Saint Stephen Church Service

SERMON SYNOPSIS: Peter is still carrying the weight of denial. But Jesus doesn’t shame him—he feeds him breakfast and asks three simple questions: “Do you love me?” This message explores how resurrection grace restores what fear tried to destroy. Jesus doesn’t just forgive—he re-calls, re-commissions, and reaffirms. Resurrection means our worst moments don’t define us. Grace does.Memory Verse: John 21:17b — “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

SERMON SYNOPSIS: The disciples are hiding behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. But Jesus walks in anyway—bringing peace, breathing the Spirit, and sending them out. This message explores how resurrection turns fear into mission. We don’t have to wait until we feel brave to be sent. Jesus meets us in our fear and says, “Peace be with you… as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”Memory Verse: John 20:21 — “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:1-10.SERMON SYNOPSIS: Easter begins with trembling—an earthquake, an empty tomb, and startled women. But into that fear, heaven speaks: “Do not be afraid.” These words aren’t just comfort—they’re a declaration. Because Jesus is risen, death is defeated, and fear has lost its grip.This sermon explores how resurrection transforms fear into awe, grief into joy, and trembling into testimony. Like the women at the tomb, we’re invited to step into boldness—not because we’re fearless, but because Christ has conquered everything we feared.Memory Verse: John 19:30 — “It is finished.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: John 19:30, Hebrews 10SERMON SYNOPSIS: “It is finished.” These words echo through eternity. Christ’s work is complete, and we are free. This final message celebrates the victory of the cross and the invitation to live in resurrection freedom. If substitution were unjust, it wouldn’t end in joy — but because it was love in action, we now live finished and free.Memory Verse: John 19:30 — “It is finished.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 3:18SERMON SYNOPSIS: Jesus didn’t just die for sin — He died for sinners. This week centers on the personal nature of substitution: the righteous One for us, the unrighteous. This is not a cold exchange — it’s the warmest invitation.Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:18 — “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:13SERMON SYNOPSIS: Christ didn’t just die — He became a curse for us. This message explores the shame and weight of sin that Jesus bore, and the freedom He purchased. Substitutionary atonement doesn’t glorify suffering — it glorifies the One who entered suffering to destroy it.Memory Verse: Galatians 3:13 — “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us...”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: John 1:29, Isaiah 53SERMON SYNOPSIS: John the Baptist declares Jesus as the Lamb of God. Isaiah foretells His suffering. This week we connect the dots between Old Testament sacrifice and Jesus’ role as the ultimate Lamb — not coerced, but chosen.Memory Verse: John 1:29 — “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 16SERMON SYNOPSIS: In the Day of Atonement, one goat was sacrificed and another sent into the wilderness—bearing the sins of the people. This ancient ritual points forward to Christ, who carried our sins far away. Substitution isn’t injustice — it’s mercy in motion.Memory Verse: Isaiah 53:6 — “...the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Romans 3:23–26SERMON SYNOPSIS: We begin with the sobering truth: all have sinned. God’s justice demands a reckoning, but His love provides a way. This message lays the foundation for why atonement is necessary and introduces the divine tension between justice and mercy — a tension resolved in Christ.Memory Verse: Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Malachi 3:13–4:6SERMON SYNOPSIS: In this final message, Malachi contrasts those who fear the Lord with those who live carelessly. God promises to remember those who revere Him and to restore justice on the coming Day of the Lord. This sermon explores how stewardship includes legacy—living with reverence, hope, and generational impact. Faithful stewards build what lasts: lives marked by devotion, families shaped by truth, and communities prepared for eternity.Memory Verse: “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.” — Malachi 3:16a (NIV)

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Malachi 3:7–12SERMON SYNOPSIS: God invites His people to return through tithes and offerings, promising blessing and provision. This sermon explores how stewardship includes financial faithfulness—giving with joy and trusting God’s abundance. Generosity is not about wealth; it’s about worship. Faithful stewards give not out of fear, but out of love and trust in the Giver.Memory Verse: “Bring the whole tithe… Test me in this… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven.” — Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Malachi 2:17–3:6SERMON SYNOPSIS: God promises to send a messenger who will refine and purify His people. This sermon explores how stewardship includes readiness—living with repentance, justice, and anticipation. Christ is both Savior and Refiner, and faithful stewards prepare their hearts for His coming. We are called to live with urgency, humility, and hope, stewarding our lives in light of eternity.Memory Verse: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…” — Malachi 3:3a (NIV)

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Malachi 2:10–16SERMON SYNOPSIS: God’s people are rebuked for breaking covenant in marriage and community. This sermon explores how stewardship includes relational integrity—honoring the sacred trust of covenant relationships. Whether in marriage, friendship, or church life, we are called to reflect God’s faithfulness. Stewardship means guarding the covenant, pursuing reconciliation, and loving with loyalty.Memory Verse: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you… write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 3:3 (NLT)

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Malachi 1:6–2:9SERMON SYNOPSIS: God confronts His people for offering blemished sacrifices and dishonoring His name. This sermon explores how stewardship includes the way we worship—bringing God our best, not our leftovers. Worship is not just music or ritual; it’s a reflection of reverence, integrity, and love. We are called to honor God with our time, talents, and leadership, offering lives that reflect His worth.Memory Verse: “Therefore, I urge you… to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” — Romans 12:1 (NLT)

SERMON SCRIPTURE: Malachi 1:1–5SERMON SYNOPSIS: In this opening message, we begin where God begins—with love. Before any call to give, serve, or obey, there is a declaration: “I have loved you.” The foundation of faithful stewardship is not guilt or obligation, but gratitude. God’s covenant love is not earned; it is given. And when we receive that love, we are invited to respond—not with leftovers, but with our whole lives. This sermon explores how remembering our identity as God’s beloved people reshapes how we live, give, and serve.Memory Verse: “We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV)