What does it mean to fix your eyes on Jesus when life is hard?

Gary points to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, where Paul calls his troubles “light and momentary” next to an eternal glory, and to Hebrews 12:1-2. The idea is to give your main attention to what’s unseen and lasting instead of the problem in front of you. Stephen does exactly this in Acts 7: under attack, he looks up and sees Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

What does the Bible mean by “truth” if it isn’t just being right?

Gary argues that the New Testament’s Greek word for truth means reality rather than correct thinking, so when Jesus says “I am the truth,” he is pointing to himself as what is real. In this message, standing for truth means standing for the person of Christ, not winning arguments about doctrine or turning every disagreement into hostility.

How do I forgive someone I can’t stand?

Gary says the Greek word for “forgive” means “let it go,” which he describes as an archery term for releasing the string. He admits letting go may be needed daily, for months or even years. He ties it to the Lord’s Prayer and to Stephen’s words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” which echo Jesus on the cross.

Can pain actually serve a purpose in God’s plan?

Gary’s last point is that God’s kingdom advances through pain. After Stephen’s death, persecution scattered the church, and Acts 8 says those who were scattered went on preaching the word. His takeaway is “don’t waste your suffering”: let God use it to bear fruit in other people’s lives, while admitting some of this stays an unanswered question.