WEBVTT

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 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to the book of Acts chapter 6.

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 Our text for this morning will be Acts chapter 6, verse 8 through Acts chapter 7, verse 1.

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 And while you're getting there, let me just express to you that it's very good to be back with you this morning.

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 The whole family took last week off just as we've struggled with our new little one.

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 If you don't know my family, we have a brand new baby boy in addition to our other two.

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 And Silas has been a bit more challenging than the others.

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 We've had our what in the world do we do moments with him, but we're mostly filled with joy.

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 Sam's here with him somewhere.

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 I think she's already. Oh, she's here in the room.

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 How about that for now? She's here in the room.

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 That's the fussing you're hearing over there.

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 It's also very good to be back preaching with you again as I'm coming off a preaching break.

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 I just want to remind you guys why we're doing that, why I'm taking these times of stepping away,

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 not from my job in total, but from preaching itself.

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 And they're twofold.

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 Number one, we want you to want to come and hear the Word of God preached.

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 Simply that.

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 The truth proclaimed.

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 And not necessarily by a particular person.

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 And I don't think that that happens here.

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 It's not that I have some strange disillusionment that I'm being worshipped in any way whatsoever.

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 But we want to get ahead of that kind of thing.

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 We don't want you to show up and think,

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 Ah, not Nathan.

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 Please don't ever think that.

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 Praise God for the Word of God preached.

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 The truth is proclaimed here.

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 And I praise God for the depth of talent we have in that regard.

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 The second reason is simply that we need to let other people exercise gifting.

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 I'm certainly glad to get up here week in and week out.

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 It does grow tiring at times.

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 But primarily, we need to let other men get into the process and work that gifting out

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 and have the chance to share what God is working into them with you.

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 And so, you're going to see breaks like that periodically across the rest of the year.

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 But all that said, I'm glad to be back.

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 I'm glad also to be back,

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 to begin this period of time of study and preaching on your behalf

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 with a very important transitionary character in the book of Acts.

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 Come to the life and ministry of Stephen.

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 Peter has been the primary character up to this point in Luke's narrative.

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 Continuing forward, we will observe the ministry of Peter in chapters 10, 11, and 12.

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 And then his presence at the Jerusalem Council in chapter 15.

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 But the focus is beginning now to shift away from Peter as the primary narrative character to Paul.

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 We meet him first as Saul at the very end of chapter 7 and on into chapter 8.

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 And we see this shift through the end of the book then as Paul is the central figure in Luke's narrative.

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 So, we have this record of Stephen's ministry and it's a short one.

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 And rightly so, because his ministry is brief.

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 He is selected to serve as a deacon in order to serve the tables of the Greek-speaking Jewish widows

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 at the beginning of chapter 6.

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 And his ministry ends at the end of chapter 7.

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 He expands his ministry as a deacon to that of a preacher and an apologist.

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 And the Lord sees fit to end Stephen's ministry by making him the first martyr of the Christian church.

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 I appreciated this summary by Charles Spurgeon as I appreciate so much of his preaching and writing.

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 And I put it on the front of the bulletin for you to follow along.

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 He preached, Stephen the deacon became Stephen the preacher.

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 This holy man not only used such gifts as he had in one department,

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 but having abilities for a more spiritual form of service,

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 he laid them at once upon the altar of Christ.

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 Nor is this all.

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 He had a higher promotion yet.

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 When he had thus become Stephen the wise apologist and brave defender of the faith,

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 he did not stop there, but he mounted to the highest rank of the Christian army.

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 He gained the peerless dignity, the foremost nobility, the brightest glory.

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 I mean the martyr's name and honor.

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 Stephen the deacon is first Stephen the preacher.

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 And afterwards, Stephen, God's faithful and true witness,

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 laying down his life so that he may seal his testimony with his blood.

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 So we have the opportunity to look at the life and ministry of Stephen, however brief.

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 And we're going to do so across the next two weeks.

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 Today, I'd like to look at his arrest and inquiry.

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 And the next Lord's Day, we'll look at Stephen's response and his death.

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 And over the next two weeks, I want us to keep in mind two general lessons,

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 general and broad lessons that we can learn from Stephen's life and ministry.

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 Number one, a life given in service to God is a life that is not wasted.

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 As we come to the conclusion of Stephen's life next week,

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 we'll see that God sovereignly uses Stephen's martyrdom for the explosive expansion of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 His death is the catalyst that sets off so much gospel reach and response.

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 A life given in service to God is a life that is not wasted.

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 And secondly, the significance of such a life given to God cannot be measured by its short-term gains,

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 its breadth, or its length.

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 The significance of a life given in service to God cannot be measured by its short-term gains,

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 its breadth, or its length.

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 So with those two things in mind, let's look at our text this morning.

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 Acts chapter 6, beginning in verse 8 through chapter 7, verse 1.

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 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

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 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the freedmen, as it was called,

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 and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians,

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 and of those from Cilicia and Asia,

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 rose up and disputed with Stephen.

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 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking.

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 Then they secretly instigated men who said,

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 We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.

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 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes,

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 and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council.

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 And they set up false witnesses who said,

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 This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law.

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 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place

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 and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.

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 And gazing at him,

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 all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

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 And the high priest said,

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 Are these things so?

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 Beloved,

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 this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for his glory and our good.

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 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises

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 and obey its commands.

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 Now, our text this morning,

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 I would like to look at in two ways.

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 Number one,

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 the details of Stephen's arrest.

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 And number two,

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 the Stephen who was arrested.

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 The details of Stephen's arrest.

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 And number two,

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 the Stephen who was arrested.

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 So number one,

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 the details of Stephen's arrest.

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 We begin out here,

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 after him coming off,

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 we get this explanation of him being called as a deacon,

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 this early church that's meeting in Jerusalem

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 for the sake of serving the tables of the widows,

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 of the Hellenist Jews,

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 that Stephen is not only serving tables.

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 He is also preaching.

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 We have a deacon here who preaches.

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 And some have supposed

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 that the calling of these men

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 at the beginning of Acts chapter 6

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 were not the calling of deacons,

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 was not the institution of that office,

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 but rather the institution of the office of elder.

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 Because Stephen was preaching.

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 Elders must be able to teach.

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 That's a qualification that's given for an elder.

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 But that does not mean

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 that no one else can have that qualification.

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 In fact,

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 deacons and all believers,

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 whether or not they hold an office in the church,

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 whether or not they are especially gifted

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 to teach in a setting like this,

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 are to be

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 preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 Don't miss that.

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 And what a great encouragement that is to us

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 that Stephen,

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 chosen to be a deacon,

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 I will argue,

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 to serve the physical needs of the church,

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 was also a preacher.

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 Stephen, the deacon, preached.

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 If you're looking at the text carefully,

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 you might be saying,

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 on what basis do I come to the conclusion

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 that he's preaching?

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 Because it doesn't actually say explicitly

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 that he preached.

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 But recall that we have noted

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 in our study of Mark,

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 if you've been with us for quite a while,

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 seen the record of Jesus' ministry,

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 and in our study of Acts so far,

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 that signs and wonders

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 were always intended to validate

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 the message of the gospel.

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 The preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ

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 always accompanied signs and wonders

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 being performed.

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 Signs and wonders were meant

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 to cause people to take notice

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 of the preaching.

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 God uses the preaching of the gospel

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 to work the greatest of miracles.

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 And beloved, we cannot miss this.

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 God is still in the business

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 of working miracles

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 in that He changes hard hearts

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 to ones that beat for Him.

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 There is no greater miracle

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 that has further reach

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 than hearts changed

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 toward God.

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 So, the fact that Stephen

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 is performing great wonders

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 and signs

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 necessitates that he was also

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 preaching.

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 So, first,

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 I come to a conclusion from that.

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 Second, I come to it

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 because of the way

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 in which he's opposed.

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 Note the opposition

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 that comes to him for this.

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 He's not opposed

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 because he's working miracles.

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 Verse 9

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 speaks of

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 a select group of men

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 from a variety

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 of the Jerusalem

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 synagogues.

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 We see,

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 then,

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 some of those

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 who belong to the synagogue.

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 I take that to mean

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 that those who

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 were versed

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 in debate,

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 those who were of

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 high training

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 from each of these synagogues,

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 the synagogues

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 of the freedmen,

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 we get this

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 parenthetical by Luke

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 as it was called,

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 and of the Cyrenians

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 and of the Alexandrians

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 and of those from

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 Cilicia and Asia

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 rose up

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 and disputed

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 with Stephen.

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 These are a select

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 group of men

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 from a variety

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 of the Jerusalem

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 synagogues.

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 You could think of

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 synagogues

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 in this day

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 while the primary

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 worship of the day

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 in Jerusalem

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 happened at the temple,

00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.120
 synagogues were

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 much like seminaries,

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 places of

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 theological

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 training.

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 And there were

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 no less than

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 480 synagogues

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 in Jerusalem

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 in these days.

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 And they had them

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 of all kinds

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 of variety.

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 These five

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 are all synagogues

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 of Greek-speaking Jews.

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 Now, if you missed

00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.139
 last week,

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 the Hellenists,

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 the Greek-speaking Jews,

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 were those

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 who either

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 were already living

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 in Gentile lands

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 from the dispersion,

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 therefore they spoke

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 Greek as a primary

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 language,

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 right?

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 And they were being

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 brought back in

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 or they had started

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 there and moved

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 back in

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 and there was

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 kind of a bit

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 of a class separation

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 as a result

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 of this.

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 So,

00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.700
 we find that

00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:34.679
 Stephen's primary

00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:35.960
 ministry is to

00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.460
 the Greek-speaking

00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.100
 Jewish widows

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.120
 and therefore

00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.419
 he's being opposed

00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:43.340
 by Greek-speaking

00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.960
 Jews.

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 The synagogue

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 of the freedmen,

00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:50.120
 the freedmen,

00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:50.660
 were made up

00:13:50.660 --> 00:13:51.200
 of descendants

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 of Jewish slaves

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 that were captured

00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.300
 by Pompey

00:13:54.300 --> 00:13:55.340
 in 63 B.C.

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 and taken to Rome.

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 They were later

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 granted their freedom,

00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.740
 therefore the name

00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.480
 Freedmen,

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.420
 and they formed

00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:02.300
 a Jewish community

00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:03.399
 living there

00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.500
 in Rome.

00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.200
 But this is a synagogue

00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.320
 located in Jerusalem

00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.860
 of these people

00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:08.519
 who would travel

00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:08.960
 to Jerusalem

00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:09.879
 in order to be

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.840
 educated in

00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.940
 theology.

00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.620
 The synagogues

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.680
 of the Cyrenians

00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.819
 and the Alexandrians,

00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:18.000
 both major cities

00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.159
 of northern Africa

00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.099
 which had large

00:14:20.099 --> 00:14:21.500
 Jewish populations.

00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.039
 Again,

00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:22.959
 a synagogue

00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:23.759
 in Jerusalem

00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:25.739
 for these people.

00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.479
 The synagogues

00:14:26.479 --> 00:14:27.259
 of Cilicia

00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.019
 and Asia

00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.219
 in much the same way

00:14:29.219 --> 00:14:30.959
 were Roman provinces

00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:32.899
 in Asia Minor.

00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.659
 Of interest

00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.539
 at this point,

00:14:35.219 --> 00:14:36.179
 the Apostle Paul

00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:37.679
 was from Tarsus,

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.039
 which is a town

00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.519
 in Cilicia.

00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:42.299
 Recall

00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.819
 that he was a student

00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:45.279
 of Gamaliel,

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.399
 which we've seen

00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.479
 previously in chapter 5.

00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.919
 And he was likely

00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.439
 part of the debate

00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.219
 that's going on.

00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.219
 He's likely one

00:14:53.219 --> 00:14:53.740
 of the people

00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.039
 standing here

00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.299
 and opposing.

00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:57.679
 He's likely one

00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.159
 of the people

00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.699
 that helps

00:14:58.699 --> 00:15:00.799
 recruit liars

00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:02.620
 to bring false charge

00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.039
 against Stephen

00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:04.699
 as we see him

00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.179
 at the end

00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:06.799
 of chapter 7

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.599
 standing,

00:15:07.979 --> 00:15:08.859
 residing over

00:15:08.859 --> 00:15:09.979
 Stephen's

00:15:09.979 --> 00:15:11.240
 martyrdom.

00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:13.799
 So there's

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.699
 this opposition

00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:15.479
 and it's coming

00:15:15.479 --> 00:15:17.839
 against teaching.

00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.319
 Verse 10 says,

00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.620
 but they could not

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.579
 withstand the wisdom

00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:23.740
 and the spirit

00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.479
 with which he was speaking.

00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.740
 They were unable

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.519
 to handle him

00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.859
 in a debate.

00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.319
 They were unable

00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:32.000
 to best the power

00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.539
 of God

00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.199
 at work

00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.439
 within him.

00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:36.039
 They were incapable

00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.719
 without the illumination

00:15:37.719 --> 00:15:38.719
 of the spirit of God

00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:40.240
 to fully comprehend

00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.139
 the scriptures.

00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.279
 They've been trained

00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:42.740
 in it.

00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.819
 Masterfully trained.

00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.960
 Stephen is likely

00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.100
 a lay person

00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:47.659
 but he has

00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.639
 the spirit of God

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.439
 and the power of God

00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:50.179
 at work within him

00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.100
 to help him understand

00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:51.720
 this book

00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.779
 that had been taught

00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.080
 to him

00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.779
 from a child.

00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.960
 And he lays it out

00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.199
 for them

00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:56.779
 and they're unable

00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:58.039
 to debate with him

00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:58.819
 and so what do they do?

00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.500
 They turn

00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.840
 to deception.

00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.439
 They have no other

00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:04.720
 way to stand up

00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.240
 against him

00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.659
 and so

00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.559
 they turn

00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.739
 to deception

00:16:07.739 --> 00:16:09.099
 and they bring up

00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:11.139
 these false charges

00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.239
 in secret

00:16:12.239 --> 00:16:14.559
 and hidden places.

00:16:14.739 --> 00:16:16.279
 They instigate men.

00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:18.479
 They recruit false witness

00:16:18.479 --> 00:16:19.459
 against him

00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:21.139
 and they make these charges

00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.419
 against Stephen

00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.859
 in three pairs.

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.379
 And we see them

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.059
 in verse 11

00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.459
 and verse 13

00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:27.739
 and verse 14.

00:16:27.959 --> 00:16:28.439
 Verse 11

00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.559
 blasphemous words

00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:30.199
 against Moses

00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.039
 and God.

00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.939
 Stephen is speaking

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.720
 these blasphemous words

00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.880
 against Moses

00:16:34.880 --> 00:16:35.600
 and God.

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.480
 Verse 13

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.920
 He won't stop

00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:38.700
 speaking words

00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.620
 against this

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.000
 holy place

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.580
 and the law.

00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:44.100
 And verse 14

00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.520
 this

00:16:44.520 --> 00:16:46.520
 Jesus of Nazareth

00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.380
 will destroy

00:16:47.380 --> 00:16:48.060
 this place

00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:49.400
 and will change

00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:50.040
 the customs

00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:51.000
 that Moses

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.580
 delivered

00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.900
 to us.

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.460
 And the way

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.140
 these accusations

00:16:55.140 --> 00:16:55.660
 are brought

00:16:55.660 --> 00:16:56.380
 the pairs

00:16:56.380 --> 00:16:57.380
 expand

00:16:57.380 --> 00:16:59.080
 on the original

00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.960
 accusation

00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.700
 that Stephen

00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.800
 is against

00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:02.839
 Moses

00:17:02.839 --> 00:17:04.259
 and against

00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.519
 God.

00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.680
 That is

00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.740
 they go on

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.240
 to make these

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.779
 accusations

00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.339
 to say

00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:09.980
 to speak

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.359
 blasphemous words

00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.019
 against Moses

00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.379
 is to speak

00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.379
 against the law

00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:15.299
 and the customs

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.419
 handed down

00:17:16.419 --> 00:17:17.079
 by Moses.

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.119
 And to speak

00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:19.119
 blasphemous words

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.059
 against God

00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.339
 is to speak

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.619
 against

00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.819
 the temple.

00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.819
 Now

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.099
 these charges

00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.339
 weren't

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.399
 altogether

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:29.940
 false.

00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.740
 Stephen

00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.640
 was certainly

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.559
 not being

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.039
 blasphemous

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.960
 but he was

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.420
 preaching

00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:38.000
 the gospel.

00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:40.079
 So he was

00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.460
 teaching

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.599
 that righteousness

00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.380
 could not

00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:43.120
 be found

00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:44.539
 in the law

00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.259
 or in the

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.000
 traditions

00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.680
 and that temple

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.099
 worship

00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.319
 would never

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.200
 atone

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.400
 for sin.

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.799
 He was teaching

00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.400
 that these

00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.120
 things

00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:55.759
 were a shadow

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.559
 of the thing

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.539
 that has

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.259
 come

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.839
 in Christ.

00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.039
 Stephen

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.059
 was preaching

00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.700
 the gospel.

00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:04.619
 He was

00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.259
 speaking of

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.319
 the person

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.720
 and work

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.660
 of Jesus

00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.299
 Christ.

00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.000
 And that's

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.379
 why it's

00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.039
 so offensive

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.640
 to them.

00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.259
 We've said

00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.539
 this in

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.339
 previous weeks

00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:13.980
 that went

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.779
 against the

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.920
 world system

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:17.160
 which their

00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.119
 religion was

00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:19.180
 a part of.

00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:19.720
 It flew

00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.819
 in the face

00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.660
 of it.

00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:21.940
 And they

00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.480
 could not

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.039
 have him

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.799
 tear down

00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.460
 their

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.000
 religious

00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.039
 worship.

00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:27.559
 Stephen

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.119
 preached

00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.559
 that people

00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.380
 must believe

00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.680
 in the

00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.099
 person

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.619
 and work

00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.779
 of Jesus

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.319
 Christ.

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:35.680
 And I don't

00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:35.960
 know if you've

00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.359
 been noticing

00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.000
 me across

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.460
 the last

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.240
 month saying

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.940
 that often

00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.640
 that phrasing

00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.819
 person and

00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.779
 work

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.880
 of Jesus

00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.259
 Christ

00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.839
 because beloved

00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.380
 it's not

00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.019
 enough to

00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.480
 believe in

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.099
 one and

00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.519
 not the

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:47.779
 other.

00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.240
 We must

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:49.759
 believe that

00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.400
 Jesus is

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.240
 who he said

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.319
 he is.

00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.279
 That he is

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.440
 the son of

00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.759
 God.

00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:55.059
 That he is

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.680
 the Messiah

00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.500
 the chosen

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.080
 one of

00:18:57.080 --> 00:18:57.279
 God.

00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:57.720
 The one

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.340
 who was

00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:58.799
 sent to

00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.480
 take away

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.380
 the sins

00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.140
 of the

00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.480
 world.

00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:03.120
 We also

00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:04.620
 must believe

00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.539
 in his

00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.019
 work.

00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:07.140
 We must

00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:07.799
 understand that

00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.340
 he lived a

00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:09.400
 perfect life.

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.000
 That he

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.799
 fulfilled the

00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.279
 law in

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.820
 himself.

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.420
 That he

00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:12.960
 has

00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.759
 righteousness

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.180
 that's

00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.680
 granted to

00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.539
 us by

00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:15.920
 faith.

00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.440
 We put

00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.259
 on his

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.740
 righteousness

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:19.039
 and that

00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.259
 his

00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.140
 sacrificial

00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:20.500
 death

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:20.940
 paid the

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.400
 penalty for

00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.740
 our sin.

00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:22.220
 Both are

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.539
 important.

00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:22.980
 The person

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.019
 and the

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.259
 work.

00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.599
 We must

00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.180
 believe that

00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.720
 Jesus is

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.299
 the Christ

00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.839
 and that

00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.680
 his active

00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.539
 and passive

00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.700
 obedience has

00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.480
 brought us

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:30.980
 into right

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.500
 relationship

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.379
 with God.

00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:32.700
 And this

00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:32.980
 is the

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.099
 gospel that

00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.259
 Stephen is

00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.660
 preaching.

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.140
 This is the

00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.900
 offense to

00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.240
 the world

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.240
 system in

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.599
 which he

00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.079
 lived.

00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.779
 Now, the

00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.240
 story of

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.079
 Stephen is

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.039
 used by

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.299
 Luke.

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:46.500
 And I

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:46.779
 don't mean

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.220
 that he

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.099
 makes the

00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.759
 story up or

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.119
 that he

00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.660
 conveniently

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.160
 puts the

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.619
 story in

00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.480
 this place.

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.180
 But under

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.819
 inspiration,

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.339
 Luke writes

00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.059
 this account

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.900
 and uses

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.460
 the story

00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.019
 for a

00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.099
 very important

00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.599
 transition in

00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.039
 the book of

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.420
 Acts.

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.059
 I want to

00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.420
 show you

00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:01.759
 that.

00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.740
 At this

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.400
 point in

00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:04.940
 the story,

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.299
 God is

00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.779
 about to

00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.620
 turn loose

00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.660
 the church.

00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.120
 The beginning

00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.680
 of chapter

00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.160
 8,

00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.200
 persecution

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.460
 ramps up

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.059
 and the

00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:13.480
 church is

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.140
 scattered.

00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:18.820
 God is

00:20:18.820 --> 00:20:19.960
 going to

00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:21.840
 take the

00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:24.060
 gospel of

00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:24.660
 Jesus Christ

00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.100
 in a

00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:25.400
 single

00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.040
 generation

00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.780
 across

00:20:26.780 --> 00:20:27.259
 three

00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:27.980
 continents.

00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:28.780
 The

00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:29.360
 gospel goes

00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.360
 forth in

00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.120
 a radical

00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:31.500
 way and

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:31.920
 it's about

00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.380
 to happen

00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:32.740
 right here

00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.100
 on the

00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:33.720
 cusp of

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:33.980
 that.

00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:34.540
 And here

00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:34.900
 the story

00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.500
 of Stephen

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.400
 is this

00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.280
 transition

00:20:37.280 --> 00:20:38.259
 between the

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.600
 two.

00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:40.259
 The

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.720
 gospel is

00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:40.900
 going to

00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.400
 go from

00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.000
 Jerusalem

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.180
 to the

00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.620
 world.

00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:44.720
 At the

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:44.960
 beginning

00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.500
 of chapter

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.400
 8.

00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.640
 In

00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:49.000
 Acts 3,

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:49.820
 chapters 3

00:20:49.820 --> 00:20:50.960
 through 5,

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.259
 we see the

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.040
 effect of the

00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:53.920
 gospel as

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.480
 it's spreading

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.759
 throughout

00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.200
 Jerusalem.

00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:55.580
 Like the

00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.000
 teaching is

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.560
 everywhere,

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.240
 like many,

00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.420
 many thousands,

00:20:58.800 --> 00:20:59.660
 possibly tens

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.400
 of thousands

00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.900
 have converted

00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.920
 to faith in

00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.540
 Jesus Christ.

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.380
 It's spreading

00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.080
 even in the

00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.420
 face of

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:04.940
 opposition,

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.680
 even in the

00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.040
 face of

00:21:06.040 --> 00:21:06.860
 the arrest

00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.320
 and the

00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:07.759
 beating of

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.620
 the apostles.

00:21:08.780 --> 00:21:09.340
 The gospel

00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:09.680
 is going

00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.040
 forth

00:21:10.040 --> 00:21:10.780
 throughout

00:21:10.780 --> 00:21:11.920
 Jerusalem.

00:21:12.520 --> 00:21:12.880
 The

00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.300
 primary

00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:14.120
 message

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.619
 of their

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.079
 preaching

00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:16.039
 is that

00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.519
 God's

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:16.879
 blessing

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.599
 is found

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:17.939
 in

00:21:17.939 --> 00:21:18.379
 Jesus,

00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.399
 not in

00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:20.639
 temple

00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.039
 worship.

00:21:21.959 --> 00:21:22.319
 Beginning

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:22.819
 after

00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.439
 temple

00:21:23.439 --> 00:21:23.899
 worship,

00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.299
 right?

00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:25.059
 As a

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.519
 shadow

00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:25.879
 of a

00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:26.199
 former

00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:27.179
 thing.

00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:28.059
 God's

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.379
 blessing

00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:28.579
 is

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:28.939
 ultimately

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.399
 found

00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:29.919
 in

00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:31.359
 Christ.

00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:32.059
 Now,

00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:32.479
 in Acts

00:21:32.479 --> 00:21:33.179
 6 and

00:21:33.179 --> 00:21:33.659
 7,

00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.599
 the life

00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.000
 and ministry

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.239
 of Stephen,

00:21:36.719 --> 00:21:37.459
 the proclamation

00:21:37.459 --> 00:21:37.899
 of the

00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:39.099
 gospel leads

00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:40.199
 to Stephen's

00:21:40.199 --> 00:21:41.399
 trial and

00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.000
 his death.

00:21:42.199 --> 00:21:42.799
 The opposition

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.200
 to the

00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.500
 gospel,

00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:43.980
 even as

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.139
 it's

00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:44.319
 gone

00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:44.799
 forth

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.480
 before

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.779
 this

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:45.940
 in

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.359
 Jerusalem,

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:46.740
 right?

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:46.960
 In the

00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.259
 face of

00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.700
 opposition,

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.339
 the opposition

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.220
 cranks way

00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.500
 up.

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.039
 We see

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.500
 the first

00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.940
 martyrdom,

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.339
 the first

00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.259
 death for

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.740
 the cause

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.859
 of Christ.

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.659
 Leads to

00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:56.139
 his trial

00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:56.799
 and to

00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.339
 his death.

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:57.859
 And the

00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.159
 primary

00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:58.759
 message of

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.099
 Stephen's

00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.419
 preaching

00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:00.139
 is that

00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:01.240
 God has

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.000
 never been

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.359
 limited

00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.299
 by the

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.579
 temple.

00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.399
 Always

00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.099
 try to

00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.480
 contain

00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:05.859
 him in

00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.319
 a house,

00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:06.759
 put him

00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:06.960
 in a

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.359
 container,

00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:07.839
 but it's

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.399
 never been

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.340
 limited to

00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:09.620
 that.

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.600
 His influence

00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:11.000
 has gone

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.380
 forth far,

00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:12.720
 far,

00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:13.880
 far beyond.

00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.519
 So,

00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.780
 look to

00:22:15.780 --> 00:22:16.780
 Jesus for

00:22:16.780 --> 00:22:17.300
 God's

00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:18.180
 blessing.

00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:20.660
 And we're

00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:20.800
 going to

00:22:20.800 --> 00:22:21.000
 see,

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:21.560
 beginning in

00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.500
 Acts chapter

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:22.880
 8,

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.560
 through the

00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:23.840
 end of the

00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:24.040
 book,

00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.860
 through chapter

00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:26.060
 28,

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.560
 that the

00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:27.440
 effect of

00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.000
 the gospel

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.460
 is that it

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.980
 spreads

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.120
 beyond

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.100
 Jerusalem,

00:22:31.320 --> 00:22:31.960
 goes beyond

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.060
 the Jewish

00:22:33.060 --> 00:22:34.320
 population,

00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.580
 that in

00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:35.960
 Abraham,

00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.860
 all the

00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.279
 peoples of

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.680
 the earth

00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.039
 might be

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.480
 blessed.

00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:40.900
 And the

00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.220
 primary

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.840
 message of

00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.620
 the gospel,

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.059
 God's

00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.920
 blessing is

00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.759
 for all

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.240
 who will

00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.700
 believe in

00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.319
 Jesus Christ.

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.640
 And so,

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:48.940
 that's where

00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.480
 we stand

00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:49.840
 in this

00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:50.340
 gap.

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:50.799
 And that's

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.299
 why the

00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.460
 offense of

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.039
 him speaking

00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.039
 against the

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.860
 temple is

00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.600
 so massive

00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:56.980
 at this

00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.259
 point.

00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.539
 It's a

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.160
 tipping point

00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.640
 for them.

00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.039
 We're not

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.360
 going to see

00:22:59.360 --> 00:22:59.620
 a lot of

00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.019
 conversation

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.380
 about the

00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:00.620
 temple

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.720
 beyond this,

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.019
 but that's

00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.440
 why it

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.220
 brings this

00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:03.900
 whole event

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.340
 and the

00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:04.980
 first martyrdom

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.940
 to such a

00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:07.240
 head in

00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.559
 this.

00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.539
 And then

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.000
 just note,

00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.480
 just as I'm

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.680
 kind of

00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.400
 walking through

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.799
 the passage,

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.620
 verse 15

00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:14.000
 and 7-1,

00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:14.420
 and gazing

00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:14.960
 at him,

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.380
 all who

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.539
 sat in

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:16.940
 the council

00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.600
 saw that

00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.140
 his face

00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.100
 was like

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.680
 the face

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.700
 of an

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.019
 angel.

00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.279
 This

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.960
 picture of

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.440
 gazing,

00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:22.799
 some of

00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:22.900
 your

00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.299
 translations

00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.120
 might say

00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:25.140
 staring,

00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:25.720
 would be a

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.259
 good word

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.620
 for it.

00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:26.900
 It's not

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.539
 a kind

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.440
 gazing,

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:28.840
 right?

00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.140
 They're

00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.840
 set him

00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.100
 in the

00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:30.460
 midst of

00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.940
 the council

00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.340
 and they're

00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:31.860
 staring him

00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.200
 down.

00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:32.900
 They see

00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.160
 that his

00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.539
 face was

00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.799
 like the

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.660
 face of

00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.160
 an angel.

00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:35.620
 Take that

00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:35.899
 to mean

00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:36.139
 that his

00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.479
 face was

00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:37.059
 illuminated.

00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:38.799
 And the

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.219
 high priest

00:23:39.219 --> 00:23:39.559
 said,

00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:39.919
 of these

00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.539
 accusations,

00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.759
 are these

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:44.000
 things so?

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.339
 And next

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:44.599
 week we'll

00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:44.859
 see him

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.479
 launch into

00:23:45.479 --> 00:23:45.819
 his,

00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:47.979
 it's not

00:23:47.979 --> 00:23:48.319
 much of a

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.679
 defense.

00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:49.859
 He kind of

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.219
 instigates

00:23:50.219 --> 00:23:50.599
 himself,

00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.259
 but his

00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.079
 speech following

00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.079
 that question,

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.059
 are these

00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:56.639
 things so?

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.419
 So those are

00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:58.839
 the events.

00:23:58.959 --> 00:23:59.779
 This is the

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.059
 things that

00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.559
 happened in

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.199
 his arrest.

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.659
 Let's look at

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.220
 secondly now,

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.140
 the Stephen

00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.840
 who was

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.180
 arrested.

00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:06.940
 What kind

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.880
 of man

00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.600
 was Stephen?

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:09.980
 What was

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.279
 his quality?

00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.640
 He is

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.860
 certainly a

00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.259
 saint that

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.580
 we should

00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:15.880
 emulate.

00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.019
 We need to

00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.680
 observe this

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.759
 brief little

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.240
 record,

00:24:20.800 --> 00:24:21.220
 the life and

00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.759
 ministry of

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.320
 Stephen.

00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.160
 We would

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.519
 all do

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.940
 well to

00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.940
 look like

00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:27.140
 Stephen.

00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.880
 And I think

00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.340
 even a better

00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:29.900
 question would

00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:31.240
 be how was

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.779
 the gospel

00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.220
 of Jesus

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.799
 Christ shaping

00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.140
 him.

00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:35.839
 Beloved,

00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.579
 if you are

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.000
 in Christ,

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.099
 if you are

00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.160
 indeed in

00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.200
 Christ,

00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.599
 you are

00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.940
 being changed

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.960
 one degree

00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.400
 of glory

00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.339
 to another.

00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.420
 We're getting

00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.740
 a little

00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.120
 better.

00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.079
 There's

00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.200
 sanctification,

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:50.579
 right?

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:50.920
 It's what that

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.559
 process is

00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:51.900
 called.

00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.940
 We're improving

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.660
 bit by bit.

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.120
 And it doesn't

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.740
 always feel like

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.359
 that in a day.

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.200
 I know that,

00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:57.599
 and I'm there

00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.099
 with you in

00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.240
 that.

00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.480
 It doesn't

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:58.799
 always feel

00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.120
 that way in

00:24:59.120 --> 00:24:59.799
 a week or

00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.480
 maybe even

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.339
 in a month

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.579
 or possibly

00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.299
 in a year.

00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.759
 But if we

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.559
 zoom way

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.120
 back,

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.880
 we take

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.339
 God's

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:06.819
 perspective

00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.240
 on our

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.640
 lives,

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.019
 our trajectory

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.640
 is toward

00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.019
 holiness.

00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:10.519
 It's away

00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.339
 from sinfulness

00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.000
 and it's

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.140
 toward holiness.

00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:14.220
 This process

00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.000
 is called

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.480
 sanctification.

00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.160
 The biblical

00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.000
 view of

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.640
 sanctification,

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.299
 and I

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.000
 unapologetically

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.660
 say that,

00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.019
 the biblical

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.500
 view of

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.099
 sanctification

00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:25.420
 is called

00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.500
 progressive

00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:28.180
 sanctification.

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:28.940
 It means that

00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.440
 we continue

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.259
 to plod

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.960
 that course.

00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.000
 We continue

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.700
 to move

00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.240
 in that

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.920
 direction,

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.559
 to look

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:36.079
 more like

00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.480
 Christ.

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.539
 And it is

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.379
 taught in

00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.940
 the scriptures

00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:41.299
 as a

00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.180
 synergistic

00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.140
 process.

00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:43.779
 And by that

00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.160
 I mean

00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.079
 that both

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.700
 God and

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.619
 us are

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.660
 involved in

00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.319
 this process.

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.240
 We're both

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.559
 involved.

00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:50.859
 That's what

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.180
 the scripture

00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.859
 teaches.

00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.379
 At times,

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.180
 it really

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.059
 seems to be

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:57.180
 an apparent

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.740
 paradox.

00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.440
 You've heard

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:58.859
 that phrase

00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.259
 before.

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.939
 A paradox

00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.339
 is a

00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:01.619
 statement

00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:02.419
 that is,

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.179
 at least

00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:03.559
 it seems

00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:03.879
 to be on

00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.219
 the surface,

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.179
 self-contradictory.

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.019
 The scripture

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.240
 doesn't conflict

00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:08.879
 with itself,

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.399
 so it's an

00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:10.059
 apparent paradox.

00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:10.579
 It's not,

00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.839
 but it seems

00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.339
 to be.

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.139
 And many

00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:13.519
 people have

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.819
 tried to

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.740
 wrestle through

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.579
 the logic

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.000
 of these

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.359
 things,

00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.699
 and many

00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:18.779
 heresies

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.539
 have arisen

00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.299
 from it.

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.519
 If not

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:21.919
 heresies,

00:26:21.979 --> 00:26:22.299
 at very

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.859
 least,

00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:23.779
 erroneous

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.939
 teaching on

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.759
 the matter.

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.559
 There are

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.279
 some things

00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.559
 that are

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.420
 very difficult

00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:29.000
 for our

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.039
 minds to

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.440
 reconcile.

00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.759
 So we

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.160
 step back

00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.000
 away from

00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.460
 the scripture,

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.279
 and rather

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.680
 than standing

00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.059
 over it

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.480
 in judgment,

00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:35.960
 we stand

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.600
 underneath it

00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:36.940
 and let it

00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.559
 speak to us.

00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.580
 Why has

00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.120
 God revealed

00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.700
 himself to

00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:39.880
 us?

00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.580
 Why has

00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.200
 he shown

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.440
 us the

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.920
 process of

00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.360
 sanctification

00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.000
 in this

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.240
 way?

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.900
 The way

00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.240
 that the

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.039
 gospel works

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.059
 in to

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.600
 us holiness.

00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.320
 I can't give

00:26:49.320 --> 00:26:49.600
 you all the

00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:50.059
 answers to that.

00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.259
 I don't know

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.580
 that I have

00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.019
 all the answers

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.420
 or that I

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.180
 have the

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:53.519
 time this

00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:53.860
 morning,

00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.159
 but I

00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.779
 appreciate

00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.159
 that the

00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:56.399
 scripture

00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.319
 itself doesn't

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.839
 always try to

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.299
 wrestle it

00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.459
 out.

00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:58.699
 There's a

00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:58.959
 wonderful

00:26:58.959 --> 00:26:59.559
 example of

00:26:59.559 --> 00:26:59.839
 this if

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.119
 you'd like

00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.439
 to see

00:27:00.439 --> 00:27:00.579
 it,

00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:01.079
 Philippians

00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.099
 chapter 2.

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.279
 Paul states

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.079
 the one and

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.619
 the other

00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.500
 side by

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:06.799
 side.

00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.139
 Now let me

00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.659
 just sum up,

00:27:07.699 --> 00:27:07.899
 if you're

00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.359
 turning there,

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.079
 what I mean

00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.679
 by this.

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.879
 We are being

00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.799
 perfected by

00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.379
 the power of

00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:12.819
 God and the

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.219
 gospel of

00:27:13.219 --> 00:27:13.919
 Jesus Christ

00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:15.099
 through the

00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:16.079
 working of

00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:16.579
 the Spirit

00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.159
 in our

00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:17.599
 lives.

00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.399
 We would

00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:18.839
 of course

00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.399
 give all

00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:19.939
 glory and

00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:20.279
 honor to

00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.979
 Christ in

00:27:20.979 --> 00:27:21.419
 the process

00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:21.939
 of that.

00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:22.879
 We don't

00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.299
 take the

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.639
 ownership

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.000
 for that

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.340
 kind of

00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:24.600
 thing,

00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.100
 but you

00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:25.580
 were not

00:27:25.580 --> 00:27:26.280
 made perfect

00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:27.060
 by sitting

00:27:27.060 --> 00:27:27.460
 around.

00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:29.700
 It doesn't

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.020
 happen.

00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.280
 You don't

00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:30.759
 sit on your

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.660
 hands and

00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:31.780
 go,

00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:31.960
 well,

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.560
 God said

00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:32.820
 he's going

00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.320
 to do it.

00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.140
 Just waiting.

00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:36.180
 I promise

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.120
 you that God

00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.520
 will never

00:27:37.520 --> 00:27:38.380
 animate you

00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:38.900
 in the morning

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.460
 and cause

00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:40.880
 you to swing

00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.380
 your legs out

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.180
 of bed and

00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.860
 cause you to

00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.320
 pick up the

00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:44.360
 scripture in a

00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.880
 way that you're

00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:46.259
 not part of

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.820
 your faculty,

00:27:47.060 --> 00:27:47.259
 right?

00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:47.840
 That you go and

00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.320
 you open it and

00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.880
 you begin to read

00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.140
 it and you go,

00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:49.800
 what is happening

00:27:49.800 --> 00:27:50.040
 to me?

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.379
 I don't even

00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:50.639
 know what's

00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.279
 going on right

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.519
 now.

00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:52.899
 But I will

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.220
 say when you

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.659
 wake up in the

00:27:53.659 --> 00:27:54.000
 morning and you

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.420
 swing your legs

00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.879
 out of bed and

00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.339
 you go and you

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.759
 open the scripture

00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.240
 and you begin to

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.420
 read it,

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.079
 that God has

00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.000
 worked in you

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.980
 for this very

00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:00.079
 thing to happen.

00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.319
 You get the

00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.399
 apparent paradox

00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.319
 in play.

00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.099
 So listen to what

00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.539
 Paul says,

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.119
 Philippians chapter

00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.419
 verse 12,

00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.399
 man's responsibility,

00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.699
 verse 13,

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.039
 God's empowering

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.579
 work.

00:28:11.699 --> 00:28:11.879
 Therefore,

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.479
 my beloved,

00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.879
 as you have

00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.579
 always obeyed,

00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.099
 so now,

00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:15.739
 not only as in

00:28:15.739 --> 00:28:16.239
 my presence,

00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.000
 but much more

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.919
 in my absence,

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:20.119
 work out your

00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.099
 own salvation

00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.919
 with fear and

00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.299
 trembling.

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.299
 Why?

00:28:25.219 --> 00:28:26.639
 For it is God

00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.319
 who works in

00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.579
 you,

00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:29.299
 both to will

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.819
 and to work

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:32.239
 for his good

00:28:32.239 --> 00:28:32.579
 pleasure.

00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:33.599
 Verse 12,

00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.399
 you work,

00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.860
 verse 13,

00:28:36.540 --> 00:28:37.180
 God works.

00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:39.480
 So how is it

00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.120
 that he does

00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.580
 this?

00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:42.080
 And this takes

00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.900
 place in our

00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.880
 lives in four

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.519
 broad areas,

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.320
 and I promise

00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:45.800
 I'm coming back

00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:46.160
 to Stephen,

00:28:46.280 --> 00:28:46.519
 because it's

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:46.940
 working in

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.580
 Stephen's life,

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.400
 in four broad

00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:49.700
 areas.

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.660
 We could classify

00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.800
 these in many

00:28:51.800 --> 00:28:52.480
 different ways.

00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.180
 There's a lot of

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.920
 wonderful books

00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.400
 on it that

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.880
 classify what's

00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.940
 often called

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:58.560
 the means of

00:28:58.560 --> 00:28:58.940
 grace.

00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.460
 I like to call

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.660
 them habits

00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.780
 of grace,

00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:04.019
 because we play

00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.519
 apart in

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.119
 these things.

00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.400
 So there's

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.099
 other ways to

00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.920
 categorize this.

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:08.859
 I'm going to

00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.879
 categorize it in

00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.720
 four broad areas,

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.079
 and we're going

00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.559
 to talk about

00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.319
 this a lot

00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.700
 in the coming

00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.079
 year.

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.779
 And those four

00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.539
 areas are

00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:18.859
 gospel conviction,

00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.500
 gospel character,

00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.099
 gospel community,

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.299
 and gospel

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.119
 commission.

00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.379
 You've already

00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:27.879
 got to memorize,

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.299
 because they all

00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.819
 start with C.

00:29:30.459 --> 00:29:31.480
 Gospel conviction,

00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.199
 character,

00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.240
 community,

00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:35.299
 and mission.

00:29:35.439 --> 00:29:36.279
 These are means

00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.879
 of grace,

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.059
 or habits of

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.579
 grace, as I

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:39.959
 prefer.

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.939
 Things that we

00:29:40.939 --> 00:29:42.139
 are involved in,

00:29:42.199 --> 00:29:43.439
 and God uses

00:29:43.439 --> 00:29:44.619
 them to bring

00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.259
 about holiness

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.500
 in us.

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.099
 And so I want

00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.699
 to look at

00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.939
 Stephen and see

00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:49.659
 how the gospel

00:29:49.659 --> 00:29:50.879
 was at work

00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:52.019
 in these ways.

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:54.079
 So number one,

00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.000
 gospel conviction.

00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.579
 Let's back up

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.099
 in our text just

00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.519
 a little bit to

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.859
 Acts 6, 5.

00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.879
 The disciples

00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.359
 are presented

00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.639
 with this solution

00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.460
 to the issue

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.119
 of the tables

00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.559
 not being served,

00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.259
 and it pleases

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.099
 them, and they

00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:09.759
 choose Stephen,

00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:12.019
 a man full of

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.480
 faith,

00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.740
 and of the

00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.460
 Holy Spirit.

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.819
 The response

00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:18.200
 that Stephen

00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.720
 gives to the

00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.359
 council in

00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.180
 chapter 7,

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.420
 the full speech

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.120
 that he gives

00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:23.920
 shows that

00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:25.019
 he had faith

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.420
 that God

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:28.380
 ruled history.

00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.060
 He believed

00:30:30.060 --> 00:30:31.259
 in God's

00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.180
 sovereign rule.

00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.500
 Now, I know

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.080
 we haven't read

00:30:33.080 --> 00:30:33.660
 the text,

00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:34.140
 but we're going

00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.420
 to get there

00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.340
 next week.

00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.420
 I encourage

00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:36.740
 you to read

00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.640
 it this week

00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.279
 and see that

00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.060
 Stephen had

00:30:39.060 --> 00:30:39.380
 faith.

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.060
 He believed

00:30:40.060 --> 00:30:40.539
 that God

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.240
 ruled history.

00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.320
 He believed

00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:42.860
 in a sovereign

00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:43.580
 plan.

00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:44.660
 He could say

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.220
 with Paul,

00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:45.779
 as Paul says

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.800
 in Romans 14,

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.060
 8,

00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.840
 for if we live,

00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.600
 we live to

00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:48.960
 the Lord,

00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.360
 and if we die,

00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.359
 we die to

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:51.659
 the Lord.

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.179
 So then,

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.019
 whether we live

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.059
 or whether we

00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.479
 die,

00:30:55.199 --> 00:30:55.719
 we are the

00:30:55.719 --> 00:30:56.019
 Lord.

00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.459
 And he had

00:30:56.459 --> 00:30:57.419
 this conviction

00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:58.079
 of that that

00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.579
 allowed him

00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.359
 to press into.

00:30:59.479 --> 00:30:59.859
 Remember,

00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:00.579
 he's going

00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.000
 around doing

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.459
 signs and

00:31:01.459 --> 00:31:01.740
 wonders,

00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:02.299
 and he's

00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.699
 preaching the

00:31:02.699 --> 00:31:03.119
 gospel of

00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.719
 Jesus Christ

00:31:03.719 --> 00:31:04.779
 already in the

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.079
 face of

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.519
 opposition.

00:31:06.219 --> 00:31:06.659
 He already

00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.699
 knows that

00:31:07.699 --> 00:31:08.219
 it's happening.

00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:08.719
 We've already

00:31:08.719 --> 00:31:10.339
 had Peter

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.179
 and John

00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:11.839
 arrested.

00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:12.639
 We've already

00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.079
 had the

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:14.139
 apostles arrested

00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:14.139


00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:15.299
 And flogged!

00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.599
 They're being

00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:15.919
 told,

00:31:16.219 --> 00:31:17.339
 do not speak

00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.000
 in the name

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.059
 of Christ.

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.500
 And this

00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.159
 man of

00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:20.599
 conviction,

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.199
 trusting in

00:31:21.199 --> 00:31:21.659
 the Lord's

00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.839
 sovereign rule,

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.939
 presses on

00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:25.399
 in to

00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.179
 these things.

00:31:27.199 --> 00:31:27.799
 Stephen had

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.179
 faith that

00:31:29.179 --> 00:31:30.139
 Jesus was

00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:30.839
 the fulfillment

00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:32.139
 of messianic

00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:32.559
 prophecy.

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.679
 He believed,

00:31:34.959 --> 00:31:35.740
 was convicted

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.419
 that Jesus

00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:37.839
 was,

00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.299
 is,

00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:39.240
 the Christ.

00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.339
 Acts 7,

00:31:41.459 --> 00:31:42.159
 52,

00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.299
 the end of

00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.720
 his speech.

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.519
 Which of

00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.100
 the prophets

00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.559
 did your

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.480
 fathers not

00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.279
 persecute?

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.100
 And they

00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:50.000
 killed those

00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.640
 who announced

00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.500
 beforehand the

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.539
 coming of

00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.019
 the righteous

00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.400
 one,

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.440
 whom you

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.140
 have now

00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.900
 betrayed and

00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.299
 murdered.

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.900
 He knew that

00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.900
 Jesus is

00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:01.279
 the Christ.

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:01.880
 He was

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.799
 convicted of

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:02.980
 that.

00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.960
 Stephen believed

00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.860
 that Jesus

00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:06.400
 had risen and

00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:06.819
 was at the

00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:07.860
 right hand of

00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:08.360
 the Father,

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.160
 and that he

00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.819
 would stand

00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.620
 and judge

00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.960
 the earth.

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:12.819
 Again,

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.700
 Acts 7,

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.640
 verse 55 and

00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.160
 56,

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.380
 full of the

00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:16.960
 Holy Spirit,

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.900
 Stephen gazes

00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:18.400
 into heaven,

00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.180
 sees the

00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.039
 glory of God

00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.480
 and Jesus

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.220
 standing at

00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.920
 the right hand

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.600
 of God,

00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:22.840
 and he

00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:23.140
 says,

00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.680
 behold,

00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.779
 I see the

00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.340
 heavens opened

00:32:25.340 --> 00:32:25.600
 and the

00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.160
 Son of Man

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.380
 standing at

00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:27.680
 the right

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.860
 hand of

00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:29.259
 God.

00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:31.200
 He believed

00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.539
 in the

00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.259
 promises of

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.460
 God found

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.420
 in the

00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:34.640
 Scripture.

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.140
 He was a

00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.600
 man of

00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.100
 conviction

00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:38.380
 because he

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.480
 knew the

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:39.799
 Scriptures

00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:41.160
 and he

00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.660
 believed them.

00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.840
 He knew

00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.319
 the Scriptures

00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:45.099
 and he

00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:45.819
 believed them.

00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.519
 Stephen was

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:49.220
 also full

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.439
 of the

00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:49.919
 Holy Spirit.

00:32:50.659 --> 00:32:51.139
 He was

00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:52.039
 filled up

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:53.279
 with the

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.159
 Holy Spirit.

00:32:55.119 --> 00:32:55.740
 And as we

00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.000
 have said

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.480
 before,

00:32:56.679 --> 00:32:57.939
 the opportunity

00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.579
 for this

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.559
 is not

00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.279
 unique

00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.899
 amongst

00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.799
 followers of

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.259
 Christ.

00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:02.639
 We don't

00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.700
 have varying

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.679
 classification

00:33:04.679 --> 00:33:06.059
 of Christian,

00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:06.599
 those who

00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:07.700
 are filled

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.439
 and aren't

00:33:08.439 --> 00:33:08.679
 filled.

00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.039
 If you are

00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.819
 a believer

00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:10.179
 in Jesus

00:33:10.179 --> 00:33:10.539
 Christ,

00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:10.819
 you have

00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:11.299
 been baptized

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.659
 in the

00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:11.960
 Spirit and

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.299
 we all

00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:12.879
 have the

00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.500
 opportunity

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.940
 to be

00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.680
 filled.

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:15.960
 And it

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.319
 should not

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:16.839
 be a

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.399
 rare

00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:18.139
 occurrence

00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:19.259
 or reserved

00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.359
 in any

00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.480
 way.

00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.220
 To be

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.599
 filled

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.500
 with the

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.119
 Spirit is

00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:26.399
 to have

00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:27.240
 the Word

00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:27.899
 of Christ

00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:28.579
 dwell in

00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.539
 you richly

00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.980
 in a way

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.759
 that brings

00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.220
 about

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.460
 change.

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.500
 Romans 8,

00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.519
 3 and 4.

00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.559
 For God

00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:35.819
 is done

00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.079
 with the

00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:36.419
 law,

00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.579
 weakened by

00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.099
 the flesh,

00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:38.700
 could not

00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.180
 do by

00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.460
 sending

00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.019
 His own

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.500
 Son in

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.019
 the likeness

00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.380
 of sinful

00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:41.740
 flesh,

00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.340
 and for

00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:43.620
 sin He

00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.140
 condemned

00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.360
 sin in

00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:45.920
 the flesh,

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.200
 in order

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.140
 that the

00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.680
 righteous

00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.559
 requirement of

00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:49.960
 the law

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.420
 might be

00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:51.160
 fulfilled in

00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.120
 us who

00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.519
 walk not

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.220
 according to

00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.840
 the flesh,

00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.259
 but according

00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.819
 to the

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.259
 Spirit.

00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.759
 The great

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.720
 evidence of

00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.440
 being filled

00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.240
 with the

00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:04.220
 Spirit is

00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.759
 obedience.

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.240
 Being so

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:07.720
 captivated with

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.659
 Christ that

00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:08.879
 we are

00:34:08.879 --> 00:34:09.719
 obedient to

00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.239
 His call.

00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:10.699
 It's

00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.440
 following

00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.639
 our Lord.

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.139
 I've read

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.460
 this to you

00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:14.739
 before,

00:34:14.859 --> 00:34:15.299
 I just love

00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:15.739
 it too much

00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.119
 not to read

00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.440
 it again.

00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:16.799
 I think this

00:34:16.799 --> 00:34:17.159
 may be number

00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:17.940
 three in the

00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.440
 book of Acts.

00:34:18.899 --> 00:34:19.480
 Dan Phillips,

00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:19.879
 a contemporary

00:34:19.879 --> 00:34:20.199
 pastor,

00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:20.639
 said this,

00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:21.099
 Show me a

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:22.199
 person obsessed

00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.440
 with the

00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:22.859
 Holy Spirit

00:34:22.859 --> 00:34:23.139
 and His

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.460
 gifts,

00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.019
 real or

00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.359
 imagined,

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:24.879
 and I

00:34:24.879 --> 00:34:25.119
 will show

00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.339
 you a

00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:25.899
 person not

00:34:25.899 --> 00:34:26.420
 filled with

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:26.619
 the Holy

00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:26.879
 Spirit.

00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.719
 Show me a

00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.539
 person focused

00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:29.980
 on the

00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.519
 personal work

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.799
 of Jesus

00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.259
 Christ,

00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.399
 never tiring

00:34:32.399 --> 00:34:32.839
 of learning

00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.379
 about Him,

00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.239
 thinking about

00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:34.480
 Him,

00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.359
 boasting of

00:34:35.359 --> 00:34:35.579
 Him,

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.839
 speaking about

00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.579
 and for

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.399
 thrilled and

00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:39.940
 entranced with

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.639
 His perfections

00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.039
 and beauty,

00:34:41.399 --> 00:34:42.000
 finding ways

00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.739
 to serve and

00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.319
 exalt Him,

00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.059
 tirelessly

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.779
 exploring ways

00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:45.440
 to spend and

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.119
 be spent for

00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:46.359
 Him,

00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.199
 growing in

00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:47.619
 character to

00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.299
 be more and

00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:49.099
 more like

00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.339
 Him,

00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.019
 and I will

00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:50.440
 show you a

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.139
 person who

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:51.639
 is filled

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.299
 with the

00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:52.819
 Holy Spirit.

00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.460
 Not to be

00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.019
 the normative

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.759
 part of our

00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.579
 Christian living,

00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.199
 that we be

00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:57.859
 people of

00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:58.539
 faith who

00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.420
 are filled

00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.059
 with the

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.379
 Spirit of

00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:00.639
 God,

00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.199
 and we see

00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.920
 the evidencing

00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.920
 of that in

00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:03.480
 obedience.

00:35:03.859 --> 00:35:04.199
 We hold

00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:04.980
 our lives up

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.460
 to the

00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:05.779
 Scripture,

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.599
 and we go,

00:35:06.799 --> 00:35:07.099
 yes,

00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:08.739
 I find

00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.339
 myself in

00:35:09.339 --> 00:35:09.679
 this,

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.599
 failing at

00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:10.960
 times,

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.559
 but moving

00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.779
 progressively away

00:35:12.779 --> 00:35:13.339
 from my sin

00:35:13.339 --> 00:35:14.199
 and toward

00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:15.639
 holiness.

00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.900
 So what part

00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:18.339
 do we play

00:35:18.339 --> 00:35:19.619
 in gospel

00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:20.000
 conviction?

00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:21.299
 What's our

00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.559
 part?

00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:21.779
 If it's

00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.299
 synergistic,

00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:22.579
 right,

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.219
 being perfected

00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:23.480
 by the

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:23.719
 gospel,

00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.819
 what part

00:35:24.819 --> 00:35:25.279
 do we play?

00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:26.440
 We read,

00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.880
 and we study,

00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:29.360
 and we meditate

00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:30.659
 on the Word

00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:31.099
 of God.

00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:32.599
 Beloved,

00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:32.980
 we're to be a

00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.719
 people of the

00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.139
 Word.

00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:34.880
 We're to be

00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:36.819
 saturated by

00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.400
 this book,

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.340
 and it's

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.880
 not nearly as

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.380
 difficult as

00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.280
 we all make

00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:41.100
 it out to

00:35:41.100 --> 00:35:41.360
 be.

00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.380
 We make

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:43.920
 far too

00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.940
 many excuses

00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:46.039
 for our

00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:46.360
 biblical

00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.340
 illiteracy.

00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:48.519
 The number

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.480
 one I hear

00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.440
 is time

00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:50.960
 management.

00:35:52.140 --> 00:35:52.600
 I just

00:35:52.600 --> 00:35:53.100
 need you to

00:35:53.100 --> 00:35:53.920
 pray for

00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:55.019
 time management.

00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.180
 Not what

00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:57.380
 you need

00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:57.860
 prayer for.

00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:58.800
 You need

00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.160
 prayer for

00:35:59.160 --> 00:35:59.720
 the idolatry

00:35:59.720 --> 00:35:59.940
 of your

00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.280
 heart.

00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:01.920
 It's a

00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.640
 worship issue.

00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:03.680
 The fact that

00:36:03.680 --> 00:36:04.039
 we don't take

00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:04.420
 this thing up

00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:04.620
 and read,

00:36:04.640 --> 00:36:04.960
 and I'm in

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.240
 the boat

00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:05.580
 with you

00:36:05.580 --> 00:36:05.900
 guys,

00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.579
 right?

00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:07.160
 It's an

00:36:07.160 --> 00:36:07.539
 issue of

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:07.840
 worship.

00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.119
 It's an

00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.400
 issue of

00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.019
 priority.

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.460
 My old

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:14.039
 self is an

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.740
 idol factory.

00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.320
 I picture it

00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:15.800
 that way in

00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.180
 my mind,

00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:16.380
 little

00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.059
 smokestacks,

00:36:17.680 --> 00:36:17.920
 chukka,

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.200
 chukka,

00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:18.500
 chukka,

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:18.760
 chukka,

00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.320
 turning out,

00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.260
 new things

00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.639
 for me to

00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:20.920
 worship.

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.559
 It takes

00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:21.940
 all these

00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.760
 varying forms

00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:23.519
 all the

00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:23.840
 time.

00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:25.320
 God has

00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:25.760
 built a

00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:26.720
 new wing,

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:27.559
 right?

00:36:27.660 --> 00:36:28.039
 And it

00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:28.380
 produces

00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.039
 righteousness.

00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:29.880
 And he

00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.280
 is working

00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:31.139
 at destroying

00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:31.960
 that part

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.160
 of the

00:36:32.160 --> 00:36:33.320
 factory that

00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:33.940
 I seem so

00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.519
 bent on

00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:34.820
 keeping

00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:35.200
 running.

00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.639
 And you

00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:36.980
 know why

00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.460
 we don't

00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:37.840
 get in

00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.119
 here and

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.400
 read this

00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.880
 more often?

00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.400
 Because this

00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.220
 screws up

00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:40.539
 the idol

00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:40.940
 factory,

00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:41.400
 right?

00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:41.800
 It throws

00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.240
 wrenches

00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:43.039
 into the

00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:43.579
 idol factory.

00:36:43.700 --> 00:36:43.920
 It puts

00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.519
 the brakes

00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.000
 on that

00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:45.519
 production,

00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.099
 and it

00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:46.840
 messes with

00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.300
 our worship

00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:48.240
 of ourselves.

00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:50.639
 that's why

00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:50.859
 you don't

00:36:50.859 --> 00:36:51.219
 pick up the

00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:51.439
 word of

00:36:51.439 --> 00:36:51.619
 God.

00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:52.519
 That's why

00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:52.959
 you don't

00:36:52.959 --> 00:36:53.419
 read it

00:36:53.419 --> 00:36:53.599
 more.

00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:53.899
 It's an

00:36:53.899 --> 00:36:54.759
 issue of

00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:56.619
 worship.

00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:58.259
 Beloved,

00:36:58.319 --> 00:36:58.599
 we need to

00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:58.879
 be in

00:36:58.879 --> 00:36:59.359
 this book.

00:36:59.479 --> 00:36:59.659
 And I

00:36:59.659 --> 00:36:59.879
 know it

00:36:59.879 --> 00:37:00.079
 can be

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.359
 daunting.

00:37:00.479 --> 00:37:00.719
 It's so

00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.119
 big and

00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:01.419
 there's so

00:37:01.419 --> 00:37:01.699
 much to

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:01.939
 learn and

00:37:01.939 --> 00:37:02.419
 understand.

00:37:02.799 --> 00:37:03.039
 Don't

00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:03.500
 worry about

00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:03.719
 it.

00:37:04.199 --> 00:37:04.659
 Pick it

00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:05.259
 up today

00:37:05.259 --> 00:37:06.139
 and tomorrow

00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:06.759
 and the

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.299
 next day

00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:07.739
 and you

00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:07.959
 will be

00:37:07.959 --> 00:37:08.439
 enriched

00:37:08.439 --> 00:37:08.799
 by it.

00:37:08.799 --> 00:37:09.059
 I can

00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:09.439
 promise

00:37:09.439 --> 00:37:09.599
 you

00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:09.899
 that.

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.199
 Study it.

00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:12.119
 Study it

00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:12.459
 often.

00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.419
 Study it

00:37:13.419 --> 00:37:13.859
 well.

00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:15.159
 Read it

00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:15.639
 and let it

00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.599
 read you

00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.039
 and you

00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:17.279
 will be

00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:17.839
 changed

00:37:17.839 --> 00:37:19.000
 by it.

00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:20.679
 Gospel

00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.339
 conviction

00:37:21.339 --> 00:37:23.179
 produces

00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:24.839
 gospel

00:37:24.839 --> 00:37:26.339
 character.

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:27.380
 It

00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:27.739
 produces

00:37:27.739 --> 00:37:28.819
 gospel

00:37:28.819 --> 00:37:29.360
 character.

00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.400
 Verse 8,

00:37:30.839 --> 00:37:31.360
 Stephen's

00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:31.739
 full of

00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:32.179
 grace and

00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.639
 power.

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:33.400
 He's doing

00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.239
 these wonderful

00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:34.960
 works.

00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:35.880
 Verse 10,

00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.199
 this opposition

00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:37.440
 to him

00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:37.619
 couldn't

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:37.960
 withstand

00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.719
 the wisdom

00:37:38.719 --> 00:37:39.699
 and the

00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:40.219
 spirit

00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:41.440
 with which

00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:41.719
 he was

00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.239
 speaking.

00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:42.920
 He's

00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:44.199
 full.

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:44.699
 He's

00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.119
 amply

00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:45.699
 supplied

00:37:45.699 --> 00:37:45.920
 with

00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.400
 grace.

00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.639
 He's

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.019
 amply

00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.539
 supplied

00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.139
 with

00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:49.639
 power.

00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.699
 He's

00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.179
 amply

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:51.679
 supplied

00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.599
 with

00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.079
 wisdom.

00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:54.159
 Not in

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:54.619
 a vacuum

00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:55.360
 but because

00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:55.779
 of the

00:37:55.779 --> 00:37:56.139
 spirit of

00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.400
 God

00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:56.980
 using

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.299
 the

00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:57.500
 word

00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:57.679
 of

00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.019
 God

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:58.599
 to

00:37:58.599 --> 00:37:58.960
 work

00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.679
 in

00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.099
 and

00:38:00.099 --> 00:38:00.440
 through

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.460
 his

00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:01.920
 life.

00:38:03.339 --> 00:38:03.440
 And

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.000
 he is

00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:05.539
 courageous.

00:38:07.139 --> 00:38:07.719
 Gospel

00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.319
 character.

00:38:08.860 --> 00:38:09.500
 Thing we

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:09.960
 can note

00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:10.460
 of Stephen.

00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.559
 He is

00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.599
 courageous.

00:38:12.779 --> 00:38:13.179
 First for

00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:13.579
 preaching the

00:38:13.579 --> 00:38:14.000
 gospel at

00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.360
 all in

00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:14.639
 this

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.900
 environment.

00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:17.279
 Knowing

00:38:17.279 --> 00:38:18.119
 full well

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:18.420
 that there

00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:18.619
 was an

00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.019
 opposition

00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:19.519
 against

00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:19.699
 them.

00:38:19.759 --> 00:38:19.960
 Beloved,

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.319
 we are

00:38:20.319 --> 00:38:20.719
 in the

00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:21.339
 same

00:38:21.339 --> 00:38:21.839
 place.

00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.099
 You don't

00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:22.659
 experience

00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.579
 opposition to

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:23.799
 the preaching

00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:23.980
 of the

00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.519
 gospel because

00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:24.900
 you're not

00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.219
 preaching

00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:26.619
 the gospel.

00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:28.019
 He sits

00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:28.480
 amongst this

00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.000
 council,

00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:30.480
 70 men,

00:38:30.759 --> 00:38:31.699
 the high

00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.440
 court of

00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:32.699
 the day,

00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:33.139
 plus the

00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.739
 high priest,

00:38:34.219 --> 00:38:34.480
 and they

00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:34.920
 sit in a

00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.579
 semicircle

00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.339
 around him

00:38:36.339 --> 00:38:36.519
 and he

00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.400
 stands in

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:37.719
 the midst

00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:38.039
 of him

00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.799
 and they

00:38:38.799 --> 00:38:39.759
 stare him

00:38:39.759 --> 00:38:40.099
 down.

00:38:40.339 --> 00:38:41.179
 Verse 15,

00:38:41.259 --> 00:38:41.819
 they're gazing

00:38:41.819 --> 00:38:42.139
 at him,

00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:42.679
 they're

00:38:42.679 --> 00:38:43.239
 staring

00:38:43.239 --> 00:38:45.439
 down.

00:38:46.379 --> 00:38:46.619
 Have you

00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:46.919
 ever been

00:38:46.919 --> 00:38:47.119
 in your

00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:47.819
 life in

00:38:47.819 --> 00:38:48.359
 a situation

00:38:48.359 --> 00:38:48.979
 where you're

00:38:48.979 --> 00:38:49.519
 being stared

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:49.799
 at?

00:38:50.219 --> 00:38:50.959
 A wonderful

00:38:50.959 --> 00:38:51.539
 little example

00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:51.859
 of poor

00:38:51.859 --> 00:38:52.439
 Graham falling

00:38:52.439 --> 00:38:52.739
 off the

00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.099
 stage this

00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:53.939
 morning and

00:38:53.939 --> 00:38:54.639
 so embarrassed

00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.159
 because everybody,

00:38:55.359 --> 00:38:55.619
 at least he

00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.219
 thought everybody,

00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:58.299
 was looking at

00:38:58.299 --> 00:38:58.559
 him.

00:38:58.779 --> 00:38:59.479
 At the dinner

00:38:59.479 --> 00:39:00.279
 table sometimes,

00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:01.339
 my four-year-old

00:39:01.339 --> 00:39:01.879
 Judah will go,

00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:02.559
 why is everybody

00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.259
 staring at me?

00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:04.159
 And we'll go,

00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:04.579
 because you're

00:39:04.579 --> 00:39:04.979
 talking,

00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:05.579
 what's wrong

00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:05.779
 with you?

00:39:05.799 --> 00:39:05.959
 But he

00:39:05.959 --> 00:39:06.339
 suddenly gets

00:39:06.339 --> 00:39:07.139
 super self-conscious

00:39:07.139 --> 00:39:07.559
 and really,

00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:11.059
 and it's difficult

00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:12.000
 to stand up in

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.760
 that kind of

00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.219
 environment,

00:39:13.380 --> 00:39:13.559
 right?

00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:14.139
 Everybody's

00:39:14.139 --> 00:39:15.059
 staring at you

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:15.440
 and this is

00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.500
 such a higher

00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:18.500
 degree of that,

00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:18.780
 right?

00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:20.039
 He's on trial,

00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:20.440
 right?

00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:21.320
 They have been

00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:21.840
 warned.

00:39:21.940 --> 00:39:22.360
 We have already

00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:22.880
 seen that they

00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:23.699
 wanted to kill

00:39:23.699 --> 00:39:24.280
 the apostles.

00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.880
 And here he is

00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.880
 and he stands

00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:27.940
 amongst them

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.619
 and when they

00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:29.760
 see his face,

00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:30.539
 he's not hiding

00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.119
 his face,

00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.500
 he's looking back

00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.400
 and his face

00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.260
 is shining

00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:35.639
 like the face

00:39:35.639 --> 00:39:36.800
 of an angel.

00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:38.219
 What courage!

00:39:38.300 --> 00:39:38.619
 And we'll get

00:39:38.619 --> 00:39:39.380
 into next week

00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:40.340
 his speech

00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:40.920
 and man,

00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.480
 is it good.

00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:42.179
 Right?

00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.099
 He holds

00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.739
 no punches.

00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:44.559
 Right?

00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:45.139
 This Stephen,

00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:45.599
 the deacon

00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.360
 of the church

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:47.159
 standing before

00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:48.380
 the high religious

00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:49.619
 rulers of that

00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:50.260
 day and boy

00:39:50.260 --> 00:39:50.780
 does he go

00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:51.500
 for the jugular.

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:54.019
 His face

00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:55.820
 is glowing

00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:56.719
 in the midst

00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:58.179
 of their stares.

00:39:58.719 --> 00:39:59.420
 And there's only

00:39:59.420 --> 00:40:00.539
 one other person

00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:02.139
 in biblical history

00:40:02.139 --> 00:40:02.800
 that this happens

00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:03.280
 to and that's

00:40:03.280 --> 00:40:04.420
 Moses in Exodus

00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:04.920
 33.

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:05.800
 Remember he asked

00:40:05.800 --> 00:40:06.300
 to see the glory

00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:06.760
 of God.

00:40:07.139 --> 00:40:07.599
 God says that

00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.579
 if you fully see

00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:09.000
 my glory,

00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:09.739
 you'll die.

00:40:10.039 --> 00:40:10.519
 So he lets him

00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:11.639
 see his back

00:40:11.639 --> 00:40:12.699
 and just that

00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:13.739
 causes his face

00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:14.920
 to shine for days.

00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:16.420
 The people of Israel

00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:16.960
 can't even look

00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:17.280
 at his face

00:40:17.280 --> 00:40:17.920
 it shines so bright

00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.739
 so he wears a veil

00:40:18.739 --> 00:40:20.280
 but slowly over time

00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:22.099
 that fades away.

00:40:22.340 --> 00:40:23.460
 I think the same thing

00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:24.239
 is happening here

00:40:24.239 --> 00:40:24.820
 with Stephen

00:40:24.820 --> 00:40:26.599
 and I'm reaching

00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:27.239
 a little bit

00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:27.820
 but I believe

00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:28.500
 that that's what's

00:40:28.500 --> 00:40:29.239
 going on

00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:30.059
 in this case

00:40:30.059 --> 00:40:30.880
 that he's shining

00:40:30.880 --> 00:40:31.960
 like one of God's

00:40:31.960 --> 00:40:33.000
 shining ones,

00:40:33.139 --> 00:40:35.099
 one of the angels.

00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:37.259
 in response

00:40:37.259 --> 00:40:38.199
 to this great

00:40:38.199 --> 00:40:38.739
 opposition

00:40:38.739 --> 00:40:40.139
 and this glaring

00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:40.960
 that they're doing

00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:41.980
 on his part

00:40:41.980 --> 00:40:43.699
 these men of darkness

00:40:43.699 --> 00:40:45.279
 they see a man

00:40:45.279 --> 00:40:46.319
 of light.

00:40:47.719 --> 00:40:49.139
 I think it helps us

00:40:49.139 --> 00:40:49.880
 get some idea

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.759
 about this.

00:40:51.759 --> 00:40:52.539
 Paul writes

00:40:52.539 --> 00:40:53.380
 in 2 Corinthians

00:40:53.380 --> 00:40:54.599
 chapter 3

00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.880
 beginning of verse 7

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:57.799
 now if the ministry

00:40:57.799 --> 00:40:58.639
 of death

00:40:58.639 --> 00:41:00.500
 carved in letters

00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:01.579
 on stones

00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:01.980
 we're talking about

00:41:01.980 --> 00:41:02.500
 the law

00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:03.340
 the law

00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:04.679
 brings death

00:41:04.679 --> 00:41:06.480
 convicts of sin

00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:08.659
 now if the ministry

00:41:08.659 --> 00:41:09.059
 of death

00:41:09.059 --> 00:41:09.719
 carved in letters

00:41:09.719 --> 00:41:10.420
 on stone

00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:12.019
 came with such glory

00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:13.500
 that the Israelites

00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.579
 could not gaze

00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.420
 at Moses' face

00:41:15.420 --> 00:41:16.340
 because of its glory

00:41:16.340 --> 00:41:17.079
 so the shining

00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:18.039
 the glory of God

00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.280
 shining out of his face

00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:20.179
 they couldn't gaze

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:20.780
 at his face

00:41:20.780 --> 00:41:23.000
 which was being brought

00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.940
 to an end

00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:24.579
 verse 8

00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:25.679
 will not the ministry

00:41:25.679 --> 00:41:26.860
 of the spirit

00:41:26.860 --> 00:41:28.719
 have even more

00:41:28.719 --> 00:41:29.639
 glory?

00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:31.579
 For if there was glory

00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:32.119
 in the ministry

00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:33.719
 of condemnation

00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:35.000
 the ministry

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:35.739
 of righteousness

00:41:35.739 --> 00:41:36.920
 must far

00:41:36.920 --> 00:41:37.599
 exceed it

00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:38.739
 in glory

00:41:38.739 --> 00:41:40.779
 indeed in this case

00:41:40.779 --> 00:41:41.839
 what once had glory

00:41:41.839 --> 00:41:42.440
 has come to have

00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:43.460
 no glory at all

00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:44.579
 because of the glory

00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:46.000
 that surpasses it

00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:47.880
 the gospel of Jesus Christ

00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:49.099
 verse 11

00:41:49.099 --> 00:41:50.079
 for if what was being

00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.859
 brought to an end

00:41:50.859 --> 00:41:52.359
 came with glory

00:41:52.359 --> 00:41:53.199
 much more

00:41:53.199 --> 00:41:54.139
 will what is

00:41:54.139 --> 00:41:54.980
 permanent

00:41:54.980 --> 00:41:56.940
 have glory

00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:58.199
 so Stephen

00:41:58.199 --> 00:41:59.119
 stands

00:41:59.119 --> 00:41:59.699
 as this man

00:41:59.699 --> 00:42:00.579
 of gospel

00:42:00.579 --> 00:42:01.179
 character

00:42:01.179 --> 00:42:02.179
 at the cusp

00:42:02.179 --> 00:42:03.259
 of the launching

00:42:03.259 --> 00:42:03.579
 out

00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.719
 of the gospel

00:42:04.719 --> 00:42:05.439
 of Jesus Christ

00:42:05.439 --> 00:42:05.919
 and I think

00:42:05.919 --> 00:42:06.460
 that's why

00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:07.079
 God

00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:09.219
 does the same

00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:09.699
 thing that he did

00:42:09.699 --> 00:42:10.199
 with Moses

00:42:10.199 --> 00:42:11.099
 in letting his

00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:12.319
 face shine

00:42:12.319 --> 00:42:13.179
 as well

00:42:13.179 --> 00:42:15.059
 in the same

00:42:15.059 --> 00:42:16.439
 way

00:42:16.440 --> 00:42:17.599
 so we see

00:42:17.599 --> 00:42:17.960
 gospel

00:42:17.960 --> 00:42:18.599
 conviction

00:42:18.599 --> 00:42:19.200
 and we see

00:42:19.200 --> 00:42:19.960
 gospel

00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:21.099
 character

00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:22.320
 in Stephen's

00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:22.619
 life

00:42:22.619 --> 00:42:23.260
 and for the

00:42:23.260 --> 00:42:23.780
 sake of time

00:42:23.780 --> 00:42:24.079
 we're going to

00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:24.619
 pick up the

00:42:24.619 --> 00:42:25.460
 last two

00:42:25.460 --> 00:42:26.480
 next week

00:42:26.480 --> 00:42:27.300
 but I'm going to

00:42:27.300 --> 00:42:27.760
 find a way

00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:28.400
 to do that

00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:29.260
 which would be

00:42:29.260 --> 00:42:29.920
 gospel community

00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:31.300
 and gospel

00:42:31.300 --> 00:42:32.519
 commission

00:42:32.519 --> 00:42:34.139
 beloved we need to

00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:35.280
 take careful note

00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:37.059
 of Stephen's

00:42:37.059 --> 00:42:37.840
 life

00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:38.940
 we need to ask

00:42:38.940 --> 00:42:39.700
 ourselves

00:42:39.700 --> 00:42:41.539
 what part

00:42:41.539 --> 00:42:42.480
 are we to play

00:42:42.480 --> 00:42:43.440
 in the

00:42:43.440 --> 00:42:44.579
 perfecting of our

00:42:44.579 --> 00:42:45.319
 lives lives

00:42:45.319 --> 00:42:46.340
 lived that are

00:42:46.340 --> 00:42:47.039
 not wasted

00:42:47.039 --> 00:42:48.380
 and are lived

00:42:48.380 --> 00:42:49.159
 for the kingdom

00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:49.579
 of God

00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:50.059
 for the glory

00:42:50.059 --> 00:42:50.539
 of God

00:42:50.539 --> 00:42:51.039
 the service

00:42:51.039 --> 00:42:51.699
 of the gospel

00:42:51.699 --> 00:42:52.259
 for the love

00:42:52.259 --> 00:42:52.719
 of others

00:42:52.719 --> 00:42:53.840
 around us

00:42:53.840 --> 00:42:54.960
 what do we need

00:42:54.960 --> 00:42:55.460
 to pick up

00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:55.960
 and do

00:42:55.960 --> 00:42:56.679
 what is our

00:42:56.679 --> 00:42:57.420
 part in

00:42:57.420 --> 00:42:58.380
 sanctification

00:42:58.380 --> 00:42:59.000
 that the gospel

00:42:59.000 --> 00:42:59.380
 might have

00:42:59.380 --> 00:42:59.900
 its effect

00:42:59.900 --> 00:43:00.960
 in us

00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:01.699
 and through

00:43:01.699 --> 00:43:02.039
 us

00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:02.759
 to those

00:43:02.759 --> 00:43:03.319
 around us

00:43:03.319 --> 00:43:03.920
 let's pray

00:43:03.920 --> 00:43:04.219
 together