Hope Is Alive - PROCLAIM

Bradley

Book of Acts - Easter Series • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Today we are picking back up in our Easter Series, “HOPE IS ALIVE” as we continue in the NT book of Acts, specifically .

If you haven’t been with us, here at MCF we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”. What that means is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible, and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to understand what God’s Word means in our lives today.

With that said, for the last several months we have been doing that through the NT book of Acts. A book that tells us how the church started and in many ways gives a template for how God intends for the church to function in order to accomplish the mission of taking the Gospel to the entire world.

So, if you haven’t been with us, I would encourage you to go online to www.mcf.life, where you can listen to all of the messages leading up to today.

Today as we come back to the book of Acts, we find ourselves once again in as a man named Stephen is presenting the gospel to a group of Jewish religious leaders known as the Sadducees. A religious group that were very much opposed to the message of the gospel and were determined to stop the early church movement.

And as a result, Stephen’s interaction with this group isn’t going to end well. In fact, by the time Stephen finishes sharing his faith, these religious leaders will have stones in their hands and Stephen will become the first Christian martyr in church history as he is stoned to death.

So, a good question might be, “What is it that Stephen is saying that is making the Sadducees so angry?”

Well, to put it simply, Stephen is attempting to lead them to Jesus as he proclaims the gospel. And he’s doing it by telling the story of God’s plan for man’s redemption. A story that begins in Genesis 17 with a man named Abraham and ends with the death and resurrection of a savior named Jesus.

And as a result, what we’ve learned

Because what he’s trying to help them see is that God had a plan for man’s redemption. A journey so to speak. A journey that began with Abraham and ended with Jesus. A journey of faith.

And by telling the story, his hope is to help these religious leaders see is that the history of Israel is actually God’s plan for man’s redemption. That God used the nation of Israel to bring about the salvation of mankind. And like any history story, it’s a journey. A journey that starts with a promise of redemption and leads too faith in Jesus.

So, why would the world be blessed? The world would be blessed because through the offspring of Abraham God was going to raise up a future redeemer. Someone who would solve man’s sin problem and restore man’s relationship with God. A redeemer you and I know as Jesus Christ.

And so, as we saw a few weeks ago, Stephen starts with Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, as God makes a promise to Abraham that through his offspring, the entire world would be blessed. Blessed because through the nation of Israel, the promised savior of mankind would come.

So, a good question might be, “How does this story apply to us?”

And as we learned, It applies to us in the same way. Because their story is our story as well. Because God’s promise of redemption too Abraham wasn’t just for the Jewish people, it was for the entire world. For anybody that would put their faith in Jesus. God puts it like this in as He talks to Abraham:

Genesis 22:18 ESV

18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

So, Stephen begins with the promise God made too Abraham.

He then continues the journey as he moves to one of Abraham’s future offspring, a young man named Joseph, the youngest of 12 brothers, which as we learned a couple of weeks ago, was sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery. But as we saw in week 1 of our Easter focus, Joseph’s uncomfortable circumstances served a divine purpose.

Because in what seemed like a hopeless situation for Joseph, God used Joseph’s bondage to prepare him and position him to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. A position that allowed him to help his family in a great time of need. Stephen retells the story like this:

Acts 7:11–14 ESV

11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 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. 14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all.

Acts 7:11-

Stephen reminds the religious leaders that the journey towards the promise continued as God prepared and positioned Joseph to save his family from certain starvation. And as a result, Abraham’s offspring, 75 in all at the time, moved to Egypt where Joseph took care of them so that the journey towards the promise could continue.

From Joseph, Stephen then jumps 430 years into the future as he reminds the religious leaders of another descendent of Abraham’s that God used, a man named Moses.

And as we learned, in order to lead us to the promise, like Joseph, sometimes we have to unplug from the

And as we learned last week, when Moses was born, he was born during a time of great oppression and hopelessness for the Jewish people. Stephen explains it like this:

Acts 7:17–19 ESV

17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive.

Stephen reminds the religious leaders that over the course of 430 years, the people of Israel multiplied greatly in Egypt. In fact, most scholars believe there were probably around 2.5 million Jewish people living in Egypt at this point.

And as a result, instead of being a blessing to Egypt, they had become a threat. And so instead of treating the Jewish people kindly, he turned them into slaves and attempted to slow their birth rate by instituting a mandate that when a Jewish male child was born, it was to be immediately killed. And this is where Moses comes in as Stephen reminds them:

“At this time Moses was born...” (ESV)

Acts 7:20 ESV

20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house,

And as we learned, God had a plan for Moses. A plan that involved Moses being miraculously spared from death so that one day he could lead the Jewish people out of Egyptian bondage. Stephen said it happened like this:

Acts 7:21 ESV

21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.

Acts 7:

Stephen reminds the religious leaders that when Moses was born, he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, who instead of killing him, took pity on him, and raised Moses as her own son.

And as a result, God’s man is now positioned to help deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. But before Moses could be used by God, he had to be prepared. A preparation that would involve three seasons of preparation.

The first season was one of grace and blessing as Moses grew in knowledge, wisdom, and success in the Royal palace. Stephen explains this season like this:

Acts 7:22 ESV

22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

The second season was what you might call a wilderness season. Stephen says this season began as Moses got ahead of God’s plan and in his zeal took it upon himself to deliver the Jewish people. An attempt that backfired on him. Stephen puts it like this:

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 7:23-

Acts 7

Stephen says in his zeal to deliver his people, Moses got ahead of God’s plan. And as a result, Moses had to go through a period of wilderness hardship in order to learn to depend on God. Because when word got back to Pharoah that Moses had killed an Egyptian, Pharoah retaliated against Moses. We can read about it in the OT book of :

“When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian.” (ESV)

So because he got ahead of God’s plan, Moses will spend the next 40 years in the wilderness as God humbles him and prepares him to do only what God can do through him.

Which led us to the third season of Mose’s journey. We called that season a season of renewal. Because after 40 years, Moses was ready to trust and be used by God. And so in a burning bush moment, God appears to Moses and renews his plan and purpose for Moses’s life. Stephen tells it like this:

Acts 7:30–31 ESV

30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord:

He goes on to say:

Acts 7:30-

Acts 7:34 ESV

34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

Acts 7:34

So, with the wilderness behind him, Moses is now ready to be used by God and God is ready to use Him.

So, how does this apply to us? As we learned, it applies in the same way. Because just like it was for Moses, our spiritual journey consists of seasons.

Seasons of preparation and development.

Seasons where through blessing, wilderness experiences, and times of renewal, God prepares us to be used by Him.

It’s a part of the faith journey.

And while none of us like wilderness seasons, it’s seasons like that where we learn to trust and depend on God in ways we never have. Because in order to accomplish God’s plan, we need more than zeal. We need to learn to depend on God to do what only God can do through us.

And now, with the wilderness behind him, Moses steps into God’s plan for his life, and this where we pick up today as Stephen continues to tell the story and we enter another stage of the faith journey. A stage we’re going to call “Proclaim”.

But before we get to our passage for today, I want to begin by building some framework for what we are about to read today. So, to do that, I want to begin by asking you a couple questions. Questions that I think most of us can relate with . The first question is this:

First Question - Have you ever been in a situation where you received exciting news and you couldn’t wait to proclaim it to others?

And when I say “proclaim”, I’m talking about enthusiastically sharing something with others because you’re excited about it or they need to know about it.

For example:

Maybe you got a promotion or big raise at work and you couldn’t wait to proclaim it to friends and family.

Maybe you and your spouse found out the sex of your soon to be born baby, and you couldn’t wait to proclaim it on Facebook.

Maybe your kid got accepted to a prestigious school, and you couldn’t wait to proclaim it to friends and family.

Maybe you and your spouse found out the sex of your soon to be born baby, and you couldn’t wait to proclaim it.

Or maybe for some of you, you went out to eat, and your meal was so amazing you had to take a picture of it and proclaim it on Facebook.

Maybe your kid got accepted to a prestigious school, and you couldn’t wait to proclaim it.

Or maybe for some of you, you went out to eat, and your meal was so amazing you had to take a picture of it and proclaim it on Facebook.

I’m sure if we all think about it, there have been moments in our life when we were excited enough about something that we proclaimed it.

Second Question - Have you ever been asked to proclaim exciting news on behalf of someone else?

For example:

Maybe you found out your son or daughter was getting married, or they were having a baby, and they asked you to proclaim it to family and friends.

Or maybe you’re a supervisor or manager at your workplace, and your boss is giving out bonuses to all the employees, and he/she has asked you to proclaim it and make it known to all the other employees.

Or maybe somebody posted something on Facebook they felt was important, and they asked you to “share” it as a way of proclaiming its importance to others.

Or maybe somebody posted something on Facebook they felt was important, and they asked you to “share” as a way of proclaiming its importance to others.

Again, I think if we all think about it, at some point we’ve all proclaimed something on behalf of someone else.

I ask you to consider these questions, because as we come back to today, God has given Moses some exciting news to proclaim to the Jewish people. News that is going to change their lives forever. News that is going to bring hope into what appears to be a hopeless situation.

News that we need to understand and proclaim as well if we want to bring HOPE into our lives and the world we live in.

So, to help us get an understanding of what is going on in this passage and how it applies to us, I have three goals:

First, we’re going to read through our passage for today so we can get some context.

Second, we’re going to walk back through the passage and get a better understanding of what Moses is proclaiming and why it brings HOPE.

Finally, we’re going to talk about how Mose’s mission of proclamation applies to us.

So, with that as our basis, let’s pick back up in as Stephen continues his story of redemption. Picking back up in verse 35, Stephen says:

Acts 7:35-

Acts 7:35–38 ESV

Acts 7:35–50 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. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ 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. 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?’

After reminding the religious leaders of how God raised up and prepared Moses, Stephen now reminds them of the mission God had given Moses. A mission of proclamation. And from this passage, Stephen highlights three facts concerning Moses mission of proclamation:

Fact #1 - Moses was a messenger of HOPE sent by God.

This is an important reminder that Stephen gives us about Moses. Because if you recall, the first time Moses tried to deliver the people, it didn’t go well.

That’s why Stephen says, “This Moses, whom they rejected...” And what Stephen is referring to is the incident that took place 40 years prior when Moses, in his zeal, got ahead of God’s plan, and prematurely killed an Egyptian man for beating some Jewish slaves.

Stephen summed it up like this back in verse 24:

Acts 7:24–27 ESV

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. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?

Acts 7:24–25 ESV

Acts 7:24-

So, a good question might be, “Why does Stephen bring this mishap up again? Why focus back on Mose’s mistake and the people’s rejection of Moses?”

A few reasons.

First, it reminds us that even though Moses messed up, God wasn’t done with Moses. And I think that’s a great reminder for all of us. Because in our faith journey, all of us are going to make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean God is done with us.

Second, it emphasizes that while the people had rejected Moses in the past, it didn’t negate the fact that Moses was God’s man.

How do we know? We know because 40 years later God renewed Moses’s calling and purpose at the burning bush. That’s why Stephen goes on to say:

Acts 7:35 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.

Acts 7:35

This is a really important point, because

You see, what Stephen is reminding these religious leaders of, is that while the people had rejected Moses in the past, that God is the one who decides who He uses, not the people.

Because in that moment of intervention, Moses was trying

Which again, is good news for all of us. Because regardless of your past failures or what people think of you are capable of or not capable of, the only thing that matters is what God thinks your capable of.

So, that’s the first reason Stephen brings this up.

Third, this would have been a little bit of a smack in the face to these religious leaders. Because what Stephen is implying here is that they are guilty of the same thing. Because the fact is, God had sent them a messenger as well. In fact, someone greater than Moses. And His name was Jesus. The writer of Hebrews puts it like this:

Hebrews 3:3 ESV

3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.

The writer says Jesus was greater than Moses. Which again would have been insultive to these religous leaders who for the most part idolized Moses.

But like their ancestors who initially didn’t see Moses as God’s messenger, they didn’t recognize or see Jesus as a deliverer either. So, they said, “Jesus, who made you ruler and judge?”, and they rejected Him. In fact, they crucified Him.

But regardless of their rejection of Jesus, it didn’t dismiss the fact that Jesus was who He said He was and that God had sent Him.

How do we know? Because God declared it, not at a burning bush, but at a baptism. In , Matthew records it like this:

Matthew 3:16–17 ESV

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17 ESV

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3

And that’s why Jesus could later say:

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

In that moment, God put his stamp of approval on Jesus. So, regardless of the people’s acceptance of Jesus or not, it didn’t really matter. Because God had sent Him, and God had ordained Him. Jesus was God’s chosen messenger and redeemer.

The bottom line is this, God is the one who decides who the messenger is, not the people.

Now, here’s the application for us:

Application #1 - If you’re a Christian, you’re a messenger of HOPE sent by God.

I know we don’t typically view ourselves like this, but when you put your faith in Jesus, you automatically became His messenger. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us...” (ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 ESV

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 corinthians 2:20-21

Paul says as a Christian, you are now an ambassador of Christ. You have been sent by God.

Why is this important for us to understand. Two reasons:

First, it’s a reminder that as Christians God didn’t just save us so we could ride the cruise ship of Christian comfort until Jesus comes back. The fact of the matter is, God has given us a mission. Like Moses, God has raised us up for a greater purpose. God has called us to proclaim the Gospel. Jesus Himself said it. Before He ascends into heaven He tells His disciples.

Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Jesus has given us a message to proclaim.

Second, it’s important to remember when you proclaim the Gospel, you’re proclaiming it to a world that has largely rejected Jesus. A world that is desperately trying to find hope and salvation in someone else, something else, or somewhere else.

Trying to find hope in a relationship with another person.

Trying to find hope in material possessions.

Trying to find hope in a career or position.

A world that is trying to find hope in someone, something, or somewhere else.

Trying to find hope in an addictive substance.

Trying to find hope in a career or position.

Trying to find hope in an addictive substance.

Trying to find hope in anything and everything but Jesus.

And because they’ve rejected Him, and because you’re His messenger, they will most likely reject you as well. And that can be discouraging. Especially when you are rejected by those you care most about.

For Moses, it was his fellow Jewish brothers. for Jesus, it was His own people and people who had followed Him. And for you and I, it may be an actual brother, sister, or friend who rejects what you have to say.

But what you have to remember in those moments of rejection is, regardless of what man may say or think, it doesn’t negate the fact that you are a messenger, sent by God, to proclaim a message of HOPE. That God has ordained you to proclaim his message of HOPE.

And that regardless of their rejection, it doesn’t negate the fact that God has sent you.

So, Stephen says, “Regardless of their rejection, Moses was God’s man.” And like Moses, if you’re a Christian, you are God’s man or woman, the one God has chosen to proclaim His message of HOPE. And we can either embrace that or run from it. I would encourage you to embrace it.

Matthew 3:16–17 ESV

So, a great question would be, “How does that work? How do we go about proclaiming a message HOPE?”

This leads us to the second fact concerning Moses’s proclamation.

And that’s why Jesus could later say:

Fact #2 - God worked through Moses to deliver His message of HOPE.

Stephen goes on to say:

Luke 4:18 ESV

Acts 7:36–37 ESV

36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

After establishing that Moses is God’s man for the job, Stephen goes on to remind the religious leaders that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt as God worked through Moses. So, how did God work through Moses?

He did it in two specific ways:

So, how did Moses do it? He did it in two specific ways as God worked through him.

And to be honest, this is something Moses had to trust God on, because at first he struggled with this. Listen to what the writer of Exodus tells us about Moses doubts:

First, with WORDS that God spoke through him.

First, He did it with words that God had given him. Listen to what God tells Moses in prior to his arrival in Egypt to deliver the people.

And to be honest, this is something Moses had to learn to trust God on, because at first Moses struggled with this. Listen to what the writer of Exodus tells us about Moses doubts concerning the mission God was sending him on:

Exodus 4:10 ESV

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

The writer says when God tells Moses to go back and Egypt and tell the people of Israel that God has heard their cry, Moses is hesitant. And he’s hesitant because he’s not sure what he’s going to say. So, he says to God, “God I’m not sure if I’m the best man for the job. I’m not very good at convincing people. I don’t think good on my feet. I think you have the wrong guy.”

Have you ever felt that way? You wanted to share your faith, but you were afraid you’d do it wrong or say it wrong? Moses struggled with that.

Listen how God responds to Moses’s concern. God says:

Exodus 4:11–12 ESV

11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

As you can tell, this is a little bit of a rebuke from God as God reminds Moses of whose going to be doing the talking. Moses thought it would be him, but God says, “No Moses, I’m the one who will be speaking through you. I’ll give you the words to say. Yes, your mouth will be moving, but it will be my Words coming out.” God says, “Moses, you’re just the mouth piece that I’m going to use to speak HOPE to the people.”

And that’s exactly what God does. Listen to what the writer of Exodus tells us:

“Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses...And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.” (ESV)

So, using Mose’s mouth, God speaks HOPE to the people of Israel as He promises their soon deliverance, and the people believed. Moses thought he was going to have to write a speech or memorize some verbiage, but God said, “No, Moses, I’ll do the talking.”

Second, he did it with SIGNS that God worked through him.

Like I said, at first, Moses struggled believing that God was going to speak through him. So to help Moses with his doubts, God also told Moses He would work Signs through him. Listen to how the writer of Exodus describes it:

Exodus 4:1–9 ESV

1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’ ” 2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

Exodus 4

In addition to the promise of WORDS, God promises He will also work miraculous SIGNS and wonders through Moses.

And while we don’t have time to look at how this all played out, Moses will in fact perform these signs for the people of Israel in order to solidify that God had sent Him and too further embolden their HOPE that God is going to deliver them.

So, at this point, a good question might be, “Why is Stephen reminding the religious leaders of this?”

Here’s why. Because while they knew the story of how God spoke through and worked through Moses to physically deliver the people from Egyptian bondage, what they had missed is that God had taken it a step further when it came to delivering mankind from the bondage of sin.

Because in order to deliver us from the bondage of sin, God didn’t just speak or work through a human being. No, God sent His Son. God himself came down into our mess, into our bondage, and He spoke words of life and HOPE. And not only that, He performed miraculous signs and wonders to solidify that HOPE. That’s why Jesus says in :

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

Luke 4:17–19 ESV

17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

God came down in human form, and He proclaimed the good news of liberty from sin, and he performed signs and wonders as he gave sight to the blind, and in the end, he set the captives free. The writer of Hebrews puts it like this:

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

And so once again, it’s a slap in the face to these religious leaders as Stephen implies someone greater than Moses had come, had accomplished more than Moses, but unfortunately they had been too blind to see it.

And so once again Stephen is implying here to these religious leaders is that someone greater than Moses had come, and had accomplished what Moses could never do, but unfortunately they had been too blind to see it.

So, how does this apply to us? Here’s the application. Because you’re God’s messenger:

Application #2 - God wants to work through you to ignite HOPE in others.

The fact of the matter is, because your God’s messenger of HOPE, God is going to work through you, and he’s going to do it in the same way he worked through Moses.

First, God is going to use you as a mouthpiece to deliver words of HOPE.

Listen to what Jesus promises in concerning this:

Matthew 10:19–20 ESV

Jesus says, “Listen, when push comes to shove, and when you’re put in a position to share or defend your faith, you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to say. Because in that moment, the Holy Spirit is going to speak through you.”

Jesus says, “I got your back.”

But the challenge for a lot of Christians is, because of fear, lack of confidence, or lack of knowledge, we struggle to believe that God could use them like that. So instead of proclaiming, they stay quiet.

And that’s exactly what the enemy wants you to believe and do. Because the last thing Satan wants is for you to be used by God. The last thing he wants is for you to believe that God wants to speak through you. And so to discourage that, he plants seeds of doubt in you. He plants seeds of fear in you. He whispers things like, “You won’t know what to say. You’ll sound stupid. They’ll think you’re stupid. They’ll never believe you.”

And unfortunately, many Christians buy into that lie, and instead of proclaiming HOPE, they say nothing.

Matthew 10:19–20 ESV

But like Moses, because your God’s messenger, God has promised He will speak through you. God has promised if you’ll just trust Him, in that moment when you share your faith, when you seek to give people HOPE, your going to open your mouth, and God is going to speak through you. Jesus promises that. In , Jesus reemphasizes it when he says:

Matthew 10:19–21 ESV

19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,

Jesus puts it like this in :

Luke 12:12 ESV

12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Some of you need to grasp onto the rea

Jesus says, “God will speak through you.”

Some of you need to embrace that. Some of you ar

But not only will God give you words, God will work signs through you.

Now, when I say that, some of you might be thinking, “Pastor, are you saying God is going to give me the ability to turn a stick into a snake? That God is going to give me the ability to turn water into blood?”

Well, that would be pretty awesome. But, to be honest, I don’t know what Signs God is going to work through you. I believe God still works miraculous signs and wonders, and at times I’ve witnessed and i’ve been used by God through signs and wonders. But I don’t know what that’s going to look like for you.

But here’s what I do know. If you’re a Christian, I do know what He’s already done in you, and that your life change is one of the greatest signs you could ever give someone.

Think of it like this:

Have you ever seen one of those commercials where they take an old stained bathtub or sink, and then they apply a miraculous cleaning product that makes it look as good as new?

In a way, that’s the sign that God has worked through you. Because prior to your faith in Jesus, you were the stained bathtub. You were the stained sink. Stained because of sin. At that point it looked hopeless for you.

2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV

17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Because prior to Jesus, you were an alchoholic,

But when you put your faith in Jesus, God poured his cleansing Spirit into you, and he made you new. The Apostle Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

So, when you stand before somebody, and share your faith, if they need more then words, if they need a sign, all you have to do is point to your life. All you have to says is:

Listen, before Jesus, I was an alcoholic. I was an addict. But Jesus delivered me. Jesus set me free from the bondage of addiction.

Before Jesus, my marriage was on the verge of divorce. My spouse had had it with me. But Jesus reconciled my marriage. Jesus delivered me from divorce.

Listen, before Jesus, I was lost in sexual immorality and immoral living, but Jesus delivered me. He set me free from the bondage of lust and sexual addiction.

You want a sign? Just take a look at my life. My life was a mess. I was a stained bathtub going nowhere fast. But Jesus changed all that. Jesus reached down into my mess and he cleansed me and He made me new. And what Jesus did for me, He can do for you.

That my friends is a powerful sign. That’s what I love about baptisms. Baptisms remind people that God is in the cleaning business. God is about making us new. God is all about taking hopelessness and bringing hope. What greater sign do you need than a changed life.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This leads us to the final fact concerning Moses’s mission proclomation:

Because not only was he God’s messenger of HOPE. Not only did God work through him. But:

Fact #3 - God gave Moses the message that HOPE IS ALIVE.

Stephen goes on to say:

Acts 7:38 ESV

38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.

Stephen says Moses received living words to give them.

The living words Stephen is referring to were God’s promises and His law given to the people of Israel at Mt. Siani as they journeyed towards the promised land. Words of Hope and mandates of truth that were meant to direct and guide their lives. Words, if applied to their life, would lead them into a deeper relationship with God.

Again, the implication Stephen is making to the religious leaders is just like Moses delivered living Words, Jesus had done the same thing. Jesus came with a message of Hope. Jesus came with Words of life. But Jesus’s message and Word’s were greater. Because Jesus wasn’t just delivering living words, Jesus was the living Word. Jesus was the HOPE. Listen to how the Apostle John puts it:

John 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:1–5 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He goes on to say in verse 17:

John 1:17 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

You see, Jesus brought more than living words from God, Jesus was the living Word. Jesus was the HOPE. Jesus is the one who has the power to break us free from the bondage of sin, and not just deepen our relationship with God, but restore it. Jesus is the message that HOPE is Alive.

Here’s the application for us:

Application #3 - If you’re a Christian, God has selected you to deliver the message that HOPE is Alive.

Again, what we have to remember is God didn’t save us so we could just go to church every Sunday, sit in a nice chair, and be entertained. That’s not His purpose for us. He saved us so we deliver the message that HOPE is Alive. To proclaim to a hopeless world that there is HOPE in Jesus.

You see, that’s our job. That’s our purpose. That’s why Jesus raised up the church. To be His mouthpiece. To be the ones who proclaim who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. To proclaim that light shines in darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.

Jesus puts it like this:

Matthew 10:7–8 ESV

7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Jesus says, “What are you waiting for. You have the greatest message man could ever hear. You carry a message of HOPE, a message of life, a message with the power to set people free from the bondage of sin. So what are you waiting for. Start telling people about me. Start proclaiming the message. The message that HOPE IS ALIVE.”

That’s our job church. That’s what God has called us to do.

But here’s the challenge. The challenge is, while many of us know HOPE is ALIVE and while we have experienced it in our own lives, for some reason we are hesitant to share it with others. And how unfortunate that is. Because if we don’t tell them, who will?

The Apostle Paul puts it like this:

Romans 10:8 ESV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

Paul says we carry the Word of HOPE with us. He says it’s in our mouth and in our hearts. He then goes on to say:

Romans 10:14 ESV

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Romans 10:

Let me ask you something, “What’s stopping you from proclaiming the most incredible message man could ever hear? What’s stopping you from sharing a message from God that would forever change someones life? What’s stopping you from proclaiming that HOPE is ALIVE?

Story:

Years ago I had a Christian friend tell me about how God convicted him on his lack of sharing the Gospel. He said he and his wife had become friends with a certain couple, and for years they interacted with this couple and spent time with this couple. And while they shared many things in their life with this couple, they never shared the Gospel with them.

And then one day, the couple invited them over for dinner, they had some exciting news. And as they were sitting around the table, the couple began to tell them how they had recently gone to church, and how they had given their lives to Jesus. And they wanted to share that with them so they could experience the same thing.

As you can imagine, my friend was elated. He said, “That’s awesome! I’m so glad you’ve put your faith in Jesus! We are christians too!” That’s when the mood in the room changed and the moment of conviction came.

Because as he celebrated their new faith, the couple said to them, “So, if you’re a Christian, why didn’t you ever tell us about Jesus? Why didn’t you tell us about the most important decision we could ever make? We were on our way to hell. For years we’ve been friends. For years we’ve spent time together. Why did’t you tell us about Jesus?”

My friend said it struck him to the core as he realized in that moment that while he carried the greatest message of HOPE someone could ever receive, he had failed to proclaim it to those who care for most and needed it most.

The Apostle Paul puts it like this:

Romans 10:8 ESV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

Paul says we carry the Word of HOPE with us. He says it’s in our mouth and in our hearts. He then goes on to say:

Romans 10:14 ESV

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Paul says it’s great that you have it, but if yo don’t share it, how can anyone else experience what you have experienced?

Is it fear of past failure?

Can I just remind you that your past failures doesn’t negate God’s ability to use you. That regardless of your past, God can still use you. That you are still His messenger of HOPE.

Is it fear of rejection?

Can I just remind you this morning that rejection comes with the territory. The fact is, they rejected Moses, they rejected Jesus, and they may reject you. But that doesn’t negate the fact that God has sent you to deliver a message.

Is it fear that you might say something stupid?

Can I just remind you that God doesn’t expect you to have all the answers. He’s not asking you to right a speech. He’s not expecting you to have the Bible memorized. All He’s asking for you to do is open your mouth and let Him speak through you.

Because at the end of the day, you carry a living Word. It’s in your mouth, it’s in your heart. You carry the message that HOPE is ALIVE.

Here’s why this is so important, especially today.

Easter is next Sunday. The Sunday where we intentionally PROCLAIM that HOPE IS ALIVE. The Sunday where for the first time or the only time in the year, some people willing or open too coming to church. My question for you is, “/Who have you told? Who have you proclaimed the good news to? Who have you invited to church?” And if you haven’t, would you be willing to?

Would you be open to being the messenger God has called you to be. Willing to step out of your fear of failures. Willing to step out of the fear of rejection. Willing to step out of the fear of sounding stupid. Willing to proclaim to a friend, a co-worker or family member that HOPE is ALIVE.

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