The Fifth Sunday of Easter 2023

In last week’s sermon from the book of Acts, we learned about the development of the early Church. This new, emerging Church didn’t look like any group who had come before them. They were radical in their obedience to the teachings of Jesus, and this played out in their sacrifice and love for one another. This Sunday we continue reading from Acts, and hear the story of one of the products of that early Church: Stephen. Stephen was one of seven men chosen to serve as a servant-leader in the early Church, because of his strong faith and wisdom. Sadly, after an impassioned speech about Jesus to the powers that be, Stephen becomes the first martyr of the Christian faith. Stephen, as closely as anyone in scripture, models a cruciform life; allowing Christ’s own life to take shape within his own, all the way until his final breath, in which he offers forgiveness to those who stoned him to death. While we hopefully never have to endure such a tragic death as Stephen, he has much to teach us about a radical love of Christ; most especially what it means to forgive. Read Acts chapter 7 to prepare for worship this Sunday.