He points to the sovereignty of God, (7:1-8). In sovereign grace, God chose Abraham, called him out of idolatry, and entered a covenant relationship with him. Stephen knew that God was sovereign and supreme. All things are in His control and He does all things well—for His glory and ultimately for good. Someone who knows this can be fearless. We were shocked when hearing of Charlie Kirk’s death. But, it was no surprise to God. We are immortal until our work on earth is done. No bullet can kill us. But, when it comes our appointed time, none can save us. The issue is, “Are we ready to meet God?”  Charlie Kirk professed that he was, and we can be fearless if we know God holds us in His hands, and His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. 
• Stephen speaks of the salvation of God, (7:9-37). He rehearses how God saved His people. Notice especially verses 9-16. What man meant for evil, God meant for good. Joseph’s story illustrates that. His suffering would lead to Israel’s salvation. This is the thrust of Rom. 8:28, “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Erika Kirk quoted that verse in her tear wringing, heart wrenching message the other night. She knew what had happened was bad, but  by faith trusted God to turn it to good. When man does his worst, God does his best. No greater demonstration of this has ever been than Christ on the cross—the worst of crimes as the best of men was slain, but in that God did the best of work in bringing salvation!
• Then, he fearlessly confronted them for their sin against God, (v. 38-53). Woven through Stephen’s sermon is the black thread of sin. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers who envied him. God later gave them His Holy Law and they stubbornly rejected it and worshipped idols. Now, the demonic descendants of these depraved people assailed Stephen, (v.51-53). Stephen fearlessly confronted them. It is our duty to call out the sins of our culture and the church. Tolerance has replaced truth and we have returned to the days of the Judges “when everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”

3. Stephen was a man of fulness, fearlessness, and more—there was His FAITHFULNESS, (7:54-60). Stephen was faithful unto death. Jesus promises, “be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.”  Stephen would be rewarded. His faithfulness was rooted in:

• His vision, (v. 54-56). We will be faithful in the measure in which we focus on Jesus. Ref. Heb. 12:1-3. 16 times the Bible says Jesus is at God’s right hand. 13 of those times, it says He is seated. But here Jesus is standing.  Why?  It appeared that Stephen was standing alone. But, the Lord wanted him to know that He was standing with him. I think of Paul on death row recalling this, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (2 Tim. 4:16-17). We stand to honor someone worthy of respect when they enter the room. Here is Jesus standing to honor his faithful servant to welcome him home. Charlie Kirk’s wife said that she believed the Lord said to Charlie, “Well done good and faithful servant.”  Don’t you want to be welcomed to heaven like that?  If you want the Lord to stand up to greet you, you better stand up for Him now!
• His victory, (v. 57-8:4). Death did not defeat him. It was a turning point for the church because it was the turning point for this man named Saul. His rage against the church was meant for bad but God turned it to good. The persecution Saul unleashed scattered the believers like seed across the region, taking the Gospel and seeing the salvation of souls and the planting of churches. Saul could never get over the angelic face of Stephen. His rage was due to what was eating away at him. His dreams were haunted by the man with a face like an angel. Saul’s head echoed with the prayers for his forgiveness that Stephen had spoken. It brought the conviction of the Holy Spirit and Saul was arrested by Jesus on his way to arrest Christians.  The antagonist would become an Apostle—we know him as Paul. Other than Jesus, no one has had a more profound impact on the church and this world than Paul. But, there would have been no missionary Paul had there not been a martyr Stephen. It was a turning point. 

Today could be the turning point in your life. 

Today you could repent of your sin and receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior. Today can be the turning point that gets you off the highway to hell and onto the road to heaven.

Today could be the turning point in your family. Charlie Kirk loved his wife and kids. He was willing to die for them. Are you willing to live for yours?

Today could be the turning point in this church, as you decide I am not going to go through the motions any more. I am going to stand up for Jesus. I am going to read my Bible and pray every day. I am going to faithfully attend church. I am going to fearlessly share my faith. 

“I have decided to follow Jesus—no turning back.”