THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 7:44-53 “You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51) Stephen is trying to show his accusers how often they’ve missed God’s point. Either they misunderstood what God said, or refused to listen. They were more interested in religious rules and symbols than about love. They treated the temple and the law with…
Turning back to ‘Egypt’?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 7:39-43 “They rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.” (Acts 7:39) Egypt represents bondage, misery, hopelessness, despair, death. Why would anyone turn back to these? Jesus represents freedom, joy, hope, life. Why wouldn’t anyone turn towards Him? Apparently we have a predisposition towards that which is NOT GOOD for…
Passing on living words!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 7:30-38 “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 His people free. Can you see the point that Stephen is making? Jesus is the ‘prophet’ that Moses prophesied (Deuteronomy 18:15)….
If God kept a record…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 130 “If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3) As a Jesus follower, I am very much aware of my sin. Not just specific sins, but my whole sin nature. I am painfully aware of my self-serving, self-loving nature. In subtle, and not-so subtle ways, I…
A miracle of giving!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Corinthians 8-9 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15) These two chapters are an inspiring vision of generosity. The Macedonians are still inspiring many with their cheerful giving. Paul writes many memorable sentences to convey this miracle of giving. And after everything he says, he still calls it ‘indescribable’. When…
New creation living!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Corinthians 5-7 “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) The bible begins with creation, and ends with new creation. From beginning to end, this world is our focus, our intended home. But we live in between, in the cursed creation, clothed in misery. In the middle of this…
Would I submit or resist Jesus?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 7:17-29 “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” (Acts 7:27) Stephen wants to show how Jesus, like Moses was rejected by “his own people” (7:23) “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (John 1:1) Often in the bible it is God’s own people that…
Better than the Temple and the Law!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 7:1-16 “God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles.” (Acts 7:9-10) Stephen is accused of slandering the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). The Temple represents ‘God with us’, God living with His people. The Law represents God speaking with His people. Stephen wants to show them that Jesus fulfills…
Spirit-inspired words of wisdom!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 6:8-15 “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him.” (Acts 6:10) Stephen and the other early disciples were not educated (Acts 4:13). But some of them had been with Jesus, or had the Spirit of Jesus. Stephen’s ability to speak well came from Jesus, and the Spirit. As Jesus…
Giving your full attention to your ministry?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 6:1-7 “Give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) Reading this passage, it seems that ‘waiting on tables’ is beneath them. But it is not beneath them, it is not their specific calling. They were commissioned as first disciples to oversee the ministry of the word. By…