04 April 24, 2016, Acts 6-7, Looking At The Face Of An Angel; The Life Of Stephen
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Stephen, a faithful follower of Jesus chosen to serve the early Christian community, was falsely accused of blasphemy and brought before the Jewish high council. When questioned, Stephen delivered a speech recounting Israel's history and accusing the council members of rejecting God and killing the prophets, including Jesus. Enraged by Stephen's testimony, the council had him stoned to death outside the city. As he was dying, Stephen prayed for forgiveness for his murderers. Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, approved of and participated in Stephen's execution, which sparked widespread persecution that led to the dispersion of believers and spread of the Christian faith.
04 April 24, 2016, Acts 6-7, Looking At The Face Of An Angel; The Life Of Stephen
- 1. Acts Chapters 6 – 7 Looking at The Face of an Angel: The life of Stephen April 24, 2016 First Baptist Church Jackson, Mississippi USA What’s the number one thing? The glory of God! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HdKEr1hZ7iI/TWY2eWJdLoI/AAAAAAAAAgw/V0dVLTrGG1g/s1600/Glory.jpg 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. April Memory Verse Ephesians 4:32 ESV 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. References • Stott, John R. W., The Message of Acts (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press, USA, 1994). • Jeremiah, David, Slaying The Giants in Your Life (Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001). • MacArthur, John, Stephen: The First Martyr, YouTube Video of Sermon.
- 2. Approach to Acts 6-7 • Read selected scriptures about the life and death of Stephen. • Look at appropriate details of the setting of Acts 6-7. • Look at 4 characteristics of Stephen. • Discouragement. • How do you move from discouragement to have the courage of Stephen? Acts 6:1-7 ESV 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. A Challenge in the Early Christian Church • The church has taken responsibility for the widows. • Hellenists -Jewish converts born in lands other than Palestine but had relocated back there. • Differences with Hebrew converts in language (Greek vs. Aramaic) and culture. • Hellenists felt slighted in food distribution – probably more a problem of administration. Response to the challenge • The Apostles delegated the administration duties to focus on teaching, preaching and prayer. • The 7 chosen to serve were elected by the church. • All 7 chosen were Hellenists. • These were functioning as Deacons, but that office had not been formalized yet. • The Church flourished under this structure.
- 3. Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-2a ESV 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us." 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 1 And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2a And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. Opposition to Stephen’s Preaching • Synagogue of the Freedmen (Libertines) – Jews who were carried off to Rome by Pompey in 63 BC and sold as slaves. • These Jews had obtained their freedom and resettled in the Jerusalem area but had their own Synagogue. • They were considered Hellenistic because of language and customs. • Diversity in the Freedman Synagogue • Cyrenians – African Jews • Alexandrians – Egyptian Jews • Jews from Cilicia – Coastline of Turkey – City of Tarsus • Saul (Paul) was a member of this group. • Jews from Asia – Turkey – City of Ephesus Acts 6:13 ESV 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place (temple) and the law (Moses), 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us." This may have been Saul’s first exposure to the Gospel of Jesus.
- 4. Acts 7:2-50 Stephen’s Sermon: The Temple • Stephen uses the examples of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and Solomon to show that the God of Israel is a pilgrim God, who is not restricted to one place. • No building can confine God or inhibit his activities. • God’s home is with his people, wherever they are, not the Temple in Jerusalem. • Stephen accuses them of showing more disregard for the law than does The Gospel of Jesus. • Your forefathers and you have rejected Moses’ leadership and became idolaters. • Moses did predict the coming of the Messiah in Deuteronomy 18:15. Deuteronomy 18:15 ESV 15 "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— Acts 7:51-53 ESV 51 "You stiff- necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 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, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it." Summary of Stephen’s Sermon (Defense) • Jesus the Messiah had come to replace the temple and fulfill the law. • The temple and the law bore witness to Him (Jesus). • Saul (Paul) was probably listening to Stephen’s Sermon. Acts 7:54-56 ESV 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 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. 56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 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. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 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.
- 5. The Characteristics of Stephen 1. Choosing 2. Character 3. Courage 4. Countenance The Choosing of Stephen • The Early Church had probably 20,000+ members. • Only 7 were elected to wait on the tables. • Men of good reputation and full the Spirit and wisdom. • Stephen had been a convert from Judaism for probably 2 years (knew the Torah). • Stephen means “Victor’s crown or wreath”. The Character of Stephen • Full of God’s grace – final words were gracious. • Power to perform great wonders and signs (miracles). • Committed –strength of conviction. • Controlled temperament – calmness. The Courage of Stephen • Met the hostile world head-on. • He knew the price for his witness. • Became the 1st Martyr (means “witness”). • Was not discouraged or fearful. The Countenance (Facial Expression) of Stephen • “…like the face of an angel.” • Angels reflect the Glory of God – light. • Looked like he transcended above his situation. • Only once has God put His glory on a man’s face –Moses in Exodus 33-34. • Stephen reflected the glory of God – divine presence.
- 6. Stephen’s Final Moments of Life: Contrasts Sanhedrin Stephen • Furious. • Gnashed their teeth. • Spiritual blindness. • Hell – rage, fury, gnashing of teeth forever. • When people refuse the grace of God, they are furious with the judgment of God. • Calm – filled with Spirit. • Looked up to heaven. • Spiritual sight – God’s glory. • Heaven – Jesus welcomed him by standing. • Martyr – Dies with grace, peace and strength. “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God” • “Shekinah” – God’s glory (light, fire, clouds). • Saw what Adam and Eve saw in Garden of Eden. • Isaiah, Ezekiel, Moses, Paul, John, James and Peter. • Stephen saw Jesus is standing at the right hand. Stephen confirms Jesus’ answer before the Sanhedrin Mark 14:61b-62a ESV 61b Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" 62a And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, Acts 7:56 ESV 56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." The final fury of the Sanhedrin Acts 7:57-58 ESV 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. • Stephen sees into heaven but they cover their ears and “rush him” (involuntary scream). • Same verb to describe the pigs that Jesus cast the demons into that ran over the cliff in Matt 8:32.
- 7. Introduction of Saul (Paul) Acts 7:58b ESV 58b And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 8:1a, 3 ESV 1a And Saul approved of his execution. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. The Stoning of Stephen • The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to kill him under the Romans (Jesus was crucified by Romans instead of being stoned by Sanhedrin). • Process of Stoning: • 1st witness pushes him over a ledge. • 2nd witness throws a large stone on his chest (heart). • Others join in if not dead after this – could take up to 2 hours to die. Stephen’s Final Words/Jesus’ Final Words Acts 7:59-60 ESV 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 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. Luke 23:34, 46 ESV 34 Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Was Stephen’s death a tragedy? Yes and No! • Yes – He was killed for preaching the Gospel. • No – Acts 8:1b ESV 1b And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. • This was the catalyst for the dispersion of the church and the spread of Christianity.
- 8. God uses Stephen’s death for good • The mission of the church was to take the Gospel to the “ends of the earth”. • The death of Stephen was the trigger that fired the church out into the world. • Persecution caused Christians to flee Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria which begin to spread the Gospel. Lesson Application – Moving from Discouragement to the Courage of Stephen • Discouraged – Not approaching life with confidence and losing sight of the victory that is ours (Losing heart). • Remedy for discouragement – Learning to look at life from God’s perspective. Recognize Things That Make Us Vulnerable to Discouragement 1. Fatigue – Fatigue makes cowards of us all. • Remember you have human limits. • Set proper priorities. • Do not make big decisions when you are: • Tired, • Hungry, • or Angry. 2. Frustration – Watch for burnout. • Work and live with focus and purpose. • Live for God to be glorified in all you do. 3. Failure – Your response to failure is more important than your perceived failure. • Stephen’s life was viewed as a failure by some. • God has an eternal purpose. • Remember Romans 8:28. • Romans 8:28 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Responding to Discouragement 1. Cry out to God. 2. Continue the work God has given you to do. 3. Concentrate on the bigger picture. 4. Claim the encouragement of God’s promises. 5. Carry someone else’s burden. 6. Remember the example of Stephen.
- 9. Closing Scripture Joshua 1:9 ESV 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." The Plan of Hope & Salvation John 3:16 NKJV 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 14:6 NKJV 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Romans 3:23 NKJV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 6:23a NKJV 23a For the wages of sin is death, Death in this life (the first death) is 100%. Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the penalty for our sins. The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in Revelation 21:8. Revelation 21:8 NKJV 8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Romans 5:8 NKJV 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 6:23b NKJV 23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Revelation 21:7 NKJV 7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be overcomers.
- 10. Romans 10:9-10 NKJV 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 NKJV 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/