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 Over the past two weeks, we have looked at the brief life and ministry of Stephen, who is this very important transitionary character in Luke's record and life.

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 The intensive work of the gospel is about to go forth here in the history that's recorded for us by Luke. The teaching of the apostles has been filling all of Jerusalem. Peter's been the primary character in the narrative. We're soon to see the shift from Peter to Paul as Paul begins to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

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 It leaves the wall, it goes out of the gate, and that hinges here on Stephen. The last two weeks, we've looked at Stephen's arrest and his inquiry. Chapter 6, verse 8 through 7, verse 1.

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 And you'll recall at the beginning of chapter 6, there's an issue that arises in the church. The widows of the Hellenists, that is the Greek-speaking Jews, are not being served, and so the first deacons are called, and Stephen is amongst them.

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 Not long after this, we see, beginning in verse 8, that Stephen has a broadening ministry, not the service of tables, but he's also doing great wonders and signs among the people.

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 And we understand, as we are good students of the Scripture, that any time biblical signs and wonders are being done, they're accompanied by the preaching of the gospel.

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 We see this as a consistent pattern in the life of Christ. We see this as a consistent pattern throughout the book of Acts.

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 And although it's not recorded here by Luke, it's proper to assume that. And we can see, beginning in verse 9, that this commotion begins between Stephen and some of the synagogues of the freedmen, the Cyrenians, the Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia.

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 These would all have been Hellenist Jewish populations. These were all Greek-speaking Jews.

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 And they dispute with him, not about the things he was doing, but about the things he was saying.

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 And they, unable to dispute with him and withstand his wisdom, they raise up false witnesses,

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 and they bring him before the council, the Sanhedrin, the religious ruling Jews of the day.

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 And the question is asked of him, chapter 7, verse 1, are these things so?

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 What is the high priest referring to?

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 The charges that are made against him, made in these three pairs, beginning in verse 11, and then in verse 13, and in verse 14.

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 They're repeated and expanded upon.

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 And the initial accusation made in verse 11 is that Stephen is speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God,

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 or irreverent words against Moses and God.

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 And as we look in verse 13 and verse 14, we saw that he explains to us what this means.

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 To speak blasphemous words against Moses is to speak against the law and the customs that were handed down by Moses.

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 And to speak blasphemous words against God is to speak against the temple.

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 So the high priest asks the question, are these things so?

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 Defend yourself, Stephen.

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 What do you have to say of these accusations?

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 And we're going to look at his response and the result of his response this morning.

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 And before we get into our text, I want to remind you, I've asked you over the last two weeks to keep two general lessons in mind as we look at the life and ministry of Stephen.

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

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 I've shown you that God uses Stephen and the persecution that arises as a result of Stephen's life and ministry to spread the gospel across continents in the next generation.

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 And we're a result.

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 Those of us who are found in Christ now are a result of the life and ministry of Stephen.

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 So 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 cannot be measured by its short-term gains, its breadth, or its length.

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 This very short ministry, this ministry that doesn't seem to yield much fruit, ends in Stephen's martyrdom, has such great reach and effect.

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 God uses it in such mighty ways.

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 And as we consider our own lives beloved, we need to be thinking, is our life given in service to God the way Stephen's was?

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 And have we been measuring the way in which we give our lives to God in terms of short-term gains, breadth, or length?

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 So I'm going to read the text this morning.

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 Our text will be Acts 7, verse 2 through 60.

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 Yes, verse 2 through 60.

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 And there's a temptation at this point to not read the text.

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 There's a temptation just to highlight some things throughout the text.

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 And many faithful preachers have done that.

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 And I find that to be an acceptable practice.

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 I'm not suggesting if you have a favorite preacher who doesn't read the entire text to you that he's wrong in doing so.

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 But I feel compelled to read the entire text to you because the power that the Spirit wields in our lives comes from the Scripture

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 and true things that I may say about the Scripture, but it's the Word of God that needs to be saturating our meetings together.

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 So I think it's important for us to actually open the text and actually read the text and consider it before I begin to make comments about it.

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 Yes, I timed myself.

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 It takes about seven minutes to read the text.

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 That's not too long.

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 Let me ask, you know, I'll try to read it well for you.

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 I'm reading from the ESV.

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 You may find if you don't have an ESV, it's hard to follow along.

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 You might want to just listen.

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 If you have an ESV, it may help for you to follow along.

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 But let me ask that you try to clear your mind and engage in what's actually happening.

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 So here's Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin.

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 They would have sat in a semicircle around him.

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 Seventy men, high rulers of the day, dressed in their fancy garb.

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 This was the Supreme Court of the day.

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 The high priest sitting behind him.

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 He's asked this question.

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 These accusations have been made.

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 Are these things so?

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 And Stephen says, and he doesn't really defend himself.

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 I don't want to say that at the outset.

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 He doesn't really give a defense, but he launches into this speech.

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 So let's listen carefully as I read.

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 Beginning in verse 2, and Stephen said,

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 Brothers and fathers, hear me.

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 The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran

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 and said to him,

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 Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land I will show you.

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 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran.

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 And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living.

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 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length,

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 but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.

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 And God spoke to this effect, that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others

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 who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years.

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 But I will judge the nation that they serve, said God,

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 and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.

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 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision.

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 And so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day.

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 And Isaac became the father of Jacob and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

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 And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt.

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 But God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions

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 and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt,

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 who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

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 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan and great affliction,

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 and our fathers could find no food.

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 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt,

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 he sent out our fathers on their first visit.

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 And on the second visit, Joseph made himself known to his brothers,

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 and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh.

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 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob, his father, and all his kindred,

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 seventy-five persons in all.

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 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers.

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 And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver

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 from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

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 But at the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham,

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 the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,

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 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph.

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 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants

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 so they would not be kept alive.

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 At this time, Moses was born, and he was beautiful in God's sight.

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 And he was brought up for three months in his father's house.

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 And when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.

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 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,

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 and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

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 When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers,

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 the children of Israel.

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 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man

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 and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian.

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 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving him salvation by his hand,

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 but they did not understand.

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 And on the following day, he appeared to them as they were quarreling

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 and tried to reconcile them, saying,

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 Men, you are brothers.

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 Why do you wrong each other?

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 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying,

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 Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?

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 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?

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 At this retort, Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian,

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 where he became the father of two sons.

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 Now, when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai

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 in a flame of fire in a bush.

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 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight.

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 And as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord.

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 I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.

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 And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.

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 Then the Lord said to him,

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 Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

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 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt,

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 and I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them.

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 And now, come, I will send you to Egypt.

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 This Moses, whom they rejected, saying,

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 Who made you a ruler and a judge?

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 This man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

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 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea

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 and in the wilderness for forty years.

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 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites,

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 God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.

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 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai.

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 And with our fathers, he received living oracles to give us.

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 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside,

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 and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,

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 saying to Aaron,

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 Make for us gods who will go before us.

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 As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt,

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 we do not know what has become of him.

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 And they made a calf in those days,

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 and offered a sacrifice to the idol,

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 and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

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 But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven,

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 as it is written in the book of the prophets.

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 Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices during the forty years in the wilderness,

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 O house of Israel?

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 You took up the tent of Moloch,

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 and the star of your God, Raphon,

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 the images that you made to worship,

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 and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.

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 Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness,

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 just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it,

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 according to the pattern that he had seen.

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 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua,

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 and they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers.

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 So it was until the days of David,

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 who found favor in the sight of God,

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 and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

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 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

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 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands,

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 as the prophet says,

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 Heaven is my throne,

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 and the earth is my footstool.

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 What kind of house will you build for me,

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 said the Lord,

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 or what is the place of my rest?

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 Did not my hand make all these things?

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 You stiff-necked people,

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 uncircumcised in heart and ears,

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 you always resist the Holy Spirit.

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 As your fathers did,

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 so do you.

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 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

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 And they killed those who announced beforehand

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 the coming of the righteous one,

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 whom you have now betrayed and murdered.

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 You who received the law as delivered by angels,

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 and did not keep it.

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 Now when they heard these things,

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 they were enraged,

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 and they ground their teeth at him.

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 But he, full of the Holy Spirit,

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 gazed into heaven,

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 and saw the glory of God,

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 and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

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 And he said,

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 Behold, I see the heavens opened,

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 and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

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 But they cried out with a loud voice,

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 and stopped their ears,

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 and rushed together at him.

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 Then they cast him out of the city,

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 and stoned him.

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 And the witnesses laid down their garments

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 at the feet of a young man named Saul.

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 And as they were stoning Stephen,

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 he called out,

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 Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

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 And falling to his knees,

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 he cried out with a loud voice,

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 Lord, do not hold this sin against them.

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 And when he had said this,

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 he fell asleep.

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 Beloved, this is God's Word to us.

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 It was written for His glory,

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 and for our good.

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 We would all do well to listen to it,

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 in order to believe its promises,

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 and obey its commands.

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 Now, there's a lot before us.

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 I certainly can't,

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 and won't deal with this verse by verse this morning.

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 We'll try to take it thematically.

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 And I want to use kind of a simple structure

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 for such a large text.

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 I'd like you to hear that structure in advance.

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 You may not be able to write this down just yet,

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 but I want you to hear it

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 just so you know where we're headed.

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 Now, structure will be in four parts.

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 First, Stephen's brief history of Israel.

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 Second, Stephen's conclusion from Israel's history.

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 Third, God's approval of Stephen's conclusion.

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 And fourth, the council's reaction to Stephen's conclusion.

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 So Stephen begins in this speech,

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 not really a defense as you'll soon see,

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 but in this speech to give a brief history of Israel.

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 And that is the major portion of our text,

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 verse 2 through 50.

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 And just as an aside,

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 I find it really astounding

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 that he's standing before the religious elite of the day

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 and he repeats to them their history.

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 But he does so to make a point,

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 as we'll see in his conclusion.

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 He begins in verse 2 by saying,

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 Brothers and fathers, hear me.

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 And I want to note this

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 because it's the candor of the way in which he's speaking

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 and the heart that follows along with it.

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 Stephen shows in this,

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 by calling them brothers,

00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:11.180
 his solidarity with them.

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:13.480
 He recognizes that he himself is also a Jew,

00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:16.500
 that this is his history that he is about to speak.

00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:18.779
 And he also shows them respect

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:21.220
 in calling them fathers.

00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:25.600
 And this sets the tone for what he's about to say.

00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:28.320
 And he goes through a number of characters,

00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:31.379
 kind of high points in Israel's history.

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:35.639
 And he begins with Abraham in verses 2 through 8.

00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.100
 And in speaking about Abraham,

00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:40.160
 Stephen emphasizes the divine work

00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:43.139
 of bringing Israel to be

00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.340
 and to be in the land

00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:47.940
 in which they're currently dwelling at this time.

00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:50.140
 He emphasizes the fact

00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:53.380
 that while Abraham was the means,

00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:56.480
 that God was accomplishing his ends

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.280
 through the life of Abraham.

00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:01.140
 Let me draw your attention to verse 4.

00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:04.299
 Abraham's commanded to go to the land.

00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:04.980
 Verse 4 says,

00:17:05.080 --> 00:17:06.779
 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.720
 and lived in Haran,

00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:11.960
 which is about halfway to where he was supposed to go.

00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.900
 And after his father died,

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.920
 look at the way that Luke records this,

00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:17.180
 the words of Stephen,

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:20.180
 and God removed him from there

00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:23.480
 into this land in which you are now living.

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.440
 Stephen recognized that God was sovereign

00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.460
 over redemptive history,

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:29.880
 over the history of Israel themselves.

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.720
 He emphasizes this as he speaks

00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:34.140
 about Abraham to begin with.

00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:36.539
 He then moves on to Joseph.

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.600
 I promise we're going to move quickly

00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.700
 through these characters.

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.740
 Verses 9 through 16,

00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:44.080
 in which Stephen expresses

00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:46.619
 his understanding in God's sovereignty

00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.879
 and bringing about Israel's movement

00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:50.819
 to Egypt.

00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:52.759
 The fulfillment of this promise

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.639
 that was given to Abraham,

00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.939
 that there would be a people

00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:57.379
 that would rule over them.

00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.939
 Verse 9,

00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:01.079
 And the patriarchs,

00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.460
 jealous of Joseph,

00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.359
 sold him to Egypt,

00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:06.779
 but God was with him

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.659
 and rescued him

00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:08.779
 out of all his afflictions

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.639
 and gave him favor

00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.519
 and wisdom

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:12.419
 before Pharaoh.

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.839
 Sold into slavery,

00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.579
 later put into a jail,

00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:17.879
 sees visions and dreams,

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:20.119
 interprets things for Pharaoh,

00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:21.079
 and he's put in charge

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.979
 of the whole land

00:18:21.979 --> 00:18:23.299
 and in the process

00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.659
 of gathering in

00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:25.859
 and preparing for this famine

00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.119
 that was going to come.

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:29.939
 This is the way in which

00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:30.799
 God brings

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.279
 and brings about the promise

00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.559
 that the great nation

00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.559
 that he's bringing forth

00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.219
 in Abraham

00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:36.959
 would be ruled over

00:18:36.959 --> 00:18:38.459
 in a foreign place.

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.339
 Stephen then spends

00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:43.739
 the majority of his speech

00:18:43.739 --> 00:18:45.579
 on Moses.

00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:47.139
 Remember the accusation

00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:47.699
 made against him

00:18:47.699 --> 00:18:48.459
 that he's blaspheming

00:18:48.459 --> 00:18:49.619
 against Moses.

00:18:49.719 --> 00:18:52.759
 Verses 17 through 44.

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.959
 He speaks of God's work

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:58.740
 in Israel's increase

00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:00.420
 and the slavery.

00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.220
 Verse 17.

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.120
 But as the time

00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:04.259
 of the promise

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.819
 drew near

00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.740
 which God had granted

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.420
 to Abraham,

00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.180
 the people increased

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.079
 and multiplied in Egypt.

00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:09.600
 We read about that

00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.019
 this morning

00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.960
 to the children

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:12.519
 until there arose

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.420
 over Egypt

00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.140
 another king

00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:15.519
 who did not know Joseph,

00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.220
 who didn't have

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.420
 favorable opinions

00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:17.860
 of Joseph

00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:19.799
 and his people.

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.640
 Stephen expresses

00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.500
 his understanding

00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.680
 in God's selection

00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:25.200
 of Moses

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:27.080
 to redeem the people

00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:28.220
 from their slavery.

00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:30.299
 The first part of verse 20.

00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.759
 At this time,

00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.039
 Moses was born

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.200
 and he was beautiful

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:38.120
 in God's sight.

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.740
 Verse 35.

00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.580
 This Moses

00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.340
 whom they rejected

00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:42.920
 saying,

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.039
 who made you a ruler

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.559
 and a judge?

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.700
 This man God sent

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.740
 as both ruler

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.559
 and redeemer

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.640
 by the hand of the angel

00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.559
 who appeared to him

00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.900
 in the bush.

00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:54.300
 This man led them out

00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.980
 performing wonders

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.720
 and signs in Egypt

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.519
 and at the Red Sea

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.720
 and in the wilderness

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:58.960
 for 40 years.

00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.640
 This is the Moses

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:02.519
 who said to the Israelites,

00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.680
 God,

00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.680
 speaking of Christ,

00:20:04.780 --> 00:20:05.720
 will raise up for you

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.320
 a prophet

00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:07.600
 like me

00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:09.040
 from your brothers.

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.240
 So Stephen is very aware

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.280
 of God's selection

00:20:11.280 --> 00:20:11.880
 and use

00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.720
 of Moses.

00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.920
 Stephen

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.040
 emphasizes

00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:17.580
 Israel's rejection

00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:18.560
 of God.

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.800
 Beginning in verse

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:21.039
 39.

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.700
 It speaks that

00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.859
 the fathers refused

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.460
 to obey

00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.940
 the commands of God

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.099
 given to Moses.

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.619
 They thrust Moses aside

00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.159
 and their hearts

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:30.000
 they turned to Egypt.

00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.879
 You recall that they

00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:32.200
 made a golden calf.

00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.159
 Moses has not been up

00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:33.960
 on Mount Sinai

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:35.139
 for very long

00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:36.079
 but they're very worried

00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.559
 about what has happened

00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.779
 to him.

00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.319
 So they make a calf

00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.639
 and they worship

00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.799
 that calf.

00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:44.319
 Verse 42 says,

00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:45.639
 but God turned away

00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:47.019
 and He gave them over

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.759
 to their worship,

00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.599
 the host of heaven,

00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.279
 as it is written

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:51.500
 in the book of Prophets.

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.719
 This is Amos 5,

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:54.799
 25-27.

00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:56.579
 Did you bring me

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.139
 slain beasts

00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:57.859
 and sacrifices

00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.659
 during the forty years

00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.119
 in the wilderness,

00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.359
 O house of Israel?

00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.299
 You took up the tent

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.240
 of Moloch,

00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.199
 a false god,

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.119
 and the star of your god,

00:21:05.179 --> 00:21:05.539
 Raphon,

00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.939
 a false god,

00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.379
 the images that you made

00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:08.939
 to worship

00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:10.519
 and I will send you

00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.819
 into exile

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:14.199
 beyond Babylon.

00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.459
 And so you see

00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:16.039
 that Stephen

00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.119
 in his speaking

00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:19.740
 of Israel's rejection

00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.299
 of God

00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:22.519
 as their rebellious activity

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.379
 that that continues on,

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:24.779
 right?

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.960
 All the way

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.639
 to the prediction

00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.559
 of Amos

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.119
 that they would go

00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:28.720
 into exile

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.440
 in Babylon.

00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.079
 It happened

00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.940
 in the forty years

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.460
 in the wilderness

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:33.279
 and it was still happening.

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.920
 He briefly speaks

00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:38.759
 about Joshua

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.879
 and David

00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:41.159
 and Solomon.

00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.299
 A little rapid fire

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.099
 verses we get

00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:44.099
 in verses 45

00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.899
 and 50

00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:47.559
 to speak about

00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:49.659
 God's dwelling place.

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.539
 The tabernacle

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.399
 that God had instructed

00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:51.980
 them to build,

00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.539
 a place where

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.419
 His Shekinah glory

00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:55.039
 could exist,

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.500
 later became

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.279
 a temple

00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.359
 dreamed up by David,

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.359
 accomplished by

00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.460
 Solomon.

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.940
 But then he's

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:03.200
 very quick to say,

00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.059
 speak the words

00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.440
 of the Lord

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.480
 from Isaiah 66,

00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.899
 1 and 2.

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.039
 God says,

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.859
 heaven is my throne

00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:12.299
 and the earth

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.159
 is my footstool.

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.599
 What kind of house

00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.420
 will you build for me,

00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:15.940
 says the Lord,

00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.839
 or what is the place

00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.559
 of my rest?

00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:19.420
 Did not my hand

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:21.680
 make all these things?

00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.440
 And what he's saying

00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.879
 is that I'm not limited

00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.359
 to this temple,

00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.220
 this place.

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.559
 You remember

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.799
 the accusation made,

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.259
 right?

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.279
 You were blaspheming

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:32.220
 against the temple

00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.440
 itself.

00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.899
 So he sweeps

00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.819
 through the high points

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.460
 of their history,

00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.980
 making these clear points.

00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.779
 God has been in control.

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.079
 God has been moving.

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.539
 God has been establishing.

00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.500
 God has been commanding.

00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.480
 And Israel

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.779
 has been

00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:49.220
 rebellious.

00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:51.759
 So you have to read this.

00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.899
 I'm coming at it,

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.159
 you know,

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.899
 from the beginning,

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.039
 but you have to read it

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.399
 from his conclusion.

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:59.180
 They become enraged

00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.920
 with the things

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.879
 that he is saying to them.

00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.839
 They're furious with them.

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.720
 And why?

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.039
 Because it concludes

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.980
 this historical sweep

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:09.240
 in verse 51

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.920
 through 53.

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.740
 He's been driving

00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.400
 to this place

00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.420
 as he's been speaking

00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:17.640
 all along.

00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.819
 You stiff-nicked people,

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.680
 uncircumcised

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.319
 in hearts and ears,

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.299
 you always resist

00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.980
 the Holy Spirit.

00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.559
 As your fathers did,

00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:26.140
 so do you.

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.839
 Which of the prophets

00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.579
 did your fathers

00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.940
 not persecute?

00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.160
 And they killed

00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.840
 those who announced

00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:32.820
 beforehand the coming

00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:34.180
 of the righteous one.

00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:35.559
 Think just recently

00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.519
 of John the Baptist

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:38.059
 in our study of Mark.

00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.140
 Whom you,

00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.000
 the righteous one,

00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.860
 have now betrayed

00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:41.960
 and murdered.

00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.460
 You who received the law

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.940
 as delivered by angels

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:48.740
 and did not keep it.

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:51.440
 So remember these accusations

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:53.340
 that are made against him.

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.420
 611.

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:56.140
 Blasphemous words

00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:58.799
 against Moses and God.

00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.899
 Stephen's conclusion

00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.839
 is to say

00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:03.779
 it is not I

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.799
 who have offended God,

00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.319
 but you.

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.180
 What a defense.

00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.359
 The accusation

00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.299
 you're making against me

00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.839
 is not true,

00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:13.839
 but it is true of you.

00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.799
 It is not I

00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.440
 who have spoken

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.980
 against Moses,

00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.159
 but you

00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.440
 and your disobedience

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.200
 and your failure

00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.039
 to keep the law.

00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.680
 It is you

00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.919
 that has blasphemed

00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:24.180
 the law

00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:25.240
 and Moses.

00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.259
 He calls them

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:30.559
 stiff-necked people,

00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.980
 which is a reference

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.400
 to Exodus 33,

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.180
 1-6.

00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.119
 And I'd appreciate it

00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.660
 if you'd turn there

00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.559
 quickly with me.

00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.500
 The second book

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.220
 of your Old Testament,

00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.079
 Exodus 33.

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:52.339
 And I'm doing this for you.

00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:53.000
 I want you to see

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.539
 the conclusion.

00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.079
 I want you to really

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.740
 wrap your mind

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:57.000
 around the accusation

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.599
 that he's making

00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:59.359
 against these religious

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.339
 elites.

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.500
 Exodus 33,

00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.939
 verses 1-6.

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.699
 This is immediately

00:25:03.699 --> 00:25:04.299
 following

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.279
 chapter 32,

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.259
 Israel

00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.500
 worshiping

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.699
 the golden calf.

00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:11.139
 This is what happens

00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.080
 on the very heels

00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:13.300
 of that event.

00:25:13.820 --> 00:25:14.860
 The Lord says to Moses,

00:25:15.060 --> 00:25:15.580
 verse 1,

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.420
 Depart,

00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.080
 go up from here,

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.020
 you and the whole people

00:25:18.020 --> 00:25:18.700
 whom you have brought

00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.759
 up out of the land of Egypt,

00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:20.960
 to the land of which

00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.820
 I swore to Abraham,

00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.160
 Isaac,

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.480
 and Jacob,

00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:22.780
 saying,

00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.600
 To your offspring

00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:25.259
 I will give it.

00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.280
 So go ahead,

00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:26.800
 pick up.

00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.360
 You're in the desert

00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:27.880
 of Sinai,

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.560
 pick up and take off.

00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.400
 Go to the place

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.140
 that I promised you.

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:31.759
 Verse 2,

00:25:31.800 --> 00:25:32.540
 I will send an angel

00:25:32.540 --> 00:25:33.120
 before you,

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.160
 and I will drive

00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.780
 out the Canaanites,

00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.300
 the Amorites,

00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:35.940
 the Hittites,

00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.820
 the Perizzites,

00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.540
 the Hivites,

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.400
 and the Jebusites.

00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:40.000
 Go up to a land

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.900
 flowing with milk and honey,

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:43.980
 but I will not go up

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.859
 among you,

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.880
 lest I consume you

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.519
 on the way,

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:50.500
 for you are a stiff-necked

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.960
 people.

00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:52.759
 Now,

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.740
 what that means

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.619
 is that there are people

00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.940
 who are not willing

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.799
 to bow

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.940
 to the will of God.

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.940
 So what he's saying to them is,

00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.420
 you have been so disobedient.

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.900
 I have redeemed you.

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.819
 I have led you out.

00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:05.619
 I have taken you from slavery

00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:06.259
 and brought you

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.299
 to this place.

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.339
 I've called your servant Moses

00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.159
 up onto the mountain.

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.919
 I have given him the law.

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.379
 And you have turned

00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.379
 and you have worshipped

00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.659
 a golden calf.

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.659
 I better stay behind

00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.379
 because if you guys

00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.240
 keep up with this

00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.019
 and I'm with you,

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.459
 I'm going to consume you

00:26:21.459 --> 00:26:22.159
 with fire, right?

00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.359
 You will die.

00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:25.500
 I cannot go with you.

00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.159
 Verse 4,

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.699
 When the people

00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:28.579
 heard this disastrous word,

00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:29.379
 they mourned,

00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.759
 and no one put on

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.259
 its ornaments,

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.359
 which means they didn't

00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.079
 adorn themselves,

00:26:33.199 --> 00:26:33.799
 they weren't joyful.

00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:35.940
 For the Lord had said

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.379
 to Moses,

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.480
 Say to the people of Israel,

00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:39.579
 You are a stiff-necked people.

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.200
 If for a single moment

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.220
 I should go up among you,

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:44.339
 I would consume you.

00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.899
 So now take off

00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.480
 your ornaments

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.159
 that I may know

00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:48.519
 what to do with you.

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.779
 Therefore the people

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.359
 of Israel stripped

00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.220
 themselves of their ornaments

00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:53.379
 from Mount Horeb onward.

00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.500
 It's significant

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:56.319
 that Stephen accuses

00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.099
 these men

00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:58.759
 of being stiff-necked people.

00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.159
 He's saying,

00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.180
 You are just like

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.339
 your forefathers

00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.879
 who worshipped wrongly.

00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:04.440
 They worshipped the golden calf

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:06.620
 in the desert of Sinai.

00:27:07.260 --> 00:27:07.940
 He goes on to say

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.880
 that they're uncircumcised

00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:11.040
 in hearts and ears.

00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.160
 Their flesh had been

00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.700
 circumcised as Jews,

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.140
 but they weren't clean

00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.140
 before God.

00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.500
 He's saying to them

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:19.240
 that you are as unclean

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:21.100
 as the Gentiles.

00:27:21.520 --> 00:27:22.880
 You have no part

00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.860
 in the things of God.

00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.640
 He says that they

00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.200
 always resisted

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.400
 the Holy Spirit.

00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:30.940
 They've never been obedient

00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.860
 just as their fathers.

00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:35.480
 All of the messengers of God,

00:27:35.540 --> 00:27:36.340
 the prophets of God,

00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:37.020
 were persecuted

00:27:37.020 --> 00:27:38.740
 by you and your fathers.

00:27:39.600 --> 00:27:40.620
 Killed the ones

00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.200
 that announced

00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.920
 the righteous one.

00:27:42.020 --> 00:27:43.240
 Now you have killed

00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:45.120
 the righteous one.

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.980
 You received the law,

00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:48.080
 but you have never

00:27:48.080 --> 00:27:49.980
 kept the law.

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:53.180
 It's a massive accusation.

00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.780
 A bold accusation.

00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:56.120
 We spoke last week

00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.840
 and the week before

00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:58.100
 about Stephen's courage

00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:59.760
 before these people.

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:01.539
 A spirit-filled courage

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:03.039
 to speak such words

00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.700
 to them.

00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.519
 Now,

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.539
 beginning in verse 54,

00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:11.299
 we're going to see

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.420
 God's approval

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:15.299
 of Stephen's conclusion.

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.279
 So he comes to this conclusion.

00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.299
 He gives this speech.

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.299
 History of Israel.

00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.200
 He comes to this conclusion.

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.420
 You are wicked.

00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:22.259
 Just as Israel has been wicked.

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:24.920
 You need Christ.

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.660
 But you killed Him.

00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.640
 Now,

00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:31.059
 when they heard these things,

00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:33.099
 they were enraged.

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.259
 And they ground

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.700
 their teeth at Him.

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.019
 I don't know that I've ever

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.879
 been that mad.

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:41.119
 They ground their teeth

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:42.500
 at Him.

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.420
 But verse 55,

00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.340
 but he,

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.980
 full of the Holy Spirit,

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.680
 gets a vision.

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.380
 He gazes into heaven

00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:51.440
 and he sees the glory of God

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.920
 and Jesus standing

00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:54.100
 at the right hand of God.

00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.680
 And verse 56,

00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:57.180
 he makes that known to them.

00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.140
 So he sees it,

00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.140
 verse 55,

00:28:59.300 --> 00:29:00.259
 and verse 56,

00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:00.840
 and he said,

00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.279
 Behold,

00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:02.259
 I see the heavens opened

00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.480
 and the Son of Man

00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:05.960
 standing at the right hand

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.039
 of God.

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:08.740
 Now,

00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.740
 there are 17

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:11.039
 New Testament

00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.000
 references

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.819
 to Jesus being

00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:15.279
 at God's right hand.

00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.519
 The right hand

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.099
 is the place

00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.299
 of honor

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.539
 next to the King.

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.119
 It's the place

00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.319
 of authority.

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.079
 Jesus is seen

00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.920
 17 times

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.720
 at the right hand

00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.099
 of the Father.

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.259
 We should be familiar

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.900
 with this.

00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.539
 Four of those

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.259
 17 verses

00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.039
 describe Him

00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.700
 simply as

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:34.859
 at God's right hand.

00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.480
 We don't know

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.220
 exactly

00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.359
 the position

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:39.099
 of His session.

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.240
 That's the old word

00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.759
 for this.

00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.859
 His being

00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.519
 at the right hand

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.059
 of the Father.

00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:44.299
 His session.

00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.000
 Four verses

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.339
 simply at God's

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.839
 right hand.

00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.039
 11

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.979
 describe Him

00:29:49.979 --> 00:29:51.219
 as seated.

00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:53.479
 And this is meant

00:29:53.479 --> 00:29:54.099
 to show

00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.179
 the completed work.

00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.299
 He's not active.

00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.219
 He's seated.

00:29:57.459 --> 00:29:58.139
 He's currently

00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.799
 sitting.

00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.740
 You'll hear us say that

00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.500
 here on Sunday mornings

00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:00.959
 often.

00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.899
 Jesus seated

00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:03.219
 at the right hand

00:30:03.219 --> 00:30:03.740
 of God.

00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:05.119
 Interceding even now

00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.359
 for us.

00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.299
 11 verses

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.099
 describe Him

00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:09.419
 as seated.

00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.080
 And then we have

00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.460
 two.

00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.039
 Right here together.

00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.759
 Verse 55

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.860
 and verse 56

00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:16.400
 describing Him

00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:18.460
 as standing.

00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:20.940
 But why?

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.539
 Now some have suggested

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:28.000
 that He is standing

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:31.120
 giving Stephen

00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.920
 a standing ovation.

00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:34.240
 That He's standing

00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.920
 in approval

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:36.560
 over what is happening.

00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:38.079
 Stephen's the first

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.500
 Christian martyr.

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.159
 Some have suggested

00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.960
 that He's standing

00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.299
 in order to

00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:45.259
 welcome Stephen

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.359
 knowing that He's

00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.159
 about to be

00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:47.919
 martyr.

00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.599
 And I think these

00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.839
 are all fantastic thoughts.

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.119
 You may be familiar

00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:51.440
 with them.

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.119
 You may have heard

00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:52.879
 this.

00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.279
 They're fantastic

00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.220
 but they're not

00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:58.359
 exegetically faithful

00:30:58.359 --> 00:31:00.359
 to go,

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:00.700
 huh,

00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:01.299
 standing?

00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.099
 How interesting.

00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.179
 I wonder why.

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:03.839
 Oh,

00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:04.659
 well,

00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:05.139
 Stephen,

00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.440
 a man approved.

00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.059
 Right?

00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:07.940
 Full of the Holy Spirit.

00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:11.019
 But if you look carefully

00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:13.460
 at the very next verse

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:15.079
 after He says this,

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:18.119
 they are even more furious.

00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:19.799
 You notice verse 57?

00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:22.200
 They cry out

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.759
 with a loud voice

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:25.480
 and they stop their ears.

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.099
 Literally,

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.399
 they put their hands

00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:27.819
 over their ears

00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.859
 because they did not

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.639
 want to hear Him

00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:31.119
 say anything else.

00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.119
 Why is this

00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:35.259
 so enraging to them?

00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.419
 So think about that.

00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.500
 Think about the accusation

00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.500
 He's already made.

00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:38.880
 Right?

00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:40.600
 Verse 51 through 53.

00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:42.259
 He's made this accusation.

00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.360
 They're mad.

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.820
 He sees a vision.

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.700
 He shares the vision.

00:31:45.820 --> 00:31:47.740
 They get even more mad.

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.620
 And then we know

00:31:48.620 --> 00:31:49.880
 that He's martyred

00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.840
 as a result.

00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:54.000
 That's your context.

00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.360
 Right?

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.019
 If we're going to be

00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.680
 faithful,

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.759
 studying the Word,

00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:59.940
 the context helps us.

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:03.200
 you may recall

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:06.080
 just up in verse 49,

00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.940
 He quotes from Isaiah 66,

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.019
 1 and 2.

00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:11.860
 God says,

00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:13.000
 Heaven is my throne

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.820
 and the earth

00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.759
 is my footstool.

00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:15.580
 Does that ring any

00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:17.059
 little flags going off,

00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.700
 bells going off,

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.660
 anybody's footstool?

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.200
 Footstool?

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.440
 Where else do we hear

00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.279
 that type of thing?

00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:22.220
 How about Psalm 110.

00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.640
 1?

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:25.160
 Not too much earlier.

00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:26.780
 Not too much time earlier

00:32:26.780 --> 00:32:28.200
 in the book of Acts.

00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:30.120
 Peter's used this reference

00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:31.340
 on the day of Pentecost.

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:31.860
 Chapter 2,

00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:32.940
 verse 34 and 35.

00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.280
 Psalm 110.

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:34.620
 1.

00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:36.720
 The Lord says to my Lord,

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:39.540
 God says to Christ,

00:32:40.080 --> 00:32:42.520
 sit at my right hand

00:32:42.520 --> 00:32:44.160
 until I make your enemies

00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:45.960
 your footstool.

00:32:46.060 --> 00:32:47.000
 There's some clue here.

00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:47.420
 Okay.

00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:47.940
 Alright.

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.580
 What's going on?

00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.720
 Who are these listeners?

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.280
 What would have been

00:32:51.280 --> 00:32:51.940
 their understanding

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.019
 of the Scripture?

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.620
 Would this have been

00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:54.480
 significant to them

00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:56.380
 that Jesus is standing

00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:59.580
 at the right hand of God?

00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:01.120
 They would have been familiar

00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:03.860
 with Psalms like Psalm 68.

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:04.940
 1.

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:07.920
 God shall arise.

00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:10.320
 His enemies shall be scattered

00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:12.539
 and those who hate Him

00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:14.200
 shall flee before Him.

00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:16.600
 God will stand up.

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.440
 And when God stands up,

00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:20.860
 His enemies will scatter.

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.859
 God will stand up.

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:22.819
 And Isaiah 3.

00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:24.319
 Verse 13.

00:33:24.979 --> 00:33:26.919
 The Lord has taken His place

00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:28.639
 to contend.

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:32.899
 He stands to judge the peoples.

00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:36.280
 So the vision that Stephen sees here

00:33:36.280 --> 00:33:39.080
 is a continuation of his indictment.

00:33:39.580 --> 00:33:41.440
 His in turn accusation

00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.780
 to these men

00:33:42.780 --> 00:33:44.140
 who are before him.

00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.400
 These men who have now heard

00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:46.360
 the Gospel preached

00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:47.960
 in multiple ways

00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:49.460
 and at multiple times.

00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:51.280
 He's saying to them,

00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:53.660
 you wicked Israelites.

00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:56.620
 You who killed Christ

00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:58.360
 and will not now believe

00:33:58.360 --> 00:34:00.300
 in Him as your risen Savior

00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.240
 and Lord.

00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.899
 He will stand

00:34:02.899 --> 00:34:05.480
 and He will judge.

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.980
 It's a much different picture

00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.880
 than a standing ovation,

00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:09.820
 isn't it?

00:34:10.279 --> 00:34:10.940
 It's being painted

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.300
 of our Lord.

00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:15.500
 Prophet, priest, king

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:17.300
 coming judge.

00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.500
 To judge Him.

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:20.980
 This is why they are so enraged.

00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:25.279
 He's heaping up accusation on them.

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:27.480
 This is why they cry out

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.300
 with a loud voice.

00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:29.860
 They stop their ears.

00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:32.580
 Remember, these are the older men,

00:34:33.220 --> 00:34:34.880
 the esteemed men,

00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:37.200
 the well-dressed men,

00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:38.620
 the wealthy men.

00:34:39.080 --> 00:34:42.340
 They fly into a rage

00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:44.900
 at this accusation.

00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:47.480
 This is God's approval.

00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:49.920
 Stephen's conclusion.

00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:53.600
 The council's reaction

00:34:53.600 --> 00:34:54.680
 to Stephen's conclusion.

00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.500
 Verse 57.

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.700
 I've mentioned already.

00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.539
 Cry out with a loud voice.

00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.480
 They stop their ears.

00:34:58.559 --> 00:35:01.039
 They rush together at Him.

00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.340
 Luke simply records

00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.139
 verse 58.

00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:03.840
 Then they cast Him

00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:04.400
 out of the city

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:06.559
 and stoned Him.

00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.739
 We get the introduction

00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:09.119
 of Paul,

00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:10.779
 now known as Saul,

00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:12.340
 likely one of the witnesses.

00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.539
 It was tradition

00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:14.400
 that the witnesses

00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.739
 in a trial

00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.800
 would be the first

00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:17.940
 to throw stones.

00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:19.659
 They lay their garments

00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:20.320
 at the feet

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.159
 of a young man

00:35:21.159 --> 00:35:22.539
 named Saul.

00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.219
 Saul.

00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:24.759
 And then we picture

00:35:24.759 --> 00:35:26.340
 the way in which Stephen dies.

00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.179
 As they're stoning Stephen,

00:35:27.259 --> 00:35:27.900
 he calls out

00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:29.219
 in much the way

00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:31.539
 that Christ did to God,

00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.259
 Lord Jesus,

00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:34.460
 receive my spirit.

00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:36.159
 Looking to the greater joy

00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:37.259
 that he was going to have

00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:39.920
 being with Christ forever

00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.900
 and falling to his knees,

00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:42.019
 he's cried out with a loud voice,

00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:42.579
 Lord,

00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:43.559
 do not hold

00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:44.480
 this sin

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.619
 against them.

00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.759
 Repeating the words

00:35:46.759 --> 00:35:47.239
 of Christ

00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:48.219
 on the cross.

00:35:48.279 --> 00:35:49.440
 And when he had said this,

00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:51.360
 he fell asleep

00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:52.519
 and thus we are

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.179
 witnesses

00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.179
 to the first

00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:55.480
 Christian

00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.819
 martyrdom.

00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.900
 And just as they had killed

00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.059
 the prophets before,

00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.340
 the ruling Jews

00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:01.799
 now

00:36:01.799 --> 00:36:02.799
 murder

00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:03.500
 Stephen.

00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.599
 And it is a great

00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:05.639
 injustice.

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.299
 And they kill Stephen

00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.480
 by the traditional way

00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:10.019
 that Jews would have

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.980
 executed

00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:11.799
 a death

00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.780
 sentence.

00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:14.220
 But they didn't do it

00:36:14.220 --> 00:36:15.160
 in the proper manner.

00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:17.180
 He's stoned,

00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.940
 it would seem,

00:36:18.140 --> 00:36:19.280
 that a great group

00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:19.700
 of men

00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.940
 standing around him

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:22.600
 hurling rocks at him.

00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:24.180
 The way that it was

00:36:24.180 --> 00:36:25.060
 meant to be done

00:36:25.060 --> 00:36:25.500
 is he was actually

00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.019
 meant to be thrown

00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:26.660
 off a cliff.

00:36:27.180 --> 00:36:28.140
 And if that didn't kill him,

00:36:28.220 --> 00:36:29.160
 a huge stone was supposed

00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:29.640
 to be thrown

00:36:29.640 --> 00:36:30.660
 from the cliff.

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.300
 And if that didn't kill him,

00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:34.200
 then smaller stones.

00:36:34.640 --> 00:36:36.360
 They're so angry.

00:36:36.580 --> 00:36:36.920
 They're not even going

00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.740
 to wait to do it

00:36:37.740 --> 00:36:38.700
 properly.

00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:39.500
 They simply take him

00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:40.280
 outside of the city

00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:41.780
 and begin to beat him

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:43.480
 with rocks.

00:36:43.620 --> 00:36:45.220
 It's a major injustice

00:36:45.220 --> 00:36:46.940
 even by their standard

00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:48.160
 and certainly by ours

00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:49.580
 as we know him

00:36:49.580 --> 00:36:50.940
 to be a follower of God,

00:36:51.040 --> 00:36:51.780
 a man

00:36:51.780 --> 00:36:53.960
 whose message

00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.760
 should have been

00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:55.320
 heeded

00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:56.780
 and listened to.

00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.320
 After this,

00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.340
 this great persecution

00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:00.920
 that arises,

00:37:01.180 --> 00:37:02.620
 it goes forth from there.

00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.860
 We're going to look at that

00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:05.040
 in some coming weeks.

00:37:06.080 --> 00:37:07.300
 The church is scattered.

00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:09.340
 God uses the death

00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:09.780
 of Stephen

00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:11.320
 in such a magnificent

00:37:11.320 --> 00:37:12.380
 way.

00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:15.360
 So what's the application

00:37:15.360 --> 00:37:17.080
 for us this morning?

00:37:18.200 --> 00:37:19.519
 You fall into two categories

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:19.960
 this morning.

00:37:20.100 --> 00:37:21.420
 You either have placed

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:22.660
 believing faith

00:37:22.660 --> 00:37:23.800
 in Jesus Christ

00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:24.740
 or you have not.

00:37:26.680 --> 00:37:28.200
 And I'm always concerned

00:37:28.200 --> 00:37:28.880
 that in the place

00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.400
 that we live

00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:29.880
 and in the day

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.500
 that we live

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.260
 that there are many

00:37:31.260 --> 00:37:32.300
 who think that they have

00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.240
 and haven't.

00:37:34.680 --> 00:37:35.039
 Beloved,

00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.800
 if you've placed

00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:36.400
 believing faith

00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:37.219
 in the personal work

00:37:37.219 --> 00:37:38.199
 of Jesus Christ,

00:37:38.719 --> 00:37:40.059
 you have been changed.

00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.179
 You are not different

00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:41.719
 in degree.

00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.460
 You are now different

00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.259
 in kind.

00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:44.579
 Enemy of God

00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.500
 now a friend.

00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:47.259
 Able to worship him.

00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:48.579
 Able to not sin.

00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:49.739
 Your life will be

00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:51.239
 progressing in holiness.

00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:52.460
 You will be able

00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.739
 to put off sin

00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:55.219
 and put on righteousness

00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:56.659
 by the empowering work

00:37:56.659 --> 00:37:57.460
 of the Spirit.

00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:59.900
 Your life will change.

00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:01.460
 You need to ask yourself

00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:01.860
 this morning

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.820
 which category

00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:03.639
 you fall into.

00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.819
 For those

00:38:04.819 --> 00:38:06.480
 who have not placed

00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:07.159
 believing faith

00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:08.019
 in Jesus Christ,

00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.679
 I want you to hear

00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:09.900
 two points of application

00:38:09.900 --> 00:38:10.960
 from this text.

00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:11.500
 Number one,

00:38:11.799 --> 00:38:12.259
 encouragement.

00:38:13.379 --> 00:38:15.819
 God is long-suffering.

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:17.519
 This major history

00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.319
 that's laid out

00:38:18.319 --> 00:38:19.279
 in these high points

00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:20.179
 by Stephen.

00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.379
 God is patient.

00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.400
 God is patient.

00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:23.460
 God is patient

00:38:23.460 --> 00:38:24.359
 with his people.

00:38:26.319 --> 00:38:28.179
 Peter puts that this way

00:38:28.179 --> 00:38:29.259
 in 2 Peter 3.9,

00:38:29.319 --> 00:38:30.420
 The Lord is not slow

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:31.519
 to fulfill his promise

00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.799
 as some count slowness.

00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:34.240
 but is patient

00:38:34.240 --> 00:38:34.800
 towards you.

00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.160
 Not wishing that

00:38:36.160 --> 00:38:36.740
 any should perish

00:38:36.740 --> 00:38:37.440
 but that all

00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:39.660
 should reach repentance.

00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:40.380
 Be encouraged

00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.880
 that God is patient

00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:42.860
 with you.

00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:44.740
 Let this morning

00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:46.720
 be your time

00:38:46.720 --> 00:38:47.500
 of turning to him

00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.620
 because of his great love,

00:38:48.680 --> 00:38:49.780
 his steadfastness

00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:51.000
 that he's shown you.

00:38:51.140 --> 00:38:51.660
 That that love

00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.360
 would compel you

00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:53.680
 to love him in return

00:38:53.680 --> 00:38:55.120
 to believe in Christ

00:38:55.120 --> 00:38:55.620
 for the salvation

00:38:55.620 --> 00:38:56.260
 of your soul.

00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:59.480
 Second point of application

00:38:59.480 --> 00:39:00.180
 for those

00:39:00.180 --> 00:39:01.280
 who have not placed

00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:02.320
 believing faith in Christ

00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.040
 is a warning.

00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.760
 God will not

00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:06.520
 be patient

00:39:06.520 --> 00:39:07.800
 forever.

00:39:09.140 --> 00:39:09.880
 God will not

00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.380
 be patient

00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:11.540
 forever.

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:13.600
 Christ will return

00:39:13.600 --> 00:39:15.140
 and he will

00:39:15.140 --> 00:39:16.600
 judge.

00:39:17.400 --> 00:39:18.020
 And I don't want

00:39:18.020 --> 00:39:18.680
 any of you

00:39:18.680 --> 00:39:19.720
 to be in the category

00:39:19.720 --> 00:39:21.280
 of these men.

00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:23.600
 I don't want

00:39:23.600 --> 00:39:24.120
 any of you

00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:25.340
 to find yourself

00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:26.500
 at the

00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.580
 retribution

00:39:27.580 --> 00:39:29.519
 end of Christ's

00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:29.960
 judgment.

00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:31.360
 God will not

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:31.900
 be patient

00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:33.300
 forever.

00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:35.000
 Notice here

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:35.660
 that Stephen

00:39:35.660 --> 00:39:37.760
 filled with the Spirit

00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:39.220
 does not

00:39:39.220 --> 00:39:40.900
 offer repentance

00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:42.600
 to the council.

00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:45.600
 When he indicts them

00:39:45.600 --> 00:39:46.060
 he says

00:39:46.060 --> 00:39:46.860
 you are guilty

00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:47.900
 and Christ

00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.800
 will judge you

00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:49.900
 but he does not

00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:50.580
 offer them

00:39:50.580 --> 00:39:52.360
 repentance.

00:39:53.080 --> 00:39:53.780
 It had been

00:39:53.780 --> 00:39:54.460
 offered before.

00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:55.860
 I'm sure they had

00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:56.420
 heard the gospel

00:39:56.420 --> 00:39:57.640
 message in many ways

00:39:57.640 --> 00:39:58.320
 and at many times

00:39:58.320 --> 00:39:59.220
 specifically Peter

00:39:59.220 --> 00:39:59.780
 offers it to them

00:39:59.780 --> 00:40:01.120
 in Acts 4.12

00:40:01.120 --> 00:40:01.680
 He says

00:40:01.680 --> 00:40:02.120
 then there is

00:40:02.120 --> 00:40:02.960
 salvation in no one

00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:03.640
 else for there is

00:40:03.640 --> 00:40:04.539
 no other name

00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.000
 under heaven

00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:05.940
 given among men

00:40:05.940 --> 00:40:06.920
 by which

00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:08.400
 we must be

00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:09.560
 saved.

00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.200
 But it is not

00:40:11.200 --> 00:40:11.560
 offered

00:40:11.560 --> 00:40:12.760
 now.

00:40:13.980 --> 00:40:14.600
 You have not

00:40:14.600 --> 00:40:15.060
 placed believing

00:40:15.060 --> 00:40:16.039
 faith in Jesus

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:16.620
 Christ.

00:40:17.140 --> 00:40:17.940
 Let today be the

00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:18.740
 day of your

00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:19.179
 salvation.

00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:21.420
 Believe that he

00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:21.860
 died on your

00:40:21.860 --> 00:40:22.280
 behalf.

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:23.380
 That he is

00:40:23.380 --> 00:40:23.920
 raised at the

00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:24.320
 right hand of

00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:24.740
 the Father

00:40:24.740 --> 00:40:26.179
 seated for now

00:40:26.179 --> 00:40:27.260
 interceding for

00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:28.579
 you to stand

00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.119
 one day and

00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:29.700
 judge those who

00:40:29.700 --> 00:40:31.039
 don't believe

00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:31.460
 in him.

00:40:32.679 --> 00:40:33.099
 And for those

00:40:33.099 --> 00:40:33.559
 of you who

00:40:33.559 --> 00:40:34.559
 have placed

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.760
 believing faith

00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:36.860
 in Christ

00:40:36.860 --> 00:40:38.559
 I remind you

00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:40.639
 of the general

00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:41.440
 lessons given

00:40:41.440 --> 00:40:43.000
 weeks ago

00:40:43.000 --> 00:40:44.139
 in two points

00:40:44.139 --> 00:40:44.700
 of application

00:40:44.699 --> 00:40:45.819
 salvation for

00:40:45.819 --> 00:40:46.139
 you.

00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:48.019
 Number one

00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:49.859
 a life given

00:40:49.859 --> 00:40:50.460
 in service to

00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.039
 God is a

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:51.699
 life that is

00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:53.539
 not wasted.

00:40:54.079 --> 00:40:54.539
 We find our

00:40:54.539 --> 00:40:55.099
 great purpose

00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:55.719
 and our high

00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.980
 value in being

00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:57.799
 disciples of

00:40:57.799 --> 00:40:58.559
 Jesus Christ

00:40:58.559 --> 00:40:59.259
 and in giving

00:40:59.259 --> 00:41:00.119
 our lives the

00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:00.879
 way in which

00:41:00.879 --> 00:41:01.500
 he gave his

00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:01.759
 life.

00:41:01.859 --> 00:41:02.599
 Not specifically

00:41:02.599 --> 00:41:04.379
 necessarily to

00:41:04.379 --> 00:41:04.779
 die on a

00:41:04.779 --> 00:41:05.239
 cross but

00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:05.839
 emptying

00:41:05.839 --> 00:41:06.919
 ourselves for

00:41:06.919 --> 00:41:08.059
 the sake of

00:41:08.059 --> 00:41:09.419
 others for

00:41:09.419 --> 00:41:10.059
 the high purpose

00:41:10.059 --> 00:41:10.579
 of the glory

00:41:10.579 --> 00:41:11.599
 of God.

00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:12.099
 A life given

00:41:12.099 --> 00:41:12.519
 in service to

00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:13.099
 God is a

00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:14.079
 life that is

00:41:14.079 --> 00:41:15.259
 not wasted.

00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:16.480
 All the

00:41:16.480 --> 00:41:17.000
 activity of our

00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:17.339
 lives that's

00:41:17.339 --> 00:41:17.980
 not focused on

00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:18.739
 the kingdom is

00:41:18.739 --> 00:41:19.719
 wasted energy

00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:20.460
 and effort.

00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:21.559
 Turning to

00:41:21.559 --> 00:41:21.799
 dust.

00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.239
 The things that

00:41:22.239 --> 00:41:22.860
 we will build

00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:23.259
 that have

00:41:23.259 --> 00:41:23.639
 nothing to do

00:41:23.639 --> 00:41:23.860
 with the

00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:24.539
 kingdom will

00:41:24.539 --> 00:41:25.059
 one day

00:41:25.059 --> 00:41:26.139
 disappear.

00:41:27.699 --> 00:41:28.099
 Secondly,

00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:28.779
 the significance

00:41:28.779 --> 00:41:29.339
 of such a

00:41:29.339 --> 00:41:30.679
 life cannot be

00:41:30.679 --> 00:41:31.099
 measured by

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:31.539
 its short-term

00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:31.980
 gains,

00:41:32.179 --> 00:41:32.739
 its breadth,

00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:34.179
 or its length.

00:41:35.239 --> 00:41:35.619
 So beloved,

00:41:35.719 --> 00:41:36.039
 I would just

00:41:36.039 --> 00:41:37.579
 encourage that

00:41:37.579 --> 00:41:38.619
 as you submit

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.239
 yourself to the

00:41:39.239 --> 00:41:39.839
 will of the

00:41:39.839 --> 00:41:40.119
 Lord,

00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:40.159
 Lord.

00:41:41.139 --> 00:41:41.719
 Do not look

00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:42.460
 to others and

00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:42.920
 the significance

00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:43.440
 of what they're

00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:43.819
 doing,

00:41:43.960 --> 00:41:44.460
 the significance

00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:44.920
 of their

00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:45.679
 ministry,

00:41:45.839 --> 00:41:46.239
 the particular

00:41:46.239 --> 00:41:47.239
 positions that

00:41:47.239 --> 00:41:47.639
 they hold,

00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:48.279
 the acclaim

00:41:48.279 --> 00:41:48.659
 that they

00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:49.819
 receive.

00:41:50.839 --> 00:41:51.319
 There are many

00:41:51.319 --> 00:41:51.799
 followers of

00:41:51.799 --> 00:41:52.319
 Christ that are

00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:52.699
 getting their

00:41:52.699 --> 00:41:53.400
 glory now.

00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:55.279
 Put it off.

00:41:55.359 --> 00:41:56.019
 Invest in it

00:41:56.019 --> 00:41:56.980
 later.

00:41:57.659 --> 00:41:58.699
 Serve faithfully

00:41:58.699 --> 00:42:00.179
 Christ in all of

00:42:00.179 --> 00:42:00.699
 the spheres in

00:42:00.699 --> 00:42:01.299
 which you walk,

00:42:01.380 --> 00:42:01.759
 whether it be

00:42:01.759 --> 00:42:02.480
 here together

00:42:02.480 --> 00:42:02.880
 with us,

00:42:02.920 --> 00:42:03.159
 with the

00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.460
 church,

00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:03.819
 whether it

00:42:03.819 --> 00:42:05.059
 be at your

00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:06.019
 workplace as

00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:07.219
 you do the

00:42:07.219 --> 00:42:08.119
 daily grind for

00:42:08.119 --> 00:42:08.579
 the glory of

00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:08.900
 God.

00:42:08.900 --> 00:42:09.500
 and the

00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:10.660
 short-term

00:42:10.660 --> 00:42:11.039
 gain of

00:42:11.039 --> 00:42:11.579
 your boss.

00:42:12.840 --> 00:42:13.860
 Be with your

00:42:13.860 --> 00:42:14.720
 classmates,

00:42:15.079 --> 00:42:15.780
 your roommates,

00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:17.300
 your spouse.

00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:21.300
 Seek to lay

00:42:21.300 --> 00:42:22.200
 your life down

00:42:22.200 --> 00:42:22.940
 for the sake

00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.700
 of the kingdom.

00:42:24.400 --> 00:42:24.880
 Let's pray

00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:25.139
 together.

00:42:25.579 --> 00:42:25.719
 Let's pray.

00:42:25.719 --> 00:42:25.719


00:42:25.719 --> 00:42:25.719


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00:42:25.719 --> 00:42:25.719