1. Introduction: Standing Bold When It Costs Something
- Our culture admires boldness when it’s safe—but real boldness costs.
- Charlie Kirk stood boldly, pointing people to Christ, and paid with his life.
- Stephen, the first Christian martyr, shows us what boldness looks like when the cost is highest.
- Big Question: What does it mean to stand boldly for Christ, even when the risks are high?
2. Stephen’s Context (Acts 6–7)
- Not an apostle – chosen as a deacon to serve tables (Acts 6:2–3). Boldness is for every believer, not just leaders.
- Full of faith and the Spirit – Acts 6:5. Boldness comes from the Spirit, not personality.
- Full of grace and power – Acts 6:8. God uses obedience to do extraordinary things.
- Wisdom no one could refute – Acts 6:10. The Spirit, not cleverness, gave him power.
- Fearless truth – Acts 7:51–53. He boldly confronted sin, even when it enraged the crowd.
3. Stephen’s Boldness in Action
- Boldness in Service – Faithfulness at tables came before faithfulness under stones (Acts 6:2–3).
- Boldness in Truth – Spoke God’s Word plainly, no matter the cost (Acts 7:51–53).
- Boldness in Sacrifice – Forgave his killers, echoing Christ (Acts 7:59–60).
4. Parallel to Today
- Many are bold online but silent in real life—Stephen was bold in front of stones, not screens.
- Today, truth is often called “hate.” Stephen shows us truth is love.
- Charlie Kirk’s core message: Jesus is Lord. Truth matters. Don’t compromise.
- Acts 7:56 – “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
- Frank Turek: Charlie wasn’t looking at him on the way to the hospital—he was looking at his Savior.
- Boldness that matters isn’t applause—it’s obedience.
5. The Call for Us
- Count the Cost – Faith isn’t cheap. It will cost something (Luke 14:27–28).
- Be Spirit-Filled – Stephen stood by the Spirit’s power, not his own (Acts 6:5).
- See Beyond This World – Stephen gazed at Christ, not the crowd (Acts 7:55–56).
6. Closing Challenge
- Boldness may not mean martyrdom—but it means obedience where it costs:
- In the workplace.
- In relationships.
- In a culture that says, “Be quiet.”
- God may never call you to die like Stephen—or like Charlie—but He calls you to live with their boldness.
- Stephen stood. Charlie stood. Now it’s our turn.
- Key Question: When the moment comes, will you stand boldly for Christ, no matter the cost?
- Goal: To live so we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”