Second Returns & Second Chances

Introduction:

One of the things I love about being a Jesus follower is the sense of hope I live in every day. I have hope that my past sins are forgiven, God is working in my present situation, and my future is secure with the Lord forever.

Jesus made sure always to give hope to his followers.

The Hope of Christ’s Return

During Christ’s Ministry

Matthew 24:30 ESV

30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Before Jesus went to the cross.

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

At the ascension of Christ

Acts 1:10–11 ESV

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The disciples were preaching salvation for today and the Kingdom to come.

The Accusation

Acts 6:11 ESV

11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

The Illumination

Acts 6:15 ESV

15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The Power of the Spirit

Ecclesiastes 8:1 ESV

1 Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

The Presence of the Spirit

Exodus 34:29–30 ESV

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 ESV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Visitations of God

The promise of Abraham (Acts 7:1-8)

A Delayed Promise of a Kingdom

Acts 7:5–7 ESV

5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6 And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’

A Promise of a Son

Acts 7:8 ESV

8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

The Second Coming of Joseph (Acts 7:9-16)

The rejection of the Patriarchs

Acts 7:9–10 ESV

9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

The Acceptance of the Savior

Acts 7:12–13 ESV

12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh.

The Second Coming of Moses (Acts 7:17-43)

The Rejection of Isreal

Acts 7:23–25 ESV

23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.

Acts 7:27 ESV

27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?

The Acceptance of the Redeemer

Acts 7:35–36 ESV

35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.

The Promise of a Redeemer

Acts 7:37 ESV

37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’

Bible Student note: Take note of the gods in verses 40-43.

The Second Dwelling of David (Acts 7:44-50)

A Tabernacle of Flesh

Acts 7:44 ESV

44 “Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.

A Temple of Stone

Acts 7:45–50 ESV

45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, 49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

The Second Rejection of Jesus (Acts 7:51-53)

The Heart of Stone

Cold and hard to their sin and rejection

Acts 7:51–52 ESV

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,

Unrepentant and angry at the messenger, again

Acts 7:54 ESV

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.

Transition: What does it take to feel again? What does it take to receive the Savior after you have rejected?

The Heart of Flesh

Ezekiel 36:24–28 ESV

24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

The Heart of the Savior

Acts 7:55–56 ESV

55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Jesus is standing and ready to return and save them at that very moment if they would receive him.

The offer of the Kingdom was still on the table even after they had killed Jesus.

Practical Application:

Stephen spoke in the power of the Holy Spirit, full of grace and wisdom. He was not condemning them but offering them another chance to receive their King. Even though we know our sins put Jesus on the cross, His love still calls us to accept him as our King and Savior. The door is still open to receive him.

Jesus had already forgiven them.

Luke 23:34 ESV

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Steven also forgave them.

Acts 7:60 ESV

60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

R-Group Questions

As you meet in your small groups, have some discussion around these questions:

Do you feel you have a heart of stone or a heart of flesh?

Have you forgiven yourself the way Christ has forgiven you?

Are you forgiving others for the sake of the gospel message?

Are you ready to give your life for the cause of Christ so that others might be saved?