Grace Church Eden Prairie

Pastor Troy breaks down Stephen's delivery of the longest recorded sermon in the New Testament, using Israel’s history to show how God has always been pointing His people toward Jesus. Rather than defending himself, Stephen boldly proclaims Christ and exposes how Israel repeatedly resisted God’s Word and rejected the Messiah. He reminds his listeners that God is not confined to buildings, rituals, or laws, but is the God of people, working everywhere through history. Even as he is unjustly condemned and stoned, Stephen forgives his enemies and entrusts his life to Jesus. His death becomes the first martyrdom in the church and marks the beginning of a powerful gospel legacy that would continue through others, including Saul, who later becomes Paul. His life shows that true legacy is faithfulness to Jesus, even when it costs everything.