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, 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)
STEPHEN’S DEFENSE: The history of Israel
g) Moses reminds the people of their rebellion and idol worship v37-44
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.
h) Joshua Promised Land till David v 45
45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Joshua into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
i) David finds favor with God v 46
46 Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
j) Temple built by Solomon v 47
47 But Solomon built him a house.
k) God does not dwell in temples made by hands v 48-50
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?
Stephen goes through the history of Israel and comes to verse 50 with this summation: “HATH NOT MY HAND MADE ALL THESE THINGS?” It was a rhetorical question. Of course God made it all. So then he rebukes his listeners in verses 51-53.
Who are you following today? Are you God deniers or obedient lovers of the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ? Are you resisting the Holy Ghost or allowing the Holy Ghost to lead and comfort you?
l) Stephen’s rebuke for disobedience and death of Jesus v 51-53
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.
RESPONSE TO STEPHEN’S DEFENSE (Acts 7:54-60)
High Priest, people, elders, and false witnesses v 54, 57-60
a) They were cut to the heart v 54
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
b) Stopped their ears v 55-57
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,
c) Cast him out of the city and stoned him v 58-59
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.
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
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.
b) Call’s unto God to receive his spirit v 59
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
c) Cries to God saying “Lay not this sin to their charge.” v 60
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.
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.
CONCLUSION
KNOW YOUR HISTORY
OBEY GOD’S WORD
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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