Serving to the End

The Sanhedrin accused Stephen of disrespecting Abraham and the Temple.

Stephen responded to the charge or blasphemy by bearing witness to God.

God who intervened on behalf of his people, but, many remained stubborn in their disbelief.

He spoke honorably of Abraham, the Prophets, and the Temple.

Of Abraham and the Patriarchs:

Abraham was obedient to God’s direction; it was credited to him as righteousness.

God promised Abraham many descendants, and a land as their future home.

// The patriarchs conspired against their brother out of jealousy.

God set Joseph up in an honorable position, second to the Pharoah.

Famine sent the patriarchs to live in Egypt under the care of Joseph.

// Eventually, the Israelites were made slaves.

God raised Moses up and called him out of exile and promised to deliver the Israelites through him.

// The people of Israel did not recognize his authority.

God enabled Moses to perform signs and wonders.

// The people challenged Moses authority.

God waited for another generation as they roamed the desert.

God gave Moses his commandments for the people, and promised to be their God and they his people.

God promised Moses that he would raise a prophet from among his people.

// Many of the people never rid themselves of other idols and their tabernacles.

They turned away from God, and he sent them into exile.

Of the Temple:

The people were given a tabernacle to house the covenant of God.

God displayed his power when they carried the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant with them.

// David asked to build a Temple but was denied.

// His son had it built the Temple but eventually worshipped other gods.

Unfaithfulness of genuine worship of God makes the Temple pointless.

Because the Sanhedrin refused to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ about the promised coming of the Kingdom of God, Stephen calls them “stiff-necked” (stubborn)

Spiritual stubbornness is resisting or grieving the Holy Spirit.

The prophets of God had been killed for refusing to listen to the message God gave them, including his promise of the Righteous One.

Stephen accused the Sanhedrin of betraying and murdering Jesus Christ.

It was NOT Stephen but they who disobeyed the Law of God.

It was NOT Stephen but they who misdirected their worship.

Stephen’s accusation struck a nerve.

They didn’t even follow their own legal process.

They became enraged, yelled, dragged and stoned him (lynched him).

Sometimes, we have the feeling that someone has read our mind.

We may talk about it as “resonating” as if we are “on the same frequency”

Who wants people to read their minds or their hearts?

In a positive way:

When our thoughts resonate with another we might say, “You read my mind!”

It may please us or give us a sense of joy.

In a negative way:

When our thoughts betray us, we may react in embarrassment and anger.

When we are enraged, we allow our selves to be ruled by emotion rather than reason.

Embarrassment and anger can cause us to do sudden and evil things.

The Holy Spirit had given Stephen wisdom to expound upon God’s faithfulness and the Israelites infidelity and stubbornness.

This was just one more chance to speak of Jesus Christ that they might believe.

Stephen spoke honorably about those who were obedient to God and the promises God made with them, including Abraham.

Stephen spoke harshly about the unfaithful and stubborn ones.

Stephen revealed the promises made by God to the people of Israel.

Stephen spoke of the mistake of honoring the Temple instead of God.

God does not live in Temples made by human hands.God’s place was with his people.

Stephen connected the promises with Jesus Christ, the one true Messiah.

The Law of God given to Abraham was not negated but fulfilled in Christ.

Since it was the Most High over all the earth who gave Moses the Law, and Christ was given all authority over heaven and earth, then it was Christ who gave Moses the Law in the first place.

Since the church is filled with the Spirit of Jesus, and Jesus Christ, God incarnate is always with us, then, we are living Tabernacles of God.

God is not bound to one person or to one place, but in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, given to all who believe, in every place that they would be.

Then, God gave Stephen a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God in heaven.

Again, stubborn hearts could not accept what he said, their own hearts condemned them.

But, even while they were killing him, Stephen prayed to be drawn to Christ and to forgive them.

This is loving the enemy.

God received Stephen to be with him as he promised to never leave or forsake him.

Stephen’s words were not entirely wasted among them

While Stephen was stoned, there was at least one among them who was listening.

Saul, who would later become Paul, the great Apostle and missionary of the Gentiles.

Stone Temples and Rigid Laws will always remain Dead.

Living Tabernacles house the Spirit of God.

Living Testimonies bear witness to God who is faithful and true.

May we be true to the end, that it may be a new beginning.

May we, like our Lord Jesus Christ, and faithful servants of God, be true to our end to tell others about the grace given to all, that they would have resurrection life in God.