Jesus, Stephen and You - Sermon for the 5th Sunday of Easter

Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 7^th, Year of Our + Lord 2023
Our Redeemer and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches,
Custer and Hill City, South Dakota
Jesus, Stephen, and You
Acts 6-7, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14

 

Saint Stephen was a Christian, a little Christ, who strove,

By serving, working, teaching, to show the Savior’s love.

Sharing bread with gladness, the Apostles he relieved,

To pray and preach and study, this Word on which we feed.

 

The Law and Gospel of His Lord, filled Stephen’s heart as well,

He preached the God-Man Jesus, who rescues us from Hell.

But many would not hear the Truth, God’s grace embitters pride,

Those who find scandal in the Cross, enlist on Satan’s side.   

 

The Victor’s crown was his to wear, for Jesus was his Lord,

This made Steve bold, and eloquent, brandishing the Sword,

The only weapon God, has given to His flock,

The Spirit’s Word in power, the gates of Hell unlocks.

 

Stephen spoke of truth and grace, proclaiming by the Spirit,

But his hearer’s hearts were hard, they simply would not hear it.

They dragged the deacon out, their only thought to kill,

But Stephen had God’s peace, trust in the Father’s will.

 

The deacon saw the Son above, in His Father’s glory,

And joyful, told the vision which, led to death most gory.

He mimicked what His Savior, on Calvr’y asked for him,

And prayed that those who stoned him, be pardoned for their sin.

 

Bold faith like Steve’s has just one source, the Stone which was rejected,

As chosen stone in God’s own house, brave Stephen was protected.

The rocks they hurled to end his life, had just a moment’s power,

Eternal joy replaced all tears, for Stephen’s soul that hour. 

 

Can we be bold, can we speak truth, when th’world rejects the Savior?

We can if we, like Deacon Steve, are grounded in God’s favor. 

So do not doubt, you can be brave, your strength flows from the same,

The Font where you like Stephen were, sealed in God’s Holy Name. 

 

The shape of call the Lord gives you, will vary in great measure,

Each living stone in Jesus’ house, serves per the Father’s pleasure.

You need not seek to do great things, you must not seek for glory,

Your glory’s with the Lamb above!  The key down here? His Story.

 

Th’Apostle’s Word, the Fellowship, the Supper and the Prayers,

Devote yourself to these, and cast on God your cares.

He will provide your needs, and give you ways to love,

Until the Day He calls you, to join Steve up above.  

 

This is the Way of Jesus Christ, path to the Father’s home,

The humbling Truth, which sets us free, grace, mercy and shalom.

Sins which us kill, now washed away, our guilty souls relieving,

Means life is ours, come now what may, God’s heaven is our ceiling.  

 

And so we pray, in Jesus’ Name, His kingdom to increase,

That more would hear, and not reject, God seen in Christ’s dear face.

We do not fear when stones are hurled, and we are poor and lowly,

Christ’s love is sure, our future bright, with all the saints most holy.   

 

They up above, we down below, are all one blesséd chorus,

Praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, the Lamb who suffered for us.

The Excellencies of our God, sound loud and clear above,  

And on the earth, amidst the fight, we praise the precious Blood.

 

Praise to the Lord, the Father who, in love sent Christ our Savior,

And to the Spirit, heavenly dove, who bathes us in God´s favor.

With Stephen and the martyr throng, we marvel at the light,

God´s Holy will us to possess, sustains us in the fight. 

 We close with the Exhortation and Doxology from the Epistle of Jude:

   You must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ¹⁹ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 

    ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

     ²⁴ Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.