SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 The religion of

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 The religion of Christ grew rapidly ² About 3, 000, Acts 2: 41 ² About 5, 000, Acts 4: 4 ² Great impact ² Angered Jews, Acts 4: 1 -3 ² Apostles threatened & beaten, Acts 4 & 5 ² Many priest converted, Acts 6: 7

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 It can still have a great impact ² Gospel still has power ² Resistance will occur ² We must press on

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Background Sermon Results

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Background Stephen defended the gospel, Acts 6: 8 -10 ² Well-respected Christian, Acts 6: 1 -6 ² Taught & confirmed the truth ² Defended against attacks

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Background Falsely charged with blasphemy, Acts 6: 11 -15 ² Malicious motives ² Charges: true & false • Destruction of Temple, Mt. 24: 1, 2 • Change of the Law, Heb. 7: 12 -14 • Did not blaspheme

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Background We may be falsely accused ² Husband is head of wife, Eph. 5: 22 -24 ² Denounce same-sex marriage, Gen. 2: 18 -24

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Sermon God’s dealings with the fathers, Acts 7: 2 -8 ² Belief in God ² Belief in His promises ² Belief in fulfillment Scripture Filled!

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Sermon Rejection of Joseph, Acts 7: 9 -16 ² Envy & wicked deeds, cf. Mk. 15: 9, 10 ² Rejected by men ² Exalted by God, Gen. 39 -41 ² Deliverer, Gen. 42 -50

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Sermon Rejection of Moses, Acts 7: 17 -43 ² Rejected by his brethren, 7: 17 -29 ² Exalted by God, 7: 30 -37 • Deliverer, Ex. 12 -14 • Law giver, Exodus – Deuteronomy • God’s choice, cf. 1 Pt. 2: 4 -8 • Another Prophet – God’s choice

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Sermon Rejection of Moses, Acts 7: 17 -43 ² Israel continued to rebel, 7: 37 -43 • Prophet ignored • Golden calf • Idolatry adopted, cf. Amos 5: 25 -27

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Sermon Temple not sacred, Acts 7: 44 -50 ² Tabernacle then Temple ² Change made • Location irrelevant, Jn. 4: 20 -24 • God not in buildings • Destruction of Temple not out of line

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Sermon Application, Acts 7: 51 -53 ² Council ² Us…do we resist the Spirit? • Reject baptism • Deny one true church • Get intoxicated • Use foul language

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Results Stephen’s death, Acts 7: 54 -60 ² Cut to the heart, Heb. 4: 12; Acts 2: 37 ² Courage from heaven ² Stoned ² Prayer

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 Results Persecution of the church, Acts 8: 1 -4 ² Condemn Stephen for this? ² Gospel taught in new places

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 The religion of Christ grew rapidly ² About 3, 000, Acts 2: 41 ² About 5, 000, Acts 4: 4 ² Great impact ² Angered Jews, Acts 4: 1 -3 ² Apostles threatened & beaten, Acts 4 & 5 ² Many priest converted, Acts 6: 7

SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 7 It can still have a great impact ² Gospel still has power ² Resistance will occur ² We must press on