Stephen's martyrdom led to Christian dispersion, spreading faith despite persecution. Philip's preaching in Samaria, Simon's conversion, and Saul's transformation highlight adversity's role in faith's growth. Shawn emphasizes God's plan, adversity's purpose, and believers' empowerment through the Holy Spirit.
Shawn highlights Jesus's universal mission beyond Jews. Paul explains Israel's role in Gentile salvation, bridges Jewish-Gentile worlds, and spreads Christianity despite persecution.
Believers have an internal anointing from the Holy Spirit, guiding them in truth and righteousness, resisting deception, and preparing for Christ's return by living justly and lovingly.
Stephen critiques temple reverence as idolatry, calls leaders "stiff-necked," highlights rejection of prophets, and emphasizes spiritual over earthly lineage. Shawn stresses humility, Holy Spirit's power, and Stephen's prayer as legitimate, linking to Romans 10:12-14.
John's teaching stresses truth, warns against antichrists, and emphasizes faith in Jesus for eternal life. Believers should remain in original teachings and avoid deception.
Stephen's sermon highlights God's transcendence beyond physical temples, emphasizing spiritual worship. David's life foreshadows the Messiah, while Solomon builds the temple. Temples symbolize spiritual realities, with believers as living temples. True worship is in spirit and truth, not confined to physical structures.
John warns of many antichrists as signs of the last times, urging believers to remain in Christ's teachings. Shawn interprets "last time" as the end of the Jewish age, not the world.
Stephen's speech in Acts 7 emphasizes Moses receiving the Law, the Israelites' idolatry, and the concept of "ekklesia" as a global gathering of believers.
Shawn's teaching on 1 John 2:12-17 highlights spiritual maturity levels: children (forgiveness), young men (strength, overcoming evil), fathers (deep understanding), and warns against worldly desires.
Stephan emphasizes Moses as a prefigure of Christ, highlighting resistance to Christ. Shawn focuses on Jesus' mission of spiritual liberation, paralleling Moses' role.
Believers must love one another, reflecting Christ's light and truth. Love is both an old and new commandment, essential for spiritual growth and avoiding darkness.
Moses' journey, patience, and trust in God; Cities of Refuge as safe havens; burning bush as divine encounter; God's majesty; human humility; Job's enlightenment.
John emphasizes keeping God's commandments as evidence of knowing Him, walking as Jesus did, and manifesting love, which signifies God's presence and true Christian growth.
Believers should avoid sin, love one another, and remain steadfast in faith. Jesus is our advocate and propitiation, ensuring reconciliation and salvation for all.
Shawn's teaching draws typological parallels between Joseph and Jesus, emphasizing themes of rejection, suffering, exaltation, and divine fulfillment, while contrasting oppressive religious systems with true faith.
God is light; believers must pursue humility and transparency. True fellowship requires living in the light, reflecting God's presence, and obeying His commandments.
Shawn focuses on genealogical lineage, inward faith, and Israel's role, while Stephen emphasizes exiting/entering cycles, Joseph as a Christ figure, and spiritual transformation.
Shawn's teaching on 1 John 1:5 highlights God as pure light, devoid of darkness, urging believers to align with divine purity, embody light, and love, contrasting human imperfection.
Shawn's teaching focuses on God's use of challenges for growth, the 400-year period in Egypt, the covenant with Abraham, and the shift from physical to spiritual tokens under the New Covenant.
John emphasizes Jesus' tangible reality, countering Docetism by affirming His physical incarnation and divine nature, fostering fellowship and joy among believers.
