FOR CHRIST

All throughout the New Testament, we see Christ sitting on the right hand of God. However, in Acts 7 we find a man full of faith and power, seeing Christ in a very different position. Let me tell you the story of Stephen. Stephen loved the Lord with all of his heart. In fact, he loved God so much that even in the face of death, he continued to stand up for his Lord. You seeStephen had the very unpopular and uncomfortable duty of bringing the word of God to those who didn't want to hear it. God gave Stephen the words to say, and Stephen boldly spoke them without hesitation or apology. Stephen was not ashamed to call sin by its rightful name. Well, according to the word of God, the men Stephen was talking to so boldly, were cut to their heart and they soon went to plot on how to kill him. But that didn't stop Stephen. It's very interesting that even with all the bad feelings of hatred and animosity these men had for Stephen, the Bible says in Acts 6:10 that theywere not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. Well, the men became uncontrollably furious and were enraged. According to Acts 7:54 - 56, the Bible says that they started gnashing or grinding their teeth at him, but Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus...not sitting this time, but STANDING on the right hand of God. And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God! Stephen found out something amazing and learned a great lesson that we must learn. The lesson is this. When you stand up for Christ, Christ stands up for you. And when you stand for God, you'll never stand alone. So that's why I wanted to sing this little song that says...

When you stand for Christ
(It's not in vain)
And when you suffer for Christ
(You won't be ashamed)
And when you go through with Christ
(Your heart won't be the same)
And when you give away Christ
(A life will be changed)
When you work for Christ
(His word will pay)
And when you hope in Christ
(You can face another day!)

When you stand for Christ
You'll never stand alone.
No you'll never stand alone!
(No you're not going to stand)
(Oh no you'll never stand alone) Alone!

©2001 John P. Redmon Music (ASCAP)adm. by Reaching Records (ASCAP). All rights reserved.