Address of Stephen Before the Council
Acts 7 : 1 – 8 (Linked)
Stephen launched into a lengthy sermon in response to the high priests before the council. He focused on four main epochs of Israel’s history, each one with the major character. God in the old Testament is a living God, moving along with the people.
ABRAHAM’S REWARDS
* Stephen focused on Abraham first.
* Abraham’s obedience made the Hebrews to get the promised land.
* Abraham was rewarded with a land.
* Abraham was rewarded with a child of his own.
* Abraham was rewarded with the descendants too numerous.
GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM
* The covenant of circumcision was established through Abraham.
THE PROPHECY OF GOD
* God also shared with Abraham what would happen to the next phase of history – Slavery in Egypt.
Address of Stephen Before the Council
Acts 7: 9 – 19 (Linked)
As Stephen was sermonising, he passed on to Joseph who was sold to Egypt, but God was with him.
THE STORY OF JOSEPH
* It was thanks to Joseph’s obedience that Israelites didn’t starve during a seven year famine.
* Joseph was made known to his brothers, who sold him to Egypt and to his father.
* After four hundred years in Egypt, however, descendants had grown into an immense force.
* It was the promise of God to Abraham that his descendants would increase like the stars of the sky.
* At this point of time, the immense force of Israelites threatened the Egyptian leaders, who no longer remembered Joseph.
* The Egyptian leaders treated the Israelites treacherously and oppressed them.
* As a result, the Israelites were enslaved.
Address of Stephen Before the Council
Acts 7: 20 – 43 (Linked)
Next Stephen recounted the story of Moses. God told Abraham that his descendants would become the slaves in Egypt. God would also punish the nation that enslaved the Israelites.
THE RELUCTANT LEADER – MOSES
* Thanks to Moses’ reluctant obedience that the Israelites at last departed from Egypt.
(Of course after numerous trials and lapses of faith, finally reached the Promised Land.
* Had Moses’ parents obeyed Pharaoh’s instructions, Moses would have been put to death as an infant.
* But God made him to grow up as Pharaoh’s grandson.
* Moses spent forty years in the palace, forty years in the wilderness and forty years leading his people.
* The final forty years were especially challenging because the people continually complained.
* The Israelites even built a golden calf as soon Moses left them to meet God for a while.
Address of Stephen Before the Council
Acts 7: 44 – 53 (Linked)
Stephen considered David and Solomon next in his speech. During their wilderness years and early days in the Promised Land, the Israelites had a portable tabernacle. The priests were conducting the services and the people worshipped and offered sacrifices.
DAVID’S DESIRE DENIED
* But David wanted to build a permanent structure for God.
* The request was denied. Instead, God allowed Solomon to build the temple.
* But God can not be limited to any physical space – not even a temple dedicated in His name.
* Yet people denied the Holy Spirit; persecuted the prophets and betrayed and murdered the Just One.
The First Martyr : The first mention of Saul (Paul)
Acts 7: 54 – 60 – (Linked)
The climax of Stephen’s sermon made the council members to react furiously.
WHAT DID STEPHEN SEE?
*He saw a vision of God
*He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
WHAT DID STEPHEN DO?
* He described Jesus aloud.
* He repeated Jesus’ phrase ‘Son of Man’
* He knelt down and prayed in a loud voice to forgive the killers.
WHAT DID HIS VISION INDICATE?
*Jesus was waiting to receive Stephen into His presence.
* It indicated the death of Stephen.
THE MEMBERS OF THE SANHEDRIN were…….
* obstinate as their fathers.
* unclean before God as the uncircumcised Gentiles.
* rejecting the Holy Spirit and there by resisting the spirit of the messengers and their messages.
SAUL’S FIRST APPEARANCE
* Saul was near to the place where the action was happening.
* He was holding the clothes of the killers and pulling them back.
* His action reflected his involvement in the sordid affair.
Lets pray……
Lord, let us feel Your presence around us always.
Lord, let’s become Your chosen people, not become the slaves of ungodly people and let’s hold on to You stedfastly.
Lord, give us the sincere leaders to follow.
Lord let’s always welcome the Holy Spirit, His Prophets and the Just One, who came as a Saviour in our hearts.
Lord, have mercy on us who sinned against You. Amen.
Glory be to God
0
0
0
0
0
0