RESPONDING IN ANOTHER WAY

RESPONDING IN ANOTHER WAY


Today-as we LOOK-
At the MARTYRDOM of Stephen-


We NEED to look-at
ANOTHER WAY of RESPONDING-
When we-ourselves-are attacked


FORGIVENESS-not revenge


Stephen said some TRUTHS-
And it infuriated the group
Into a mob mentality


They GRIND their teeth
And cover their ears
They trow Stephen out
Of the city


And pick up stones
And THROW them at him
With force


But Stephen does NOT RESPOND
In violence-and even utters
WORDS of forgiveness
As he died


“WHILE they were stoning him,'
Stephen PRAYED-
'Lord Jesus-RECEIVE my spirit'


Then he fell on his knees
And cried out-
'Lord-do NOT HOLD
This sin against them'


WHEN he said this-
He fell asleep” Acts 7:59-60


RESPONDING IN ANOTHER WAY!


Wounded and weakened
By loss of blood
Stephen RESPONDS
In a MOST unexpected way


He responds with FORGIVENESS
Just like his hero-CHRIST-
NOT revenge


The WAY we CHRISTIANS today-
Should respond-when we are CHALLENGED
But it is=OH SO HARD


RESPOND in ANOTHER WAY
Respond with forgiveness
RESPOND WITH LOVE!


“He will RESPOND
To the prayer
Of the destitute


He will
Not despise their plea” Psalm 102:17


“IN that day-I
Will RESPOND'
DECLARES the Lord-


I will respond
To the skies
And they WILL respond-
To the earth” Hose 2:27


RESPOND in ANOTHER WAY-
FORGIVE!


“Then Peter came to Jesus-
And asked-
'Lord-HOW MANY times should
I forgive my brother and sister
WHO sin against me?
UP to seven times?'”


Jesus answered-
'I tell you NOT 7 times
BUT seventy-seven times'” Matthew 18:21-22


RESPOND IN ANOTHER WAY
Respond like Saint STEPHEN
Respond like Jesus


WISH no evil on them
Put NO CURSES on them
Do NOT pick up a weapon
For retaliation


BE COUNTER CULTURAL!-respond in LOVE
Just like Stephen-just like JESUS!


BE a WITNESS OF GOD &
RESPOND in ANOTHER WAY!


In Jesus' name


Robert P. Wallman
5-1-17





Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.