“Stephen Finished Well”
Acts 7:54-60
We have been told that the words that would be the blessing of a life time are; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The most terrifying words; “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
Both were words that Jesus had spoken while walking on this earth in bodily form as man.
Both were used to show that service we do not serve to be saved but rather we serve because we are saved.
Such is the example of Stephen before us.
Acts 7:54-60
I. The Foolishness Exposed
Vs. 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, endeavours
Gnashed - gnash with the teeth, to bite, to chew
There was a time in the growth of our children that we had to deal with this very act; but then again they were 2 or 3.
I am pretty sure this is just like playground activities when you know you have lost; just ask Evander Holyfield after his fight with Mike Tyson in 1997.
II. The Fullness Revealed
Vs. 55 “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,”
Full of the Holy Ghost - fully under the influence of the Holy Ghost
Full - covered in every part, lacking nothing
having a holy boldness, courage, and intrepidity of mind; instead of being discouraged and dejected, of being cast down in his spirits.
Looked up stedfastly into heaven - to fix the eyes on, gaze upon
Saw the glory of God -
And Jesus standing on the right hand of God -
I find it fascinating that Jesus was standing when other places we see that Jesus was sitting.
WHY? Because He finished what he was sent to do; to pay for my sin.
Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
Hebrews 10:12 “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
Just imagine; they just attacked Stephen for his boldness and now here he is saying “look Jesus is on the right of His Father.
It is no surprise what is about to happen as if to say; “Can’t you see Him, right there standing on the RIGHT hand of God?”
III. The Foresight Enjoyed
Vs. 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
The Bible speaks often about the “right hand of God,” but what does that really mean?
We see in Scripture that the right hand of God is used as a symbol of God’s power, His protection, and His presence, but also of His judgment.
Even the Disciples argued about being on the right side
A symbol of high rank and authority.
Ephesians 1:19-23 “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
Did you just hear that again? They could only be described as out of control.
IV. The Fierceness Discovered
Vs. 57 “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,”
Here we go again with the childish acts:
Just imagine the sight of all these running toward Stephen with fingers in their ears, making all kinds of noise.
WOW what a sight!
They did what they had NO authority to do; put a person to death!
V. The Feeble Attempt
Vs. 58 “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”
At least with Jesus they made a show of a trial and then requested to Pilot to have Him Crucified.
VI. The Fondness Amplified
Vs. 59 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Stephen just made a comment about seeing Jesus and now Stephen basically says: “I’m ready Lord.”
But there is just one more request:
VII. The Finish Line
Vs. 60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
The only way this request could be answered is that Stephen dies before the first stone ever hits him.
SO: he fell asleep.
In other words Jesus just said; “sure come home.”
Conclusion:
When we are faced with death, will we scream “it’s not fare?”
Or will we say; “Lord I see you and can’t wait to be with you.”
That is only possible with a relationship where Jesus did all the saving and we did nothing but received Him.
Let’s PRAY.
