October 31, 2010:
A Life Worth Living  
Dr. Bob Bushong

The text this morning concerns the arrest of Stephen.  False charges are made against him rooted in the conflict between religious groups and which group rightfully identifies itself with the temple and its traditions.  The story points to a life worth living that is (1) rooted in the past, (2) rooted in, but not bound by tradition and (3) a life of giving.

Scripture Lesson: Acts 6:8-15

8 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. 13 They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.