Good morning,
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)
We are doing a historical study of Psalms 105, 106, 107, and Acts 7. This week we will look at Stephen’s defense of the faith from Acts 7.
Today we will look at the response to Stephen’s defense of the faith. Life presents us with choices. We can choose to follow righteousness or wickedness, God or Satan, God’s Son Jesus Christ or Satan’s demons outcasts from heaven. Ultimately our decisions determine our eternal destiny. The Jewish religious leaders refused to believe that Jesus was their Messiah. That day they sealed their fate. Their wickedness caused them to choose death rather than life. However, if a person, who has led the wicked lifestyle described here, repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ they will be saved and enjoy fellowship with Jesus for all eternity.
RESPONSE TO STEPHEN’S DEFENSE (Acts 7:54-60)
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.
High Priest, people, elders, and false witnesses response 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
Stephen’s response v 55-56, 59-60
a) Looked up to heaven and 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
CHOOSE JESUS, CHOOSE LIFE
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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