2020.05.10 It Ain't Over Till It's Over

Acts 7:55–60 NASB

55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently 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 up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

1 Peter 2:2–10 NASB

2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

Stephen’s story looked like it was over. Then, as he was being stoned, he sees Heaven open. He sees Jesus sitting at God’s right hand. He gets the opportunity to echo Jesus’ words at his own execution, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”

Stephen became the first Christian martyr. How many of you have been to an event at a church named St. Stephen? How many of us have his name in our own … my middle name is Stephen.

His story seemed to be over … but God didn’t let that be the last word.

David became the greatest King in Israel’s history. But do you remember what happened when Samuel came to find the next king? God told Samuel to got to Jesse’s house and find the new king. Jesse paraded all of his sons in front of Saul and God rejected every one of them…well ALMOST all of his sons. The youngest was still out tending the sheep. The EIGHTH SON! The one whose OWN FATHER didn’t think would POSSIBLY be chosen as king!

1 Samuel 16:12–13 NASB

12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Then, there’s Saul. Saul was the coat-check guy at Stephen’s stoning. He was all-in with punishing Jesus people.

He would later get a letter from the religious leadership enabling him to search for, arrest, and bring back to Jerusalem anyone who followed Jesus.

Acts 9:2 NASB

2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

What do the stories of these people have in common?

One is a martyr who gave his life for the cause of Christ.

One is a shepherd boy whose own father didn’t think him worthy of even being evaluated as God’s king.

And one is actively working against God’s kingdom. He is trying to snuff out the young Christian movement before it gets a chance to really take off.

What they share in common is that their stories weren’t over at this point.

Stephen becomes the Christian church’s first martyr, and we often celebrate that. But imagine seeing Heaven before you get to go. Imagine seeing God’s glory and Jesus standing right next to God. We don't know the next chapter of Stephen’s story, but I can guarantee it’s better than the one we have here.

David’s dad is told to go get him and bring him before God’s prophet. When he comes in, The Holy Spirit immediately tells Samuel “THIS IS THE ONE!” and he becomes the greatest king in the history of the nation … the King Jews still hearken back to when they speak of greatness today.

Saul was a Pharisee persecuting Jesus’ people. He is on his way to arrest and bring back to Jerusalem all he can find who follow Jesus in chains. On that trip, he encounters the Lord, and his life take the biggest reverse you can imagine. He becomes a disciple of Jesus, changes his name to Paul, is later called an Apostle, and writes 13 of the books we call the New Testament!

I hope that’s encouraging to you. It doesn’t matter how much you’ve done against the cause of Christ! If Paul can be saved, holy cow, YOU can be saved.

And just in case you think otherwise, Peter engages with these words:

1 Peter 2:4–5 NASB

4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

You can be built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood! YOU!

YOU CAN!

1 Peter 2:9–10 NASB

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Let me put those together so you can see it easier:

WERE ARE

• Not people • The people of God • A chosen race • A royal priesthood • A holy nation • A people for God’s own possession

Have you embraced it?! YOU CAN!

The family of God is not the same without you!

Are you ready to be his people … his chosen … his royal priesthood … his holy nation … his own possession?

If you are, let’s pray together...