Acts 6 8-7 60
TITLE: Dying for a Cause
TEXT: Acts 6:8-7:60
OBJECTIVE: There are times when it is proper to state the truth no matter what the cost.
Communion:
Self-examination
Song
Bread
Cup
INTRODUCTION:
1. What are you willing to die for?
2. Only two people will die for you in the world-Bumper sticker
American soldier
Jesus Christ
3. Church should be a place of safety and protection.
4. World and Community are Dangerous places
5. Persecution came from many other ways.
a. Outside
b. Inside--
6. Just because you are doing God's will does not mean that all will go well
7. Stephen's sermon and stoning
I. Charges against Stephen 6:11-15
A. Speaking blasphemy-against Moses and God
Define Blasphemy—irreverent, profane,
B. Reputation is vital
1. Reputation to do God's will
2. was eager to help others
C. Root problems
1. Seeking power
2. Making things more important than God or people
3. Jealousy when others succeed
4. Not obedient to God
5. Programs more important than people
6. Death sentence on a church:
“We have never done it that way before.”
“We tried it and it did not work”
“What will __________ think of that?”
II. Stephen’s Defense
A. History of Abraham 2-8
Abraham-Genesis 11:31-12:4
Genesis 15—Covenant Land, seed, blessing
1. UràHaranàCanaan
2. Abraham’s father died, was not able to inherit the land
3. 400 years of captivity
B. Covenant of Circumcision
1. Always reminded that they belong to God
2. Isaac and Jacob circumcised
C. Joseph-Type of Christ 9-16
1. Sold because of Envy
2. God was with him
3. There was famine--Picture of Israel
4. Joseph revealed to brothers a second time as Christ will be
5. Joseph brings family to Egypt
6. Jacob died-Buried in Shechem
C. Moses 17-38
1. v. 17—Promise to Abraham
Drew near—to go and possess the Land
2. Moses-adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter
3. Moses 40 years in Egypt-killed an Egyptian
4. Rejected by Israelite brothers-40 years in wilderness
5. Angel appeared at age 80-burning bush-holy ground
6. Moses-rejected by people, God chose to rule & redeem-v. 35
7. Lead Israel out of Egypt
8. 40 years in Wilderness again
9. v. 39-40 Moses, you rejected-Going back to Egypt
10. Golden calf-v. 41
11. Worshiped Moloch and Remphan 42-43
11. Made a tabernacle, then a Temple,
God does not dwell in temples made by men v. 48-51
12. Lesson—Application Acts 7:51-53
You Sanhedrin are doing the same thing
III. Stephen is stoned to death 54-8:1
A. Reason for stoning
1. They were convicted of sin
2. They realized that what Stephen said was true
3. They refused to obey the truth
4. What causes anger?
--Making me look foolish
--Taking some of my "rights away"
B. Saul agreed to the stoning 8:1
Conclusion:
How will you respond when lied about for the cause of Christ?
1. What do we do when trouble comes?
Divide or unite us?
2. Weaken us or strengthen us?
3. Help us or hinder us
4. Trials make us better or bitter
--Our reaction to the trials makes all the difference
--Heb 12:1-3
Look unto Jesus and remember Him—Died for us
Hebrews 12:14-16
Use the Grace of God already here
Philippians 2:13 HCSB 13 For it is God who is working in you, ⌊enabling you⌋ both to will and to act for His good purpose.
Philippians 2:13 NLT 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
OR ELSE
