“Heritage”
Acts 7:1-54
How important is our heritage?
Webster’s 1828 = Heritage,
1. Inheritance; an estate that passes from an ancestor to an heir by descent or course of law; that which is inherited.
2. In Scripture, the saints or people of God are called his heritage as being claimed by him, and the objects of his special care.
1 Peter 5:3 “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Understanding our heritage will give to us a sense of belonging to and indebted to our home, country and our New Testament Church.
Do we know enough of our own history that we could, like Stephen, stand before a trial and explain why we believe in Jesus as our Saviour and how America is better because of the work of God?
What do you know or remember from history classes about the “Pilgrims’?”
Mayflower Compact
Modern version
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.[16]
When history is rewritten; the exercise of our freedoms are in peril.
Some have written that it was not the free exercise of religion that brought these travelers to the new land but a desire to grow economically.
We are in a text that is basically a history lesson from Abraham to Jesus.
It began with false accusations in Acts 6:12-15 and it ends with Steven standing before the Sanhedrin with truth and confidence. Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
Acts 7:1 “Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”
Stephen begins with the understanding of his heritage because without it there is no CHRIST (Saviour).
Acts 7:2 a “And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken;…”
Men, brethren, and fathers - These were the usual titles by which the Sanhedrin was addressed.
In all this Stephen was perfectly respectful, and showed that he was disposed to render due honor to the institutions of the nation.
Our very laws of America are based with the same ability:
To answer the charges that have been laid upon Stephen.
He did not insult the council, but rather reminded them of the heritage that he and the council is part of.
Acts 7:2-7 Abraham – Father of the nation
Acts 7:8a Isaac – The Son promised by God (covenant)
Acts 7:8b – Jacob who begat the twelve patriarchs
Acts 7:9-16 – The hard times and travel into Egypt
Acts 7:17-50 Life of Moses with the rebellion of God’s people against the men of God.
This was the charge against Stephen so much more attention to detail seems to be made.
The Summery of Stephen:
I. Truth Spoken
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Stiffnecked – (9 times in the Bible) stubborn, headstrong, obstinate
Law of First Mention = Exodus 32:9 “And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:”
It was God who first called the Israelite's stiffnecked.
They were reminded that any blessings did not come from their good deeds but came because of the covenant that HE made with Abraham.
This is still true today; we are not saved by what we have done for God, but rather what God did for mankind.
That is why the bible is so clear in Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Uncircumcised – To be circumcised is a picture of one being separated from the things of the world; and Stephen just told them that they are connected to the things of the world and have neglected the things of God.
In heart - the center and seat of spiritual life (persuaded through the internal)
And ears - the faculty of perceiving with the mind, the faculty of understanding and knowing (infected by the external).
Resist - run against, to be adverse, oppose, strive against
Holy Ghost – The triune of God which brings conviction to the heart of a person, and woos us into salvation
So do ye – You respond as your fathers did when they rejected truth.
II. Truth Stated
Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
In other words: name a prophet/preacher that your “fathers” did not kill.
You even killed the Just One (righteous, not broken the Law and accepted by GOD!). JESUS
Betrayers – traitor
Murderers - a homicide, killer, to slaughter
Assassin = just as if they pounded the nails and swung the whip.
III. Truth Suppressed
Acts 7:53 “Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
From the very first fall of man; truth has always been that redemption will be from God, and Stephen has just given a short history (His Story) of redemption through a chosen people (Jews).
IV. Truth Suspended
Act 7:54 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”
Cut to the heart - to saw asunder or in two, to be sawn through mentally,
Heart – seat of emotion, seat of thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors
Conclusion:
We leave this time as a “cliff hanger”
If you are able to read farther along you already know what their response is, but that will need to wait until next time.
How’s your heritage?
Do you have a testimony that could stand the cross-examination of the world?
If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence for a conviction?
I sing it again and again:
Do You Know My Jesus
Have you a heart that's weary
Tending a load of care?
Are you a soul that's seeking
Rest from the burden you bear?
Do you know my Jesus?
Do you know my Friend?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide 'til the end?
Who knows your disappointments?
Who hears each time you cry?
Who understands your heartaches?
Who dries the tears from your eyes?
Do you know my Jesus?
Do you know my Friend?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide 'til the end?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide 'til the end?
