Archives for April 2021

Good morning,

This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.

What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.

This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.

2) SAUL’S PREACHING ON MARS HILL (Acts 17:16-34)

        C. GOD MADE THE HEAVEN AND EARTH (24)

²⁴ God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

        D. GOD GIVETH LIFE (25-26)

²⁵ Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;²⁶ And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

        E. MEN SHOULD SEEK THE LORD (27-28)

²⁷ That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:²⁸ For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

        F. GOD IS NOT AN IDOL (29)

²⁹ Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

        G. GOD COMMANDS MEN TO REPENT (30-31)

³⁰ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:³¹ Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

        H. THE RESPONSE TO PAUL’S PREACHING (32-34)

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.³³ So Paul departed from among them.³⁴ Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

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Paul now tells the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers about God and His Son Jesus Christ.

He tells them God made all things, that God does not live in temples made of hands, that God giveth life to all, that they should seek the Lord, that God is not an idol made by the hands of me, and they must repent. Then he tells them of Christ’s resurrection.

The result of Paul’s preaching, some mocked and some believed.

Paul knew that the people of Athens worshipped idols. His preaching challenged the peoples thinking about idols versus God, who was living and cared about them. The key point is the resurrection of Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.

What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.

This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.

2) SAUL’S PREACHING ON MARS HILL (Acts 17:16-34)

        A. PAUL DISPUTES WITH THE ATHENIEN’S (16-21)

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.¹⁷ Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.¹⁸ Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?²⁰ For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.²¹ (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

        B. The Unknown God (22-23)

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.²³ For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

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When Paul sees the idolatry of Athens, he disputes in the synagogue, with devout men, and in the market place. His desire was that all the people had the opportunity to hear the gospel.

His witness intrigued the philosophers of the Epicureans and the Stoics to the point they wanted to hear more.

He then centers his remarks on the altar to the Unknown God. We will find out what he said tomorrow.

Paul has taken the boldness for persecuting Christians and turned it into boldness for preaching about Christ. He goes to whoever will listen. To the Jews first and then unto the gentiles.

Who do we take the gospel to?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.

What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.

This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.

1) SAUL’S CONVERSION (ACTS 9:1-20)

        A.  SAUL BEFORE CONVERSION (1-2)

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,² And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

        B.  SAUL’S CONVERSION (3-18)

ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS (3-6)

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:⁴ And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?⁵ And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.⁶ And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

SAUL’S OBEDIENCE (7-9)

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.⁸ And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

ANANIAS-GOD’S SERVANT-COMMISSION (10-16)

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.¹¹ And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,¹² And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.¹³ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

SAUL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST (17)

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

SAUL BAPTIZED (18)

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

        C.  SAUL PREACHES CHRIST (19-20)

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.²⁰ And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

2) SAUL’S PREACHING ON MARS HILL (Acts 17:16-34)

        A. PAUL DISPUTES WITH THE ATHENIEN’S (16-21)

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.¹⁷ Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.¹⁸ Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?²⁰ For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.²¹ (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

        B. The Unknown God (22-23)

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.²³ For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

        C. GOD MADE THE HEAVEN AND EARTH (24)

²⁴ God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

        D. GOD GIVETH LIFE (25-26)

²⁵ Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;²⁶ And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

        E. MEN SHOULD SEEK THE LORD (27-28)

²⁷ That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:²⁸ For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

        F. GOD IS NOT AN IDOL (29)

²⁹ Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

        G. GOD COMMANDS MEN TO REPENT (30-31)

³⁰ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:³¹ Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

        H. THE RESPONSE TO PAUL’S PREACHING (32-34)

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.³³ So Paul departed from among them.³⁴ Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.

What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.

This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.

1) SAUL’S CONVERSION (ACTS 9:1-20)

ANANIAS-GOD’S SERVANT (10-16)

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.¹¹ And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,¹² And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.¹³ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

SAUL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST (17)

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

SAUL BAPTIZED (18)

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

        C.  SAUL PREACHES CHRIST (19-20)

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.²⁰ And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

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Ananias is put in the unenviable position of confronting Saul to give him back his sight. The Lord told Ananias that Saul is a chosen vessel unto Him. He continues, telling him that Saul will be a witness to the Gentiles and kings. Ananias obeys and Saul regains his sight.

Then Saul receives his sight, is filled with the Holy Ghost, and baptized.

After some discipleship, Saul begins to preach to the Jews. He told them of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

Saul never looked back. From the point Saul encountered Jesus, he faithfully witnessed, taught, and encourage others. He wrote much of the New Testament. He was the first great missionary. Everywhere he went, he was planting new church works.

Although most of us will not have the impact of Saul, God has something for us to do. Whatever God gives us to do, He expects us to be faithful.

Let’s be about our Saviors business.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.

What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.

This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.

1) SAUL’S CONVERSION (ACTS 9:1-20)

        A.  SAUL BEFORE CONVERSION (1-2)

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,² And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

        B.  SAULS CONVERSION (3-18)

ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS (3-6)

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:⁴ And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?⁵ And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.⁶ And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

SAUL’S OBEDIENCE (7-9)

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.⁸ And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

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Saul was an ungodly man. His sole purpose in life was to eliminate the believers in Christ. He was very successful at his job. Many were apprehended, detained, and ultimately destroyed. Although he knew the old testament scriptures, he failed to understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies.

However, once he encountered Jesus personally, it changed his life completely. The change was immediate. He went from being a hater to a lover of Jesus. He was obedient to what Christ told him to do.

Do we humble ourselves before Jesus? God can not use men and women who think they know more than God. He wants us to be pliable, moldable, and obedient.

Will God be willing to use us to reach others for Christ?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Response to Stephen’s defense (54-60)

^“54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. ⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,⁵⁸ And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Sin makes people do strange things. The people who heard Stephen’s preaching were enrage. They stoned an innocent man for telling the truth.

They could not stand it when he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Stephen’s response to being stoned was, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Are we willing to die for our belief in Christ? Are we willing to live for Jesus Christ each day?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Rebellious nation of Israel (37-53)

“³⁷ This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.³⁸ This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:³⁹ To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,⁴⁰ Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.⁴¹ And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. ⁴² Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? ⁴³ Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.⁴⁴ Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.⁴⁵ Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;⁴⁶ Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.⁴⁷ But Solomon built him an house.⁴⁸ Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,⁴⁹ Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?⁵⁰ Hath not my hand made all these things?⁵¹ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.⁵² Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:⁵³ Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

Stephen is making the point that Israel had been rebellious in the past and his hearers were also rebellious. He accuses them of being stiffnecked and resisting the Holy Spirit. He said that they were murderers and they had not kept the law.

Stephen did not water down his witness. He was bold and truthful. Unsaved people do not like the truth about themselves.

When we witness, do we present the gospel with boldness or do we water it down? We need to be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit, but should always tell the “good news” boldly.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Stephen, the High Priest, and the Rebellious

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)

INTRODUCTION

Setting the stage (Acts 6:8-15) Stephen accused

STEPHEN’S DEFENSE The history of Israel (Acts 7:1-53)

1. Abraham v 2-7

a) Family history v 2-4

b) Inheritance v 5

c) Bondage v 6-7

2. Covenant of circumcision v 8

3. Joseph: Prison to Prince v 9-16

a) Joseph afflicted by his brothers, made governor by Pharaoh v 9-10

b) Famine v 11-12

c) Revelation to brothers and father v13-16

4. Exodus v 17-36

a) Pharaoh’s plan to destroy God’s people v 17-19

b) Moses born and raised in Pharaoh’s court for 40 years v 20-22

c) Moses visits his brethren v 23-29

d) Moses flees to Midian for 40 years v 29-30

e) God calls Moses to deliver Israel v 30-35

f) God delivers Israel v 36

g) Moses reminds the people of their rebellion and idol worship v37-44

h) Joshua Promised Land till David v 45

 i) David finds favor with God v 46

 j) Temple built by Solomon v 47

k) God does not dwell in temples made by hands v 48-50

 l) Stephen’s rebuke for disobedience and death of Jesus v 51-53

RESPONSE TO STEPHEN’S DEFENSE (Acts 7:54-60)

1. High Priest, people, elders, and false witnesses v 54, 57-60

a) They were cut to the heart v 54

b) Stopped their ears v 57

c) Cast him out of the city and stoned him v 58-59

2. Stephen’s response v 55-56, 59-60

a) Looked up to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God v 55-56

b) Call’s unto God to receive his spirit v 59

c) Cries to God saying “Lay not this sin to their charge.”

CONCLUSION

• KNOW YOUR HISTORY
• OBEY GOD’S WORD

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Stephen’s Message: Israel’s history (Acts 7:1-36)

Abraham (2-7)

² And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,³ And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.⁴ Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Harran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.⁵ And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.⁶ And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.⁷ And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

Covenant of circumcision (8)

⁸ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Joseph (9-16)

⁹ And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,¹⁰ And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.¹¹ Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.¹² But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.¹³ And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.¹⁴ Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.¹⁵ So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,¹⁶ And were carried over into Shechem, and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Shechem.

Exodus (17-36)

¹⁷ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,¹⁸ Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.¹⁹ The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.²⁰ In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:²¹ And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.²² And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.²³ And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.²⁴ And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:²⁵ For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.²⁶ And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?²⁷ But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸ Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?²⁹ Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.³⁰ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. ³¹ When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,³² Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.³³ Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.³⁴ I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. ³⁵ This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.³⁶ He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”

Stephen was well versed in the history of Israel. So far he was on common ground. No one could argue Israel’s past.

When witnessing to others about Christ, find the common ground. This will help to get the conversation started. Then move to how Christ came to earth to redeem of their sin.

Tomorrow, we will see more history, and then the contentious issue of Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Stephen and his opposition (Acts 6:8-15)

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angels.”

Stephen was full of faith and power, who did great wonders and miracles. The synagogue of the Libertines did not like Stephen’s preaching. They disputed with him. When they could not convince him to stop, they hired false witnesses to testify against him.

Telling people about Christ evokes the same response from unbelievers. When we are challenged, do we quit or continue to proclaim Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection?

Stephen’s example may help us to make the correct decision.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com