God doesn’t waste our pain. He uses our suffering to display His grace and purpose. Through Stephen’s story, we see that when we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can stand with courage even in opposition, trusting that God is near in our suffering and working through it to grow His Church. What looks like loss or tragedy can actually become part of God’s bigger plan to shape us into Christ and spread the gospel.

Related Topics: Character, Conflict, Faith, Fear, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Justice, Persecuted, Purpose | More Messages from JoAnn Johnson

From Series: "The Book of Acts"

The book of Acts tells the story of how the exalted Christ sends His Spirit to empower His people to continue His work in the world. Through the Spirit’s power, ordinary believers boldly proclaim the gospel, witness miraculous works, and form vibrant communities that embody God’s welcome to all people. Acts traces how the church’s witness, energized by the Spirit, extends from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, revealing Christ’s ongoing work through His people and the Spirit’s leading in every new challenge and opportunity.

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