July 20, 2014

  Historical Truth....Victorious Martyr

Acts 7: 1 - 60

 Luke

Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?"

This was Stephens reply:  "Brothers and honorable fathers, listen to me.  Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he moved to Haran.  (Mesopotamia was the region now called Iraq.  Haran was a city in what is now called Syria.)  God told him, "Leave your native land and your relatives, and come to the land that I will show you."  (See Genesis 12:1)  So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died.  Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.  But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land.  God did promise however, that eventually the whole country would belong to Abraham and his descendants - though he had no children yet.  But God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign country where they would be mistreated as slaves for four hundred years.  'But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,' God told him, 'and in the end they will come out and worship me in this place.'  (See Gen 12:7; 15:13-14.)  God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time.  And so Isaac, Abraham's son, was circumcised when he was eight days old.  Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob was the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Jewish nation.

These sons of Jacob were very jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt.  But God was with him, and delivered him from his anguish.  And God gave him favor before Pharoah, king of Egypt.  God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of all the affairs of the palace.

"But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan.  There was great misery for our ancestors, as they ran out of food.  Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons to buy some. The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh.  Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all.  So Jacob went to Egypt.  He died there, as did all his sons.  All of them were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

"As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.  But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.  This king plotted against our people and forced parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die.

"At that time Moses was born - a beautiful child in God's eyes.  His parents cared for him at home for three months.  When at last they had to abandon him, Pharaoah's daughter found him and raised him as her own son.  Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he became mighty in both speech and action.

"One day when he was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel.  During this visit, he saw an Egyptian mistreating a man of Israel.  So Moses came to his defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian.  Moses assumed his brothers would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn't.

"The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting.  He tried to be a peacemaker.  'Men,' he said, 'you are brothers.  Why are you hurting each other?'

"But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside and told him to mind his own business. 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us?' he asked.  'Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?'  When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian, where his two sons were born.

"Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush.  Moses saw it and wondered what it was.  As he went ot see, the voice of the Lord called out to him.  'I am the God of your ancestors - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.'  Moses shook with terror and dared not look.

"And the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.  You can be sure that I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt.  (See Exodus 3:5-10.)  I have heard their cries.  So I have come to rescue them.  Now go, for I will send you to Egypt.'  And so God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected by demanding, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us?'  Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, Moses was sent to be their ruler and savior.  And by means of many miraculous signs and wonders, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and back and forth through the wilderness for forty years.

"Moses himself told the people of Israel, 'God will raise up a Prophet like me from among your own people.'  (See Deut 18:15.)  Moses was with the assembly of God's people in the wilderness.  He was the mediator between the people of Israel and the angel who gave him life-giving words on Mount Sinai to pass on to us.

"But our ancestors rejected Moses and wanted to return to Egypt. They told Aaron, 'Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don't know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.'  So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and rejoiced in this thing they had made.  Then God turned away from them and gave them up to serve the sun, moon, and the stars as their gods!  In the book of the prophets it is written,  'Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?  No, your real interest was in your pagan gods - the shrine of Molech, the star god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them.  So I will send you into captivity far away in Babylon.'  (See Amos 5:25-27.)

"Our ancestors carried the Tabernacle with them through the wilderness.  It was constructed in exact accordance with the plan shown to Moses by God.  Years later, when Joshua led the battles against the Gentile nations that God drove out of this land, the Tabernacle was taken with them into their new territory.  And it was used there until the time of King David.

"David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob.'  But it was Solomon who actually built it.  However, the Most High doesn't live in the temples made by human hands.  As the prophet says, 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?' asks the Lord. 'Could you build a dwelling place for me?  Didn't I make everything in heaven and earth?'  (See Isaiah 66:1-2.)

"You stubborn people!  You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth.  Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?  But your ancestors did, and so do you!  Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute?  They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One - the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.  You deliberately disobeyed God's law, though you received it from the hands of angels."

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation, and they shook their fists in rage.  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand.  And he told them. "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!"

Then they put their hands over their ears, and drowning out his voice with their shouts, they rushed at him.  They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.  The official witnesses took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.  (Saul is later called Paul; see Acts 13:9.)

And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  And he fell to his knees shouting, Lord, don't charge them with this sin!"  And with that, he died.   

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Thoughts....

LOTS to read today, so I will try to not take up the rest of your day with 'Thoughts'. 

First of all, if you've been studying with us, you will recall that last week I shared that Stephen was vindicated, and yet today we read he was stoned to death.  So you may be asking, how then, was Stephen vindicated?  How was he victorious?

My brothers and sisters, Stephen was a man full of the Holy Spirit!  He was able to see into to heaven!  He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right side!  He preached God's Word:  the history, and the prophecy (the coming Messiah), and the fulfillment (the Messiah come) in truth!  He shared in the life and the death of the Messiah, Jesus Christ!  And Stephen lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ...the New Testament!  Although it was not written in 'real time', Jesus lived and loved in 'real time' giving and leaving the message that he was/is the Messiah allowing Stephen to give the TRUTH and live the TRUTH throughout his preaching.  And he was martyred for having done so.  But this is not sad!  He is WITH God! 

Stephen was able to plant the seeds of truth!  He was heard!  Christianity exists today in part because of the acts of Stephen!  Is it not victorious to reach heaven and be in the arms of the Lord?!  Are we to not press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God?  (Phil 3:14)  Absolutely we are on both counts!

Although Stephen was falsely accused, he vindicated himself by giving truth.  You say, "But he was stoned to death."  I say, "But he didn't lose God!"  In fact, he followed Jesus lead asking Jesus, (rather than God, because Jesus took over the reigns to heaven upon his return,) to receive his spirit.  And asked Jesus to not charge the offenders with their sins!    

Some words that stand out for me in this lesson are the following:

"Are these accusations true?"  Always tell the truth.  In the end you will be vindicated. 

He tried to be a peacemaker.  Always walk in the ways of the Lord continually trying to be a peacemaker.  Even when it hurts.

"Why are you hurting each other?"  This is a mighty good question for those professing, but not living as Christians.

"Take off your sandals, for you are standing on Holy ground."  Everything is holy ground.  Are you honoring God today? 

"Didn't I make everything in heaven and on earth?"  How do you worship God?  Are you using every means to share him? 

"You stubborn people!  You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth.  Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?"  Do you resist?

"You deliberately disobey God's law, though you received it from the hands of angels."  Hmmm....would this describe you?

I ask you to reread todays lesson, and, as you do, see what stands out for you.  Are you on the side that Stephen stands, or are you of those ready to stone another?  Stephen chose to accept the Messiah who was Jesus, his truths, his lifestyle, his message, his mission...the new law of loving others, forgiveness, and eternal life for all. 

The others?  They wanted to cling to the old law, the traditions, the comfort of living the life they knew, and wanted to control.  They yearned for a Messiah to save them, yet couldn't believe Jesus was THE Messiah for them.  EVEN THO' he came to save everyone.  Just like he came to save you.  And certainly, if they could not accept Jesus, they could not accept his Holy Spirit. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus came to earth for you.  He lived and died for you.  To show you the right way to live, and the way to be forgiven of your sins, and receive eternal life....get to heaven, how to be vindicated....to be victorious.

There is, in this lesson, also, the path in which to live and love.  We are to live telling the truth and live in the truth with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  We are to share the foundational truths of Christianity, as outlined in the New Testament, and prophesied through the Old Testament.  We are to love with God's love and forgive with it, too.  We are to obey God to the fullest extent we can, and expect to see his glory. 

The people didn't want to believe Stephen was who he said he was despite the fact he lived his life in Truth and Light....with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  They didn't want to believe what he told them was true.  They didn't want to accept him and told lies about him.  They did everything they could to get rid of him.  Why?  So they wouldn't have to own THE truth.  So their real lives would not be exposed and others would not find out they were the ones lying and living in sin.  Stephen tried to reach out in love and give of himself and the Lord within.  Yet, the leaders were determined to not live in this light of love and truth.

It didn't matter how much good Stephen had done.  It didn't matter others defended him, believed in him, supported his endeavor or what his actions meant to the bottom line, or the higher ground image he portrayed to the world on behalf of the Lord.  The leaders were intent to eliminate him.  And so they did.  But the Lord said vengeance was his.  Jesus said anyone who is victorious will sit with him on his Father's throne.  He also said that anyone who parted from him would be thrown away as useless branches.  Stephen was not thrown away.  Stephen was victorious. 

If this example bears resemblance to your life, as it has to mine in a recent situation, please know that IF you are truly one with Christ, living your life for and with him, have made him Lord of your life, you will be vindicated, will be victorious, will be a victorious martyr for the living Lord Jesus Christ, will see the glory of God, see Jesus standing at God's right hand, and will share in sitting with him on God's throne.    

If you have not accepted God as your Heavenly Father, Jesus as your Savior....and made him Lord of your life, and have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to ask them into your life today, ask forgiveness of your sins, and begin to live the life they call you to as a Christian.

If you have already done this, but you have gone astray, consider returning to their loving arms today.  Perhaps it is not too late to be forgiven and be received into their loving arms again. 

If you are reading this and scoffing, you are truly lost.  You are like a useless branch that withers, and such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned according to Jesus....see John 15:6, Matthew 3:12, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrew 10:26-31, James 2, 2 Peter 2.

As a final word, I give you Peter's final words from 2 Peter 3:17.  He says, "I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends, so that you can watch out and not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people.  I don't want you to lose your own secure footing.  But grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  

"To him be all glory and honor, both now and forevermore.  Amen."            

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  Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Thank you for loving me.  Please forgive me of my sins, known and unknown, be they little or big.  Please help me onward, so that I not ever be classified as having a reprobate mind, the kind that says they know you and acts in total opposition to you by lying and cheating, stealing and hating.  Through Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5:16-21, and in verse 26, you give a simple list to get started of what NOT to do, and how to NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.  And then in Galatians 5:22-23, you make it simpler yet, by giving a starter list that we should follow of the foundations for a quality, committed Christian life.  You then say through Paul, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."  Gee, Lord, what more can I say to that?  Please continue to be my rock!  Thank you!  Amen! 

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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 I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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