STEPHEN

It's easy to say, "Sure, I'd die for the Kingdom of Christ," because we know we're probably never going to have to.  But some questions are harder than, 'Would you die for the Gospel?'

How about being willing to be merely inconvenienced for the Gospel?  That's harder than dying.

How about being willing to get up and walk across a room and go through a door God has opened for you to share a witness with someone even though it's uncomfortable?  That's harder than dying.

What about with you money - what about with your time - what about serving with your gifts and talents?  Because those are all harder than dying.

Is the mission of Jesus Christ important enough to sacrifice everything for?

After the death of Stephen in the Bible, believers began to be scattered everywhere.  The Great Commission of Christ began being accomplished, not in spite of the sufferings of the church, but precisely because of them.

'If you don't have to give your last breath for it, would you at least give your whole life for it?'

See ... our enemy isn't all that smart.  His strategy to stop the church actually served to advance the it - and in the days that followed, the Bible says: "Those who were scattered BECAUSE OF the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch ... " (Acts 11:19)

Nothing will stop the mission God has us here for.
It's unstoppable.
It's critical.
It's non-negotiable.
If you don't have to give your last breath for it, would you at least give your whole life for it?

And be blessed.