Trouble Brewing

Last week we met this group of men who were “set apart” for service

Though the service—seeing to the needs of the widows—was specific, their requirement for selection was even more specific 6:3 gives us...

…men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom...

Here, for a short period of time, the action shifts from the apostles as a group, even the church as a whole, to one man, Stephen, the first man in the list of chosen, set-apart servants

The account of Stephen starts with a flourish…and then we’ll watch over the next few weeks as the trouble brews for Stephen…as he recites the history of the Jewish people…and draws then a conclusion they cannon bear

Stephen’s Standing

A man

...full of faith and of the Holy Spirit..

That from v. 5

Full of grace and power

It follows that grace and power only come to those full of the Holy Spirit

This will show us…should show us....that without faith, there is no action of the Holy Spirit

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11)

Doing great signs and wonders among the people (v.8)

The words used here are most often used in both the OT and NT to describe events which were clearly acts done in the power, and showing the divine nature, of God

Stephen was the first non-apostle to be noted as being the workers of miracles

Spoke with such wisdom and power, those against him could not withstand, I read as could not refute what he had to say

Stephen’s Critics

Synagogue of the Freedmen—slaves taken to Italy, freed because their religious devotion made them of no value as slaves

NOTE: some translations, make this synagogue a compilation of those listed following them; ESV gets it right

The Cyrenians—from the north coast of Africa

The Alexandrians—then the capital of Egypt

The Cilicians and Asians—western portion of current Turkey; Paul associated with Cilicia

All of them rabble-rousers, instigating problems for Stephen

The could not withstand the power and wisdom with which Stephen spoke; had to resort to recruiting liars to push their claims against Stephen

The Council—the Sanhedrin, the ruling council for Jewish affairs within Palestine,

A government within the government

“a group consisting of priests and religious teachers who meet to decide on legal matters with religious, political, and social ramifications”

This is the same body—more or less—that took Jesus to Pilate to have Him condemned to be crucified

In absence of the facts, they had resorted to mob justice

If you read through all of chapter 7…and further…you’ll soon see that the purpose of bringing Stephen here was not much more than a glorified lynch-mob, using the council to validate what they wanted to do

The accusation: Stephen said that he blasphemed Moses and God (seems to worry more about Moses(?))

That he spoke against “this holy place” and the Law

That he claimed Jesus would destroy “this place” and change the customs of Moses

The threat of destroying the temple echos the solicited statements at Jesus’ trial before the Council (Mk. 14.58)

Which was a misquote of Jesus’ words in John 2:18-19 “So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”” Not a reference to the physical temple; but to His body, (most scholars)

As for destroying the Law of Moses: Matt 5 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Stephen’s Demeanor

Thus far, we see no record of Stephen making any statement or taking any action in his own defense

He was the victim of mob action, yet remained calm

When pulled before the council, he was noted as having the face of an angel

Many different thoughts:

Some suggest the face of one who has been in the presence of God, as Moses, as Jesus Himself at the transfiguration—might make sense

Or, others suggest the absolute calmness and presence that comes with delivering the message of God; also makes sense

Either way, there was a visible manifestation of something other than earthly man about him

…and that’s all before he opened his mouth to speak

WITFM?

First Lesson

If we’re out doing God’s work, we must expect adversaries

The words of Jesus warn us

Matthew 5:10–11 ESV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

That certainly was prophetic for Stephen

Some additional words from Peter

1 Peter 4:12 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

We might ask the question: Are you being persecuted? Really?

Our persecution is NOT NEARLY what others suffer, if we suffer at all

Second Lesson

Liars, rabble-rousers and mobs are often found together

We saw that in our text this morning

We saw that in the Gospels with the treatment of Jesus

We have seen it already in Acts and will see more of it as the account unfolds

Third Lesson

If you think it’s not happening, you’re doing an ostrich imitation!

Who gets the most criticism in the world—those espousing a Biblical worldview…even a conservative worldview that leans to Judeo-Christian values

If you can stomach it, pay attention to a mix of media source

Watch what happens

Dr. Jordan Peterson—not a Christian, by our understanding; but has to be retrained to keep his certification as a clinical psychologist (Canadian); over the matter of transgenderism

California—if you disagree with your child’s sexual identity you may lose custody

Coco Gauff—tennis sensation, praying after winning a major tournament…waiting for that to unfold a bit

Fourth Lesson

Expect lies and half-truths

Can we trust anyone anymore?

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story &

Never let a good story get in the way of your agenda (Bob Chatt)

Final Lesson

Hold fast to Scripture; it and it alone is absolute truth

John 8:32 ESV

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Why did I chose two illustrations of a hot-button topic?

The issue at hand in them is a key Biblical issue

The matter of gender, all matters regarding sexuality are a matter of the Image of God

Laid out in Gen 1 27

Genesis 1:27 ESV

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

The truth is being attacked at its very foundation

…and then there is the matter of truth as Stephen was going to address: the truth regarding Jesus

We’re often asked to believe a distorted truth

Jesus came to save us from our sins, is truth

We needed salvation because we’re sinners, is truth

There is no other way to Heaven without Jesus, is truth

Without Jesus, we’re bound to Hell. is truth

Each of those statements is being compromised

To stand on the truth of Christ might be risky

We may face ridicule, maybe even a measure of persecution

But, We Must Stand on Truth

Know the truth of Scripture—it will make you free

Stand on the truth of Scripture