Stephens Message pt 1 Acts 7 1 14

Stephen’s Message pt. 1 / Acts 7: 1 -14

The Man Act 6: 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

The Mischief Makers 6: 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

The Mischief Makers 6: 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 6: 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

The Mischief Makers 6: 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

Key Point #1 When your mistakes feel monumental, then Satan is the victor. .

Key Point #2 When your mistakes feel miniscule in light of redemption - then you are the victor.

The Mischief Makers Their Accusations 6: 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

The Mischief Makers Their Accusations 6: 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. - Blasphemy against God because he assaulted the Temple Jhn 2: 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

The Mischief Makers Their Accusations 6: 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. - Blasphemy against God because he assaulted the Temple - Blasphemy against Moses because his words against religious customs

The Mischief Makers Stephen’s Countenance 6: 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Key Point #3 The countenance of your face always reveals the state of your heart

Jas 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Stephen was not concerned with an acquittal. He knew the character and determination of his foes. He was a marked man. His concern was to unravel the false from the true in the twofold charge laid against him and also to show the true nature of Christianity. - John Phillips

The Message Abraham Act 7: 1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? 2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

The Message Abraham Act 7: 1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? 2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

Key Point #4 The resurrection of Jesus Christ signified the end of institutional religion and the beginning

1 Pe 2: 9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

The Message Abraham 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. 4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. 5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, not [so much as] to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.

1 Pe 2: 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Heb 11: 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

The Message Abraham 6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat [them] evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

Key Point #5 The mature minister’s endurance is sourced in their capacity to believe God’s promises.

The Message Joseph 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob; and Jacob [begat] the twelve patriarchs. 9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, 10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers first. 13 And at the second [time] Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. 14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

Gen 50: 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

Key Point #6 With rejection comes rejoicing. With refusal comes revival

Key Point #7 A mature minister accepts rejection as a way of life knowing what it reaps