Faithful To The End Series

Good morning. Let’s turn to Acts 7 this morning and complete the chapter today.

• We heard of Stephen’s remarkable sermon last week, presented before the Sanhedrin Council.

• We are going to read today the tragic response of the Council towards Stephen.

• Tragic in the eyes of men, but precious and purposeful in the eyes of God.

• Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

• Stephen has been ‘faithful to the end’. In God’s sovereign will, Stephen’s death would propel the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, and changed one man’s life.

Let’s us pray before we begin.

Dear Lord, we thank you again for this time. You have been good to us, gracious and kind to us these many weeks. We are blessed to be your people, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and given the hope of a new life with you. Thank you for your daily provision and protection.

We look to your Word with faith and a longing, to know you and to understand your will. You will not leave us in the dark about WHO you are and WHAT you can do.

Open our eyes that we may see glimpses of truth you have for us today. Bless our time this morning. This we pray in the precious Name of Jesus, AMEN.

Let’s read Acts 7:54-8:1. This is the aftermath of Stephen’s challenge to the Council not to remain stubborn and unrepentant.

54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

Stephen's message to the Council pushed the religious leaders over the edge.

• They were furious and in their rage, dragged Stephen out and stoned him to death.

• This marks the end of Stephen’s life but not the end of God’s work, which we shall see in the coming chapters.

Luke informed us that presiding over this stoning was a man named Saul.

• 7:58 “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” 8:1 Saul was giving his approval to his death.

• Some believe that Saul was probably the one who could have related the details of this trial. He was there listening.

• As the story unfolds, we know that this Saul of Tarsus would eventually met the risen Christ and become Paul the believer and fervent follower of Jesus.

• God uses events in our lives to set in motion the fulfilment of His purposes. We can trust Him even in disappointments and setbacks.

In his last hour, God gave Stephen the PERSPECTIVE that would be his assurance and comfort, and a PRAYER for his persecutors.

• We will consider these two points today – God giving Stephen the perspective that he needs and a prayer that they need.

THE PERSPECTIVE THAT HE NEEDS

Where is God when it hurts? He is right there.

• 7:55-56 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, he saw the glory of God the Father, and Jesus Christ standing beside Him. The triune God was present. How comforting.

Two things worth highlighting here. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, as opposed to the common description of Him seated.

• In the Gospels and the writings of Paul, the risen Christ is always mentioned as being seated at the right hand of God.

• Mark 14:61-62 [at the trial] Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

• Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.