PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 7:30-38
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He received living words to pass on to us.” (Acts 7:38)
Through Moses, whom they spoke against, God speaks words of life.
Unlikely Moses was the one God used to set the children of Abraham free.
Can you see the point that Stephen is making?
Jesus is the ‘prophet’ that Moses prophesied (Deuteronomy 18:15).
Jesus did not just receiving living words, he is the living word.
Jesus, like Moses, was from God but was rejected by religious leaders.
His words brought life, hope, peace, healing, joy to the masses.
Ordinary people were drawn to Jesus, but not the religious people.
People today desperately need to hear Jesus’s words of life and hope.
Too often Christians are like religious leaders with hard, angry words.
Jesus is buried in the complicated mess of churchiness and hypocrisy.
As Jesus followers, our words shouldn’t be dry orthodoxy or religious judgment.
Like Jesus, our words ought to bring love, joy, peace, hope and life!
Am I passing on living words… are people’s souls refreshed when I speak?
PRAYER
Lord, too often your own people are the reason why others don’t find you. Help us to be living witnesses like Stephen, and not like his religious accusers.
the scholars of the then known Bible were reminded of Moses on words: ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ Stephen tried to open their eyes – and I am sure he did. One of those that witnessed to event was Saul who became known as the Apostle Paul. I am sure many more were impacted and changed over time as their eyes were opened by the Spirit. Yet, many still were blind and did not see. Today many do not see either – how can I help people to experience and ‘see’ Jesus? Lord help me with words and actions that help others to be drawn to you. May your spirit work within them and me to open eyes!
Words of hope.
God spoke through Stephen showing the people living words. Life giving words. He pointed them to the Saviour if they but had the ears to hear. God is with His people and continues to do wonders/miracles. He is here and now if we/I just have the eyes to see. Emmanuel.
God himself is with us:
let us now adore him,
and with awe appear before him.
God is in his temple–
all within keep silence,
prostrate lie with deepest rev’rence.
Him alone
God we own,
him, our God and Savior;
praise his name forever.