TEXT: Acts 6:8-7:60; 8:2

SUBJECT: Acts 7

Today, with God's help, we'll continue our study of Acts. The theme is stated at the beginning. "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up..." The Gospels tell us what Christ did and taught while on earth. Acts picks up the story from there, and tells us what the Lord is doing and teaching from heaven.

Stephen plays an important role in today's passage, of course. But please don't occupy yourself with him. The story is about Jesus Christ. What He's doing in Stephen's life; what He's teaching in Stephen's words.

STEPHEN'S WORK, 6:8

We start with a summary of Stephen's work. A few verses before, we found out about his character. He is a man, "of good reputation, full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit". Because of these qualities, the Church selected him to serve as a deacon. Which he did with great integrity and effectiveness.

He was good at "Serving tables". But that's not all he did. He also "Performed great signs and wonders among the people". These are miracles which reveal the character of God and His redeeming work in Christ. In this way, Stephen was a witness to Christ.

And not only in this way. He was also a mighty evangelist, confronting his people with the Gospel of a Risen Lord.

CONSPIRACY, 6:9-14

This didn't sit well with everyone. Some learned rabbis challenged him to a debate.

The debate didn't turn out they way the rabbis hoped it would--"They were not able to resist the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke".

Stephen refuted them on every point and proved--from the Bible and verifiable evidence--that "Jesus is the Christ".

The rabbis didn't take defeat very well. Instead of conceding his victory, they bribed men to accuse Stephen of blasphemy. They said he spoke evil of God, Moses, the Temple and the Law.

These were crimes in Israel and punishable by death. He was taken to the Council and put on trial for his life.

THE DEFENSE, 6:15-7:53

As corrupt as the Judges were, they still permitted a man to speak in his own defense. Stephen would do that with great power and grace. But before he opened his mouth, God defended him by making "his face [shine] as an angel's"

The Rulers had never seen this before, but they had read about it...plenty. The radiant face recalled their greatest hero, Moses. His face was not naturally bright, of course, but only when coming from the Presence of God. When they saw it, they should have known his innocence and turned to his Savior.

But, of course, they didn't.

The High Priest was Annas. While looking on the radiant face, he still wants to know, "Are these things so?" Are you against God, Moses, the Temple, and the Law?

The Rulers probably want a "yes or no" answer. But Stephen gives them a whole lot more! What he does, in fact, is turn the tables on them. It is not he or the Apostles or the Church who contradict the Law, but the Jews who claim to honor it by refusing Christ.

The rejection was no new thing. God had given them other "saviors" in the past--none of whom they wanted!

As though these crimes were not bad enough, the children outdid their fathers by betraying and murdering the Messiah!

Stephen says other things, of course, but this is the gist of his sermon: God loves His people and wants to save them, but they spurn His love and kill the Savior He sends them.

This was true long ago--he says--and is still true today. Israel is "Stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears". They always "Resisted the Holy Spirit"--and still do!

They cannot honor Moses, the Law, or the Temple, without also believing in Jesus Christ, to Whom all of the above bore witness. Our Lord once said,

Now, on trial for his life, Stephen says the very same thing.

THE REACTION, 7:54,57-59.

Upon hearing this, the Courtroom erupted! Both the judges and the people flew into a rage--a guilty rage I might add. They were "Cut to the heart". Or deeply convicted by the truth that Stephen spoke.

Instead of being angry with themselves, however, they turned their rage on Stephen. At first, "they gnashed at him with their teeth", that is, they accused him of every kind blasphemy in the book.

But they didn't stop there. They were so infuriated by what he said, they plugged their ears, dragged him outside, and stoned him to death!

A Rich Young Ruler was standing by, holding the coats, and approving the violence. His name is Saul of Tarsus--a man we'll hear from later.

THE APPEAL TO HEAVEN, 7:55,59-60

A tornado of hate is tearing through Jerusalem and Stephen is in the only safe place--its eye! As they "gnash upon him with their teeth", we find him looking up and seeing "The Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God". As though to welcome an old friend.

As the hate rains down upon him, it only waters his love, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin".

On saying this, he "falls asleep"

"Safe in the arms of Jesus".

The story ends with these words,

THE MESSAGE

That's the story. It's a profile in courage. If called on to honor Christ with our lives--and deaths--we should do so with the same faith, hope, and love, that Stephen had. And expect the same happy end. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".

This is true, but not the message of the story. In light of the Book's stated purpose, we have to ask, What is Jesus doing and/or teaching here?

What He's doing is Reproducing Himself in His people.

Think of their character: Stephen--"Of good reputation and full of wisdom". Our Lord--"Which of you convicts Me of sin?" "No man ever spoke as this Man speaks".

Think of their anointing: Stephen--"Full of the Holy Spirit". Our Lord--"Spirit given to Him without measure".

Think of their works: Stephen--"Did great wonders and signs among the people". Our Lord--"When Christ comes, will He do more miracles than this Man has done?"

Think of their enemies: Stephen--ferociously opposed and illegally stoned. Our Lord--fanatically hated and crucified against the Law of God.

Think of their charity. Stephen--"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge". Our Lord--"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do".

Think of their exits from this life. Stephen--"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Our Lord, "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit".

Think of the aftermath. Stephen--"Devout men...made great lamentation over him." Our Lord--"All the people, behold what had been done, beat their breasts".

The parallels between our Lord and Stephen are not forced at all, but are obvious and intentional. The Man Luke described in his Gospel is now seen in the souls of His people.

This shouldn't surprise you. God has willed it from the beginning.

It is begun and advanced by the work of His Spirit within us.

It is never finished in this life. But will be one day. When the Lord returns, He will

This is every believer's destiny: To be like Christ! What that means, exactly, we can't say now. But we can look forward to it with great eagerness.

Someone has said, "Character is destiny". That's true, I think, but so is this: "Destiny is character". Because we will be like Christ one day, we're becoming like He is right now!

APPEAL AND CLOSE

How much like Christ are you? Not very much, I suppose. But what are you doing about it? Are you studying His life with great care? Are you praying for conformity? Are you striving to be like your Savior?

Nobody is perfectly like Christ. Stephen wasn't. But that's not the point, perfection. The point is growth--growing into the Image of God's Dear Son.

Though you're not worthy of it, Jesus Christ is willing to make you into His own Image. What a honor that is! He never offered it to angels. But he offers it to you.

Why don't you take the offer? Why don't you submit to Christ and say

"Have thine own way, Lord,

Have thine own way;

Thou art the potter,

I am the clay".

This is how God's Kingdom is advanced in the world. Not through us, but through Christ in us.

When the world looks at you, does it see your Savior? When your kids listen to you, do they hear Christ? God wants them to. Submit to His will. Right now.

And the love of God be with you. Amen.