Do You Want To Follow Jesus?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
True or False...
If I follow Jesus my life will be easy...
If I have enough faith God will give me my dream car or home...
Becoming a Christian means that everyone will like you...
If I share the gospel with my coworkers and friends they will probably appreciate it...
Living for this world is better than living for the next world with Jesus...
Are you aware of the many myths about Christianity?
Five lesson’s about following Jesus from Stephen, the first Christian martyr...
Lesson #1
When you follow Jesus...
You May End Up With Some Enemies - 6:8-9
Stephen made some enemies even though God was using him mightily!
Think about what followers of Christ, just like Stephen, have done because of their love of God and love of neighbor:
Built hospitals
Built orphanages
Adopted abandoned children -
Shared their possessions with the needy
Pursue cures for diseases
All proclaim Christ
There are amazing things that people have done just because they loved Jesus and their neighbors.
Stephen’s Crimes
Feeding widows
Acts 6:2-5 Last week
Stephen was one of many appointed to care for the Hellenist widows.
Displaying God’s grace and power - Likely healing people
Acts 6:8
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles A. The Prophetic Ministry of Stephen (6:8–15)
grace here refers to the divine favour shown in the empowerment of his ministry.
Stephen was effective at witnessing and displaying God’s power to those around him.
He’s the first disciple to be listed in the Book of Acts who God chooses to display his miracles and signs through.
These two things, feeding widows and displaying the grace and power of God, are not bad things! He’s just being faithful to Jesus by participating in the ministry of Jesus.
He’s someone who Embraced Ministry Opportunity and God chose to give fruitful ministry to.
But regardless, following Jesus, which entails proclaiming Jesus, made him some enemies
9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.
These Jews (made of of diverse sects) all united in their opposition of Stephen and his fruitful ministry.
All Stephen is doing is being faithful to God.
He’s not out robbing banks, spray painting graffiti at Tanforan, He’s not out dealing drugs in San Francisco, He’s not even stealing groceries from old widows at Safeway! He’s actually buying them groceries and delivering it to them without working for Uber Eats.
Christians like Stephen are model citizens. Their faith and obedience to Christ make the world a better place.
Yet, the one whom they represent, Jesus, is intensely hated by all who reject God!
This reminds me of...
2 Corinthians 2:15-16
15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
For those who are perishing, a faithful Jesus follower, will smell disgusting to their perishing nostrils.
Stupid Christian… You think God exists...
Self Righteous Bigot… You think homosexuality is a sin. What do you mean people shouldn’t let toddlers choose their own gender!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!!
Out of date idiot… You actually think the Bible is relevant for today!?
Hateful Scum… You think a fetus is a baby! WHAT ABOUT THE WOMAN’S BODY!
Listen to me...
Don’t be surprised if when you choose to be like Stephen and follow Jesus faithfully, that you, like him and Jesus, make some enemies!
Lesson #2
When following Jesus brings you enemies...
Don’t Be Surprised If They Plot Against You - 6:10-15
Stephen’s enemies plotted against him because they couldn’t defeat the God who was empowering him!
Look at how God was with Stephen when he made enemies...
10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Maybe you’ve had moment where God was using you and people couldn’t logically or effectively discount your service or your witnessing. Some times, people can’t deny the fact that God’s hand is in your ministry.
That what Stephen… Look how they respond to not being able to defeat him with their opposition...
First they act in secret...
11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
They secretly found some people to lie for them as they prepared to move in for an attack...
Then they moved in for the public attack
12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,
Notice, they “stirred up” people… They had a full blown smear campaign against Stephen. Imagine how that must have felt. Stephen’s definitely trusting in God, but it probably still hurt to be smeared by the people he was only trying to share Christ with. Maybe you’ve had that happen too!
Now their going to misrepresent Stephen...
13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
*** Reference Tony Merida***
This happens all the time:
Christians are called haters for believing in hell.
Christians are called narrow minded for believing Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Christians who hold to a biblical view on marriage and gender are called homophobic and intolerant.
Complementarian men are called control freaks
Pro-life christians are called misogynists.
When people decide they hate what you stand for they will most likely choose not to understand it or see true motives.
Even with all the plotting, they could still recognize something different about Stephen
15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Honestly, if I were in Stephen’s shoes, Luke would probably have written, “he had the face of an angry cage fighter...”
I hate to say it, but if I were Stephen, in my flesh, I think I’d be severely ticked off.
But remember, Stephen is said to have God’s grace, God’s power, and God’s Spirit.
These three are able to enable you to be calm, collected, and ready to engage.
Remember what Jesus said...
Matthew 10:16-20
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 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.
Stephen is ready for this… and you can be too...
This may be me one day… This may be you one day...
God’s going to fulfill this text in Matthew for Stephen. In two weeks we will take a closer look at this sermon. But today, let’s continue on in the lessons and see what happens to Stephen...
Lesson #3
When your enemies finally attack...
Look To Heaven For Comfort - 7:54-56
Stephen preaches, his enemies prepare their attack, and the God gives Stephen a glorious vision of Jesus just before the stones start to fly!
Oh… People hate being confronted with their rebellion. That’s essentially what testifying to Christ is for people. They are confronted with the fact that they are cosmic rebels who have rejected their rightful king. Listen to how these people responded...
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
Don’t always expect people to respond to the truth with presents and kind words… These people are MAD...
I’m sure Stephen could tell...
But notice who’s with him and where his gaze goes....
55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
He had the Spirit with Him...
And He looked to Heaven...
This reminds me of Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Stephen knew who was with him and where to look!
If your faithfulness in following Jesus causes you to enter a situation like this, you have to remember who is with you and where you need to look!
Look up!
What did he see?
55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
I can’t promise you that in your moment of need that you will have a vision like Stephen...
But I can promise you that God knows when you are looking to him in your distress and will give you exactly what you need to make it through the fire.
It might be feeling his peace.
It might be an overwhelming sense of joy and trust of God.
You might here Him speak to you. Maybe a scripture of comfort.
It might be a song in your heart.
The point is, look up!
Say it with me… Look up!
Now, when you look up… God’s provision for you might not mean you escape what ever type of earthly attack you face...
Lesson #4
For some of you, when enemies attack you because of Jesus...
You Might Pay The Ultimate Price - 7:57-58
For Stephen, the price for faithfully following Jesus was losing his life.
Stephen’s vision didn’t quiet the anger of the crowd. It didn’t even disband them when they heard him testify to what he was seeing. They ignored him and it got physically worse for him...
57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Being a faithful follower of Jesus might mean...
You miss out on work opportunities.
You lose your job.
You loose a spouse.
You are framed and go to prison.
You are tortured.
You die.
Jesus never promised us health, wealth, and prosperity. He said the exact opposite would likely happen.
Jesus said people will hate you for his sake! EVERY GOSPEL ACCOUNT SAYS THIS!
22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
The cost for following Jesus is real… and sometimes it is high...
I’d say, for Stephen, his vision of God’s glory and Jesus Christ at His right hand made every stone worth it!
You may not see it before the stones fly, but I promise you, you will see it after they’ve thrown the last one at your empty corpse!
Lesson #5
When the cost for following Jesus is high...
Choose To Respond Like Jesus - 7:59-60
Stephen extended forgiveness to the people who were murdering him.
59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
This is an amazing testimony.
Stephen is choosing to give the very thing he received from Jesus. Forgiveness.
You can only give this if you’ve truly received it.
Summation
Following Jesus means you might make enemies who want to destroy your life. When this happens we must look to Jesus because while the cost might be great, the opportunity to be like Jesus, in that moment, is great too!