A Heart Transformed: The Message of the Beatitudes

This is a story that Pastor David Gibbs from Lancaster Baptist Church tells of his upbringing: One day my dad came to me and he said, "I'm worried about you, David." He said, "You're selfish. I don't ever see you offer to help people. It's time for you to learn to serve.” 

I said, "What do you have in mind?" And he said, "Our neighbor down the road, the Tates, he's dying. He's really sick. And he's too sick to put out his corn. And I want you to go down and talk to Mrs. Tate and offer to serve them.”

"I want you to do something for them, not looking for something in return." 

And I said, "Whoa, dad, I know you love me and I don't want to be selfish. That's a sin. But dad, we don't want to do the Tate's corn.” I said, "There's not a nastier, meaner woman on the planet than Mrs. Tate!"

My dad said, "I picked the Tate's for a reason son. If you can't learn to serve you're going nowhere with God." Well, we went down to the Tate's knocked on their door  and here come Mrs. Tate. She opened the screen door, she didn't say "hi" she started cussing me out standing there, "What do you want little Gibbs!?"

I told my dad, "Do you hear this?" Then I turned to her, "I don't want nothing my dad wants to talk to you." 

My dad said, “No, tell her what you want to do.” 

I said, "Mrs. Tate I know your husband's dying, and you're not getting your crop out. Well we'd like to help get your crop out-" And my dad stopped me. He said, "Tell her it would be your privilege." 

I said, “My dad thinks I'm selfish. I probably am. But my Bible says it would be our privilege to serve you." 

She replied, “Well, my equipment is not ready.” My dad said, "That's okay. We'll use ours. My boy wants to serve you because he's a Christian.”

She looked at me and she said, “Is that right?” I said, "well, yeah.” So we got their crop out. Then we got it harvested. My dad sold the corn. He said, "Now I want you to take the money to her and thank her for the privilege."

I went down the road and knocked on her door. And I said, "Here you go, Mrs. Tate." 

She looked at me and said, "I know you guys are always inviting us to go to church. We've never gone, but any chance we could go this Sunday with you?" They both went and he got saved.

In less than two weeks, he was in eternity. At my wedding, years later obviously, Mrs. Tate was there. She came up to me and said that day: "I'm so glad your dad taught you to serve, son."

Two things happened, first, a family got blessed, but additionally, for David Gibbs, his heart was deeply affected by these events. He was changed.

When I think of the life of Jesus, he lived these truths. And he also taught them. And we teach about them in our sermons today. Our sermons attempt to communicate truths that will help us to live the way described in this true story from the life of pastor David Gibbs.

A sermon can teach us and inspire us to live out a heart of loving service. I'm sure you can think of many sermons in your life that have deeply touched you. I think of so many of the greats. Certain names come to mind, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer... But there is one single, great, perfect sermon. And it was given by none other than Jesus our savior himself. Today we refer to it as the sermon on the mount.

For this new sermon series the Lord has given us, we are going to go through the different sections of the sermon on the mount, examining what they mean for our hearts.

We will be in Matthew 5:1-20.

Beginning in Matthew 5:1-2: “1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.”

As often was the case, Jesus sat down to begin teaching. His 12 disciples gathered closest around him, and the crowds gathered on the hillside for the message.

We don’t know exactly how many were present, but most likely there were thousands, possibly even more.

This sermon message would be the key manifesto of the kingdom of God: How to live as a Christian in a broken world. This first section deals with the human heart. And as Jesus often did, he flips the expectations of the world on their head.

He began this way, verse 3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

When you see that word blessed, you can also think of it as if Jesus was saying “happy are those who…” "Or favored are those who…"

The first thing he mentioned is the concept of being poor in spirit. What does this mean? The original Greek here pictures someone who is a complete beggar, something with inner bankruptcy toward God.

It reminds me of step 1 in the 12 steps: "I admitted I was powerless, that my life is unmanageable."

God wants us to come to him, and he says we are blessed and happy, if we come to him knowing we are completely reliant on Him for everything.

Complete and utter dependence on God. Is that who you are today?

I need Jesus. Totally reliant or…

I’m in control, and I tag religion on to the side. Do we have some controlling domineering types in the room? You must surrender and become totally reliant on God. You are not in control. God is in control. And when we try to be in control, we’re usurping the place of God. We are playing God, and that is idolatry.

Those who recognize, they are poor in spirit, totally dependent on God, Jesus says, will belong in the kingdom of God. They find a safe comfortable place within it’s borders.

Next, verse 4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

A mourning heart is a heart that is grieved over their own sins, the sins of the world around them, and the unsaved people in the world. This Greek word pictures heavy grief. And remember, Jesus is speaking to a crowd where many have not embraced him as their savior, so he’s pointing to people who are unsaved, and he’s saying if you grieve over your inability to follow the Torah, you will be comforted, if you grieve over your sin, and I think this is key: If you grieve over your disconnectedness from God, you will be comforted.

Next, verse 5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

In English we often think of meek as being the same thing as weak or pandering. But in the original Greek, it pictures great strength placed under control, a strength tamed and submitted to God, and channeled toward God’s purposes.

In Greek literature praus was the exact Greek word used for when a wild horse was captured, tamed, and broken in, to be a warhorse. It’s strength wasn’t removed, but it was channeled toward a different purpose.

Next, verse 6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

The first three mentioned here, poor in spirit, mourning over sin, and meek/humble, all bring someone to the point of hungering and thirsting for something more, something holy, something pure, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. And Jesus promises, if you do, you will be filled.

Filled by Jesus Christ himself. Filled by his body and his blood. Filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus takes the person who is poor, mourning, and meek, and longing for righteousness, and that person is in a perfect position to recognize their need of a savior, and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Isn’t that amazing?

And I think the next few verses of the beatitudes are all going to explain, after receiving Christ, how to live.

Verse 7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Once we’ve seen God’s mercy to us, all our sins forgiven, God wants us to show mercy to others. To avoid judgment. But to forgive quickly and love. Position of the heart.

Verse 8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

This depicts the second work of grace, a heart made pure and holy in love. The pure in heart, made so by Jesus, made so by the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work, will see God face to face.

Verse 9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

What does the word of God mean by peacemaker? This is very important, we are called in the Bible, ambassadors, peacemakers in the world.

But this does not refer to the modern concept of “keeping the peace” by staying quiet. I think many Christians think that, if I just stay quiet I can keep the peace, but it’s a false peace.

The biblical concept of peacemaker, is “making peace” by actively stepping into broken situations, and bringing healing and peace of Christ.

Often we think well, just don’t make waves. Jesus made waves. For the right reasons of course. Make waves when Jesus calls you to, for a holy purpose. Don’t “keep the peace” be one who goes out and makes peace a reality in people’s lives by ministering to them.

Next, verse 10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Essentially, it’s saying, to live holy, in accordance with the kingdom of God as Jesus is describing it, means you will be persecuted.

Verses 11 and 12 are going to expand on this: 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Happy are you if you’re insulted, persecuted, and falsely called evil things, because of Jesus. The result? A great reward is waiting for you in heaven.

Jesus understands that it’ll hurt, but, he reminds us that our response should be to rejoice, have joy when we’re persecuted, because we know it means rewards in the future. (Not an easy thing to do apart from the Lord)

Verse 13 is fascinating: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

It is possible, Jesus is saying, for a disciple to be the salt of the Earth, on the cutting edge of culture and society and leading the way of humanity toward truth, or a disciple can drift, and become bland, and then he says, once bland, it’s no longer good for anything but to be trampled under foot.

We are called to be a physical extension of God’s kingdom. Every offering given in the Old Testament, in Leviticus was to be salted, Leviticus 2:13 said, "Salt all your grain offerings, do not withhold the salt of the covenant you have with God."

Jesus gives another metaphor, verses 14-16: “14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

So Jesus has gone through 9 heart positions, internal heart positions, but now he quickly points to externally focused actions. Be salt to the world, don’t lose your saltiness. Be light to the world, do not hide your light, but let your light shine through actions that flow from a heart devoted to God.

In Jewish culture, it’s interesting, the temple was considered the light of the world, but Jesus is saying "No, it’s you."

In the last four verses, Jesus is going to tie together the opening section of his sermon with profound statements.

Verses 17-18: 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

Many in the crowds I’m sure were beginning to believe that Jesus was doing away with all the commandments of God, in favor of a different way. But Jesus says, that isn’t the case. He didn’t come to abolish the Torah, but fulfill the Torah. In fact what Jesus brings builds on the torah, it’s the next step in the spiritual development of humanity.

For us today, Jesus speaks again to our hearts, often our hearts want to “get out” of the responsibility of obedience to God. We tell ourselves well Jesus paid it all, so I can live however I want, and even if I keep sinning it’s ok, but Jesus says no, I haven’t come to do away with God’s commands, I’ve come to fulfill them. Jesus comes to give new commands, his two great commands to love God and love others. And to follow the Spirit, to love our neighbor, to repent of sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t come to end all law, but to fulfill an old law, and bring a new law, the law of love, of the life giving Spirit.

Jesus continues: v. 19 “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

If we teach God’s commands as optional, we will still go to heaven, but we’ll be considered least in the kingdom of God. But, if we teach the whole counsel of God, the whole word of God as commands, we will be called great in the kingdom of God.

Lastly, verse 20, Jesus dangles us on a ledge: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

How could that be possible? Jesus would willingly give His life on the cross, to make us holy. And he would send us the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit would sanctify us, cleanse us, so that we would go even further than the old laws. The old testament law said, "an eye for an eye", we are told to love and pray for our enemies. The Old Testament said by your actions you’ll be judged, for us, our thoughts are considered also.

Many denominations would say that Jesus fulfilled it all, so we will sin all the times, but it’s OK. The word of God tells us, shall we go on sinning so grace may abound? By no means (Romans 6:1). By the Spirit, we are to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). And it all goes back to the heart. Because of Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit with us, we can live a righteous life. With a new heart, given by Jesus, anything is possible!

Think back to the opening illustration: Little David Gibbs was discipled by his dad, to go do an act of service, and it changed the lives of people he served, but it also changed David’s own heart. Jesus is like the dad in the story, calling us to acts of love and service, and those acts definitely do help other people, but those acts also change our hearts. They mold our hearts into Christ’s likeness. But, when we avoid them, or ignore them, or even do something the opposite of love, that also forms and shapes our heart, in the wrong direction.

Do you long for a heart change today? Maybe you need the first heart change today, that is stone to fresh, that is giving your life to Jesus Christ and being born again? If that's you, give your life to Him today. But perhaps as a Christian you need a heart change?

Maybe you need to go from wounded, to healed? Ask Jesus.

Maybe you long to go from controlling to submitted? Ask Jesus.

Maybe you desire to go from angry to gentle? Ask Jesus.

Maybe you need to go from ashamed to set free? Ask Jesus. 

Maybe you need to go from bitter to joyous? Ask Jesus.

Maybe you long to go from selfish to servant heart? Ask Jesus.

He will changes our hearts. All we have to do is ask. But, don't be surprised if His answer includes an action that will craft the heart change in you that you desire. 

Stephen's Prophetic Message to the Sanhedrin (Acts 7)

I was in Cancun over the last week, thanks to the generosity of my mom and step-dad, who have a time-share there. We had a wonderful time. Such a beautiful place, we saw the sunrise, the beaches, the pools, enjoyed good food.

The Lord guided us, and my mom, bless her, she handed out so many Spanish gospel tracts, and little Jesus’ to people, to children, and to workers. And I did a few times as well too.

But one night I needed to do laundry. They had a laundry service there. So I took my laundry down, and there was a lady named Isela who was there to help me. Before I left I felt the Lord urge me to take a tract and a little Jesus downstairs with me. So I reluctantly did. I was tired, didn’t feel like doing ministry, but, I felt the Lord’s nudge, after listening to a sermon from Joe Sweet.

So I came in and she set me up with two laundry machines to use. I paid the bill. And I noticed a little Jesus on her computer, so I assumed she had already received one. So, I went to leave, and the Lord told me, go back and give to her what I had you bring. And I said in my heart, "But she already has one." The Lord pressed on my heart again, so I walked back in, and I said I want to give this to you. And she was so touched. She said her coworker had one, but she didn’t and she was so excited. She teared up. She treasured this gift so much. It was beautiful the look on her face brought me to tears. I came back to the room, so touched, thanking God.

Two hours later I came back, she had done all my laundry for me, and put it back into my bag. And she smiled and said, “you’ll like what I did with your clothes.” And I opened my bag later that night, and found she had folded every piece of clothing and put them in bags grouped by item. I was so moved.

This beautiful moment happened because of God. I obeyed, I was blessed. She obeyed and blessed me back, and so we both were blessed. Remember this, as we go into our message today.

This will be our last message in the Follow Me series, which has taken us through the first 7 chapters of the book of Acts, and followed the disciples actions as they sought to live out the things Jesus taught them during his Earthly ministry.

We conclude this series with God’s final message to the nation of Israel, after they had crucified their messiah. Throughout this message we will look at the words of Stephen, the longest speech recorded in the New Testament. But, I encourage today all of us to see, that it is not simply Stephen speaking, but God speaking through Him.

If you recall two weeks ago, we had seen Stephen rising to prominence in the early church, filled with the Spirit and full of wisdom. He was sharing the word about Jesus boldly, and this led a group from the synagogue of Freed Men to begin to debate with him. A controversy broiled around Stephen, until he was seized and taken before the Sanhedrin. There many false charges were brought against Stephen.

This brings us to our scripture today, which is Acts 7, and we’ll be looking at the whole chapter today. This sermon is going to a bit different, more than half of the message is scripture itself, so we are going to largely let scripture speak for itself today.

It begins like this: (v.1-3) Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. 3 ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’

Stephen’s speech is going to depict the history of the nation of Israel, and so many of the great things God did.

The glory of God showed up in history, to one man, Abraham. A man living in Mesopotamia. A man called out of Babylon (modern day Mesopotamia is Iraq, which was once Babylon). The God of glory showed his glory to one man.

Next, verses 4-5: 4 “So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. 5 He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child."

So he left Babylon, and to understand human history, you must understand the dichotomy between Israel and Babylon. Babel represented the nations under the control of Satan, and God called Abraham out of that world, to a land that his ancestors would one day inherit.

What's amazing is Abraham had no children yet. He and his wife Sarah were elderly. Yet God promised that his descendants would become His own special people. 

Next verses 6-7: 6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated. 7 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’

God spoke of hard times to come for the nation, but he would deliver them.

“In this place.” On ground that did not yet belong to him. The temple would one day be built.

Next verse 8: "Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs."

History continues, Stephen is connecting everything together before the Sanhedrin, explaining all that had happened over the entire history of the nation.

Abraham received a covenant agreement with God. Isaac was Abraham’s son. And his wife gave birth to Jacob and Esau. And Jacob’s 12 sons would become the future 12 tribes of Israel. God was slowly building a nation from one man!

Now the narrative switches from Abraham, to Joseph.

Verses: 9-10: “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.”

We begin to see a pattern, of the patriarchs persecuting those God calls. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. But, God was with Him.

Next, 11-16: “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. 14 After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all.

15 Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died. 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.”

The nation had grown from one man, Abraham, to 75, who went to Egypt to escape a famine. God had given Joseph supernatural wisdom, to store up grain for a coming famine, Joseph had interpreted a dream God gave the king of Egypt, that a famine was coming. And so Israel survived by coming to Egypt during the time of famine.

How does this apply to us today? Joseph went through a horrible life, from external standards. Many of us have been through difficult times as well. Joseph was taken as a slave, endured temptations, trials, prison, but God took him to leadership over all of Egypt; for a purpose, to help supply the surrounding region during a famine.

Remember that the trials you’ve gone through, they have a purpose, a purpose you may not understand yet, but, one day you’ll look back and realize, God was doing something in me, and for those around me.

So we saw how Joseph was persecuted, yet God protected him. Now we’re going to see Stephen focus in on Moses.

Next, verses 17-22: 17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’

19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

God protected Moses, his chosen leader, and made sure that he would be cared for by Pharaoh’s daughter. God protected Abraham. He protected Joseph. He protects Moses. All for the purpose of guiding and building a nation that belonged to Him.

God is also your protector. But we have to understand what that means and how that works. Did Abraham, Joseph, and Moses have no problems? Of course not! They went through terrible problems and difficulties, but God protected them, and cared for them through it all. Joseph was sold into slavery. Moses was driven into the wilderness for 40 years. Abraham had to wait for years to finally have a child. So, God’s protection is nuanced, it does not mean we won’t have problems, we certainly will, but God will see us through them if we trust in Him.

What made Abraham, Joseph, and Moses special? Their hearts followed God in obedience even when it was hard. As you grow in your walk with Jesus, you can also train your heart to obey even when it’s hard. How? Small acts of obedience. They lead to large acts of obedience.

Obedience isn't always easy. But it's worth it. 

Next, verses 23-29: 23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

Again, we see that God’s people did not recognize the leader that had been sent to them. They rejected Moses.

27 “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.

Moses fled into the wilderness, they had said of him: “who made you judge and ruler over us?” Stephen is pointing to a pattern in Israel’s history, rejection of those whom God sends. God uses people. Often he uses one person, like Moses, or Joseph, or Abraham, and so many times, God’s people were rejecting the ones he sent to them. Why? Pride is often the cause.

We too must guard our hearts against pride. It’s not about us, we are simply humble servants. I try to remind myself of that, any time I might think I’m so special, I’m a pastor, no, I’m a servant of God, that’s what the Bible says. And so we all are that. If we forget that fact, pride will destroy us.

Next: 30-34 “30 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.

33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

Moses meets the God of Abraham and Joseph. And he is called by God to go back to Egypt, to a people who had rejected him.

Verses 35-36 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness.”

Rejected by the people, but called by God. The story repeats itself. 

Verses 37-38 are key: “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.”

God will raise up a prophet like me from your own people, that’s the messiah, that’s Jesus. Stephen identifies the spiritual authority of Moses, given by God, he was in the assembly, he was with the angel, with the ancestors, and he received living words to pass to us. But I wonder if that phrase right there is not referring just to Moses, but also to Jesus himself, that he was with the assembly, with the angel, with the ancestors, and Jesus received living words to pass on to Israel. I have no doubt Jesus was with Israel in all those circumstances.

Next 39-40: 39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 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!’

Again, we see the pattern of the people is to turn away from God. They turned in their hearts back to Egypt. They rejected Moses, they rejected Joseph, but, ultimately, the truth is, they were rejecting God himself. And at this moment it was made plain.

We too, in our walk with Jesus, can in our hearts turn back to the world. And we’re just going through the motions, showing up to church, but our heart really belongs to the things of this world.

Our heart can long for what’s familiar, because being a Christian can feel so new and different.

Next, verses 41-43: 41 "That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made. 42 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:

“Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek
and the star of your god Rephan,
the idols you made to worship.
Therefore I will send you into exile’ beyond Babylon.”

They rejected God, and made a golden calf. And that continued, so much so, that we see Stephen quote from Amos 5:25–27, specifically adjusting it to point toward the Babylonian captivity.

We see again the dichotomy between Babylon and Israel, God took Abraham out of spiritual Babylon, yet Israel in their hearts kept turning back toward spiritual Babylon, a place without God. So God would one day physically send them into captivity to Babylon.

We took can end up “turned over” to false things, if we choose them in our hearts. Romans 1 talks about that. We must guard against idols, and make sure God is first in our heart, before our family, before our friends, before our money or possessions, God must be first. He will not allow an idol in his place.

Next, 44-47 “44 Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors 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, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him."

Here we see Stephen explaining how God’s presence traveled with Israel, in the wilderness God’s presence was exemplified by the tabernacle, carried by the people under Joshua, it remained in the land under King David, who enjoyed God’s favor. But it was David’s son Solomon who would build the temple where God’s presence would reside.

But next we see Stephen explain that God’s presence goes beyond buildings made of brick.

Next, 48-50: “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

49 “‘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?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’"

Stephen hints, God’s presence isn’t just for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, or Solomon's temple, or Herod's temple, but instead God ultimately desires that we would be His temple.

All of this has been building to this moment. Over Israel’s history they were blessed and guided by God. Yet the people often rejected the rulers God sent to them, they rejected Joseph, Moses, the prophets, but ultimately, the nation was rejecting Him.

Now Stephen makes his final charge against Israel’s Sanhedrin. And we discover that this entire speech God spoke through Stephen to Israel's leaders, is a grand rebuke.

Next 51-53: “51 You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

The central charge is clear: You are just like your ancestors, which he had just been describing, you always resist the Holy Spirit. You resist God.

He tells them, you persecuted the prophets, you killed John the Baptizer, and then you betrayed and murdered God’s Son who was sent to you. You received so many beautiful things from God over your history, but you did not obey the commands God gave you.

This whole speech can be seen as a prophetic judgment against Israel, pointing toward the destruction of Jerusalem, and the diaspora/exile.

"You always resist the Holy Spirit" is the central charge. But I had to ask myself: Are we so different today?

Are we obedient to the Holy Spirit within us? Or have we already decided ahead of time that we're going to do things our own way? Are we living out God's agenda, or choosing our own path? Maybe we aren't so different from Israel. 

Yet with all of this one might be tempted to think that God doesn't love Israel. In our world today there is a growing hatred for Jews in the world. But none of this is a reason to hate Jews. God has preserved the Jews through the centuries. He gave them a homeland again after World War II. And in the end times we know that Israel will at last be saved. God loves the Jews, and has a plan for their redemption.

As it says in Romans 1125-27: "25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;

    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

27 And this is my covenant with them

    when I take away their sins.”

So we see that one day, in the events of the book of Revelation, Israel will finally turn to Jesus their true savior. 

So next we see how the Sanhedrin responded to the accusations of God against them, spoken through Stephen... 

Next 54-56: "54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 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. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

The glory of God is revealed to Stephen, just as it was to Abraham, so long ago. It reminds me that not all of Israel was condemned, there was a remnant of tens of thousands who had turned to Jesus, and would flee the city before it’s destruction in 70 AD.

Next 57-60: "At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 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."

They covered their ears, resisting the Spirit. We also get our first mention of the young man named Saul, who was there...

As they pelted him with stones, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." He fell to his knees, I’m sure in great pain, and prayed “Lord don’t hold this sin against them." Much of this is similar to the crucifixion of Jesus, a martyr joins in the sufferings of Jesus, even to death, which is a beautiful offering before God. Yet Jesus is with him through all this, he sees a vision of Jesus standing to welcome him into heaven. And finally, Stephen dies, and it says he fell asleep. Because, he wasn’t really dead, though his body died, his spirit lived on. 

In Acts chapter 8 we see the church in Jerusalem is scattered by a rising persecution. They flee to Judea and Samaria, preaching the gospel to the rest of the nation, before heading out into the Roman empire, to begin the next phase of the mission: The gospel had gone out to Israel, and now, it would begin to go out to the Gentile nations. Only the 12 apostles themselves would stay in Jerusalem, for the time being.

We know from history, that in 66 AD Israel revolted against the Roman empire and expelled them from the nation successfully. However, Rome raised an army and attacked Israel, and in AD 70, they destroyed Jerusalem completely, and destroyed the temple, and the Jews were scattered among the nations.

Jesus said it, the temple would be destroyed, and it was, Stephen echoed it as well, and indicated the condemnation of Israel. And yet, we know there is great hope for a future salvation of Israel, in the end times.

So the gospel began to go out among the Gentile nations, to us, praise the Lord.

So in conclusion, I think to apply this message we can remember a simple truth: Humbly watch for the agenda of God in the world and in our personal lives. Don’t resist the Holy Spirit. Listen for the Spirit. Follow the Spirit. And don’t become prideful, because then we begin to grow deaf to the voice of the Lord Almighty. As Stephen, let us remember, we are humble servants of God, called to obey His Spirit.

Just like Isela, remember, to be obedient in the small things, because the small things can be big things, if we’ll just step out in faith, do something a little uncomfortable, we will have a beautiful story to tell.

The Rise of Stephen

In 2018 I was sitting in an apartment in central Chicago, at Seminary, with a room full of people I respected deeply, a professor and a series of seminary students. And we were exploring a simple but profound question: Can a Christian really live holy?

This question would consume this era of my life. I was wrestling with it. But my answer was no. It’s just not possible! But, as we were talking about it over and over again, something in me clicked, and it was like I took my first step out onto a shining barely visible pathway… and I said to myself fearfully: What if it’s really true?

As much as it scared me, it also gave me this jolt of excitement. Like I’d begun… to believe.

Today we’re going to be looking at the scriptures which depict a young man that seemed to begin to believe, that with Jesus, anything is possible, and the convergence that occurred around him as a result.

If you remember last week we studied how the apostles were arrested, and tried before the Sanhedrin, but we saw how God used a pharisee named Gamaliel to help set them free. And the church continued to grow.

We will be in Acts 6:1-15 today.

Starting in verse 1: "In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food."

During this glorious time, the number of disciples was growing. However, a dispute occurred in the early church. It was a dispute between the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebraic Jews. Hellenistic Jews were Jews who had adopted Greek culture. Greek culture had spread throughout the middle east after the conquests of Alexander the Great. These were Jews who maintained their spiritual connection to God but spoke Greek, wore Greek clothing and had their own Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, called the Septuagint.

The Hellenistic Jews spoke Greek and the Hebraic Jews spoke Aramaic. No doubt this was one of the main causes that the Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.

I’m sure this started as a minor dispute. Minor disputes happen in the church all the time. And it’s all about how you handle those disputes. If you handle the disputes carefully, you can preserve unity and bring things around to a better outcome. But if disputes are handled poorly, they can lead to division in the church.

Pray, and use caution before you speak. God is always there to help us use tender words. If your one of those people where stuff just flies out of your mouth, you can learn to speak gently. So that’s the first thing to note, when disputes happen, act fairly.

Second thing to notice, is the early church is already engaged in what we today call mercy ministry. They are daily providing meals for the widows in the church. This just underlines how important it is that we as the church help takes care of the practical needs of those around us, food, drink, clothing, housing, everything we can.

Verse 2: “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

The twelve apostles rightly realize, they can’t do everything themselves. They need to delegate. There were times in my ministry when I tried to do everything, and you can’t, you’ll burn out. We need to delegate to other leaders who can take up positions of service.

Verse 3 continues: “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them”

Seven men are to be selected. And they are given two key qualifiers for this leadership role: full of the Spirit and full of wisdom.

Whenever someone is in a leadership role in the church, there are certain qualifications that are necessary. For this role of serving food, they felt it was important that they be Spirit filled and wise.

Verse 4 continues: “...and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

This allowed the apostles to focus their attention on prayer and the word. They turned a responsibility over so that they would not be stretched in too many directions, and end up neglecting the key focus of their ministry.

Are you doing too much? Do you need to ruthlessly eliminate something from your plate? Are you stretched to the max? That isn’t God’s will for your life. He isn’t a God of busy. He is a God of faithful service.

Let’s see how the church responded: (v5-6) "5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them."

What’s interesting is that each of these names is a Greek name, they most likely put Hellenistic Christians in charge of the distribution, which meant the Hellenistic widows would no longer be neglected. That is wisdom. So they gathered the seven men up front, laid hands on them, and prayed for them, dedicating them to their new positions.

But here we get our first mention of Stephen. Historically we tend to view Stephen as a young man, though we don’t actually know his age. I think it’s fairly logical to think he was a young man, put in charge of providing food for widows. Though it is possible he was older.

But we’re going to see our scripture for today begins to focus in on Stephen. Something special was happening in Stephen’s heart and life.

Next, verse 7: "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

It’s interesting, numerous times in the book of Acts we see the early church confronted with some problem, internal or external, but each time they respond with wisdom and tact, and the result is clear: The word of God continues to spread.

It says the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly. And we get this beautiful statement, that a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith. The priests weren’t like priests we have today. Instead priests were Levites of the tribe of Aaron, who worked in the temple. So this was a beautiful and important shift, where religious leaders were turning toward Jesus in droves.

And we also in our city are beginning to see the word of God spread. As we faithfully pray and speak, and live holy, and reject sin, we see the power and presence of God growing in our lives and in our services. It’s amazing to observe.

Next, we see Stephen begin his rise:

Verse 8: "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people."

We see this fascinating meteoric rise of Stephen, who goes from leading the distribution of food to the widows, a pretty simple but important role, to moving into the fullness of God.

Stephen wasn’t an apostle. He didn’t spend time with Jesus, as far as we know. He wasn’t an evangelist or shepherd, necessarily, he was an ordinary person. But as he took on this role of helping widows with food, it’s like something caught fire in Him.

He was already Spirit filled and had wisdom, but somehow it went further. He began to be full of God’s grace and power. God was looking with particular delight on this young man’s heart, and blessing Him with grace and power.

This is a beautiful thing. I love to see a believer in the church who catches fire with excitement and begins to pursue God with their whole heart.

It is a sort of “rising up” that occurs in our lives. Think back to the opening illustration. That pathway that began to appear, as I started to believe…

I had been caught in unbelief. I didn’t want it to be true. I didn’t believe Christians could live free from sin. But, one day, in Captain Matt’s class we were all attacking Wesley's position. And he finally said, "Someone defend Wesley..." and at that moment I thought to myself, what if it’s really true? I can’t sense it. I can’t see it. It would take an act of faith because it’s not my experience so far. But what if it really is true, that a Christian can live holy?

Diane Ury visited campus soon after. And she said to us, she pleaded with Jesus for holiness, but Jesus replied to her, I can’t give you that, but I can give you myself. She said we must learn to turn out face toward God's face, and seek His face. At that moment, I saw a shining face appear over hers for a moment, and I knew I had seen the face of Jesus.

Rising as a Christian, happens in those moments where we take a step a faith toward something we previously felt was impossible. Stephen saw the apostles performing signs and wonders, and Stephen dared to believe, by faith in Jesus, I can walk in that power too.

He was full of the Spirit, full of wisdom, and God was showering grace on Him. Spiritual power was the result.

Is God calling you to go higher with Him? As you walk closer and closer with God, building those times of prayer and fellowship, sharing the gospel, helping meet needs, you begin to build momentum, growth, faith, and you begin rising in the Lord. 

And perhaps like me back in 2018, you start to think to yourself: Maybe it is possible.

Next, verse 9: "Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.”

The spiritual battle heats up. Opposition comes. The Synagogue mentioned here, the Synagogue of the freedmen, was made up of Hellenistic Jews. They must’ve noticed one of their own, a Hellenistic jew preaching the gospel in Greek, and decided they needed to stop him. It’s also possible that Stephen used to be part of the freedmen and left to follow Jesus. Hard to say for certain. But apparently Stephen was engaging in consistently sharing the gospel, and they began to debate him.

Next, verse 10: “But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”

They could not stand up. They tried their very best to out debate him, but they couldn’t. The Holy Spirit spoke freely through Stephen, and wisdom came out of his mouth from the Spirit. And I had to ask myself, as I was reading verse 10, how can that happen?

Does the Holy Spirit just by default speak through Christians all the time? Not in my experience. It takes a particular attitude of the heart and mind to have this occur.

But how? First, wisdom. We have three main books of the Bible that are considered wisdom literature: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. They deal with where the rubber meets the road: practical application of God's truth in the world. 

The collision of a sinful world with the purity of God creates many complex, paradoxical, and difficult situations that we’re called to navigate as Christians. How can we navigate them successfully?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As we fear God, we are drawn toward His way of doing things. Then we study and learn the word of God, and this gives us a framework for how to live our lives. We gain wisdom from the word of God, and apply it to our lives.

But, this equation is completed by adding the factor of being filled with the Holy Spirit. And being filled with the Holy Spirit is following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The more we are filled with the wisdom of God from scripture, the more the Holy Spirit has to work with as far as leading us and guiding us. If we know numerous scriptures, the Spirit can bring them to mind in certain situations. We learn to follow the Spirit’s leading, and when this is matched with wisdom from the scriptures, it makes an unstoppable combination.

The heart of a Christian who has trained their mind on the scriptures has wisdom, and this wisdom is a beautiful place in our heart for the Holy Spirit to be seated in glory, because our body/soul/spirit is the temple of God. Then the Holy Spirit guides us to apply situationally the wisdom of scripture.

Wisdom is like having the guidebook with us, and the Holy Spirit is like having the Guide with us. The guidebook is helpful for the Guide to point to and say yes, in this situation, this is the best way to respond. Stephen walked in this powerful Spirit-wisdom mentality.

The wisdom of the word matched with the leading of the Spirit within Stephen meant he could hear the word he had stored in his mind, and how to apply it situationally by the Holy Spirit.

So they couldn’t say a thing against Stephen, he’s proving to them that Jesus is the messiah, and they can’t refute it. So what do they do? Admit Jesus is real and become Christians? Not quite. 

Verse 11: "Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

They hatch a plot against Stephen, to have a basis to accuse him. These men begin spreading the word that Stephen is teaching blasphemy.

Have you ever had someone stir up gossip about you? Or speak evil things against you? It’s not fun. But it’s something we can expect will happen to us as Christians. Pray for the people who do this against you. God may move in their hearts to change them. And better yet, you may learn to forgive them, and even love them. 

Next, verse 12: “So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law.”

These men begin spreading their evil agenda everywhere. The amazing rise of Stephen, the signs and wonders, are countered by a rise of persecution. Lies spread, outrage grows, and soon the leaders find out.

I’ve seen this happen before. Lies and controversy spread quickly, and soon the person being slandered is brought before the authorities. So it was with Stephen.

Verse 12b: “They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.”

An outright controversy is taking place, demonic in origin. We have a spiritual conflict taking place. So Stephen, this young man stands in the chamber of hewn stone that we talked about last week, before the 71 leaders of the nation.

It says next, verses 13-14: "13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

This is somewhat similar to the trial that Jesus endured, many false witnesses were brought forward there as well. I can’t imagine how difficult this must’ve been for Stephen; lies so blatant.

They make two claims, first that Stephen was speaking against the temple and the law. And second, that Stephen was saying Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs of the oral tradition. These were all lies. 

Verse 15 says, “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

They are all staring at Stephen, and they notice Stephen’s face begins to appear like the face of an angel. An angel is often described in scripture as being like lightning, very bright.

Stephen’s face shines before the Sanhedrin. This is clear evidence to them, that Stephen is bringing the words of God to them.

Only three times in scripture do we see someone’s face shine. First, Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai after meeting with God. Second, Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. And third, Stephen.

For a moment, I want to bring us back to the mount of transfiguration, because I believe it points us to what was happening with Stephen in this moment.

From Matthew 17:1-5, “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Like we talked about at the beginning, our walk with God can be like stepping out onto a henceforth unknown path. But if we dare to believe, we can reach to new heights with the Lord. As we grow in maturity in him, we find higher and higher levels of spiritual growth. On the mount, Jesus’ shines and God tells them to listen to Jesus.

Similarly with Stephen, God makes his face shine, to say, this is my servant, listen to him. Imagine being so close with God that your face begins to shine as you speak about him, wouldn’t that be amazing?

So as we conclude today, I want to challenge you, how can you begin to rise in your relationship with God the way Stephen did? He was full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. Which do you need today? Ask the Lord to help you dare to believe something you used to think was impossible. He will meet you there and guide you up the heights, just as he did for Stephen, an average human, touched by God. 

Fill the City with the truth about Jesus

Recently, we had a visit to our local church from two missionaries. They'd been on the field for over 11 years in Thailand, a country that is 98% Buddhist. As they shared their stories and the events of their ministry, I couldn't help but feel awe-struck at the overwhelming challenge of ministering to a country where only 2% of the population is Christian. 

They shared how for years they'd had a successful ministry in a particular city in Thailand. But God had called them to a city in the north, where it felt spiritually dark. They could sense the spiritual warfare taking place in the city, as they first arrived. 

We had the honor of hosting them, and I remember talking to them about the darkness in the city. And one of the missionaries shared how they felt called to gather the few pastors in the city to fellowship together.

I shared with them, how the first city I had gone to as a minister had also felt spiritually oppressive and dark. The Lord had prompted us to much prayer, and annual Daniel fasts at our church each year, and prayer meetings, and then, the Lord had us gather about 15 pastors from around the city, to gather at a central point in the city, to dedicate the city to God in prayer. A prayer of dedication can be very powerful. And we began to sense a spiritual shift in the city, like the presence of God was breaking through the layers of the enemy kingdom. 

It can feel like a dome of darkness over a city or region, but, through prayer and dedication, the power of God pierces the darkness, and the dome collapses. Prayer, dedication, faithfulness, devotion, all these things are more than simple faith practices, they are spiritual weaponry. 

I think today we’ll see how the disciples, when faced with persecution, chose to be faithful as well, as they saw the power of God shifting the city of Jerusalem. All this, despite growing persecution against the early church. 

We left off last week with the disciples being arrested in the temple courts and put in jail. But God broke them out of jail, and had them stand in the temple courts at dawn to continue teaching about the way of Jesus.

News reached the leaders that the disciples were in the temple courts teaching, so the guards went and requested they come to appear before the Sanhedrin.

This is the second time the disciples have been brought before the ruling counsel of Israel.

If you can imagine this moment, they are in a very ornate room called the chamber of hewn stone. It was setup like a semi circle, with the 71 members of the Sanhedrin seated, with the high priest seated at the center of the semi-circle.

These were the most powerful men in Israel. These were the religious leaders of the nation, delegated with political powers as well. Their power went so far as they could even arrest and try people.

So the disciples are standing before this highly honored gathering, no doubt many of whom had begun to believe in Jesus, though I think we can assume most still did not.

This would’ve been intimidating. Like standing before a court room, or like standing before the house of representatives.

Yet God’s work was incredibly evident in the early church. So I’m sure they felt bold and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to speak the truth.

Beginning in Acts 5:28, the leaders speak: “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

You can almost hear the anger and fear of the leaders. They’ve seen the Christians gathering at Solomon’s Colonnade at the temple. The believers have filled the city with the teaching about Jesus. It’s like pollen in the air in spring, it’s everywhere.

The disciples disobeyed the instruction from the authorities to not talk about Jesus. They’ve made it clear that the Sanhedrin conspired to have Jesus killed. And if our authorities ever told us the same, we’d have to disobey that instruction as well.

It is quite possible to “fill a city” with the teaching about Jesus. This should be our goal in our city... That we are so active in our faith, taking such rigorous activity, in the streets, events, phone calls, prayer, fasting, outreach, homeless ministry, nursing homes, jail, hospital, door to door, social media, evangelism that eventually, one could say, the entire city is filled with the teaching about Jesus.

What does this do? Does it mean everyone is going to become a Christian? No. But it brings people into the valley of decision.

It’s easy to ignore the message of Christ, pretend it’s not real, just do life, make money, buy stuff, enjoy family events. But when the message goes out, people are confronted with the gospel.

And at first it’s rather painful, like the Sanhedrin said to the disciples: You are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood. The first thing the gospel does when it goes out is, it tells us that we’re sinners who have strayed from God and are headed in the wrong direction. It says to us: “You’ve sinned.” It tells us we need something beyond ourselves to make ourselves whole again.

The message is: I have a problem. And then, having discovered the problem, which is painful and even humiliating, the answer is provided, that Jesus Christ is the way to know God and be restored to Him. That our sins can be forgiven. That we can be changed within, to become who we were always meant to be, the holy and beloved of God.

Fill your city with the teaching about Jesus! That's our mission. The disciples succeeded in spreading the word in Jerusalem. And they got in trouble for it.

Let’s see how they respond to the Sanhedrin.

Verses 29-30: 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.”

We must obey what God told us. This is God’s agenda at work. It isn’t the apostles. It’s God’s plan. They are just walking in it. They are obeying. And as a result, the city is filled with the word about Jesus.

Peter explains to the Sanhedrin, the God of our ancestors is doing all this; the God that the whole Sanhedrin is trying to follow and obey. God did this. God raised Jesus from the dead.

And Peter says, yes, you are guilty of his blood. You hanged him on a cross, or in the Greek, a tree, a piece of wood.

Peter continues, (31-32) “31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Peter’s choice of words is perfect, absolutely perfect. He gives the gospel beautifully.

He says “we are witnesses of this.” And in the depiction, he includes all three persons of the Trinity, God exalted, that’s the Father, the Prince and Savior is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is mentioned as witness, and he who is given to those who obey.

The Spirit and the apostles are witnesses. The apostles are eye-witnesses of Jesus, that he died and appeared again after his death, alive and in the flesh. Peter spoke just the right words, to witness to the Sanhedrin.

It was just as Jesus had taught them, during his Earthly ministry as they learned under their beloved master. Jesus had explained to his disciples in Matthew 10:16-20: “16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Sheep among wolves, what a dangerous situation. Yet Jesus seems to indicate that by the sovereign guidance of God, we can maneuver safely (for a time) among the wolves, if we will obey his instruction, to be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. If we are wise, bold, cunning, cautious, everything that it means to be shrewd, and innocent in our actions, holy, pure, blameless, that is the only way to maneuver in controversies that develop with any level of success.

Be on your guard. Be watchful, because you will be taken and arrested, he warns them. But it will be an opportunity to minister, to share the gospel. And God will speak through you, he will give you the words to speak.

Now they’ve done nothing wrong, they’ve obeyed God, they’ve been shrewd and innocent, they’ve spoken from the Spirit. Let’s see the response from the Sanhedrin.

Verse 33: “When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.”

Sheep among wolves, flashes of light among darkness, hope among danger.

They were so angry at the truth they were moved to murder. Sometimes when we hear something about ourselves that we don’t like, or God convicts us about something in our lives that shouldn’t be there, our response can be anger, even rage. I think our pride can get in the way. The Sanhedrin were the religious leaders. But they were wrong. They missed Jesus. And many of them I’m sure felt they couldn’t be wrong. But they were. Can we be humble enough to admit when we’re wrong? And make a change?

So this was a dark moment, but there was a voice of reason. There was an affirming flame among the Sanhedrin that day, his name was Gamaliel. But recognize that what we’re going to see next, was I believe, a work of the hand of God.

Verse 34: "But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while."

Gamaliel was the leader of the party of the pharisees at this time in history. He was the grandson of the great teacher Hallel. So Gamaliel was co-chairing this meeting, in effect. He gives orders to have the disciples removed, and then he begins to speak.

Verse 35: Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.”

Consider carefully. Such an important phrase in decision making. Think twice. Think it through. As the word of God says, “Give careful thought to your ways.” -Haggai 1:5

I’ve often reflected on that. There was a time in my life where I was way off from biblical Christianity. I was living in sins. And I felt it didn’t really matter too much. God wouldn’t mind. And I had this reality check, that I was way off from what God desired, and I was in danger. It scared me honestly. And I realized I need to carefully consider how I lived my life. Am I really deeply in love with Jesus? Does he have my whole heart? Does my daily life match what I say I believe? It’s a good reminder.

So Gamaliel continues to speak, and he’s going to give us two examples of movements that didn’t work out.

In verse 36 he describes the first: "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.”

He knows the Sanhedrin thinks of the Christians as a rebellion, a danger to the nation. So he gives an example of a movement that fell apart, it was few hundred men, and then it came to nothing.

That’s one way to know if something is of God, does it have the anointing and does it’s positive effect last? If it fades into nothing, it wasn’t anything. Though I think there’s more nuance to it than that.

Second example, verse 37: “After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.”

Not the same Judas, just FYI, that betrayed Jesus. But this is I think what the leaders expected would happen after they had Jesus crucified: His followers would scatter, it would all fall apart, and they could get back to the business of leading the nation. But just the opposite happened.

Why? One reason: It was of God. Now not every good thing from God takes off, unless he wants it to. Just because it doesn’t become some massive thing doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. When I pastored my first church, we started with 10 and ended with 35. That’s not a huge movement, but it’s God’s blessing.

Conversely, something bad can take off and become huge. Islam is not from God, but it’s taken off and become the 2nd largest religion in the world. Mormonism is not from God, yet there are 17 million Mormons in the world. Numbers and exponential growth don’t always mean God is behind it. Then again, a lack of growth doesn’t mean God is against it.

But I think Gamaliel is seeing the supernatural events surrounding this ministry of the apostles, and he’s trying to help the Sanhedrin see the bigger picture.

He continues, verses 38-39: "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

When you do things the right way, humbly, in His service, God provides for your protection. And he makes a way of escape. Now, we all know that a time would come when Peter and the other apostles would give their lives for Christ. But it was not this day. It was not until God’s purposes had been fulfilled.

God is using Gamaliel as his mouth-piece to the leaders. Leave these men alone, release them, and then watch. If their activity is of human origin, it’ll fail, but, if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them. You’ll only find yourself fighting against God.

“Find yourself fighting against God.” How many I wonder, even in the church, have found themselves, due to their own anger, or emotions, or demonic influence over them, fighting against God, when they thought they are actually serving God?

Jesus said, those that persecute you, will think they are doing a service for God (John 16:2). Jesus made it clear, this isn’t going to be something that becomes the norm in every synagogue in Israel, you’re going to be thrown out of the synagogues. This is going to a movement in the wilderness during it’s time, much like John the Baptist lived in the wilderness.

Have you ever found yourself fighting against God? I know at times I’ve done that. And I look back and think to myself, my goodness I was deceived. I was prideful. And it led to guilt. And repentance. Thankfully we serve a forgiving God. Because frankly, before we knew Christ, we were all rebels against God. But Jesus died for us while we were still rebels. Not that we would stay rebels, but that we would repent of our sins, and follow Him daily.

Hopefully we can say, each day I’m becoming a little bit less of a rebel, and little bit more of a disciple.

Next, verse 40: "His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."

They had the apostles flogged. It’s such a short phrase in the scriptures, but it’s meaning is clear: Each of the apostles would’ve been taken and stripped of their shirt, they would be bent or tied over a table, with their back and chest exposed. The standard punishment was 39 lashes. Or what they called the 40 minus 1. The Old Testament allowed for civil discipline for up to 40 lashes. They would do 39 to avoid going over the 40 number, just in case.

13 lashed would be delivered on the chest, and 26 lashes on the back. This would’ve been an extended and humiliating situation, as each apostle was stripped and lashed in front of the 71 member body of the Sanhedrin. They would’ve left with severe lacerations, most definitely bleeding, and in pain.

But they were released. God made sure they were set free. And so they left the gathering, after being told again to stop teaching about Jesus.

Verse 41 is astonishing. It says, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

They left the court room in physical pain, wounded, but rejoicing, celebrating, joyous, because my dear friends, they understood something vital: To suffer for the cause of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest gifts we could ever imagine.

They had been counted, weighed by God as worthy to suffer disgrace, to be hated, to be viewed negatively, to be mocked, to be targeted, even to be physically assaulted, for the name of Jesus. And the Bible tells us over and over to rejoice when that takes place, because great is our reward in heaven.

Suffering for making bad decisions is one thing. We all do that. Suffering because life is hard is real too. But, suffering for Jesus, there is great reward in that. It is a great honor to suffer for the glory of the Name.

I love how it phrases it: The Name. There is only one name that matters, the Lord God Almighty. Glory to God! So if you’ve ever been mocked, or ignored, or not included, or hated, or targeted for being a Christian, rejoice, your reward is great in heaven. And heaven is real.

Last, verse 42: “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

They didn’t stop, they kept going, day after day. They persevered. They didn’t grow weary. They didn’t get lazy. They didn’t sit back and call it good. They pushed forward.

They did two things, they taught, which is inward, inside the body of Christ, they taught one another and reminded each other of the truths about Christ.

Second, they proclaimed, this is outward, they took the message to the streets, nursing homes, temple courts, jails, hospitals, and shared with people about Jesus. They continued to share that Jesus really is the one and only messiah.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let us do the same thing here in our city! In Jesus name, amen.