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First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge

St. Stephen with a Rose

·28 min·2 clips
What did Stephen do that made religious leaders so angry they dragged him outside Jerusalem and stoned him to death?
The episode opens with a welcome and prayer, setting the context for Independence Day weekend and introducing the scriptural focus on Stephen from Acts. Brady Witten reads the passage detailing Stephen's confrontation with religious authorities, his vision of heaven, and his stoning. He explains his summer series on Acts aims to recapture early church enthusiasm and see the Holy Spirit's work. Witten poses a central question: what did Stephen do to provoke such anger and execution? He challenges common misconceptions that Jesus was merely a rule-enforcer, arguing instead that Jesus came to reconcile people to God and rescue a broken world. The sermon contrasts the beauty and darkness in human nature, noting systems like military spending and advertising that exploit fear and division. Witten identifies four traits of Jesus' followers: courage to speak truth in love, hope rooted in resurrection, wisdom over black-and-white thinking, and love and mercy over hatred. He uses Stephen's story as a template, citing Stephen's vision of God and Jesus during his stoning as a source of hope. Witten references modern parallels, including a man who had a panic attack from news consumption and Martin Luther King Jr. as a martyr figure. He concludes by explaining the title's reference to a Grateful Dead song and the rose as a martyr symbol, emphasizing that the church is built on such sacrifices and inviting listeners to find purpose in following Jesus.

As heard by us

A sermon on Stephen links Spirit-led courage, public pressure, and the promise of purpose in Jesus.

Brady Witten's sermon frames Stephen as a test case for what it means to live faithfully in a damaged world. After opening near Independence Day, Witten moves into Acts, where Stephen is described as full of grace and power, opposed by critics, and brought before the council…

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Why you'd press play

When you want Independence Day to raise a question about changing hearts, Stephen is waiting.

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