OceanSide church of Christ

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Acts 7:1-60

Larry J. Paulk

 

INTRODUCTION:   THE CHARGES AGAINST STEPHEN:

Blasphemy = speech that defames that which is holy (take that which is holy and makes it common)

1.       Speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. (6:11)

2.       Speak blasphemous words against this holy place (temple) and the law (Moses) 6:13

3.     Jesus shall destroy this place, (temple) and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us (6:14)  Same charge used against Jesus (Mark 14:57-58)

To the Jews the temple represented the dwelling place of God.  To attack Moses was to attack the law itself.

The church continues to grow and its adversaries with every advantage in their favor cannot overthrow it.  God takes their plots, schemes, evil designs, and their weapons and uses them against them. (Acts 8:1   Saul, spread of gospel)

 

TITLE OF SECTION

A History Lesson

The Trial

Stephens Defense

 

                                                         OUTLINE OF SECTION

 

1.     Jews reject God’s leaders 2-30

2.     God does not dwell in temples made with hands 30-50 (33) ( God blessed Israel before entering Cannan his blessings are not dependent upon a parcel of real estate)

3.     Stephen’s indictment of the court  (51-53)

4.     The councils fury

5.     Stephen’s martyrdom  (59-60)

 

1.      GOD CAN NEVER BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LAND OR PLACE

2.     IEAEL REPEATEDLY RESISTED AND REJECTED GOD’S APPOINTED LEADERS

 

                                     APPLICATIONS, LESSONS FROM SECTION

 

1.       Attempts to convert non-believers we must seek common ground (2,19)

2.     Must speak the truth even if personal security is at risk.  (whistle blower)

3.     Past performance is an indicator of future action (51)

4.     Parental influence has a strong effect on children’s attitude (51)

5.     Rejection of God’s appointed leaders is the rejection of God himself

 (Resist Holy Spirit) (51)  Joseph, Moses, Samuel

6.     Christian race and finish is run in front of “a great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:2) which includes Jesus (56)

7.     When a man made house is worshipped in place of God it is idolatry.  Temple was not for God, but for his people to worship him  (44-49)   MATT. 21:13  “house of prayer vs. a den of thieves”

8.     “The church” is not a place but a people (I Cor.3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and the spirit of  God dwelleth in you”  also II Cor. 6:16

9.     Worship to God is not confined to a location or a building  John 4:24

 

Worship is not by accident

Must be intentional

Must be directed to God not man (entertainment)

Must be in spirit and truth