Make Me A Servant (Acts 6:8-7:60)

I have struggled in the past to speak the gospel to people who I don't think will be interested. I'm all over it if they give me a sense that they want to talk about religion or the Bible. But if they show the slightest bit of resistance, I back off. Have you ever felt that way? I'm sure some of you have no idea what I'm talking about. I've known people with no awareness of how people are responding or no concern because the message is too important. In some cases, that gets them into trouble, but in many cases, it blows my mind how successful they are and how wrong I am. Our text today is about this type of confrontation over the truth.

Stephen Reasons With Jews

Acts 6:8--10 (ESV) --- 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

First, we read that Stephen was one of the men selected to distribute the money to those widows who had need. He was someone everyone trusted and respected, full of the Spirit and wisdom. Now, after the apostles lay hands on him, he is doing great wonders and signs among all the people. I think we can read between the lines here and assume that he was using the signs and miracles to teach the people about Jesus. A group of Jews hears him teaching and argue with him. This is interesting because we haven't heard of that happening very often. The miracles in the past have silenced the critics, but now they are speaking out against him.

The text tells us that they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit he spoke with. Stephen was not just speaking his opinion. He was sharing the truth and explaining it clearly. So, what do people do when they can't win an argument?

Jews Seek To Destroy Stephen

Acts 6:11--14 (ESV) --- 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak 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 will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

These men resorted to an emotional argument. They feel offended by Stephen's words, so they start to accuse him of evil but notice the sins they say he has committed. Don't they sound a lot like the accusations brought against Jesus? Jesus told the people that God would destroy the temple in Luke 19:41-44. They took these words of judgment as a blasphemous threat against God instead of a warning from God. But Stephen hasn't said anything wrong, just like Jesus didn't say anything wrong. Notice verse 13 tells us they set up "false witnesses" to accuse him of doing something wrong.

Acts 6:15--7:1 (ESV) --- 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

I'm not sure if Stephen's face was glowing or if he was just seen as innocent, but no one looked at him and thought, "Yep, that guy has to be guilty." He didn't look like the type of person who was trying to do anything evil against anyone because he wasn't that person.

The high priest asks him if these things are so, and all that Stephen has to do at this point is stay silent. I doubt that these religious leaders would do any more against him if he stayed silent. But he speaks one of the most amazing sermons in the New Testament. We don't have enough time to go through it, so I will touch on the highlights.

Stephen's Defense

Instead of defending himself, he recounts the story of Israel and defends the truth he was preaching earlier.

Abraham's Faith

Acts 7:2--5 (ESV) --- 2 And 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, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then 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. 5 Yet 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.

The first thing that Stephen points out is God's promise to Abraham. This promise was for his offspring to receive the land as an inheritance forever, even though he had no child. Consider how bold accepting God's message would be for Abraham. Choosing to leave his family and his homeland made no sense to him, but he accepted it as an unmistakable message from God, and he trusted him to deliver. This act of faith in God started the nation of Israel. Stephen wants them to know their origins before telling them where he is going.

The Brothers Rejected Joseph

Acts 7:9--10 (ESV) --- 9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and 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.

The next part of the story skips to Jacob's twelve sons. In this case, God foretold that Joseph would be exalted through Joseph's dreams. Did they listen to him and have faith in God's message? No. Instead, they rejected Joseph and sold him into slavery, but God worked their evil for good. Eventually, those who rejected Joseph bowed before him and were saved from a great famine.

Israel Rejected Moses Twice!

Next, he talks about Moses, whom God raised to save Israel from Egypt. Once again, Israel rejected Moses and refused to follow him at first. He went away forty years before returning and leading the people out of Egypt through the ten plagues. But after he brought them through the Red Sea and to Mount Sinai, he went up on the mountain to receive the word, and they decided to reject him again! This time they built a golden calf to worship.

Acts 7:39--41 (ESV) --- 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying 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.’ 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.

A Prophet Like Moses (36)

Before saying this, he points out that God foretold another prophet like Moses.

Acts 7:37--38 (ESV) --- 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This 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.

Just like Moses received the law and gave it to the people, this new prophet would do the same. That's why Stephen's teaching sounds like a total change from the Law of Moses. Moses established new law and foretold that a prophet would come and speak living oracles. When we open the OT, we find more information, which is fascinating.

Deuteronomy 18:15--19 (ESV) --- 15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers---it is to him you shall listen--- 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

This prophet will speak to them, and they must listen to him, or God will require it of them.

The Temple (44-50)

The last part of this OT Summary goes to the temple. Remember that they accused him of speaking against the holy place and saying it would be destroyed. Stephen points out that the Tabernacle was a pattern of the heavenly realities. It's not the true dwelling place of God, nor was the temple.

Acts 7:47--50 (ESV) --- 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet 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? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

Accusation (51-53)

Now that he provided all the Old Testament Summary, Stephen turns to application.

Acts 7:51--53 (ESV) --- 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 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, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

The point of Stephen's sermon is to help them see that they are doing what their fathers have always done. They are rejecting the truth that is obviously from God. No one could work the miracles he has worked if God was not with him. They are no different.

The Jews Attack! (7:54-60)

After this sermon, we might expect a light bulb to turn on for the Jews. Instead, they became enraged. Their decisions were being made purely on emotion, not logic. The more logic they heard, the more emotional they became until they couldn't stand it anymore.

Acts 7:54--60 (ESV) --- 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then 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. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And 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.

What Do We Learn?

As we see Stephen murdered by the Jews, what do we learn? Would we say, "He shouldn't have told them the truth?" Sometimes the apostles share the truth, and it converts thousands of people. Sometimes it provokes an emotional response by the religious leaders. But, in this case, they killed him for it. Did Stephen do something wrong, or was he unsuccessful? I think we get an idea in our head that if our words don't result in conversions, we have failed. I have said this before, and I'll repeat it. That's not true! Stephen succeeded because he told the truth. By speaking the truth to them, he solidified the goodness of God in judging them. He proved that they are worthy of the judgment they will receive. I also wonder if there were any in the audience who felt like this was wrong. Would they be converted after hearing and seeing this? Would a stone be put in the shoe of a man named Saul?

Notice that Stephen dies saying the same things that Jesus said in Luke 23. He gives his spirit to God and asks God to forgive them. Stephen was faithful to the end. So should we go out and start offending people so that they will kill us? I don't believe that was Stephen's purpose in speaking the truth. His purpose was to help people know the truth and be set free from sin and death. I don't think he would have pressed them if they would not accept the truth. However, these Jews pushed Stephen into court with accusations. He used it as an opportunity to preach to people and trusted God to protect or provide for him after his death. His words remind me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when asked to bow before king Nebuchadnezzar. They said, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up."

He trusted God to make his faithfulness count for righteousness and was rewarded for it. Notice again verse 55. It says he "gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." What does this mean? Can you imagine seeing that after delivering a sermon like that? Why would Jesus be standing? Standing is a stark contrast to sitting. It shows that he is at attention. He is honoring Stephen for what he has done for him. Revealing this to Stephen would remove all doubts that he should have spoken the truth. Of course, he should have, and we should go as well. The truth is worth defending.

Application

What about us? Will we defend the truth

with those who won't listen? Will we speak knowing that people around us won't listen to logic? Will we still tell them the truth, knowing they will be stubborn and defiant based on an emotional response?

This text shows us that stubborn hearts have always existed. We don't want to throw our pearls before swine or what is holy to the dogs because Jesus advises us against it. But if they press us, we should have the faith to speak the truth and not back down. It's always dangerous to warn a stubborn person that they are stubborn.

Conclusion

Are you stubborn? Do you hear something reasonable and refuse to investigate it further because you are emotionally drawn to something unreasonable? The Bible is not unreasonable. The gospel is not unreasonable. Skeptics might make it sound unreasonable, but when we study the Bible to understand the truth, it is reasonable. Submit your life to Jesus and receive the blessings he offers. Life for him with faith in his promises. You won't regret it.