How to Stand Strong Under Pressure Acts 7

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction

Picture with me a piece of graphite buried deep within the earth. At depths of 100 miles beneath the surface, the carbon atoms are experiencing pressure 60,000 times the atmospheric pressure and temperatures at 2300 degrees. Over time, this intense pressure and heat transform the carbon into a beautiful and incredibly strong diamond.

In the starting graphite, the carbon atoms form layers that can easily slide over one another. So graphite’s structure is soft, weak and easily deformed. In the diamond structure, formed under intense pressure and heat, the carbon atoms are rearranged into a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure of great strength.

This morning my message is entitled “How to Stand Strong Under Pressure.” Just as graphite is transformed into a diamond through intense pressure, our faith can be refined and strengthened through the trials we encounter.

James 1:2-4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

These verses remind us that the pressures we face in life are not without purpose. They are refining us, making us stronger and more mature in our faith. You see, trials, when rightly faced, strengthen our bonds with God, other believers and the church.

Just like the diamond, our lives are made stronger and more beautiful through endurance and trust in God’s refining work. Our faith is not diminished by pressure when it is anchored in Christ. Instead, pressure reveals the strength God is forming within us.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

These verses show us that our faith, which of more value than gold, is proven genuine through various trials. The image here is of gold being refined from the dross through the high temperature of fire. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is purified through the challenges we endure.

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, embracing the trials and sacrifices that come with being His disciples. His call to self-denial and perseverance under pressure is a pathway to true life and strength in Christ. Today, we will explore how to stand strong under pressure by looking at the example of Stephen in Acts 7.

His unwavering faith amidst fierce opposition shows us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us stand strong under pressure.

Remember God’s Faithfulness

Acts 7:2-4 (ESV) The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ … And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living.

In Acts 7, Stephen gives a lengthy message about God’s past dealings with the nation of Israel. In these verses, we read how God called Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to a distant new land, Israel. And God was faithful to protect and guide Abraham in this great and difficult mission.

Acts 7:9-10 (ESV) “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

These verses speak of the difficult times that Joseph faced, being falsely accused and sold into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him, rescued him, and gave him favor before the Pharaoh. Ultimately, Joseph was elevated to be a ruler over all of Egypt.

Acts 7:33-34 (ESV) Then the Lord said to him [Moses], ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

The story of Moses helps us remember that God is present in every situation we face. Moses was a fugitive from justice in Egypt for murder. He had spent 40 years in the desert as a shepherd.

But God had not forgotten him and now appeared to him in a burning bush. It was time for Moses’ big assignment in life, to lead Israel out of captivity in Egypt. These three stories help us to remember God’s faithfulness.

Trust God’s Past Faithfulness When Pressure Comes

When facing pressure, we can stand strong by remembering how God has been faithful in the past. This builds our trust and confidence that He will see us through our current challenges. We all face pressures of many kinds, and some of the pressures are common to everyone.

You may face financial struggles, health issues or relationship difficulties. There are pressures associated with school, work and retirement. In those times, when we’re tempted to worry and be anxious, remember God’s past faithfulness in the Bible.

Remember God’s past faithfulness in your life and the lives of others in our church family. As you remember God’s faithfulness, it will give you the courage to face the future trusting in God’s grace.

Stand Firm in Your Convictions

Acts 7:51-52 (ESV) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,

As Stephen’s message is coming to end, he boldly proclaims the truth based on God’s Word to the Jewish council. The Jewish leaders that had arrested Stephen had been instrumental in the crucifixion of Jesus. They had not recognized Him as their Messiah but sought to kill Him.

They were carrying on the sin of their fathers and resisting the Holy Spirit.

Acts 7:54-55 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit,

The leaders were filled with a murderous rage, grinding their teeth at Stephen. In contrast, Stephen was not angry, he was not worried or anxious. God’s Word says that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 7:55-56 (ESV) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

As Stephen looked up, God allowed him to gaze directly into heaven. He saw two things in heaven. First of all, he saw the glory of God the Father.

Then he saw Jesus, the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. This was unusual because everywhere else we read of Jesus seated at the right hand of God. Jesus was standing in honor of Stephen’s bold witness in the face of death.

The heavenly vision strengthened Stephen in this difficult moment and helped him continue to stand firm in his convictions.

Boldly Live and Speak God’s Truth

In today’s world, we also must stand firm in our convictions. Following Stephen’s example, we must boldly proclaim the truth. We must be filled with the Spirit and keep our gaze fixed on heaven.

Biblical truths are increasingly under attack in our society today such as the biblical truth of gender, the truth of marriage, the truth of sexual purity, the truth of the sanctity of unborn life, and the truth that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Our vision is to spread God’s truth with love, not hiding and afraid to speak the truth. May each of us stand firm in our convictions and boldly speak God’s truth.

Respond to Opposition with Grace

Acts 7:57-58 (ESV) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Satan has now stirred up these unbelieving Jewish leaders into a frenzy. They began screaming and stopped their ears from hearing anything Stephen might say. They took Stephen out of the city and began to throw stones at him to kill him.

Satan loves to get his followers angry and joining together in a murderous mob. At the stoning was a zealous young Jew named Saul, which I’ll talk more about in a minute. We see Stephen responding to this persecution with grace, not repaying evil for evil.

Acts 7:59 (ESV) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Where have we heard those type of words before? When Jesus was crucified, He called out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Stephen knew where he was committing his eternity into God’s hands.

Acts 7:60 (ESV) And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Again, what did Jesus say on the cross? Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. Rather than retaliation, rather than calling down judgement on his murderers, Stephen prayed for them.

And one of those at the stoning that Stephen was praying for was Saul. We are in Acts 7 and in Acts 9, we read of the supernatural conversion of Saul, later named Paul. Saul repented and came into the kingdom of God and was the world’s greatest missionary.

Stephen gave us an example of following Jesus in his last moments, responding to opposition with grace.

Choose Grace When You Are Wronged

The principles we see here apply to all kinds of pressures that we may encounter in life. Most often pressures come from other people. To respond to opposition with grace means enduring mistreatment without seeking revenge.

Committing our spirit to God involves trusting Him with our reputation, careers and even personal safety. Forgiving those who harm us through slander, discrimination or otherwise demonstrates Christ’s love and releases us from the burden of bitterness.

Our forgiveness of those who hurt us serves as a testimony to others about the power of Jesus’ love in our lives. Jesus Himself commanded us to forgive all those who have hurt us, so that He can forgive our sins. Unforgiveness is not an option for a believer.

Respond to opposition of all kinds with grace.

Conclusion

As we come to the close of our message on “How to Stand Strong Under Pressure,” let’s return to the image of the diamond. Remember how a diamond starts as a simple piece of carbon, buried deep within the earth, enduring intense pressure and extreme heat.

This process, which seems harsh and unforgiving, is what ultimately transforms that graphite into a beautiful diamond. In the same way, the pressures and trials of life are not meant to break us, but to refine and strengthen our faith.

The Scriptures we read remind us to find joy in those trials, knowing that they produce perseverance and maturity in our lives. As we embrace our trials, we must trust that God is using them to shape us into His image.

The refining process may be painful, but it results in a faith that brings praise, glory and honor to Jesus. May God help each one of us to stand strong under pressure.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

Looking for community?
Join a Life Group and grow in your faith with others walking the same path.