I confirmed with my friend and brother Pastor Kerry Tillmon a beautiful description of preaching. “Start low. Go slow. Rise higher. Catch fire. Sit down in a storm.” If you have ever heard it, you know what I am talking about.
After a lengthy exposition from the Old Testament narrative, Stephen rose higher. We can imagine his voice rising to a crescendo after he described God’s dwelling. Quoting from Isaiah, Stephen reminded his hearers that God was not trying to find a place to live. Heaven is his throne. The earth is his footstool. Humans cannot build a house for our omnipresent God.
Now watch the preacher catch fire: “You stiff-necked people!” Somehow this address does not seem to be “seeker-sensitive.” Sensing their resistance to the Holy Spirit he noticed their spiritual resemblance to their ancestors who persecuted the prophets. Then Stephen brought the message home: “Now you have betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.”
The ones who crucified Jesus were not lacking the law. They just did not obey it. We, too, can be educated beyond our level of obedience. How would his hearers respond? Would they repent or rebel? After Stephen rose to the heights, there was no turning back. No one was going to invite him for a nice dinner. He was about to sit down in a storm.
Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit convict you of sin through the proclamation of scripture? How did you respond? Today if we hear his voice, let us not harden our hearts. God is starting a fire among students in Georgia this week. Pray that a spark may float our way.
