Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.

MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 7:39-60

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Church on the Move, and today we are finishing up the story of Stephen that we began last time.

Stephen was one of the seven original deacons chosen back in Acts 6. Stephen was also a powerful preacher of God’s word, which got him in trouble with the religious authorities. He was dragged before the Sanhedrin, subjected to the testimony of false witnesses and charged with speaking against the temple and the law.

In response, Stephen gave a lengthy defense by tracing the history of Israel and highlighting key figures and events. As we saw last time, he recounted the story of Abraham, the story of Joseph and the story of Moses. Throughout his defense he focused especially on two themes: 1) Israel has a pattern of rejecting Gods’ deliverers; and 2) Israel has a pattern of tying God first to the tabernacle and then to the temple. We will see more about that in the second half of Stephen’s speech today.

We looked at the first part of Stephen’s speech last week. This week we will finish off his speech before the Sanhedrin and then witness Stephen’s death as the very first martyr of the church. (Read Acts 7:54-58 and pray.)

—————————–

Today as we look at the martyrdom of Stephen we are faced with a very uncomfortable fact. Stephen was martyred simply for telling the truth about Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples that the time would come when people would falsely accuse them and drag them before the authorities (Matt. 5:11; Luke 12:11). That’s what’s happening with Stephen here. Jesus told them: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me” (John 15:20).

As Christians we are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. Our allegiance is to Christ, and we are called to be faithful to Jesus even unto death. Stephen was martyred for telling the truth about Jesus. Will we be faithful to tell the truth about Jesus … no matter what? No matter how high the cost? Will we be willing to pay the ultimate price? These are the questions that Stephen’s martyrdom confronts us with today. They are good questions, and we do well to contemplate them as we continue Stephen’s story in the book of Acts.

V. The story of Israel (7:39-53)

We now pick up the rest of Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin. Stephen has reviewed the story of Abraham, the story of Joseph and the story of Moses. Now he moves on to the story of Israel. And the story of Israel is not a pretty one. There are four main problems that stand out in Israel’s story: 1) their worship of idols, 2) their over-reliance on the temple, 3) their persecution of the prophets, and 4) their eventual murder of the Messiah.

   A. Their worship of idols (39-43)

The first problem in Israel’s story was their worship of idols. This was a continual problem for Israel throughout her history, and it began of all places right at Mount Sinai when they rejected Moses’ leadership and turned to idols instead. Look at verses 39-43:

“But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’ That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made. But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile’ beyond Babylon.” (Acts 7:39-43)

In rapid succession Stephen traces this theme of Israel’s worship of idols from their very institution as a nation at Mount Sinai all the way to their exile to Babylon.

At Mount Sinai Moses received the law from God through angels and gave it to the people. What were the first two commandments God gave them? “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below” (Ex. 20:3-4). But Israel refused to obey. They rejected Moses again, they ignored God’s commandments, and they turned their hearts back to Egypt. They told Aaron, “Make us gods who will go before us.” Aaron fashioned the golden calf, and one of Israel’s first official acts as a nation in covenant with God was to worship idols.

And this was not an isolated incident. Again and again, Israel turned to idols instead of God. They worshiped the heavenly bodies. They worshiped Baal and Molech along with other idols they made with their own hands. This was the reason God eventually exiled his people to Babylon—their continued worship of idols in direct violation of God’s command.

   B. Their over-reliance on the temple (44-50)

A second problem in Israel’s story was their over-reliance on the temple. Look at verses 44-50 where Stephen continues:

“Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built the house for him.

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’” (Acts 7:44-50)

Stephen reminds them of the tabernacle in the desert. The tabernacle was made according to the pattern God gave to Moses. They carried it with them in the desert and Joshua brought it with them when they entered the land of Canaan. It remained there until the time of David. David wanted to build a temple for God as a more permanent dwelling place, but that fell to his son Solomon instead. That’s because David was a man of war, while Solomon was a man of peace.

Israel thought just having the tabernacle or the temple among them would keep them safe from harm. They thought it would protect them from their enemies. However, Stephen reminds them that God is Most High and doesn’t live in houses made by men. That is why when Israel brought the ark of the tabernacle into battle with them, it didn’t guarantee them victory when they were disobeying God. That is why when the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem, God gave the enemy victory despite Israel having the temple. The Israelites thought the temple would keep them safe, but God delivered them into the hands of the Babylonians because of their disobedience.

This was the second problem in Israel’s story that Stephen highlights for the religious leaders—their over-reliance on the tabernacle and the temple. Remember one of the charges against Stephen was that he was speaking against the temple.

   C. Their persecution of the prophets (51-52)

The third problem in Israel’s story was their persecution of the prophets. Here Stephen speaks boldly and directly to the religious leaders:

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?” (Acts 7:51-52)

Every sermon has an application, and Stephen makes a pretty strong application here. He addresses the religious leaders as a stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts who always resist the Holy Spirit. They are just like their fathers who persecuted the prophets. God sent them prophets again and again to warn them about their sin and its consequences. Israel repeatedly rejected God’s prophets and even persecuted those God sent to them.

This was the third major problem in Israel’s story—their repeated rejection of the prophets.

   D. Their murder of the Messiah (52-53)

Finally, Stephen presents the fourth problem in Israel’s story—the biggest one of all—which was their murder of the Messiah. Look at verses 52-53:

“They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.” (Acts 7:52-53)

This was the most recent development in their story, but it grew directly out of the other three problems. Stephen says, “You are just like your fathers, but worse! They killed those who prophesied about Christ, but you killed Christ himself! Yes, you may have received the law from God, but you have not obeyed it.” Remember, this was the second charge brought against Stephen—that he was speaking against the law.

And so, this is the sad story of Israel. God brought them out of Egypt under Moses. He made a covenant with them as a nation at Mount Sinai. He gave them the law which was put into effect through angels. Israel covenanted with God to obey him and to worship him only. And yet as Stephen recounts their story, the four major themes are their worship of idols, their over-reliance on the temple, their persecution of the prophets—all culminating in their murder of the Messiah.

VI. The stoning of Stephen (7:54-60)

We have looked at the story of Abraham, the story of Joseph, the story of Moses and the story of Israel. Now finally we come to the stoning of Stephen. The religious leaders didn’t like Stephen’s application, so they came up with an application of their own. We preachers call this an occupational hazard.

   A. Stephen’s vision of Jesus in heaven (54-56)

The religious leaders were furious at Stephen and his words, but Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit was granted a vision of Jesus in heaven. Look at verses 54-56:

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But 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. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:54-56)

Notice the contrast between Stephen and religious leaders. The religious leaders are furious and gnashing their teeth. Stephen is calm, confident and full of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen looks up to heaven and sees the glory of God. He sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Notice how he refers to Jesus as the Son of Man. This was Jesus’ favorite title for himself when he was here on earth. In one respect by calling himself the Son of Man, Jesus was humbling himself. He was focusing on his incarnation, that he had come as a human being. But the title Son of Man was also sort of a code word from the book of Daniel for the Messiah. So, without coming right out and saying he was the Messiah, Jesus simply called himself the Son of Man.

But whenever the phrase “Son of Man” is used in contexts of glory, it always refers to this divine figure in Daniel 7 who approaches the Ancient of Days, who is given authority, glory and sovereign power, and who receives worship from all peoples, from all nations, from men and women of every language (Dan. 7:13-14). Here Stephen uses it in the context of glory. He looks up to heaven and sees God’s glory and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Notice that Jesus is standing in Stephen’s vision. In the New Testament after his ascension Jesus is usually pictured as sitting at the right hand of God. The book of Hebrews makes a big deal of this. We read in Hebrews 10: “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:11-12).

Jesus sits at the right hand of God because his work at the cross is finished. He has already paid the full sacrifice for sin. So why does Stephen see Jesus standing in this vision? I believe it is because Jesus is standing ready to receive Stephen into heaven. Jesus’ work on the cross is done. But his work of receiving his own continues until the time of his return.

Jesus standing in this vision shows him actively and personally engaged in Stephen’s plight, even as he is actively and personally engaged in your life and mine. We stand when someone enters a room to honor them. I believe Jesus stands to honor and welcome Stephen into heaven as Stephen prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice for Jesus.

We all have our heroes in life. I sincerely hope that your heroes include those like Stephen who paid the ultimate price by giving their lives for Jesus.

   B. The people’s murderous response (57-58)

Luke moves quickly from Stephen’s vision of Jesus in heaven to the people’s murderous response. Look at verses 57-58:

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged 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. (Acts 7:57-58)

Stephen has already infuriated the religious leaders by accusing them of murdering the Messiah. Now when he shares this vision of God and Jesus in heaven, it’s the last straw. They cover their ears. They yell at the top of their lungs. They drag him out of the city and begin to stone him.

Notice who also is there—a young man named Saul. This is the first mention of Saul in the book of Acts, but he will become one of the major figures in Acts and indeed the whole New Testament and all of church history.

   C. Stephen’s Christ-like death (59-60)

Finally, we come to Stephen’s Christ-like death. Look at the final two verses with me now:

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)

There are so many parallels between Jesus and Stephen in this passage. They are similar in their lives. Both are full of the Holy Spirit. Both work miraculous signs and wonders. Both speak words of wisdom that no one can refute.

They are similar in their trials. Both are dragged before the Sanhedrin. Both face false witnesses in court. Both are charged with speaking against the temple and the law. Both provoke strong reactions and charges of blasphemy when they speak of Jesus as the Son of Man who shares in God’s glory. Jesus does it when he tells the court they will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven (Matt. 26:64). Immediately, the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!” Stephen does it when he says, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Jesus and Stephen are similar in their lives. They are similar in their trials. And then finally, they are similar in their deaths. Both are accused unjustly. Both are killed violently. Both pray for God to receive their Spirit. Both pray for God not to hold the sin of their killers against them.

These similarities remind us that we follow in Jesus’ footsteps. If they hated Jesus, they will hate you too. If they persecuted Jesus, they will persecute you too. When you decide to follow Jesus, you choose to follow him all the way to the cross. We share in Christ’s sufferings that we may also share in his glory.

Stephen speaks his final words amidst a painful volley of stones. He breathes his last, and falls asleep in the Lord, his bruised and battered body awaiting the day of resurrection. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Jesus stands ready to receive him into heaven. Stephen dies and goes to be with Jesus, which is better by far.

CONCLUSION: Thus ends the story of Stephen, and thus begins the great persecution of the church. The martyrdom of Stephen began a vast persecution of the church that continues through today and will continue to transpire until Jesus returns.

Stephen was martyred for speaking the truth about Jesus. Jesus warned us that we also would be persecuted for our faith. You need to be prepared to stand strong and speak the truth about Jesus regardless of consequences. You need to stand ready to forgive those who harm you because of your faith in Jesus. And when you do, Jesus stands ready to receive you into heaven where you will live forever with him and the other saints who have gone before you. Stephen was the first martyr in the church, but he was certainly not the last.

© Ray Fowler

You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this message provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For any web postings, please link to the sermon directly at this website.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copies:
By Ray Fowler. © Ray Fowler. Website: https://www.rayfowler.org

Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.