AM Scripture Reading: Acts 7.51-60

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

A BUCKET OF ROCKS

Acts 7.51-60

Introduction:

1. Luke records in Acts 6.15: “And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
2. However, just a few hours later, citizens of Jerusalem “stoned Stephen as he was calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 7.59).
3. Stephen was the first Christian to die a martyr’s death as a result of his faithful resolve!

WHY WAS STEPHEN STONED TO DEATH?

1. An intriguing question with interesting historical implications.
   1. The testimony of Stephen, Paul and Jesus. (Acts 7.51-52; 1 Thess. 2.14-15; Matt. 5.12; 23.37; cf., Matt. 21.33-46)
   2. Elijah (1 Kings 19.10-14)
      1. The Old Testament record.
      2. Nehemiah (Neh. 9.26)
      3. Jeremiah (Jer. 2.30; 26.20-23)
      4. Zechariah (2 Chron. 24.18-21)
2. So, why was Stephen stoned do death? (Acts 7)
   1. Stephen preached the truth. (Vs. 2-53; cf., Gal. 4.16)
   2. His preaching convicted the people: diepríontō tais kardíais = “they were cut to the heart” – not to be confused with katanussō in Acts 2.37. (V. 54)
   3. The people refused to listen. (V. 57; cf., Zech. 7.11)

“WE WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PART WITH THEM…”

1. How many today would say the same thing that many Jews claimed: “If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets” (Matt. 23.30)?
2. Infidelity profanes “the blood of the covenant” (Heb. 10.29)!
   1. A failure to confess Christ before others. (Matt. 10.32-33)
   2. To put anything before Christ. (Matt. 10.34-38; cf., 6.33)
   3. To engage in willful sin. (Heb. 10.24-26)
   4. By walking in darkness. (1 John 1.5-7)
   5. “The Lord will judge His people” (Heb. 10.30).

Conclusion: Stephen knew what he was doing; yet he was undeterred!