Stephen’s Defense: An Invitation to Follow the Spirit’s Lead | Acts 7:1-53

Summary

Watermark’s Students Director, Jermaine Harrison, taught from Acts 7:1–53 and walked through Stephen’s defense before the religious leaders. Instead of defending himself, Stephen walked through Israel’s history to show a pattern: God continually pursued his people, and they continually resisted the Spirit.

Stephen’s message was both a warning and an invitation. The same can be true for us—we can go through the motions of faith while resisting what God is doing in our lives. But the invitation is to live yielded to the Spirit, remembering that God’s promise knows no boundaries, cannot be stopped, and is available to us today.

Key Takeaways

• God’s promise knows no boundaries (Acts 7:2–36). God worked far beyond a single place or people throughout Israel’s history.
• God’s promise cannot be stopped (Acts 7:9, 35, 39–41). Even when people rejected God’s messengers, his plan continued forward. Rejection never stopped redemption.
• God’s promise is available to you (Acts 7:51–53). The religious leaders resisted the Spirit despite knowing the truth. We’re invited instead to respond with humility, surrender, and obedience.

Discussion Questions

• Where might you be resisting the Spirit in your own life?
• What are some signs that someone might be going through the motions instead of yielding to the Spirit?
• How does knowing “God’s promise knows no boundaries” change the way you think about the people in your life who don’t know Jesus?
• “God’s promise cannot be stopped.” How does that truth encourage you when sharing your faith feels difficult or ineffective?
• What is one specific way you can respond this week to live more yielded to the Holy Spirit?