External Problems in the Church - Stephen's Martyr
External Problems in the Church – Stephen’s Martyr
Last week, we encountered problems within the Church and among the body of Christ. We saw that the early Church in essence were just like us; prone to favoritism and divisions. However, through the Holy Spirit and love for one another, they were able to deal with their differences.
Today, we are studying problems from outside. The heat has been turned on from outside and “the rubber is now going to hit the road”. Will the Church succumb and cease or will we see people like Stephen go all the way? Just like the early Church we are also called to go all the way into the presence of Jesus which is “far better than remaining here” with our mouths shut.
Let’s read the case of Stephen’s accusation, defense and martyr. Please read the entire passage Acts 6: 8 through whole chapter of Acts 7 to understand the complete account.
Acts 6: 8-15 and Acts 7:54-59:
8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."
12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Opposition has arisen and the accusations against Stephen are similar to the ones made against Jesus that resulted to his crucifixion (see Matthew 26:61). As you can see, these guys were just looking for trouble and fabricating things as evidenced by “they secretly persuaded men to say” what was not true. They “stirred up people” and “produced false witnesses” We should not expect to be treated any better than they treated our Master.
2. When opposition comes, it does not have to come because we did anything wrong. Opposition must surely come when and if we are advancing the gospel of Christ. Stephen “was full of God’s grace and power”. Even that did not prevent opposition. I would even say it attracted opposition. Let’s watch out when God’s grace and power is on us and it is a good thing for opposition.
3. The opposition “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke”. You must read chapter 7 for the eloquent defense offered by Stephen. While defending the gospel, it says that “they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” What a testimony! Our face does not have to look like that of the devil in the midst opposition. The source of our strength should inspire the look on our face. Let’s trust the Holy Spirit to give us words to speak as Jesus promised.
4. One of the things that infuriated the opposition the most was that Stephen made it very clear that “the Most High God does not live in houses made by men” (Acts 7:48). This is contrary to their concentration and worship of the temple as if the temple was God himself. With out- poured Holy Spirit, God resides with us and in us now and He did with the early Church. We are the houses (temples) for God. Beware even in our day those who would enslave you to the “church building and edifices” as if that is the only place God does things. They want you to come to a “church building” 7 days a week as if that makes you more righteous. The Sanhedrin wanted “religion” but Christ has brought us “relationship” with the Father. Do you have relationship with Father God?
5. Stephen looked up and said “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God”. What a glorious picture! Whoever said that dying is terrible when actually we are leaving this place and into the hands of the One who loves us most. The enemy wants to inflict fear of dying as if it is the end of our world. No, it is not. It is the beginning of the rest of our life with Jesus forever. Exciting!
6. Like Jesus (Luke 23:34), Stephen offers his killers forgiveness. "Lord, do not hold this sin against them” We are to offer the same forgiveness even in the midst of opposition. Right now, do you have someone you could say that to even though he/she has maligned and lied about you? Let’s be generous with grace even to the opposition.
7. Notice the introduction of Saul who later became Apostle Paul. “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul” Isn’t our God full of grace and mercy that He would save a murderer like Saul? I believe this was all in the plan of God to allow Paul witness Stephen’s death so that he would be all sold-out to spread the gospel. Are yours and mine oppositions furthering the kingdom of God or are we just busy rebuking the devil? God has our lives and plan in His hand. Listen to Jesus. “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. He enabled Stephen to do so and He will enable us in the midst of opposition. Are you facing opposition right now? Be encouraged! Amen.
Last week, we encountered problems within the Church and among the body of Christ. We saw that the early Church in essence were just like us; prone to favoritism and divisions. However, through the Holy Spirit and love for one another, they were able to deal with their differences.
Today, we are studying problems from outside. The heat has been turned on from outside and “the rubber is now going to hit the road”. Will the Church succumb and cease or will we see people like Stephen go all the way? Just like the early Church we are also called to go all the way into the presence of Jesus which is “far better than remaining here” with our mouths shut.
Let’s read the case of Stephen’s accusation, defense and martyr. Please read the entire passage Acts 6: 8 through whole chapter of Acts 7 to understand the complete account.
Acts 6: 8-15 and Acts 7:54-59:
8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."
12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Opposition has arisen and the accusations against Stephen are similar to the ones made against Jesus that resulted to his crucifixion (see Matthew 26:61). As you can see, these guys were just looking for trouble and fabricating things as evidenced by “they secretly persuaded men to say” what was not true. They “stirred up people” and “produced false witnesses” We should not expect to be treated any better than they treated our Master.
2. When opposition comes, it does not have to come because we did anything wrong. Opposition must surely come when and if we are advancing the gospel of Christ. Stephen “was full of God’s grace and power”. Even that did not prevent opposition. I would even say it attracted opposition. Let’s watch out when God’s grace and power is on us and it is a good thing for opposition.
3. The opposition “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke”. You must read chapter 7 for the eloquent defense offered by Stephen. While defending the gospel, it says that “they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” What a testimony! Our face does not have to look like that of the devil in the midst opposition. The source of our strength should inspire the look on our face. Let’s trust the Holy Spirit to give us words to speak as Jesus promised.
4. One of the things that infuriated the opposition the most was that Stephen made it very clear that “the Most High God does not live in houses made by men” (Acts 7:48). This is contrary to their concentration and worship of the temple as if the temple was God himself. With out- poured Holy Spirit, God resides with us and in us now and He did with the early Church. We are the houses (temples) for God. Beware even in our day those who would enslave you to the “church building and edifices” as if that is the only place God does things. They want you to come to a “church building” 7 days a week as if that makes you more righteous. The Sanhedrin wanted “religion” but Christ has brought us “relationship” with the Father. Do you have relationship with Father God?
5. Stephen looked up and said “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God”. What a glorious picture! Whoever said that dying is terrible when actually we are leaving this place and into the hands of the One who loves us most. The enemy wants to inflict fear of dying as if it is the end of our world. No, it is not. It is the beginning of the rest of our life with Jesus forever. Exciting!
6. Like Jesus (Luke 23:34), Stephen offers his killers forgiveness. "Lord, do not hold this sin against them” We are to offer the same forgiveness even in the midst of opposition. Right now, do you have someone you could say that to even though he/she has maligned and lied about you? Let’s be generous with grace even to the opposition.
7. Notice the introduction of Saul who later became Apostle Paul. “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul” Isn’t our God full of grace and mercy that He would save a murderer like Saul? I believe this was all in the plan of God to allow Paul witness Stephen’s death so that he would be all sold-out to spread the gospel. Are yours and mine oppositions furthering the kingdom of God or are we just busy rebuking the devil? God has our lives and plan in His hand. Listen to Jesus. “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. He enabled Stephen to do so and He will enable us in the midst of opposition. Are you facing opposition right now? Be encouraged! Amen.
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