The Wrong Side Of History
Acts 7:1-60
Ill. Amy and I had the opportunity several years ago to travel to Switzerland with my dad. My dad was born and raised in Switzerland and came to this country when he was 19 years old. On that visit we went to his hometown of Burglen. As we drove around the town, many of the stories my dad had told me about his childhood began to come to life. I saw where he went to school, the river he fished in and also the house he grew up in. I snapped a picture of the house. As you can see, it’s 3 stories. My grandfather, Robert Walliser - whose name I carry (Troy Robert Walliser) and my son carries (Trent Robert Walliser) – my grandfather owned a trucking company. Kind of the Swiss Fed-Ex. He had several trucks and they parked in the garage bays you see on the first floor here.
As we were looking at my dad’s childhood home, my dad related a story to me that he had never told me before. You see, my dad was born in 1935, so he was 10 years old at the end of WW2. My dad had told me before that my grandfather was a Nazi sympathizer. He rooted for the Germans to beat the allies. Switzerland borders Germany, and the primary language is German, so there was a natural inclination for the Swiss to side with Germany – even though technically they declared themselves to be neutral.
The story my dad related to me was that my grandfather (or grossfater) would pull all of the trucks out of the garage which created a large open space on the ground floor. He then provided that space free of charge to the local Nazi party to come and show propaganda films. My grandfather’s thinking was that Germany would eventually win the war and Switzerland would then inevitably be swallowed up in the Third Reich – and in an attempt at self-preservation for himself and his family, he wanted to be known as a Nazi supporter when that happened.
As we all know, thankfully, Germany lost the war and the Nazis were defeated. My grossfater was on the wrong side of history.
My title of my sermon this morning is "The Wrong side of History" as we continue our expositional series through the book of Acts. The book of Acts is the account of all that Jesus continued to do on the earth through his church. Just because Jesus physically ascended to heaven 40 days after his resurrection does not mean he ceased to work on the earth. He continues to work on the earth to this day, and he does that work by the power of His Spirit through his body, the church.
The book of Acts is all about Christ's continuing work through his church. This morning we arrive at chapter 7. We are going to attempt to cover the entire chapter this morning – 60 verses. What we have in chapter 7 is the longest speech or sermon in the entire book of Acts. This speech to the Sanhedrin by Stephen is longer than any of Peter’s recorded speeches or sermons; longer than any of Paul’s speeches.
In case you missed last Sunday, and I know MANY of you did because of the torrential downpours we experienced, let me recap what we discovered last week. Luke introduces us to Stephen. Stephen was one of the seven men who were chosen to serve the church in Jerusalem in a capacity something like a prototype of the office of deacon. We discover Stephen was a man of tremendous character. He was described as being full of the Spirit, full of wisdom, full of faith, full of grace, and full of power. He was a remarkable follower of Jesus.
In addition to that, he was a powerful preacher. As we understand it, Stephen would enter Gentile synagogues in and around Jerusalem and would proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, the Redeemer of Israel. It’s likely that one Saul of Tarsus was present at some of those synagogue meetings and they may have even entered into a theological debate. But Luke describes Stephen’s acumen as such that: But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Acts 6:10
Because of Stephen’s powerful proclamation, he was dragged before the Sanhedrin – the high council of Israel – and charges of blasphemy were leveled against him. Namely, there were four areas of blasphemy he was charged with: “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” Acts 6:11
“This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law.” Acts 6:13
So the four areas of blasphemy he was accused of were: blasphemy against Moses, God, the temple, and the law. These are the charges that were leveled against him. And the key statement they used against Stephen, the linchpin of their entire case revolved around this one statement they say Stephen made: "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.” Acts 6:14
You'll have to listen to the entire sermon on our handy-dandy mobile app to get the full explanation of this, but here's what Stephen was proclaiming in this statement: When Jesus died, when they crucified and destroyed the physical temple of his body, the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed. Why? No longer was there a need for the office of priests. At Christ's death and resurrection the 10,000 priests in Jerusalem were all out of a job - why? Because Jesus became our high priest.
When Jesus' physical temple was destroyed, no longer was there a need for sacrifices and the shedding of the blood of bulls and goats. Why? Because Christ became the all-satisfying sacrifice for sin.
When Jesus died and was resurrected on the third day, he became the place upon which God's glory rested. No longer was there a need for a Holy of Holies in the temple where God's glory dwelt. God's stamp of glory marked the approval of Christ's work at his resurrection.
So Stephen is going from synagogue to synagogue and connecting the dots for them that Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection replaces all that takes place in the Jewish temple. And because he is full of the Spirit and wisdom, he is besting them in their religious debates. So that drag him to court and issue these charges of blasphemy against him.
As we move to chapter seven, the account continues. My original intent as I was working on this sermon on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday was to NOT read the entire passage at the beginning of the message. After all, neither John Piper nor John MacArthur did that when they preached this text in their respective churches, citing the length as the reason they parted from that normal practice. However, I woke up early Friday morning - when I looked at the clock it said 2:58. My very first thought when I woke up was, "You need to read the entire chapter at the beginning of the sermon." Now I don't know if that was from the Lord or not, but I immediately rose from bed, made a pot of coffee, and started reworking this sermon.
My early-morning reasoning for why I needed to do this is because this is a speech, a soliloquy if you will, and I think we might miss the flow and the dynamic the speech possesses if we don't read it all at once. So we'll read verses 1-53 and I'll make a few brief comments along the way for clarification purposes, and then we'll expose the multi-layered nuances of truth that this speech contains. Then we'll conclude with their response.
The chapter opens up with the high priest asking Stephen a question in response to the charges of blasphemy which were leveled against him:
1And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
3and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. He starts the recounting of Jewish history with Abraham and covers the major events of his life, the covenant, the promise of land, the promise of an offspring and the sign of the covenant which was circumcision; and finally in his old age becoming the father of Isaac, and then came Jacob and the 12 patriarchs for which the 12 tribes of Israel were named. Now in his history lesson, Stephen turns the attention to one of Jacob's sons - Joseph.
9“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 14And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. So Stephen explains this whole ordeal with Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually rose to power in Pharaoh's household. But God showed to Joseph in a dream that a famine was coming and because of his wisdom, Egypt was the only nation that had food. So the people of Israel (which is Jacob's family) went down to Israel. And there they were reunited with their son and brother, and they grew in Egypt. And now Stephen will move from Joseph to Moses:
17“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. "Expose" there refers to an ancient practice which was common in the ancient world, in fact it was common in the time of the New Testament. You would leave unwanted infants exposed in the elements to die. It was only through the Jewish people, and even more so with the followers of Christ - the Church, that there developed an understanding of the worth and dignity of human life from in the womb and when they are infants.
It was Christians who changed the view of the most helpless and defenseless among us, that this is not how we should treat them.
So Pharaoh ordered them to expose their infants, leave them out to die: 20At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, 21and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
23“When he was forty years old, You'll notice as we go through that the Jews divided Moses' life into three 40 year segments. 40 years in Egypt, then 40 years in exile in Midian, and the last 40 years is when he led the Israelites out of Egypt and in the wilderness.
23“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
30“Now when forty years had passed, Now in the third segment of his life... an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’
Now what Stephen is going to do is highlight the opposition to Moses' ministry: 35“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ The people of Israel exchanged the worship of the one true God for the worship of false pagan idols. For that reason they were sent into exile, 900 miles away.
Now Stephen will turn his attention to the temple. After all, it was his quoting and explaining of Jesus' statement about the destruction of the temple that got him in this predicament: 44“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, 49“‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50Did not my hand make all these things?’
Stephen now comes to his conclusion - the application of the message. This is the point when Stephen would have said, "What is our most important question today - So What! Here's the "so what" of Stephen's sermon. He makes personal application to his hearers in 3 verses, and it is one humdinger of an application: 51“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
It's a long message, Stephen's response to the question, “Are these things so?” Are these accusations true, are the charges valid. And can I tell you that after spending this week pouring over this passage, I concur with Luke’s assessment of Stephen: he was full of the Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace and power. In an incredible economy of words Stephen not only answer the charges of blasphemy that were leveled against him, he reveals the true nature of his accusers and reveals the fact that they are on the wrong side of history.
In the course of this speech there are Four distinct and unique points he nails down in this multi-faceted, multi-layered, absolutely brilliant speech.
I. He COUNTERS Their False ACCUSATIONS
Remember, there was a four-fold accusation of blasphemy they leveled against Stephen. They charged him with blasphemy against God, against Moses, against the Law, and against the temple. Through the course of this speech he counters each and every one.
The bulk of Stephen’s response to the high priest’s question, “Are these things so” was a brief retelling of Israel’s history. Now these are the high religious leaders of Israel. If anyone knew the history of Israel, it would be this group. So why does he recount their own history to them? He’s making a point of connection with them. Notice how he refers to them in his opening statement v. 2: And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me.”
He addresses them as brothers, showing his solidarity with them; and he addresses them as fathers showing his respect for them as leaders of the Jewish people. After this salutation he begins countering the accusations brought against him.
A. Blasphemy against God
Stephen addresses the most serious crime first – the accusation of blasphemy against God. He establishes that he believes fully in the God of Israel, and that the Old Covenant established by God is not abrogated by Jesus – but fulfilled by him. And that was precisely God’s will.
After his salutation to the brothers and fathers he makes this statement: The God of glory appeared... The first person he mentions is “the God of glory.” This title for God, "The God of glory," is only used here, and one other instance in the entire Bible: Psalm 29:3, which I read at the beginning of our service. The God of glory Stephen describes in this message is not a distant, uninterested deity, but rather he is sovereign over all the affairs of man and involves himself personally throughout redemptive history.
In verse 4 he recounts that it was God who removed Abraham from the land of the Chaldeans.
In verse 6 & 7, it was God who spoke the promises to Abraham.
9: it was God who was with Joseph when he was sold into slavery.
In verse 17 it was God who fulfilled the promise to Abraham that Israel would grow to a mighty nation in the land of Egypt.
In verse 20, it was God who saw Moses as beautiful in his sight.
In verse 25 & 35, it was God who gave Moses to the people as a deliverer.
In verse 32, it was God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush.
In verse 37, it was God who promised another deliverer/prophet like Moses.
In verse 42, it was God who sent his people into exile in Babylon.
In verse 45, it was God who drove out the nations before them in the promised land.
In verse 46, it was God who found favor in David, his servant.
In verses 48 & 49, it's God who is eternal and can't be contained in houses made with hands.
So to say that Stephen has a solid theology, a robust doctrine of God is an understatement. Throughout the speech he answers the most serious charge that he has blasphemed God.
B. Blasphemy against Moses
Additionally, he answer the charge that he has blasphemed Moses. Throughout the speech he recounts a Scriptural, orthodox Jewish view of Moses and his ministry. He describes Moses'
Supernatural deliverance at his birth. (20)
His Egyptian upbringing (22)
His confrontation of the disputing Hebrews (26)
His subsequent exile in Midian (29)
His call at the burning bush (30)
His deliverance of the people from Egyptian slavery (35)
His performing of miraculous signs and wonders by the power of God. (36)
His receiving of the 10 commandments on Mt. Sinai (38)
And even his direction of the construction of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting which was the precursor to the Temple. (44)
So Stephen answers the charge that he has blasphemed Moses by communicating that he has a thoroughly orthodox view of Moses and his ministry in Israel. So to count 1 – blasphemy against God, he enters the plea of “not guilty.” Count #2, blasphemy against Moses he enters the plea of “not guilty.” That leads to the third accusation…
C. Blasphemy against the Law
He answers the charge of blasphemy against the law with another “not guilty” plea. He makes the transition from Moses to the law very naturally since they are so closely associated. Stephen recounts in for them in verse 38 how when Moses… was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. Acts 7:38
By referring to them as “living oracles” he recognizes the divine nature and origin of the law. Hebrews 4:12 is reminiscent of this thought, referring to Scripture in this way: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12
Additionally, Stephen demonstrates his confidence in the Law of Moses by virtue of his complete dependence upon it to inform his recounting of their history. As well, he quotes by memory from the Scripture at the end of his speech, not once but twice from Amos 5 and Isaiah 66.
D. Blasphemy against the Temple
In response to the accusation that he spoke against the Jewish Temple (which is really from which the other three accusations arose) Stephen traces the history of the temple to show his respect for it. He affirms that the temple was actually ordained by God. He begins before the temple by discussing the tabernacle, or tent of meeting as it was called. The different sections of the temple were designed after the different sections of the tabernacle. But where did the design for the tabernacle come from?
44“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.
In Exodus 25 & 26 we find where Moses on Mt. Sinai was given a vision from God by which he was to design the tabernacle. He was given on the mountain, a pattern to follow in it’s construction. The elements and sections of the tabernacle were in some way to reflect what is in heaven. The permanent structure of the temple also contained elements which were copies of what exists in heaven.
We know this from Hebrews 8. In that chapter the Bible compares and contrasts the high priestly role and function of Jesus in heaven with the earthly priests in the tabernacle and temple. Notice what verse 5 says: They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5
The point being that the tabernacle and temple had a divine origin, in fact a divine design. So Stephen affirms the divine origin of the Temple so on this fourth and final accusation of blasphemy against the temple he again says, “nope, not guilty.”
But remember, it was because of Stephen’s comments that Jesus had completely replaced the work of the temple that he was seized and taken before this council. Yet, he counters the false accusations which were leveled against him. But that’s pretty much on the surface of the speech. As you peel that top layer back, you begin to see this second thing he accomplishes in his speech:
II. He CONNECTS Their Rejecting ANCESTORS
“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him.” 7:9
The sons of Jacob, who Stephen refers to as “the patriarchs” – these are the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel for whom the 12 tribes of Israel are named; these patriarchs did not recognize the chosen one God provided, namely, Joseph. And Joseph is a type of Christ who brought rescue to his people. They rejected the chosen one of God and sold him into slavery – some even wanted him dead. But God was with him, verse 9 says. Do you see what Stephen is doing? He’s starting to build the case that your ancestors have a long track record of being on the wrong side of history.
Next he goes to Moses: Moses was in Egypt and was placed there by God to be the Hebrews deliverer. He too was a type of Christ to provide liberty to the captives, but your ancestors reviled him: ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?’ Acts 7:27 What are they saying, “You’re not the boss of me!”
And then Stephen drills down a bit further in verse 35: “This Moses, Which Moses? The Moses that was called by God at the burning bush; the Moses that was told to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground; this Moses God sent to be your ruler and your redeemer; this Moses who performed signs and wonders among your ancestors; this Moses who liberated your people from Egypt, who led you through the Red Sea; this Moses who told you that a prophet was to come; this Moses who received the living oracles on Mount Sinai; This MOSES whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.” Acts 7:35
Your fathers, your ancestors rejected the God-sent deliverer and longed for an idol made with hands, a golden calf. Stephen is building the case that Israel has a long and sordid history of rejecting God’s deliverers; of rejecting the truth. And in verse 51 he clearly makes the connection, linking them to their ancestors: “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” Acts 7:51
The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. That’s the second layer of this speech, his clear indictment of the people of Israel. Layer 3…
III. He CONFRONTS Their Idolatrous ATTITUDE
This is where Stephen really gets to the heart of the issue. Remember, this all started because of Stephen’s statements about the temple – the fact that Christ has fulfilled in his death, burial and resurrection all that the Temple stood for. It was merely a shadow, a pattern of the heavenly reality. And the reason they took such offense at that is because they idolized the temple, the temple, the place of worship actually became the OBJECT of their worship. And he brilliantly points this out.
In his speech when he gets to the part of Israel’s history where Moses has gone up to Mt. Sinai, meeting with God, receiving the Ten Commandments, what are the people of Israel doing?
They’re going to Aaron, saying, “We don’t know when Moses is coming back down. Give us a god we can worship. And they commit one of the most heinous acts in Israel’s history. All of the Jewish religious leaders know this. Notice verse 41, And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. Acts 7:41
I want you to circle that phrase “rejoicing in the works of their hands.” This is the fundamental root of all idolatry. We all have the default posture to rejoice in the work of our hands; to find ultimate fulfillment and joy not in God our Creator, but what we create, what we do, what we accomplish.
Personal confession time here: Let me tell you how it happens in my life. It happens with my children. I can see their gifts and their successes and think, “Yeah, I had a part in that.” All five of my kids are different and they all have different strengths and abilities. I can begin to live vicariously through them. For us dad’s it usually revolves around sports. And I can see the athletic, or the academic or artistic accomplishments of my kids and my kids become idols in my life. I find complete joy and fulfillment and satisfaction not in God, but in my kids. That’s idolatry – rejoicing in the work of my hands.
For me, it happens in my work. Obviously my primary work is preaching. This particular sermon took me about 25 hours to prepare this week. I do a lot of reading and research when preparing these sermons; I spend time praying and contemplating; and I spend a lot of time writing. I use my intellect and hopefully my creativity. I use my hands – this is a 14 page document here that I typed with my own hands – imagine writing a 10-12-14 page paper every week. That’s what I do. And I enjoy it immensely.
As a man, as a human being, I have the natural proclivity, the default posture to rejoice in the work of my hands over the God of the universe. Is anybody tracking with me here?
The same can happen with a group of people – with a church. Since I’ve been pastor here we have renovated almost every square inch of facility we have; we’ve purchased three different pieces of property. As a church we can look at buildings; or we can look at programs or staff or events and we can rejoice in the work of our hands more than we rejoice in the God who we all have gathered here to worship.
I want you to see how masterfully Stephen makes this connection. In verse 41 he exposes their ancestors’ idolatry that they rejoiced in the works of their hands – the golden calf.
Now notice what he says in vs. 47-48: 47But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands. Acts 7:47-48
The temple in Jerusalem had become for many in Israel a symbol of what they could achieve—the work of their hands. And therefore the worship there had become a subtle form of self-worship—all very religious, using all the right language, but coming from uncircumcised hearts and stiff, unsubmissive, self-exalting necks.
And right here we get to the heart of Stephen's warning for us in this message. What was the root evil in all this resistance to God's will? Why did they resist the Holy Spirit (v. 51)? They rejoiced in the work of their hands. Idolatry had always been the nagging issue in Israel's history, and it was still the issue. They idolized the temple. What about you?
But there’s one more nuance of truth, one more layer that is here in Stephen’s speech I want you to see. Underneath the entering of the “not guilty” pleas he makes for the four charges brought against him; underneath the layer where he reveals of the connection between these Jewish leaders’ rejection of God’s prophets and their ancestors’ rejection; and right under the layer where Stephen exposes the root issue – their idolatrous attitude and heart. Under those layers, there’s a layer of hope.
IV. He COMMENDS The Righteous ADVOCATE
Throughout this speech he’s mentioned the types of Christ that existed throughout Israel’s history: Joseph, Moses, and even the temple itself. Throughout this speech he highlight God’s sovereignty and God’s gracious provision of deliverers.
Throughout this speech he’s reminded them of the promises God has made to his servants. He's reminded them that though things looked tragically hopeless, there is hope in the promises of God.
5: Though Abraham was old and childless, there's the promise of an inheritance, and the promise of an offspring.
9: Joseph's brothers were jealous and sold him into slavery, but there's the promise that God was with him.
17-19: The people of Israel had grown numerous in Egypt and a Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and dealt harshly with his people. But Stephen mentions that "The time of the promise drew near."
21: He saved baby Moses from the wrath of Pharaoh.
36: He led them out of slavery with signs & wonders, parting the Red Sea.
45: He drove out the nations before them.
46: He gave favor to David.
Over and over again Stephen is sprinkling in signs of hope; he's communicating words of promise. Because for Stephen, the story of Israel's history is not just the tragedy of human rebellion, it's the wonderful story of Divine deliverance. Stephen had hope. Though everyone was gathered against him and though he may lose his very life that day, Stephen had hope. He knew that God was with him; that God had promises for him; that God who does not dwell in houses made with hands could be constrained by the fury of man. He knew that this would not be the end of God's providential care of him. He mentions the one in whom he placed his hope in verse 52. As he recounts the persecuting past of their fathers, he reminds them - and he reminds himself - of the promise of a final deliverer who is Jesus: Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered. Acts 7:52
I wonder, what are you hoping in today? What promise are you clinging to in the midst of difficult days. I submit to you the same hope Stephen clung to is the same hope you and I must cling to. My hope is built on nothing less, that Jesus' blood and righteousness.
So Stephen lays it all out. He, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit delivers a masterful response to the High Priests question, "Are these things so?" So how do they respond? By repenting and confessing? Hardly. Let's conclude today by reading their response:
54Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58Then 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. 59And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60And 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. Acts 7:54-60
The Sanhedrin and those from the Gentile synagogues that dragged Stephen before them - they ended up being on the wrong side of history. But if that’s all it was, it’s not that big of a deal, really. Ok, so they look foolish and irrational. They've been on the wrong side of history, for as long as this account is read and told – which so far has been about 1980 years or so. They’ve been on the wrong side of history.
But there’s something of much greater consequence than being on the wrong side of history; it’s being on the wrong side of God. God provided them a deliverer in Jesus the righteous one - they rejected him. God provided a messenger in Stephen to tell them of God's deliverance - they rejected him too. They were not just on the wrong side of history, they were on the wrong side of God - and that is one place you do not want to be.
What about you? Have you rejected Jesus and God's messengers who have told you about Him? If so, there's still time to change your history and make your history His Story. And that leads to my last thought today:
Last Thought: The HOPE of salvation provided through Christ is still available. Relinquish your IDOLS and rejoice in Him!
