Standing Firm in Faith (2)

The Martyrdom of Stephen

Bible Passage: Acts 7

Introduction:

Summary: Acts 7 recounts the defense and martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who boldly proclaimed the Gospel before the Sanhedrin while recounting Israel's history, ultimately leading to his death by stoning.

We have been looking at the book of Acts for 16 weeks now. You see on the monitors that I have put together a timeline of events. I say I did it but all I did was ask Chat GPT to do it.

1.           The assentation and Matthias is chosen. Acts 1:1-26

2.           Pentecost and 3000 baptized. Acts 2:1-41

3.           Healing of the lame man. Acts 3:1-10

4.           Arrest of Peter and John Acts 4:1-22

5.           Annanias and Sapphira/ Apostles freed Acts 5:1-42

6.           Appointment of the seven Acts 6:1-7

This brings us to chapter 7 and even thought there is several sermons in this chapter alone I want to try and step through it this morning. I might cut it short if it looks like I am going to long, then we will finish it up next week.

Timeline of Acts 7

Summary Timeline Chart

Event

Verses

Key Theme

God’s call to Abraham

7:2–8

Covenant and promise

Joseph in Egypt

7:9–16

God’s presence in exile

Moses’ early life

7:17–22

God’s preservation

Moses rejected and flees

7:23–29

Israel’s rejection of deliverers

God calls Moses

7:30–34

Divine commissioning

Exodus and rebellion

7:35–43

Israel’s disobedience

Tabernacle and Temple

7:44–50

God’s transcendence

Stephen’s rebuke

7:51–53

Spiritual hardness

Stephen’s vision and death

7:54–60

Faithfulness unto death

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians to stand firm in their faith, even in the face of persecution and adversity. It highlights the importance of courageously sharing the Gospel and trusting God in difficult situations.

Big Idea: We are called to be bold witnesses for Christ, even unto death, trusting that our faithfulness will bring glory to God and may inspire others to embrace the faith.

1. God's Covenant Commences

Acts 7:1-8

They misunderstood their own spiritual roots (vv. 1-8). Stephen's address opens with "the God of glory" and closes with the glory of God (Acts 7:55); and all the time he spoke, his face radiated that same glory!

Why? Because Israel was the only nation privileged to have the glory of God as a part of its inheritance (Rom. 9:4). Alas, the glory of God had departed, first from the tabernacle (1 Sam. 4:19-22) and then from the temple (Ezek. 10:4, 18). God's glory had come in His Son (John 1:14), but the nation had rejected Him.

Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew nation, and his relationship to God was one of grace and faith. God had graciously appeared to him and called him out of heathen darkness into the light of salvation, and Abraham had responded by faith. Abraham was saved by grace, through faith, and not because he was circumcised, kept a law, or worshiped in a temple. All of those things came afterward (see Rom. 4; Gal. 3). He believed the promises of God and it was this faith that saved him.

God promised the land to Abraham's descendants, and then told Abraham that his descendants would suffer in Egypt before they would enter and enjoy the land; and this took place just as God promised. From the very beginning, God had a wise plan for His people; and that plan would be fulfilled as long as they trusted His Word and obeyed His will.

The Jews greatly revered Abraham and prided themselves in being his "children." But they confused physical descent with spiritual experience and depended on their national heritage rather than their personal faith. John the Baptist had warned them about this sin (Matt. 3:7-12) and so had Jesus (John 8:33-59). The Jews were blind to the simple faith of Abraham and the patriarchs, and they had cluttered it with man-made traditions that made salvation a matter of good works, not faith. God has no grandchildren. Each of us must be born into the family of God through personal faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:11-13).

The Jews prided themselves in their circumcision, failing to understand that the rite was symbolic of an inner spiritual relationship with God (Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4; 6:10; Acts 7:51; Gal. 5:1-6; Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11-12). Over the years, the fulfilling of ritual had taken the place of the enjoyment of reality. This happens in churches even today.

Perhaps you could start by highlighting Stephen's recounting of God's covenant with Abraham. This establishes the foundational promise of God, setting the stage for understanding faithfulness, both on God's part and ours. Emphasize how Stephen's faith mirrors Abraham's as a call to remain steadfast in God's promises, even when facing uncertainties or hostilities.

2. Joseph's Faithful Journey and Moses' Miraculous Mission

Acts 7:9-36

They rejected their God-sent deliverers (vv. 9-36). I have combined the sections dealing with Joseph and Moses because these two Jewish heroes have this in common: they were both rejected as deliverers the first time, but were accepted the second time. Joseph's brethren hated their brother and sold him into servitude, yet later he became their deliverer. They recognized Joseph "at the second time" (Acts 7:13) when they returned to Egypt for more food. Israel rejected Moses when he first tried to deliver them from Egyptian bondage, and he had to flee for his life (Ex. 2:11-22). But when Moses came to them the second time, the nation accepted him and he set them free (Acts 7:35).

These two events illustrate how Israel treated Jesus Christ. Israel rejected their Messiah when He came to them the first time (John 1:11), but when He comes again, they will recognize Him and receive Him (Zech. 12:10; Rev. 1:7). In spite of what they did to His Son, God has not cast away His people (Rom. 11:1-6). Israel today is suffering from a partial spiritual blindness that one day will be taken away (Rom. 11:25-32). Individual Jews are being saved, but the nation as a whole is blind to the truth about Jesus Christ.

Before leaving this section, we must deal with some seeming contradictions between Stephen's address and the Old Testament Scriptures.

Genesis 46:26-27 states that seventy people made up the household of Jacob, including Joseph's family already in Egypt; but Stephen claimed that there were seventy-five (Acts 7:14; and see Ex. 1:1-5). The Hebrew text has seventy in both Genesis and Exodus, but the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) has seventy-five. Where did the number seventy-five come from in the Septuagint? In their count, the translators included Joseph's grandchildren (1 Chron. 7:14-15, 20-25). Being a Hellenistic Jew, Stephen would naturally use the Septuagint. There is no real contradiction; your total depends on the factors you include.

Acts 7:16 suggests that Jacob was buried at Shechem, but Genesis 50:13 states that he was buried in the cave of Machpelah at Hebron, along with Abraham, Isaac, and Sarah (Gen. 23:17). It was Joseph who was buried at Shechem (Josh. 24:32). It is likely that the Children of Israel carried out of Egypt the remains of all the sons of Jacob, and not just Joseph alone, and buried them together in Shechem. The "fathers" mentioned in Acts 7:15 would be the twelve sons of Jacob.

But who purchased the burial place in Shechem-Abraham or Jacob? Stephen seems to say that Abraham bought it, but the Old Testament record says that Jacob did (Gen. 33:18-20). Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah (Gen. 23:14-20). The simplest explanation is that Abraham actually purchased both pieces of property and that Jacob later had to purchase the Shechem property again. Abraham moved around quite a bit and it would be very easy for the residents of the land to forget or ignore the transactions he had made.

3. Israel's Repeated Rejection

Acts 7:37-43

They disobeyed their Law (vv. 37-43). Stephen's opponents had accused him of speaking against the sacred Law of Moses, but the history of Israel revealed that the nation had repeatedly broken that Law. God gave the Law to His congregation ("church") in the wilderness at Mount Sinai, His living Word through the mediation of angels (see Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). No sooner had the people received the Law than they disobeyed it by asking Aaron to make them an idol (Ex. 32), and thereby broke the first two of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-6).

The Jews had worshiped idols in Egypt (Josh. 24:14; Ezek. 20:7-8), and after their settlement in the Promised Land they gradually adopted the gods of the pagan nations around them. God repeatedly disciplined His people and sent them prophets to warn them, until finally He carried them off to Babylon where they were finally cured of idolatry.

Acts 7:42 should be compared with Romans 1:24-28, for all of these verses describe the judgment of God when He "takes His hands off" and permits sinners to have their own way. When Stephen quoted Amos 5:25-27, he revealed what the Jews had really been doing all those years: in outward form, they were worshiping Jehovah; but in their hearts, they were worshiping foreign gods! The form of the question in Acts 7:42 demands a negative reply: "No, you were not offering those sacrifices to the Lord!"

In this day of "pluralism" of religions and an emphasis on "toleration," we must understand why God hated the pagan religions and instructed Israel to destroy them. To begin with, these religions were unspeakably obscene in their worship of sex and their use of religious prostitutes. Their practices were also brutal, even to the point of offering children as sacrifices to their gods. It was basically demon worship, and it opened the way for all kinds of godless living on the part of the Jews. Had the nation turned from the true God and succumbed to idolatry, it could have meant the end of the godly remnant and the fulfillment of the promise of the Redeemer.

God's Law was given to the Jews to protect them from the pagan influence around them, and to enable them to enjoy the blessings of the land. It was the Law that made them a holy people, different from the other nations. When Israel broke down that wall of distinction by disobeying God's Law, they forfeited the blessing of God and had to be disciplined.

4. Stephen's Stunning Sacrifice

Acts 7:51-60

They stubbornly resisted their God and His truth (vv. 51-53). This is the climax of Stephen's speech, the personal application that cut his hearers to the heart. Throughout the centuries, Israel had refused to submit to God and obey the truths He had revealed to them. Their ears did not hear the truth, their hearts did not receive the truth, and their necks did not bow to the truth. As a result, they killed their own Messiah!

The nation refused to accept the new truth that God was revealing from age to age. Instead of seeing God's truth as seed that produces fruit and more seed, the religious leaders "embalmed" the truth and refused to accept anything new. By the time Jesus came to earth, the truth of God was encrusted with so much tradition that the people could not recognize God's truth when He did present it. Man's dead traditions had replaced God's living truth (see Matt. 15:1-20).

5. Stephen the Martyr

(Acts 7:54-60)

You wonder what kind of a world we live in when good and godly men like Stephen can be murdered by religious bigots!

1. But we have similar problems in our "enlightened" age today: taking hostages, bombings that kill or maim innocent people, assassinations, and all in the name of politics or religion.

a. The heart of man has not changed, nor can it be changed apart from the grace of God.

2. What were the results of Stephen's death?

a. Stephen, death meant coronation (Rev. 2:10).

b.  He saw the glory of God and the Son of God standing to receive him to heaven (see Luke 22:69).

c. Our Lord sat down when He ascended to heaven (Ps. 110:1; Mark 16:19), but He stood up to welcome to glory the first Christian martyr (Luke 12:8).

d. This is the last time the title "Son of man" is used in the Bible.

i. It is definitely a messianic title (Dan. 7:13-14), and Stephen's use of it was one more witness that Jesus is indeed Israel's Messiah.

3. Stephen was not only tried in a manner similar to that of our Lord, but he also died with similar prayers on his lips (Luke 23:34, 46; Acts 7:59-60).

A heckler once shouted to a street preacher, "Why didn't God do something for Stephen when they were stoning him?" The preacher replied, "God did do something for Stephen. He gave him the grace to forgive his murderers and to pray for them!"

a. What a perfect answer!

4. For Israel, Stephen's death meant condemnation.

a. This was their third murder: they had permitted John the Baptist to be killed; they had asked for Jesus to be killed; and now they were killing Stephen themselves.

i. When they allowed Herod to kill John, the Jews sinned against God the Father who had sent John (Matt. 21:28-32).

ii. When they asked Pilate to crucify Jesus, they sinned against God the Son (Matt. 21:33-46).

iii. When they stoned Stephen, Israel sinned against the Holy Spirit who was working in and through the Apostles (Matt. 10:1-8; Acts 7:51).

b. Jesus said that this sin could never be forgiven (Matt. 12:31-32).

c. Judgment finally came in a.d. 70 when Titus and the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

5. For the church in Jerusalem, the death of Stephen meant liberation.

a. They had been witnessing "to the Jew first" ever since Pentecost, but now they would be directed to take the message out of Jerusalem to the Samaritans (Acts 8) and even to the Gentiles (Acts 11:19-26).

b. The opposition of the enemy helped prevent the church from becoming a Jewish "sect" and encouraged them to fulfill the commission of Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20.

Conclusion:

Finally, as far as Saul (Acts 7:58) was concerned, the death of Stephen eventually meant salvation. He never forgot the event (Acts 22:17-21), and no doubt Stephen's message, prayers, and glorious death were used of the Spirit to prepare Saul for his own meeting with the Lord (Acts 9).

God never wastes the blood of His saints. Saul would one day see the same glory that Stephen saw and would behold the Son of God and hear Him speak!

1. When Christians die, they "fall asleep" (John 11:11; 1 Thes. 4:13).

a. The body sleeps and the spirit goes to be with the Lord in heaven (Acts 7:59; 2 Cor. 5:6-9; Phil. 1:23; Heb. 12:22-23).

b. When Jesus returns, He will bring with Him the spirits of those who have died (1 Thes. 4:14), their bodies will be raised and glorified, and body and spirit will be united in glory to be "forever with the Lord."

c. Even though we Christians weep at the death of a loved one (Acts 8:2), we do not sorrow hopelessly; for we know we shall meet again when we die or when the Lord returns.

We wept when we were born though all around us smiled; so shall we smile when we die while all around us weep.

Charles Spurgeon

2. God does not call all of us to be martyrs, but He does call us to be "living sacrifices" (Rom. 12:1-2).

a. In some respects, it may be harder to live for Christ than to die for Him; but if we are living for Him, we will be prepared to die for Him if that is what God calls us to do.

In 1948, Auca martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal, "I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus." Two years later, he wrote: "I must not think it strange if God takes in youth those whom I would have kept on earth till they were older. God is peopling Eternity, and I must not restrict Him to old men and women."

Like Stephen, Jim Elliot and his four comrades were called on January 8, 1956, to "people Eternity" as they were slain by the people they were seeking to reach. What has happened to the Aucas since then is proof that the blood of the martyrs is indeed the seed of the church. Many Aucas are now Christians.

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).

Rev 2:10

10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

NIV

Luke 22:69

69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

NIV

Ps 110:1

 The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

NIV

Mark 16:19

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

NIV

Luke 12:8

 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.

NIV

Dan 7:13-14

13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

NIV

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

NIV

Luke 23:46

 Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

NIV

Acts 7:59-60

 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

NIV

1. Setting the Scene (Acts 7:1)

The high priest asks Stephen: “Are these things so?”

Stephen begins his defense speech in response to accusations of blasphemy against Moses, the Law, and the Temple (see Acts 6:11–14).

2. God’s Call to Abraham (Acts 7:2–8)

in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran.God appears to Abraham

God commands him to go to the land He would show him (Canaan).

Abraham obeys and travels to Canaan but owns no inheritance there.

Abraham’s descendants would possess the land, but first they would be enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years.God’s promise:

God establishes the covenant of circumcision.

Abraham → Isaac → Jacob → the twelve patriarchs.Line of descent:

3. Joseph and Israel in Egypt (Acts 7:9–16)

The patriarchs and sell him into Egypt.become jealous of Joseph

and grants him favor and wisdom with Pharaoh.God is with Joseph

Joseph becomes ruler over Egypt.

A strikes Canaan and Egypt.famine

Jacob sends his sons to Egypt for food; on the second visit, Joseph reveals his identity.

Jacob and his family move to Egypt (75 people in total).

Jacob dies; their bodies are later brought to Shechem.

4. Moses’ Birth and Early Life (Acts 7:17–22)

Time passes, and the .promise to Abraham draws near

The Israelites multiply in Egypt, and a new Pharaoh arises who doesn’t know Joseph.

The Egyptians oppress the Israelites and command the killing of male infants.

, described as “beautiful to God.”Moses is born

He is raised for three months by his family, then adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.

in Egyptian wisdom and becomes powerful in speech and action.Moses is educated

5. Moses’ First Attempt to Deliver Israel (Acts 7:23–29)

At age 40, Moses visits his fellow Israelites.

He kills an Egyptian who was mistreating an Israelite.

He assumes the Israelites will recognize his role as their deliverer — they do not.

The next day, he tries to reconcile two fighting Israelites, but one rejects him.

The man says, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?”

to Midian and lives there for 40 years, having two sons.Moses flees

6. God’s Call to Moses in Midian (Acts 7:30–34)

After 40 years, in the burning bush on Mount Sinai.God appears to Moses

God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God commissions Moses to lead His people out of Egypt.

God declares that He has seen the oppression of His people and is sending Moses to deliver them.

7. Moses as Deliverer and Prophet (Acts 7:35–43)

The same Moses whom Israel rejected is sent by God as .ruler and deliverer

Through miracles and wonders, he leads them out of Egypt.

He prophesies about (referring to the Messiah).“a prophet like me”

Moses receives the (Law) at Sinai.living oracles

The Israelites , turning to (the golden calf).refuse obedienceidolatry

God gives them up to worship the host of heaven (sun, moon, stars).

Stephen quotes Amos 5:25–27, reminding them that God sent Israel into exile for this idolatry.

8. The Tabernacle and the Temple (Acts 7:44–50)

The travels with Israel in the wilderness.tabernacle of testimony

Joshua brings it into Canaan.

finds favor with God and wants to build a dwelling place.David

builds the Temple.Solomon

But — Stephen quotes Isaiah 66:1–2 to show that God cannot be confined to a building.“the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands”

9. Stephen’s Accusation of the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:51–53)

Stephen turns from history to confrontation:

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears!”

They , just like their ancestors.always resist the Holy Spirit

They and (Jesus).persecuted the prophetsbetrayed and murdered the Righteous One

They received the Law through angels but .did not keep it

10. The Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:54–60)

The council becomes enraged.

Stephen, , looks to heaven and sees filled with the Holy Spiritthe glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

He declares his vision; they cry out and .stone him

The witnesses lay their garments at the feet of Saul (later Paul).

As he dies, Stephen prays:

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Stephen dies — the first Christian martyr.