The Stoning of Stephen
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· 1,145 viewsStephen speaks boldly before he is killed for his faith in Christ, Christ being his example in suffering for righteousness sake and loving one's tormentors
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The Stoning of Stephen
The Stoning of Stephen
What do we when life doesn’t go our way. What do we do when life is not fair? What do we do when all of our plans for tomorrow, all of our bright hopes and expectations, all of our dreams for the futures come crashing down with the certainty that they will never come true?
C.S. Lewis died in 1963, November 22nd. One hour later President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Texas. It was also the same day that Aldous Huxley, the author of the Brave New World died. The day Lewis died the last article published while he was alive was printed in the Saturday Evening Post. It was entitled “We have no Right to Happiness.” In it Lewis had written, “[‘a right to happiness’] sounds to me as odd as a right to good luck. For I believe – whatever one school of moralists may say – that we depend for a very great deal of our happiness or misery on circumstances outside all human control. A right to happiness doesn’t, for me, make much more sense than a right to be six feet tall, or to have a millionaire for your father, or to get good weather whenever you want to have a picnic.”
The same H.S. that gave boldness and courage to Stephen in his hour of death - when he died for his faith in God - that same H.S. is available to all Christians to help us live
our lives for God and when the time comes - to die for God as well.
Luke/Acts was one story - in two parts. So before we finish with our study of Stephen - I went back and chose for us some of Christ’s words that Luke had recorded in his Gospel. Listen as I read them - because they inform Stephen’s words and actions.
And he said unto all, ‘If any one doth will to come after me, let him disown himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me; for whoever may will to save his life, shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake, he shall save it; for what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having lost or having forfeited himself?
Luk
And he said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me, this person will save it. For what is a person benefited if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of this person when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some of those standing here who will never experience death until they see the kingdom of God.”
“9:23-27
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”
During this time when a crowd of many thousands had gathered together, so that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware for yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known. Therefore everything that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
“And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.”
Now someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” And he told a parable to them, saying, “The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. And he reasoned to himself, saying, ‘What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your life is demanded from you, and the things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!”
And he said to his disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not be anxious for your life, what you will eat, or for your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; to them there is neither storeroom nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you worth than the birds? And which of you by being anxious is able to add an hour to his life span? If then you are not even able to do a very little thing, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they do not toil or spin, but I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. But if God clothes the grass in the field in this way, although it is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he do so for you, you of little faith? And you, do not consider what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be anxious. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek his kingdom and these things will be added to you.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give charitable gifts. Make for yourselves money bags that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven where thief does not approach or moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“You must be prepared for action and your lamps burning. And you, be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes back and knocks, they can open the door for him immediately. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and serve them. Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find them like this, blessed are they! But understand this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think he will come.”
And Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give them their food allowance at the right time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he comes back. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time to return,’ and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will will be given a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did things deserving blows will be given a light beating. And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask him for even more.
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish that it had been kindled already! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to grant peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! For from now on there will be five in one household, divided three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
And he also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you say at once, ‘A rainstorm is coming,’ and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be burning heat,’ and it happens. Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it you do not know how to evaluate this present time?
And why do you not also judge for yourselves what is right? For as you are going with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to come to a settlement with him on the way, so that he will not drag you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff will throw you into prison. I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid back even the last cent!”
“And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.”
“I have come to bring fire on the earth—and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished! Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!For from now on there will be five in one household divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 21:36
But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.The people also stood there watching, but the rulers ridiculed him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine,and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XIII Stephen’s Martyrdom (No. 740)
I would have you observe, first, that although Stephen was surrounded by bitter enemies, no doubt railing and cavilling, and muttering their observations to disturb him and distract his mind, yet his defence is wonderfully logical, clear, consecutive, and forcible. If you read the seventh chapter through, you might think it was delivered from this pulpit to an audience as affectionate, appreciating, and attentive as you may be: it does not read like an address delivered to a furious mob of bigots, gnashing their teeth at the lone, brave man. In calm, cool, deliberate, bold, stinging language, he deals with them fearlessly and without reserve. He takes the sharp knife of the Word and rips up the sins of the people, laying open the inward parts of their hearts, and the secrets of their souls: between the joints and the marrow he deliberately inserts the two-edged sword, and discovers the thoughts and intents of their hearts. He could not have delivered that searching address with greater fearlessness had he been assured that they would thank him for the operation; the fact that his death was certain had no other effect upon him than to make him yet more zealous. What secret spirit helped him thus to speak? Had he prepared that speech with long elaboration and forethought? Had that oration been carefully composed, revised, and learned by heart? Far from it. He was not so unmindful of our Saviour’s words. “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” Seized upon, doubtless, without previous notice, and dragged before the council without being allowed a moment for deliberation, Stephen stood up and defended himself, and the truth as it is in Jesus, with all the skill of a practised debater, with all the deliberation of one laboriously prepared, and with all the vigour of one whose zeal was like a fire in his bones.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
(set stage - Stephen before the Sanhedrin - a man full of wisdom and the H.S. - things proud of and ashamed & teaching about the temple)
READ - - Talk Babylon in Acts - Damascus in Amos - could be an error on Stephen's part that Luke faithfully records, and the members of the Sanhedrin would have caught his mistake, but more likely he was summarizing history and talking about the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom along with the Babylonian conquest of the Southern kingdom - and one theologian pointed out that the listeners would have remembered that it was the Babylonians that destroyed the temple. And it all happened because God’s people wouldn’t listen when God sent them prophets.
Now - READ - Just the names David and Solomon would have made them feel pride.
Finish with - Let me ask you a question. Was Stephen’s life and early death a tragedy? Or a triumph? Now, the moment Stephen was welcomed into Heaven by Christ Himself, how do you think Stephen felt about his life?
The story of your life, like every story you’ve ever read or any movie you’ve ever seen is NOT defined by the ups and downs, it is not ultimately defined by the struggles you face or the wrong turns and dead ends. Your story will be defined by how it ends. (repeat) Will your life end with you being welcomed into paradise by the Lord? Will you hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Or will you hear Christ say, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”
Stephen’s life was victorious because of his connection to God. And his death was victorious for the same reason.
Today is a challenging message. Cannot teach about a brave martyr and NOT be challenged by his example.
The Bible called Stephen a wise man - and he gave everything for the kingdom of God.
But let’s remember, that the same H.S. that gave boldness and courage to Stephen in his hour of death - when he died for his faith in God - that same H.S. is available to all Christians to help us live our lives for God and when the time comes - to die for God as well.
What do we when life doesn’t go our way. What do we do when life is not fair? What do we do when all of our plans for tomorrow, all of our bright hopes and expectations, all of our dreams for the futures come crashing down with the certainty that they will never come true?
Luke/Acts was one story - in two parts. So before we finish with our study of Stephen - I went back and chose for us some of Christ’s words that Luke had recorded in his Gospel. Listen as I read them - because they inform Stephen’s words and actions.
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”
C.S. Lewis died in 1963, November 22nd. One hour later President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Texas. It was also the same day that Aldous Huxley, the author of the Brave New World died. The day Lewis died the last article published while he was alive was printed in the Saturday Evening Post. It was entitled “We have no Right to Happiness.” In it Lewis had written, “[‘a right to happiness’] sounds to me as odd as a right to good luck. For I believe – whatever one school of moralists may say – that we depend for a very great deal of our happiness or misery on circumstances outside all human control. A right to happiness doesn’t, for me, make much more sense than a right to be six feet tall, or to have a millionaire for your father, or to get good weather whenever you want to have a picnic.”
Stephen didn’t put his own rights first. His joy, hi
LEB
“And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.”
NET
“I have come to bring fire on the earth—and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished! Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!For from now on there will be five in one household divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
NIV
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
NET
Two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.The people also stood there watching, but the rulers ridiculed him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine,and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(set stage - Stephen before the Sanhedrin - a man full of wisdom and the H.S. - things proud of and ashamed & teaching about the temple)
READ - - Talk Babylon in Acts - Damascus in Amos - could be an error on Stephen's part that Luke faithfully records, and the members of the Sanhedrin would have caught his mistake, but more likely he was summarizing history and talking about the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom along with the Babylonian conquest of the Southern kingdom - and one theologian pointed out that the listeners would have remembered that it was the Babylonians that destroyed the temple. And it all happened because God’s people wouldn’t listen when God sent them prophets.
Now - READ - Just the names David and Solomon would have made them feel pride.
Finish with - Let me ask you a question. Was Stephen’s life and early death a tragedy? Or a triumph? Now, the moment Stephen was welcomed into Heaven by Christ Himself, how do you think Stephen felt about his life? God -thank you for a noble death. Please let my death grant courage to all the martyrs who will follow me and courage to the many millions of Christians who will live lives of faith and be strengthened by my memory.
The story of your life, like every story you’ve ever read or any movie you’ve ever seen is NOT defined by the ups and downs, it is not ultimately defined by the struggles you face or the wrong turns and dead ends. Your story will be defined by how it ends. (repeat) Will your life end with you being welcomed into paradise by the Lord? Will you hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Or will you hear Christ say, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”
Stephen’s life was victorious because of his connection to God. And his death was victorious for the same reason.
The Bible called Stephen a wise man - and he gave everything for the kingdom of God.