Latest / Calvary Church with Ed Taylor Podcast / #24438 - Cut to The Heart - Acts 7:44-60

Transcript

#24438 - Cut to The Heart - Acts 7:44-60 · Calvary Church with Ed Taylor Podcast

0:04
Welcome to the study of God's word with pastor and author.
0:07
Ed, Taylor recorded live at Calvary Church in Aurora,
0:11
Colorado to learn more about the many resources available,
0:14
through abounding Grace Media or to tune into our live stream
0:17
Services. Visit us online at Calvary, Co
0:21
dot church or download our free Calvary Church app.
0:25
Now, here's Pastor Ed to take us into our study.
0:31
Amen. Amen, open your Bibles to two.
0:33
Places. Would you First Peter chapter 5
0:35
is where we'll start? And then we'll land in Acts
0:38
chapter 7, in a Bible study that I've entitled cut to the heart
0:45
and will finish chapter 7 today in the book of Acts where
0:48
studying through verse by verse learning about God's heart for
0:52
his church, how he built it created and it continues today,
0:57
and we left off in our last study with Steven before the
1:01
religious rulers of the day, they've accused him of
1:05
blasphemy, and they've accused him by hiring false Witnesses
1:10
and lying about him and he's standing before what is known as
1:14
the religious Supreme Court of the day, you may have heard it
1:18
referred to as the Sanhedrin and this is a group of people that
1:22
were used and made the choice themselves to crucify Jesus and
1:27
they thought they had dealt a death blow to the ministry of of
1:30
Jesus, but now they're dealing with the church.
1:33
The extension of Jesus on the earth, and they see the
1:37
faithfulness, and Stephen, and bring great accusations against
1:41
him. Now, one way, we've looked at
1:43
chapter 7, is looking at Stephen, Stephen has been very
1:46
faithful. He didn't start out with this
1:48
momentous opportunity, to share the gospel.
1:51
How did he start out? He started out serving widows.
1:55
A gray need arose in the church. It arose out of a feeling of
2:00
Neglect. It says in Acts chapter 6 that
2:03
there were two groups of heat of Hebrew, there was a Hebrew and
2:06
Greek speaking widows that were upset with one another because
2:10
they felt like they were being neglected in the distribution of
2:14
the needs. You know, the things that were
2:15
to support the needs and the church.
2:18
And this was a very significant issue and it was so significant
2:22
the apostles, identified it as something we need help.
2:26
We can't leave the study of God's word and prayer to take
2:28
care of this. So, we need to find these Godly
2:30
men. N and dispatch them to take care
2:32
of the need and one of the men that they found was Steven and
2:36
Steven was a man full of the Holy Spirit serving in the
2:39
background. But I don't want you to think
2:42
that this was some insignificant thing because first of all
2:45
there's no insignificant thing in the church, number one.
2:48
But number two grieving widows are a worthy cause to serve the
2:54
Lord. I mean there's it's no minimal
2:56
thing and and grieving widows that are feeling neglected.
3:00
Did is a worthy group to serve in the church and I think we
3:04
might miss something. If we don't realize that and
3:07
value Even in our own Fellowship that there are many widows and
3:12
widowers among us, we need to be praying for and caring for and
3:17
even in the early stages of the church, they see what a
3:20
significant thing. It was for Stephen to step into
3:24
a hard situation, it was hard to get in the middle of division
3:28
and and be used of God to help solve it.
3:30
But He was faithful and we learned that God measures
3:33
success. One way we think of success in
3:36
all sorts of ways the world has taught us but God measures
3:39
success. One way, one word faithfulness
3:42
and Stephen was faithful and was in his faithfulness that now
3:46
he's brought before these this religious Court.
3:50
You know these religious leaders to answer for these false
3:54
accusations before we jump into that.
3:56
I want to turn back to Acts chapter 6 real quick.
4:00
So Place in First Peter five, go back to Acts chapter 6, very
4:04
quickly just so you see it. I don't want you to miss this
4:07
word, as we go back and review, how this all started.
4:12
It says in verse 1, of Acts chapter 6 in those days when the
4:17
number of the disciples were multiplying there arose, a
4:21
murmuring against the Hebrews by the hellenists because their
4:25
widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
4:29
Circle. The word neglected, David, it
4:31
literally means to fail to care for properly, or it also can
4:36
mean to not pay proper attention.
4:39
So whether this was real 100%, whether it was was perception,
4:46
100% or it was a mixture of both.
4:49
It was significant because this was, this was something that was
4:53
floating in the early church, cause complaining caused
4:56
murmuring. And it's a quick reminder I have
4:59
for us today. About part of the spiritual
5:02
warfare being in a church, being a part of a church family and
5:06
specifically being in our church, especially if you're
5:09
brand new in a larger growing Church, there is the spiritual
5:16
attack of the enemy upon your mind of feeling neglected.
5:22
Neglect is just an issue that comes up over and over again.
5:26
Again, whether it's 100% true or 99% fall said it doesn't matter
5:32
that feeling comes and the enemy capitalizes on it.
5:36
Attacking you in that area, the enemy will use this feeling
5:41
specifically to try to isolate you or cause you to run And many
5:47
times it's running away. Listen, the Bible says this in
5:51
Proverbs 18:1, a man who isolates himself.
5:55
Seeks his own desire, he rages against all wise judgment.
6:01
And so the isolation of nobody cares, nobody knows, you know,
6:05
it's really a western mindset. I mean, it's kind of a human
6:08
mind set as well, but it comes from the feeling of, I'm coming
6:12
to a church family and all I want to know, is what do you
6:15
have for me? What do you have for me and
6:19
you're gonna have to deal with that attitude, no matter whether
6:22
it's a church or any other area of life.
6:24
Because when you, and I were born again that a data type that
6:28
attitude, got flipped around. And now when we walk into a
6:31
place, when we walk into a situation or we walk into a
6:35
church, it's not. What do you have for me?
6:37
The attitude and the spirit is, what do I have for you?
6:40
God has put me in your life to serve you not just at the pastor
6:44
but all of us as Believers. And it's not If you walk in with
6:48
those types of expectations than you're going to be disappointed
6:51
quite a bit because it's not about what you have for me.
6:54
It's what do I have for you? How is God going to use me to
6:58
serve you? And so, the enemy would love to
7:01
isolate you with all sorts of feelings, real and imagined.
7:06
And it's in that isolation, that men and women begin to fizzle
7:10
out and they become prey for the enemy.
7:13
So let's look at the enemy's tactics here in 1st Peter
7:16
chapter 5. Five.
7:17
And this is before we get into ax7, I want to remind you that
7:22
this is the early church was dealing with this too.
7:25
It's not necessarily A 21st century phenomenon, although we
7:29
have our own issues and our own cultural pressures.
7:32
But this neglect came into the early church very quickly
7:37
because it's a tactic of the enemy.
7:39
That's well-worn and overuse, to some degree.
7:43
Notice verse 8, first, Peter 5, First, Peter 5:8, be sober and
7:50
be vigilant, because your adversary just circle outward
7:54
adversary and I want you right next to it.
7:56
In the me, someone who comes against you, your adversary.
8:02
The devil walks about, like a roaring lion seeking, whom he
8:09
may devour, and we know Jesus said already the motive of the
8:13
devil is that he comes except he doesn't come.
8:16
Up to kill steal, and to destroy here, Peter gives you another
8:21
angle of it that he's like a lion walking around looking for
8:25
someone to devour looking for someone that is vulnerable.
8:30
And when the enemy attaches his attacks to emotional situation,
8:35
or even real situations, The enemy can be very successful and
8:41
so there's always a battle we're always engaged in the battle.
8:44
It doesn't let up there are different seasons of or things
8:49
are easier or harder. But in times of struggle, times
8:52
of anxiety, frustration times of Peace, times of blessing, you
8:56
have an enemy the devil and he's walking around seeking even
9:01
Among Us, who he can devour, when you think of adversary
9:05
don't even don't just think of enemy but also think.
9:08
Of an attorney, an attorney, it reminds us of an attorney who's
9:13
arguing and doing what he or she needs to do to win the case.
9:18
The enemies always accusing. You think of, not only an
9:20
attorney but also an accuser. The Bible says the devil is the
9:24
accuser of the Brethren accusing us day and night.
9:30
Of things that haven't happened and that aren't true.
9:34
He's on the prowl looking to devour.
9:38
And here you are wanting to grow and be used Mighty of mightily
9:42
of the Lord. And the devil is coming against
9:44
you. So what be sober, clear-headed
9:47
Be watchful, or you can right next to that on guard?
9:51
Stay on guard. And then notice verse 9 resist
9:56
him. The Bible doesn't say yell at
9:59
the Devil scream at the Devil, you know.
10:01
Rebuke the devil, the Bible says resist him don't allow him any
10:07
progress or is one of the pics of the month.
10:09
We had not too long ago. Don't give an enemy a seat at
10:13
your table that table has been set by the Lord himself for you
10:17
to enjoy with him. And he doesn't get a seat resist
10:20
him steadfast in the faith. And then remember, he says that
10:26
the sufferings you're going through your brotherhood around
10:29
the world or is going through it and so there will be attacks and
10:33
there will be a constant continual devil seeking to
10:38
devour, you wanting, to take you out but we reminded that Jesus
10:42
Christ will give us the same. Testimony is Daniel had
10:46
protection from the enemy and so Steven no is in the midst and
10:53
Claws of the devil. You could say in the jaws of the
10:57
lion and yet he's taking the opportunity of all these
11:01
accusations and all these difficulties and he's turned it
11:05
around for an opportunity to share the gospel by rehearsing
11:10
the nation of Israel's history. And today, we come to his
11:14
conclusion, which isn't an easy conclusion.
11:18
But Stephen has been faithful. Ministering to the Widow's.
11:22
He's been Faithful in this opportunity before the
11:25
Sanhedrin, the religious rulers, and he turns things around and
11:29
reminds them of Abraham's history.
11:32
Reminds them of Joseph and Moses and now pick up with me and
11:35
knock seven. We left off in verse 44, our
11:40
fathers have the Tabernacle of witness in the wilderness as he
11:45
appointed instructing Moses to make it.
11:49
According to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers
11:52
having received it in turn also brought with Joshua into the
11:56
land possessed by the Gentiles whom God drove out before the
12:01
face of our fathers until the days of David who found favor
12:05
verse 46 before God. And asked to find a dwelling for
12:10
the god of Jacob, but Solomon, built him a house.
12:15
Remember, one of the accusations was that Even blasphemed the
12:19
temple, you got to understand something in the Jewish mind
12:23
especially in the first century. The temple was almost at
12:27
idolatrous status, they valued the temple above, everything
12:31
else. And it was a very important
12:33
structure. They found their value and their
12:36
worth in this building. You know, what's interesting is
12:40
if you go to Israel with us, we're going to get in April and
12:43
you go with us and April. We're going to take you on one
12:45
of the visits in Jerusalem to a little Room known as the temple
12:50
Institute and the, this group of Orthodox, conservative Jews are
12:56
ready as I speak to rebuild the Temple.
13:00
According they don't believe they're fulfilling prophecy, but
13:02
we know they're fulfilling prophecy and they're ready to
13:05
build the temple. They've just flew over.
13:07
If you're following the news that some red heifers that have
13:10
been raised in Texas and they are ready.
13:13
Even to start sacrifice somewhere on the Temple Mount
13:16
without the temple. But one of the things you Learn
13:19
in the temple. And the temple Institute is that
13:21
these guys really believe that this building when they rebuild
13:27
it, not God, not Messiah, but this building will bring World
13:33
Peace. It's a fundamental internal
13:36
belief that they have. Well, they didn't invent that
13:39
feeling the first century Jews, the Sanhedrin, they valued the
13:44
temple over and above being right, with God.
13:48
They re Ejected Messiah, illegally crucified him but they
13:52
value the building. And it doesn't make sense,
13:56
idolatry never makes sense and so he takes them back and he
14:00
says, look you guys have the Tabernacle it came in.
14:03
I love this in verse 45. It says, Joshua came into the
14:07
land possessed by the Gentiles but God drove them out.
14:12
So you see what Steve? And he talks about the father's.
14:14
And his talks about the faithfulness of God talks about
14:17
the father's talks about the faithfulness of God.
14:20
And we know that Moses was given the master blueprints for the I
14:24
burn a couple but it wasn't about the Tabernacle and God
14:28
allowed Solomon to build the temple, but it wasn't about the
14:31
temple was about him all along. And then he says, in verse 48,
14:38
however, as important as these buildings are.
14:41
However, the most high does not dwell in temples made with
14:46
hands, as the prophet says, Heaven is my throne and Earth is
14:51
my footstool. And what house will you build
14:54
for me? Says, the Lord, or what is the
14:57
place of my rest? Has my hand not made all these
15:02
things. As Stephen is teaching them, you
15:06
know, he's bringing them to a conclusion.
15:08
He's like his important as the temple is.
15:09
Don't think that God dwells there that us the only place
15:12
where God is, and then he goes back, and he quotes in Isaiah of
15:16
the immensity of God, and he doesn't want them to miss it.
15:21
I mean, even as we meet today, I think it's abundantly obvious
15:26
that this building cannot be God's house.
15:30
That God doesn't exclusively reside here.
15:34
When you guys all leave, you know, God sleeps on the stage
15:37
and takes a nap and he never leaves the building.
15:40
But, you know, as silly as that sounds, there are churches
15:45
today. Believers.
15:46
Today, that value buildings and property more than they do their
15:50
own relationship with God. It becomes idolatrous.
15:54
Now, you, you should you should understand how this room, how
15:58
this building is when it's empty.
16:00
It's lifeless, it's cold. We Turn the HVAC off so we don't
16:05
have all the electricity running.
16:06
It's cold, it's Hollow. It's dark until people show up
16:13
and then it comes alive. I mean, even this room just a
16:15
couple hours ago, the lights were off, it was cold and it is
16:20
lifeless because you're the church and you just have to be
16:24
careful. Whether it's this building,
16:26
whether it's some possession that you have that doesn't rise
16:29
to the level of idolatry, that's where they're at.
16:33
He's Very carefully crafting and against even encourages me,
16:37
because he doesn't take out a Bible, he doesn't have notes,
16:40
this is the holy spirit working in his life, and he has very,
16:44
very hard things to say. By giving them a history lesson
16:48
of knowledge that they already have and many times sharing the
16:51
gospel with people, you're, you're doing the same thing.
16:53
You're, you're using life circumstances, and you're using
16:57
connection points to share with people things, they already know
17:00
trying to bring them to a place of surrender.
17:03
Surrender to God, Stevens setting the pattern here and
17:07
there's a prairie Pacific pattern that he's setting and
17:10
that's this to these religious rulers.
17:12
I mean, you got to think of the intimidation.
17:14
That's going on here. These guys have his life in
17:17
their hands very intimidating. It would be the equivalent of
17:20
standing before our own supreme court today and their decision
17:24
will dictate your life and you're going to make a strong
17:27
argument against them except that they have all the
17:29
authority, very, very difficult, but he's setting a pattern that
17:33
throughout Their history. Their fathers have rejected.
17:36
God's anointed rescuer. Every time God sent a helper,
17:42
they rejected it up into Jesus hears his conclusion.
17:46
I want you to consider the difficulty of delivering this
17:49
message. He says, in verse 51, you
17:52
stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears.
17:58
You want to circle the word stiff-necked.
18:00
We don't use that word very often, although you get the word
18:03
picture you on your inflexible, your rigid but here's the word
18:07
that you might sound more familiar to you.
18:09
You Stubborn, he speaking of their stubborn resistance and
18:15
the idea of uncircumcised in their heart speaks of a heart,
18:19
that's hardened and not dedicated toward God.
18:22
There is no sign on their hearts that they are soft toward God
18:29
and says this is your problem, just like your father's before.
18:33
You you two are stubborn stiff neck and notice he explains it
18:37
to them in verse 51. He says You always resist the
18:42
Holy Spirit. You always resist the Holy
18:45
Spirit as your father's did. So do you now?
18:51
We've been given this Insight from First Peter chapter 5 and
18:55
now we have an axe chapter 7 and it just lays before us.
18:58
Here's your choice. Every situation in your life,
19:01
everything you're facing right now.
19:02
The things that are on your mind, here's your choice.
19:05
You can resist the devil or you can resist the Holy Spirit.
19:09
That's it. Those are your two choices.
19:13
You can resist the work of the Holy Spirit, you can resist the
19:17
softening, the work that God wants to do and soften your
19:20
heart. Helping.
19:21
You see it the way he sees it? You can resist God or you can
19:25
resist the devil but there's not a third option.
19:28
And here you find that resisting God, put you and me in a very
19:33
difficult place. We become stubborn stiff-necked,
19:37
we become uncircumcised in our heart and our ears.
19:41
Not only our feelings affected. But now, we're not hearing the
19:44
Lord anymore. We're stifling the work of the
19:47
Holy Spirit. We are in a position where we
19:52
are. Grieving the Holy Spirit holding
19:55
back. His faithful work, jotted down
19:57
in. Chapter 29 and verse 1.
20:01
I'll just read it to you. It says he who is often rebuked
20:06
and hardens, his neck will suddenly be destroyed and that
20:11
without remedy. And you know, God has given
20:14
every man woman and child a free will while there's a lot of
20:18
theological debates on that. Just understand you can make a
20:22
choice. You can choose to resist God or
20:25
choose to resist the devil and how you Make that choice has
20:29
great significance for your life.
20:31
Let me just say you resist. God at your own peril.
20:36
You do it to your own damage, tearing down your own life.
20:42
It reminded me of an old illustration about a captain
20:45
captain of a ship that we're looking into the dark night and
20:48
saw the faint lights in the distance and immediately he told
20:53
a single signalmen to send a message and he sent this alter
20:57
your course, 10 degrees, south and promptly a message came back
21:01
that said, alter your course ten degrees south and the Was
21:06
angered his command had been ignored.
21:09
So he sent a second message, alter your course, 10 degrees
21:12
north, I'm the captain. And soon another message was
21:16
received back alter your course, 10 Degrees South, I'm a seaman
21:21
third class Jones, immediately, the captain sent a third
21:25
message, knowing that fear that it would evoke in the person.
21:29
Receiving it alter your course, 10 Degrees South, I'm a
21:33
battleship and the return reply came Alter your course ten
21:37
degrees north. I'm a lighthouse.
21:42
And you know, if you don't want to alter your course, you're
21:45
going to crash upon the rocks. It's going to be very painful
21:49
for you and everyone that's looking to you and following you
21:53
and depending upon you alter your course.
21:56
God says, it's almost like God, like the captain go and I don't
22:00
think you understand. I'm God alter your course.
22:06
You don't tell God would say to us again, from the silly
22:09
illustration, God would say to us.
22:10
You don't tell me what to do. I tell you what to do because I
22:14
love you. I want what's best for you and
22:17
just trust me, you need to alter your course.
22:20
It's important that you do that and they are, these are strong
22:24
words and verse 51, we can't minimize.
22:26
Can you just feel how hard these words would be to deliver?
22:30
Just to look at someone who, you know, you're just stubborn
22:32
instead. I mean not just someone but
22:35
people that had Life and death hanging over your head.
22:39
This is your problem. That, I mean, this is it.
22:41
He's going for it. He says, in verse 52 notice
22:44
which of the prophets did your father's, not persecute I mean
22:47
that has been their testimony. Every Prophet that was sent to
22:52
the nation of Israel was rejected was heard was harmed.
22:56
I mean, read, Jeremiah read Ezekiel.
22:58
The reason guy why God sends prophets?
23:01
Is because God's people aren't listening.
23:03
And so he gives, which one do you kill?
23:05
And they killed those? It says, verse 52, who foretold
23:09
the coming of the, just one of whom you now have become
23:13
betrayers and murderers these prophets that were killed over
23:16
the years told about the coming Messiah.
23:19
And what did you do with him? You killed him, you murdered
23:23
him. He says in verse 53 who have
23:26
received the law by the direction of angels, but you
23:31
guys don't even keep the law. Jesus said the same thing
23:34
because he told that he told the the religious rulers of
23:37
Pharisees, you guys put these hard burdens on people that you
23:40
yourself won't even carry. And now Stevens following in his
23:44
footsteps. Notice in verse 54.
23:49
It says, when they heard these things, they were cut to the
23:53
heart and they gnashed at him with their teeth now, can you
23:58
get the visual of that? These are grown men, probably
24:01
older leaders, you know like like rail we respected, you
24:07
know, that people would stop and give them space when they're
24:10
walking. They're all assembled in a
24:12
semi-circle around Stephen with all of the Pomp and Circumstance
24:16
and they're so angry. Their story and growling at him
24:21
like animals. They're acting like animals in
24:26
there flush. Not receiving the truth.
24:29
Why, why are they so angry? Because he noticed not only are
24:33
they gnashing their teeth, but it says that while they're
24:38
gnashing their teeth verse 55 Stevens, looking up, he's full
24:41
of the Holy Spirit. He gazes into heaven, saw the
24:44
glory of God. Jesus standing at the right hand
24:46
of God, he says, look, I see Heavens, open, the son of man
24:49
standing and so they're gnashing their teeth and verse 57.
24:52
Now they're crying. With a loud voice.
24:54
They're stopping their ears, and they ran at him with one Accord.
24:59
So they're gnashing their teeth and their, I don't even know how
25:04
it looks. If they did this, they did this
25:06
but they're out of control, they're completely out of
25:09
control. Because they resist God.
25:13
They're full of anger and wrath. Why?
25:15
Why are they so mad? Well, I think it's a real
25:18
practical answer. Actually.
25:20
I think it's practical their plan didn't work.
25:25
They came up with a human plan, take care of Jesus scattered,
25:28
that will scatter his followers and we can get back to our
25:31
religious business. That's not what happened.
25:35
They killed Jesus and the church was born and the church is at
25:40
this time. The same time we read in Acts
25:42
chapter 6 at this time as the church was multiplying and
25:47
growing And there is seen now. They're human efforts have led
25:52
to the exact opposite. And even their accusations
25:55
didn't silence, Stephen, even their lies didn't silence,
25:59
Steven, even their power and authority didn't silence, the
26:05
one that was looking up to heaven.
26:08
This is the same group that condemns, Jesus, and they're
26:11
enraged, but while they're in Rage, Stephen is engaged.
26:16
You see him looking up? He is has a this fresh verse 55.
26:22
Fullness of the Holy Spirit, He's Able in the midst of his
26:26
pain to see the glory of God, and he sees Jesus standing.
26:32
And this is Steven becomes the first martyr of the church
26:38
because notice what happens. It says, in verse 57, they cried
26:41
out with a loud voice, they stopped their ears.
26:44
They ran at him with one Accord and they cast him out of the
26:47
city and stoned him again. Circle the word Stone, they
26:51
murdered him. They viciously murdered him and
26:55
the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young
26:57
man named Saul and they Stone Stephen.
27:00
As he was calling on God saying, Lord Jesus.
27:03
Receive my spirit. Does that sound familiar?
27:07
He knelt down. Cried out with a loud voice.
27:09
Lord. Do not charge them with this sin
27:11
and when he had said this, he fell asleep.
27:13
Does that sound familiar sounds just like Jesus hanging on the
27:16
cross? And some of his final words?
27:21
Jesus is standing here, but we learned earlier that at, after
27:25
the Ascension of Jesus, he sits down at the right hand of the
27:30
father sitting down as a euphemism.
27:32
It's used to describe the finished work of Jesus.
27:36
When you sit down, you're done. It's over as Jesus says, on the
27:41
cross, it is finished. But now we have another glimpse
27:45
into glory and we find Jesus standing there.
27:48
And I believe it's instructive for us because we find Jesus
27:52
here, receiving the first martyr of the church.
27:57
Now, for some of you, the word martyr might be a new word, the
27:59
word martyr. M, AR T, yr, is a word to
28:03
describe in the Bible, those that lost their lives for the
28:08
cause of Christ, someone who specifically died because of
28:14
their commitment to Christ their martyr And here's Stephen is the
28:20
very first one. And this section of the Bible is
28:27
the henge. This is the hinge of all
28:32
salvation history. It's a if not thee.
28:37
It is one of the one of the biggest hinges in the Bible,
28:42
it's someone once said that big large doors, turn on very small
28:46
hinges. This is a big door.
28:50
Even though it's not a significant hinge, just a big
28:52
door for a couple reasons. Number one, this martyrdom is
28:57
going to bring on a massive persecution upon the church and
29:03
the church is going to scatter all over the world, number one.
29:07
But number two, I don't want you to skip this little verse here
29:10
that we read over very quickly in verse 58.
29:14
The witnesses it says, laid down their clothes at the feet of a
29:19
young. I named Saul later on.
29:23
We find out this man named Saul came from a city called Tarsus
29:29
and you may refer here him refer to as Saul of Tarsus in Acts
29:34
chapter 9, we learned that Saul of Tarsus has a personal
29:39
Encounter With Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus.
29:42
And what was he going to Damascus?
29:44
For to kill the church? I believe he thought
29:47
single-handedly he could destroy the church after seeing that it
29:52
didn't work with Stephen. That the church is spreading as
29:55
you see in chapter 8. This is a big deal.
29:59
This is the first mention of this young man named Saul many
30:03
believe he was a part of the Sanhedrin. and here's the thing,
30:08
he heard every single word that Stephen shared, he watched it
30:14
all, he heard it, he felt it, he smelled it, he experienced it
30:22
and he stood there as people took stones, To kill Stephen.
30:27
He heard what Stephen said he watched him.
30:31
He saw the tangible presence of the holy spirit, it's all
30:34
happening here and it gets to him.
30:40
I have to say this should encourage everyone of you that
30:42
have been sharing the gospel with your family and friends,
30:44
all these years and it feels like you've gotten no response
30:48
or things even got worse. You know, things got worse for
30:52
Saul of Tarsus to we're going to learn in chapter 9.
30:54
You can read ahead all the way through if you like, but we're
30:56
going to learn in chapter 9 that when Jesus meets him, he asked
30:59
him a very important question. He says, why Paul are you
31:02
kicking against the goads? Why are you fighting?
31:06
And we'll get into that in depth when we get to that chapter, but
31:08
Saul was fighting. He was fighting everything that
31:11
he heard and everything that he saw.
31:14
And I personally have the belief that this episode in, Steven
31:18
changed him now, his Response was anger to let notice in
31:22
chapter 9 as saw was an angry man.
31:25
And in chapter 9 and verse 1, it says Saul still breathing
31:29
threats and murder against the disciples.
31:32
I mean, before things got better force, all things got worse, and
31:37
that's life, sometimes, sometimes before things get
31:40
better, they get worse. There's more.
31:43
The enemy presses in and things get harder and harder right
31:47
before your breakthrough. Right.
31:50
Before you press into. What's next and above, and
31:54
experiencing the power in the presence of Jesus in a fresh new
31:58
way. And I believe is Saul stood
32:01
there listening to Steve and I'm sure his heart began to beat
32:03
harder and harder. Because he knew it was true.
32:06
I don't understand. These men part of their training
32:09
was to memorize the Old Testament forward and backward.
32:13
In some cases saw, was the kind of guy, we learned that he was
32:18
such a studious guy, that his mentor Gamaliel couldn't keep
32:22
him, couldn't get enough books for him.
32:24
He couldn't learn enough. He was a very smart man, but
32:28
here, the Holy Spirit was mess, was getting right to the heart.
32:32
And by the way, you know, when we use the word, cut to the
32:35
heart in our English, It's kind of has a positive connotation,
32:40
you know, when you're cut to the heart we kind of think of it.
32:42
God really got to our heart, he brought conviction.
32:45
But that Greek word here that's found when they were cut to the
32:49
heart. It says in verse 54.
32:51
Just so you know, the Greek word here, doesn't mean what our
32:53
English word means. It actually speaks of anger
32:56
their heart. They became angry.
32:59
This is where their outbursts of Wrath comes like, they became
33:03
angry in their hearts, and that's what led them to murder.
33:06
Jesus taught us the same. Same thing, right?
33:08
When he was teaching us about anger, don't don't, you know,
33:11
don't put other people down, don't call, you know, don't say
33:14
Rocca because you're starting to murder people in your heart.
33:17
You know, when you demean people, you call them idiots,
33:20
when you use, that kind of language, you're demeaning
33:22
people in your heart and that's where murder starts in the
33:25
heart. Well, that's where Stevens
33:26
murders started in their heart. They were cut to the heart
33:31
fighting against the truth of God's word.
33:35
And again, you will see in chapter 8, Not only was Paul
33:41
there and not only did he have everything at his feet but
33:45
notice 8:1 Saul consented to his death.
33:50
Something I personally believe he regret it.
33:54
Do you know one of the theories commentators have when people
33:57
study the Bible, one of the theories about the tents, take
34:02
the thorn in Paul side. One of the theories that has
34:06
been presented is Steven That you never got over it.
34:12
And one day he just said God take it away.
34:13
I can't live like this. I mean there's a lot of theories
34:16
Steven for sick, people following and persecuting him.
34:20
Also, some health issue I come to believe, I think I think it
34:24
could be all of them. That solid just dealing with the
34:28
reality of all the consequences of his past life, and he just
34:31
kept dealing it and it was God's answers.
34:33
Like, you're just gonna have to learn how to deal with them Paul
34:35
because because you see it from the devil, but I'm using it for
34:38
you. It's very powerful.
34:42
Nothing is wasted by God. Now, as we close today, I just
34:47
Believe, as I was putting my notes together.
34:49
I didn't finish my study till about 3:00 yesterday.
34:52
And so, as I was praying over my notes, I was almost done.
34:55
I felt like the Lord had a word for us in this chapter and I
34:58
wrote it down, just like that. And here's the word.
35:01
Here's here's what I believe, God is teaching Us in life in
35:05
Stevens life and it's this. The victory you're looking for
35:09
is yours by faith. The Victory Is Ours by faith.
35:15
I want you to see this. Turn over to 1st Corinthians
35:18
chapter 15. Sometimes we think Victory is
35:21
something we have to work for. You know, if I pray more and I
35:24
study more and I serve God more and I give more money to the
35:28
church, and if I just do more than some will get the victory,
35:32
but I'm here to remind you today.
35:33
According to God's word, Victory is already Yours by faith.
35:38
It is a gift of God. Victory is only something that
35:42
Receive from God and live in it and operate in it.
35:47
And notice, this is what the Bible says.
35:49
Maybe you've never seen it this way before, and God is ready to
35:52
give you a fresh understanding of the battle you're having with
35:55
alcohol, the battle you're having with drugs, the battle
35:59
you're having with anger. The battle you're having with
36:01
frustration or feeling like everything is lost.
36:04
Victory. Is already Yours by faith.
36:06
You don't need to work hard for it.
36:08
It's yours. Notice verse 57.
36:11
It's one of those hidden. Gyms in the Bible.
36:14
First Corinthians 15 verse 57 it says but thanks be to God who
36:21
gives us the victory through our Lord.
36:24
Jesus Christ. So just circle.
36:25
That word gives us one of the gifts that you have by faith and
36:30
Jesus is victory in the New Living Translation.
36:34
It says this but thank God he gives us victory over sin and
36:39
death through our Lord, Jesus Christ the bottle Already been
36:43
fought and won church and so we need to go back to the Cross.
36:47
We need to go back to the place of crucifixion of the shed,
36:51
blood of Christ back to the tomb, where Jesus was buried
36:56
back to the tomb, when the stone was rolled away.
36:59
And Jesus rose again from the dead victory.
37:03
Is yours by faith every single time in every single battle.
37:08
We see every single enemy and foe fall.
37:12
Because of Jesus and what he has done in your life when those
37:16
spikes were driven through his wrist, when his spikes went
37:19
through his feet, when a crown of thorns was twisted into the
37:23
head of our savior, when a spear was thrust into his side, Jesus
37:28
dealt a death blow to the devil. Sure, he walks around roaming
37:32
around seeking whom he may devour.
37:34
But the victory is yours by faith.
37:36
You can walk by faith in Victory and so what do we say?
37:40
We say, Hallelujah, Jesus, we Love you.
37:43
We thank you and we celebrate our victory that you have given
37:47
us today in Jesus. Father, thank you for the
37:52
privilege of being reminded today to the life of Stephen.
37:55
I know, most of us are not going to be called to give our lives
37:58
for the faith. We probably won't die for you,
38:01
Lord, but you want us to live for you.
38:05
And I wonder what is kicking against the goads.
38:07
God, what is pressing up against us?
38:09
What is challenging us today? But God, we offer it to you
38:14
according to your word, we obey you as we cast our cares upon
38:17
you because you care for us. We pray for a greater
38:22
understanding of what it means. To live our lives for you into
38:28
victory that you given to us by faith in Jesus name.
38:33
Amen. We pray that you've been
38:36
encouraged by this Bible. Study delivered live from the
38:39
sanctuary of Calvary Church for prayer.
38:41
Call us at 877, 30 Grace. That's eight 77304, 703 to
38:51
listen to this message in its entirety or to join us for our
38:54
lives dream Services. Visit Us online at Calvary Co
38:58
dot church or download our free Calvary Church app be blessed as
39:03
you worship Jesus this week.