A Great Example For Every Christian Series

A Great Example for Every Christian

Acts 7:8-16

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - Sept. 22, 2013

BACKGROUND:

*Remember that here in Acts 7 one of the first deacons was on trial for the cause of Christ. His name was Stephen, and he was on trial for his life before the "Council" or "Sanhedrin." It was the Supreme Court of Israel, but it was a kangaroo court in this case. Acts 6:13-14 tells us that all of the charges against Stephen were trumped up by false witnesses.

*There God's Word says:

13. They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous 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 change the customs which Moses delivered to us.''

*The High Court thought that Stephen was the only person on trial that day. But by His Holy Spirit, God spoke through Stephen to put that Court on trial. The stinging indictment from God comes down near the end of chapter 7.

*But Stephen began his defense by giving those religious experts a history lesson on the nation of Israel. Let's continue our study tonight by reading vs. 8-16. There Stephen said:

8. "Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

9. And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him

10. and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

11. Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.

12. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

13. And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to the Pharaoh.

14. Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people.

15. So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers.

16. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem."

INTRODUCTION:

*Probably all of us here today could tell about some great examples in our lives. Listen to this testimony from a young lady from Huber Heights, Ohio. Her name is Holly Ruddy, and she wrote: "My grandmother was the one who took me to church at a young age and introduced me to Jesus. She was the one who raised me during the early years after my parents divorced. She was the one who prayed for me as I grew up, going between parents, and providing a port in the storm when things got too tense with my parents."

*What a testimony from Holly! -- "My grandmother was a port in the storm." And Holly went on: "Had it not been for my godly grandmother. I shudder to think how my life would have turned out. Even though as an adult, I have often failed, her example to me has been my beacon and I thank God for her. To me, she was the epitome of Jesus in the earth. She truly expressed His love for me through her life." (1)

*Holly's grandmother was a great example to her, and we have had some great examples too. Some of the best examples for us are right here in the Bible, and Joseph is one of the best of all. As far as I know, God's Word never says even one negative thing about his life.

*Of course, Joseph wasn’t perfect, but he is a great example for us tonight. And we should follow the footsteps of Joseph.

1. So first: Remember that God is with us.

*God was surely with Joseph. Verses 8-10 tell us that:

8. . . "Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

9. And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him

10. and delivered him out of all his troubles. . ."

*Christians: God was with Joseph, and He is surely with us. Remember that in Hebrews 13:5, Jesus Himself has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you.''

[1] God is with us when our family lets us down.

*Talk about a letdown! In vs. 9, "the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt." They sold him as a slave, and they wanted to kill him, most of them did anyway. Let’s look at the story again in Genesis 37:1-10: