Saturday Night Devotional-For Use with Groups after the Saturday Night Session

There’s a story of a good-looking society woman who was invited to an expensive fund-raising dinner in New York City. She was seated next to a wealthy lawyer. During the meal, they had a chance to get to know each other and were having a good time. When the meal was finished, the lawyer leaned over and asked the women if she would go to bed with him for $10,000. The women blushed but said she would. The man the asked her if she would go to bed with him for $10. The woman was shocked and said, “What kind of woman do you think I am? “ The man responded “My dear, we have already established that. Now we are merely negotiating the price.*

All of us, at one time or another, have sold Jesus out for something far less valuable? What’s your price? What would it take to cause you to sell out? We already know who we are. We are sinners who have been saved by faith in Christ. None of us is immune to sinful behavior. Even Paul the apostle stumbled and fell. Peter, when faced with possible persecution at the time of the Crucifixion, denied Christ three times. He had his price.

Consider, Stephen, the first martyr for Jesus.He didn’t sell out, even in the face of death.

You may have heard of people who, just before dying, describe seeing a bright light or scenes of heaven. Others describe a feeling of unusual peace. Of course, no one can prove these experiences are real. But it seems that Stephen must have had such an experience as he looked toward heaven and had a vision: "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).

Stephen was about to die, and he knew it. The knowledge that one's life on this earth is about to be over is terrifying to some people. For Stephen, the realization that death was knocking at his door wasn't such a black thought. For him, the "grim reaper" wasn't so grim. Instead, his mind was filled with the sight of his Savior. But Jesus is portrayed differently here than he is elsewhere in Scripture. Though most post-resurrection portraits describe him as "seated at the right hand" of the Father (Ephesians 1:20), here Jesus is standing, a posture we see only two other times in the Bible (Revelation 5:6; 14:1). But why?

Could it be that Jesus was standing to welcome Stephen home to heaven? Hey, there's nothing better than finally making it home after a long journey--and this beloved brother was about to pull into the driveway. And Jesus himself--not theapostlePeter--was standing at the "pearly gates" to greet him.

There may be a second reason Stephen sees Jesus standing, that is that Jesus is standing in honor of Stephen. It's a standing ovation, as if Jesus is saying: Stephen, you stood tall for me, so now I'll do the same for you. You confessed me before men on earth, so I'll confess you before heaven. (See Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8.) Jesus was demonstrating to all that Stephen was a man who deserved to be honored.

Stephen had stood firm against enormous peer pressure and personal opposition. It would've been easier to face a godless ruler or a Roman sword than persecution from your own people. But Stephen didn't flinch. He didn't shrink back or even blink. Instead, he looked his adversaries in the eyes and told the truth to men who had the power to kill him.

Stephen stood firm. In doing so, he lived the truth of Jesus' words: "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).

Clearly, Steven had taken to heart the words of the apostle Paul, who later wrote "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Why did Stephen have so much confidence to stand up for his faith? How did he do it? Stephen had a perspective on life and a passion for God and his Word that few have today. He knew life was short, and only one thing really mattered: bringing honor to the name of Jesus Christ. For Stephen, Jesus wasn't just part of his life. Jesus was his life. Like Paul, Stephen's motto was "To live is Christ. To die is gain" (Gal. 2:20). Jesus was his everything, and nothing else came close.**

Discuss with your group the following questions:

  • What part of tonight’s message really spoke to you and why?
  • What do you think was the most important point to take out of tonight’s lesson?
  • How does it make you feel that Jesus stood in heaven to welcome Stephen?
  • What one word describes your feelings as you think about your death and judgment?
  • What can we, as your brothers in sisters in the Lord, do to help you get to heaven?

Close your session with a prayer that includes requests to God on behalf of the students who have made comments. Ask God to bless the remainder of your time together at the event this weekend.

* From Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wane Rice

**From "The Loser's Club" by Jeff Kinley.