Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, Psalm 31:15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14.
A). A BEATIFIC VISION, AND A MARTYR’S DEATH.
Acts 7:55-60.
This chapter contains Stephen’s retelling of Israel’s history, highlighting their resistance against God, and their unfair treatment of His messengers. It began with the members of the council looking steadfastly at him, and seeing his face shining like an angel (cf. Acts 6:15). It culminates in Stephen accusing his accusers of murdering Jesus (Acts 7:51-53). Not a sermon, then, of the ‘politically correct’ variety!
Not surprisingly, the context and the content of this message, and its immediate sequel, only served to demonstrate that this same murderous spirit was still at large. At Pentecost, Peter’s hearers had been faced with a similar accusation (Acts 2:23; Acts 2:36), and were ‘pricked in their heart’ and asked, ‘What shall we do?’ (Acts 2:37). Stephen’s hearers, on the contrary, were ‘cut to the heart’ - but chose rather to ‘gnash their teeth’ at him (Acts 7:54).
It is at this point that Stephen had his ‘beatific vision’ (as it has been called). Stephen had already been marked out by the Apostles as a man ‘full of faith and of the Holy Ghost’ (Acts 6:5). Now we are told again, that Stephen was “being full of the Holy Ghost” when he “looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).
That Jesus was STANDING is interesting. We are more accustomed to thinking of Jesus as ‘seated’, His work completed, at the right hand of God (cf. Psalm 110:1). There are two possibilities here: standing could be the posture of prayer (cf. Hebrews 7:25); or perhaps Jesus STOOD to receive the first Christian martyr into heaven.
Stephen told his hearers what he saw: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). Now the gnashing mob “cried out, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord” (Acts 7:57).
What followed was illegal - as the Council had been ready enough to remind Pilate when they handed Jesus over to the Romans (cf. John 18:31). Stephen was run out of town, and stoned to death (Acts 7:58). However approximately Jewish law had been followed (cf. Deuteronomy 17:7), the death of Stephen was a lynching by an unreasonable mob.
At this point another character is introduced into Luke’s narrative: a young man named Saul. This is the same Saul who would go on to persecute the church, but who would later be converted on the road to Damascus. Luke would later still become a travelling companion with this man, now known as Paul - the writer of approximately half of the New Testament.
For now, ‘Saul was consenting to the death of Stephen’ (Acts 8:1), and the executioners laid their coats at the young man’s feet (Acts 7:58).
There are similarities and dissimilarities in the words of Jesus and Stephen in their deaths. Whereas Jesus cried from the Cross, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’ (Luke 23:46); Stephen called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). Both prayed for their persecutors: Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34); whereas Stephen kneeled on the very brink of death, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 2:60).
“When he had said this,” says Luke, “he fell asleep” (Acts 2:60). No more gnashing of teeth: just Stephen at rest, and at peace.
After this, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and many of them were scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). However, wherever the Christians went, they gossiped the gospel: thereby playing their part in the great commission (cf. Acts 1:8).
We may not be called to be martyrs like Stephen, but it behoves us at least to follow the example of these witnesses for Christ.
B). A SURE DEFENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
Psalm 31:1-5, Psalm 31:15-16.
I). Psalm 31:1-5.
PSALM 31:1. This Psalm begins with the LORD, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a Psalm of trust, a Psalm of faith. We need not wallow in our distress when we have the LORD upon our side.
We must never be ashamed to call the LORD, ‘Our Father.’ When we make our prayers to the Father in the name of His beloved and only-begotten Son, (and in keeping with His will and purpose in our lives, petitioning for needs, not greed) then we will find the Father disposed to answer us favourably.
And our appeal is not based in our own righteousness (as if we could ever be worthy in and of ourselves to make our approach to God) but in ‘the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ’ (cf. Romans 3:22). It is, “in YOUR righteousness deliver me.” Or, for Christians, “His” (i.e. Jesus’) righteousness.
PSALM 31:2. The LORD has already bowed His ear to our low estate through the incarnation. Whatever our trouble now, we may pray confidently, knowing that when He delivers it will be at the exact right time.
We seek our refuge in the LORD Himself. When we feel weak and helpless, we depend upon His strength and protection. He is the strong foundation for our faith. When we abide in Him we are in a secure and eternal safe room. Our salvation is sure and will not fail.
PSALM 31:3. The Psalmist might ask the LORD to be ‘a strong rock and a house of defence’ (as in Psalm 31:2), because that is the relationship which he already has with the LORD. Hitherto, and in such a way, has the LORD been wont to help us: “Thou art my Rock and my fortress.”
The appeal is not to our faith, as if it was enough to trust in our own ability to trust; but objectively, “for thy name’s sake.” This is not just adding ‘in Jesus’ name’ to random prayers, but specifically applying to the name and the glory of God. We pray to the Father through Jesus the Son, but so praying we submit to His will, and seek the glory of His name.
“Lead me” as a soldier, “guide me” as a pilgrim. “Lead me” by your Providence, “guide me” by your Word.
PSALM 31:4. The Psalmist was in a trap. Boxed in. Depressed.
We have all been there. I have been stuck down a pot-hole. Somebody else knows what it is like to feel all alone, abandoned. Others are slandered.
With this verse we see the desperation of the Psalmist. But his faith in the LORD stands firm: “for thou art my strength.” His strength does not come from his faith, but from the object of His faith, even the LORD to whom he has been making his appeal.
PSALM 31:5. David is confident that the LORD will deliver him out of this difficulty. So he commits his life into the hand of the LORD.
Jesus took the same words upon His lips in the moment of death (cf. Luke 23:46).
Similarly Stephen, the first Christian martyr, ‘called upon God, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’ (cf. Acts 7:59).
So whether in life, or in death, we commit our spirits unto the LORD, in the sure knowledge of Christ’s redemption.
II). Psalm 31:15-16.
PSALM 31:15. “My times are in your hand.” What a blessed reassurance this is! Whatsoever comes to pass, we know that deliverance will come, whatever form it may take. ‘For me to live is Christ, to die is gain’ (cf. Philippians 1:21).
PSALM 31:16. In this trust, in this faith, we can call down upon ourselves the Aaronic blessing, no matter what befalls us (cf. Numbers 6:24-26). The Lord Jesus has been there before us. In His grace, in His mercy, in His covenant love, the LORD will not fail to respond.
C). MILK FOR ADULTS.
1 Peter 2:2-10.
Whether we are new in the faith or have been following Jesus for many years, we are encouraged to get back to basics, to return to our first love (Revelation 2:4-5), to long after sound Word-based teaching. Peter speaks of “the pure milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2) - which seems a better translation than “pure spiritual milk” because he has just been speaking about the Word (1:23, 25). The Apostle instructs us to crave after this nourishment in its pure form, neither watered down nor adulterated (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19).
We are encouraged to grow in the Word. We receive the kingdom of God with a child-like faith (Luke 18:17), but even little children must grow into adults. It is not only preachers who need to study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).
“If indeed” (1 Peter 2:3) we have tasted that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) and we have really savoured the good things of the Lord (Psalm 119:103), then we will be eagerly waiting for - and working towards - the fullness of His salvation. We are members of the community of faith, kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5), and we can rest assured that God will complete the work which He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). However, our responsibility - having begun the race - is to continue to the end (1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1).
We come to the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) - who is described here as a precious living stone (1 Peter 2:4). He is not some block of stone fashioned into an idol, but the foundation stone of the church. He has been rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11), but turns out to be the chosen one of God.
Neither are the members of the church mere blocks, but lively living stones, built up as the household of God (1 Peter 2:5). We are a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). All believers have a priestly function which is acceptable to God when we make our approaches to Him via Jesus Christ.
The self-assured leaders of Jerusalem once boasted that they had a covenant with death and hell, and that their city was immune to God’s judgement (Isaiah 28:15). Yet the church of Jesus Christ is built upon a more sure foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus is the foundation stone of the church (1 Peter 2:6), and it is only as the church is built upon Him that the gates of hell shall fail to prevail (Matthew 16:16-18).
To believers Jesus is indeed precious, invaluable, and we are honoured to be associated with Him (1 Peter 2:7). The One whom the world rejected is made into the “head of the corner” (Psalm 118:22) - the foundational cornerstone of the church (Acts 4:10-12). Those who refuse the word of God reject Jesus: they find Him offensive (1 Peter 2:8).
It is ironic that the very men who crucified Jesus were fulfilling God’s purposes in laying the foundation of the church (Acts 4:27-28). This does not excuse them (Matthew 21:41-43). When the cornerstone was set in place (1 Peter 2:6), the doom of the disobedient was also set (1 Peter 2:8): their stumbling and their readiness to take offence are the fruits of their infidelity (John 3:18).
In 1 Peter 2:9-10, Peter brings us back to the consideration of the status of believers. We have already seen that we are a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, and that we offer spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5). Now Peter identifies us with the people of God in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:5-6).
The purpose of our calling is witness: the showing forth of the praises of the One who has brought us out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). We who were “not a people” (Hosea 1:10) are now made the people of God in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:10). We praise God for His mercy!
D). COMFORT FOR TROUBLED HEARTS.
John 14:1-14.
Text: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).
The cure for troubled hearts is faith in God, but only through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples, as good Jews, no doubt already believed in God, but Jesus pointed out that they must also believe in Him. Belief here speaks of trust, resting in Him alone for our salvation.
#1. Jesus reassures us that those who put their trust in Him have a sure place in the Father’s house (John 14:2-3).
Jesus has left us as the forerunner to search out a resting place for us. He is our passport home. We are just strangers and pilgrims as we pass through this earth (cf. 1 Peter 2:11).
#2. We have in Jesus a sure way to get to heaven (John 14:4-6).
Jesus is the way, the key, the door, the straight path. There is no way to heaven but the way of the Cross (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18). Our “cross” is easy by comparison (cf. Matthew 16:24).
Jesus is the way – and Jesus is the ONLY way (cf. Acts 4:12).
Jesus is the truth. The incarnation of the truth of God. The only truth that sets us free (cf. John 8:32).
Jesus is the life. He embodies the life of God. “And no-one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
In response to Jesus’ comment in John 14:7, “If ye had known me, ye should have known the Father also,” Philip asked to see the Father (John 14:8).
Jesus’ gentle rebuke was (Philip having been one of the first disciples), how after “so long time” (John 14:9) had he not known Jesus in such a way as to see that Jesus and the Father are One?
The words that Jesus spoke were not His words alone - and it was the Father dwelling in Jesus who was doing the works (John 14:10).
“Believe Me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:11).
#3. Even with His departure, His work goes on (John 14:12-14).
Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes. Peter saw 3000 converts on his first outing (cf. Acts 2:41). Ever since that day the church has grown by fits and starts, leaps and bounds.
Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. So did the Apostles. Even to this day there is a healing ministry in the Church.
Jesus rose from the dead. In the fullest sense, He is the “firstborn from the dead” (cf. Colossians 1:18). He guarantees our power over death, and the resurrection power courses in our very veins.
The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospel. It contains an account of what Jesus afterwards said and did by the power of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of His Apostles. Yet it is an open-ended book.
There is an on-going work of Christ in our midst, and through prayer in His name we can accomplish anything (John 14:13-14).
