On Sunday mornings at Royal Palm Church we are systematically studying the Book of Acts. It was my privilege to offer a message on the witness of Stephen, the first martyr of the church.
Stephen, a Jew of Greek heritage, is called as one of seven to lead the distribution ministry of the early church. He is also an outstanding preacher and apologist for the Gospel. Consequently, the Sanhedrin becomes angered by his preaching, and Stephen is unlawfully stoned, becoming the first martyr of the early church.
As always, let me know what you think or if you have questions. And may the Lord bless you as you are obedient to him through his Word. - Kirk McCormick
“Stephen, the Scriptures, Sacrifice”
Acts 6:8-8:3
The Truth
For Israel… the truth was that she, and specifically
her so-called spiritual authorities, has consistently rejected their
God-appointed leaders in the past.
Stephen gives
Examples (chapter 7):
· Joseph
rejected by patriarchs…later to be saved by him later when
a devastating
draught hits the entire Mediterranean region
· Moses
rejected in wilderness…only to have him, later, lead Israel to the Promise Land,
yet not being able to go with them.
· Prophets
rejected…only to be vindicated by God, later, when their prophecies came true.
· Holy Spirit
resisted (7:51) by Israel because their hearts were hard against God – due
mostly to the idolatry of the Divided Kingdom
· ULTIMATELY
culminating in the rejection of Jesus…who was, as Stephen says in 7:52, “betrayed and murdered” by the Jews
** Then, as he is speaking/defending, things come to a
head starting in Acts 7:51…let’s read together…
ILL: Three Ways
people react to Holy Spirit when they are opposing him…
1.
HS can be grieved… opposition only a believer can
grieve the Holy Spirit since “Grieving” in the NT is a relationship/love-oriented
word
So
we grieve the Holy Spirit when we choose “another” way…when we do not love each
other…when we gossip, slander, mistreat each other
2.
HS can be quenched… again, only by believers because
“quenching” presupposes past activity/connection
we
were once in step with HS, but now we’re going our own way or not submitting or
allowing false teaching in the church = quenching what God wants to do.
3.
But HS can also be resisted…this is the prerogative of
the UNbeliever… by denying the Truth/teaching/authority the unbeliever resists
the way God wants things.
Point: The Sanhedrin were unbelievers – even though
they were RELIGIOUS leaders…
…they resisted the truth of the Gospel…therefore
resisting Holy Spirit himself…
…and it was THIS resistance for which Stephen was
killed
The Tragedy
1.
Stephen is stoned to death (7:59)
2.
Great persecution breaks out against the church (8:1b)
Psalm 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of
the Lord is the death of his
saints.”
The Triumph: Stephen asks God to Forgive his murderers…
while
“Saul” watches
** Stoning was a horrific way to die…
· The accused
would have his hands tied to his waist
· Then covered
with a shroud so could not see what was coming
· Taken to a
roof, twice the height of the man where he is pushed from the roof onto a pile
of stones…face first
· If this
didn’t kill him, rolled large boulders off roof – two witnesses…
· If that
didn’t do the trick, the man was turned over, exposing his head and heart, then
the two witnesses were required to throw the first stones
· If that
didn’t do the job, then the judge who pronounced the sentence, then everyone
joined in.
** Stephen died a slow, painful death… yet HIS
RESPONSE (i.e.: The Triumph) was forgiveness:
v. 60 – “Lord…do not hold
this against them.”
Point: This, my friends, is a triumph of
Faith, Forgiveness, Love…which the world does not understand.
** Stephens prayer was the seed of God’s grace being
planted into the heart of Saul…
…who later, of course, became the apostle Paul – the
apostle to the Gentiles.
** Throughout the NT the most common line about the
disposition about Jesus is… “he is seated at the right hand of God, the
Father.”
Colossians 3:1 – “Since, then, you have
been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of
God.
Q: Why do people stand if they are seated?
- notice something different, so want a
better look/view…
- sometimes it is to show respect and honor
to the one for whom we stand – like a dignitary
entering the room
- show approval/support…like casting a
vote of approval, “I’ll stand WITH you by standing
FOR you.”
Point: Jesus STANDS for Stephen rather
than remaining seating beside the Father…
…in doing so Jesus honors the words/sacrifice of
Stephen…
…in doing so Jesus stands WITH Stephen in that Triumph
of Faith
Conclusion:
** Stephen is an example of the life of a first-century
disciple:
· Telling the
Truth…
· though Vulnerable
to Tragedy
· in order to Partner
with Jesus in the Triumph
In this way, Stephen lives Jesus’ words… “greater love
has no one than this…that he lay down his life for his friends.”…
App: May we, the church, be willing to
follow Stephen’s example so we might ultimately fulfill Jesus’ words, too.
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