Faithful to Serve

• Full of Faith…
  • The church had chosen SEVEN men to minister PRACTICALLY…
  • Their purpose was supposed to be helping to feed the WIDOWS – Acts 6:1
  • But [δέ] – STEPHEN [Στέφανος] – began to do a LOT more than just help wait on tables…
  • Because he was full of FAITH [πίστις] – and asked for the POWER [δύναμις] of the Spirit – Acts 1:8
  • He began [imperfect] to do GREAT miracles in the people [Gospel message]!
• Bold for Jesus…
  • BUT [δέ] men from the synagogue of the FREEDMEN [Λιβερτῖνος] – disputed with Stephen…
  • Yet they were NOT able to resist the WISDOM he spoke with [full of the Spirit]
  • So they stirred up others to LIE about him – and got him ARRESTED…
  • As he stood before the SANHEDRIN – they saw his face like an ANGEL – ready to give a MESSAGE!

• 1^st – Abraham… vs. 1-7
  • 1^st – History lesson… vs. 1-2
    • The Sanhedrin… vs. 1
      • Then the high priest said: Are these things so?
      • Having received the two FALSE accusations against STEPHEN…
      • FIRST – that he taught Jesus would CHANGE the customs of Moses – Matthew 5:17
      • SECOND – that Jesus would DESTROY the Temple – John 2:21
      • The HIGH Priest [Annas] asked STEPHEN if [Εἰ] these things were TRUE!
    • Listen… vs. 2
      • He said: Brethren and fathers listen!
      • Stephen had to struggle to get their attention saying [imperfect]
      • MEN – BROTHERS – FATHERS – addressing everyone in the counsel…
      • They MUST [imperative] listen to what he had to say to them…
      • Because the Lord had given STEPHEN a message to deliver to them [face like an angel]
      • He was going to give them a HISTORY lesson – in FOUR parts…
      • That would show them Israel had ALWAYS been a REBELLIOUS people!
      • Stephen will quote NINE times from the Old Testament in his message…
      • Showing he had a GOOD understanding of the Word – he knew the Bible!
      • People do NOT change – they are the SAME from generation to generation…
      • Which is why we take the time to study the Word – II Timothy 2:15
      • If we know our Bible – know the HISTORY – we can see the PROBLEM and the SOLUTION…
      • We have always been SINNERS – and the ONLY answer has always been Jesus!
      • I Peter 3:15 – “If someone asks about your… hope always be ready to explain it.” [NLT]
  • 2^nd – The Command… vs. 2-4
    • Walk away… vs. 2-3
      • The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia.
      • Before he dwelt in Haran and said to him:
      • Get out of your country and from your relatives and come to a land that I will show you.
      • When God FIRST appeared [passive] to Abraham [Abram] – he was in a PAGAN land…
      • He was living in MESOPOTAMIA [between the rivers] – Tigris and Euphrates [Iraq]
      • The COMMAND [imperative] God gave to Abraham was simple – Genesis 12:1
      • He had to LEAVE his land [γῆ] – LEAVE his relatives [family]
      • And GO to a place God would [future] show him [walk by faith] – II Corinthians 5:17
    • Partial Obedience… vs. 4
      • Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. 
      • From there when his father was dead – He moved him to this land in which you now dwell!
      • Abraham only PARTIALLY obeyed the COMMAND – he moved to HARAN [Turkey]
      • And he brought his FATHER with him [he did NOT leave all his family]
      • ONLY after the death of Terah [father] – did God called Abram AGAIN – Genesis 12:4
      • But STILL brought Lot [nephew] with him – a decision he would later regret!
      • Abram was NOT perfect – he did obey – but RELUCTANTLY…
      • In spite of that God was faithful to fulfill ALL of his promises to Abram…
      • In the same way – if we will just step out in FAITH – even imperfectly or reluctantly…
      • God is faithful to do things in our lives that are beyond our wildest imaginations!
      • Ephesians 3:20 – “[He] is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
  • 3^rd – Rejection… vs. 5
    • God gave him no inheritance in it – not even enough to set his foot on!
    • When Abraham got to the PROMISED Land [Israel]
    • God did NOT give him ANYTHING – not even a STEP [βῆμα] to put his foot on!
    • When we CHOSE to follow Jesus – it means we walk away from this WORLD [γῆ]
    • But we will NOT see the reward of our decision in this life…
    • We believe by FAITH we have an INHERITANCE from God waiting for us…
    • We are looking forward to HEAVEN – and eternity with our savior Jesus Christ!
    • Hebrews 11:13-16 – “[We are] strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a home… that is a heavenly country.”
  • 4^th – Second time… vs. 5-7
    • Four hundred years..
      • [Yet] even when Abraham had no child He promised to give it to him for a possession. 
      • And to his descendants after him. But God spoke in this way: 
      • That his descendants would dwell in a foreign land. 
      • And that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years!
      • The nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge – said God.
      • And after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place!
      • Yet [καί] God PROMISED through [dative] Abraham to give the Land to his SEED [singular]
      • God gave him this PROMISE when he did NOT even have a SON – Genesis 15:4
      • BUT [δέ] his SEED [singular] would be SLAVES [δουλόω] four hundred years – Genesis 15:13
      • Then [καί] God would JUDGE Egypt – the place of their bondage [plagues] – Genesis 15:14
      • So that they could come out – and be able to SERVE God in the Land!
    • Not Perfect…
      • The suggestion is because Abraham [the father of faith]
      • Was reluctant to OBEY the clear COMMAND of God – he did NOT get the reward…
      • And it left his DESCENDANTS in bondage for FOUR hundred years…
      • So that only the SECOND time they came [out of Egypt] – did they inherit the Land!
      • You can image the faces of Sanhedrin NOT looking pleased…
      • Stephen was showing how the Father of the Jewish people – had NOT been perfect!
      • Dads – Moms – we often forget the power of our EXAMPLE for our kids…
      • When we are PARTIALLY obedient to the Lord – they are WATCHING…
      • We want to make sure we are LEADING them to the Jesus…
      • Because we do NOT want our kids to be in BONDAGE to the WORLD [γῆ]
      • We want them to be FREE to SERVE the Lord!

• 2^nd – Joseph… vs. 8-16
  • 1^st – Rejection… vs. 8-10
    • Circumcision… vs. 8
      • Then [God] gave [Abraham] the covenant of circumcision.
      • So Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day.
      • And Isaac begot Jacob – and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs!
      • After God fulfilled His PROMISE to give Abraham a SON…
      • He kept the sign of the COVENANT [διαθήκη] – and circumcised him – Genesis 17:10
      • His son Isaac [laughter] – then had Jacob [heal catcher]
      • And Jacob was the father of the TWELVE – the FATHERS [πατριάρχης] of the TRIBES of Israel!
    • Sold into slavery… vs. 9-10
      • The patriarchs – becoming envious – sold Joseph into Egypt!
      • AND [καί] of the TWELVE sons [πατριάρχης] – Joseph was the FAVORITE [favoritism]
      • When he had a dream his brothers would all BOW down before him – Genesis 37:11
      • It cemented their ENVY of him – so they SOLD him to GENTILES [Midianites]
      • And they ASSUMED Joseph DIED while he was a slave in Egypt!
    • Favor of God… vs. 9-10
      • [And] God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles.
      • Gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh – king of Egypt.
      • And he made him governor over Egypt and all his house!
      • AND [καί] God was continually [imperfect] with Joseph [in prison]
      • Rescuing him from ALL [πᾶς] of his TRIALS [θλῖψις] – after TWO years – Genesis 41:1
      • When he INTERPRETED the DREAMS of Pharoah – King of Egypt…
      • Because of the WISDOM [σοφία] that God had given to him by GRACE [χάρις]
      • And Pharoah made Joseph second in command over ALL [πᾶς] of Egypt!
      • God being with us – does NOT mean we do NOT have problems…
      • It means that God is in CONTROL of our TRIALS [θλῖψις]
      • And He is going to use them – in His TIME – to accomplish His work in our lives!
      • I Peter 4:12 – “Do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through.” [NLT]
  • 2^nd – Second time… vs. 11-16
    • The Famine… vs. 11-12
      • Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan.
      • And our fathers found no sustenance.
      • But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt he sent out our fathers first!
      • SEVEN years later there was a FAMINE in the CANAAN and EGYPT – Genesis 41:54
      • GREAT [μέγας] TRIAL [θλῖψις] – but Jacob heard there was food in EGYPT [because of Joseph]
      • So he sent his TEN sons – who did NOT recognize Joseph [thought he was dead]
      • But he treated them HARSHLY – accused them of being SPIES [test the heart] – Genesis 42:18
    • Coming home… vs. 13-14
      • [When they came back] the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers.
      • And Josephs family became known to the Pharaoh.
      • Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him – seventy-five people!
      • When they returned a SECOND time [with Benjamin] – Joseph revealed himself to them…
      • They BOWED before the brother they REJECTED – just as Joseph had dreamed – Genesis 37:7
      • Then Joseph in called the WHOLE family [75] to live in Egypt!
      • Note – there is a discrepancy here – the Hebrew Bible says 70 souls – Genesis 46:27
      • Where the Septuagint [LXX] Stephen is quoting from added 5 grandchildren born in Egypt!
    • Buried in the Land… vs. 15-16
      • So Jacob went down to Egypt – and he died – he and our fathers.
      • And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb.
      • That Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor – the father of Shechem!
      • Jacob and all TWELVE of the fathers died in EGYPT…
      • But they were NOT buried in EGYPT – they were carried into the PROMISED land…
      • Laid beside Abraham – in the TOMB he bought from Hamor – Genesis 33:19
      • Like their FATHERS – the Jews did NOT like the idea of bowing down before Jesus…
      • So they REJECTED Jesus [their brother] and turned Him over to the GENTILES…
      • They ASSUMED Jesus was DEAD [crucified] – but instead He began to RULE…
      • Jesus is the SECOND in Heaven [the Father is the FIRST]
      • And one day ALL of Israel will have to stand before the BROTHER they REJECTED…
      • They will look at the one they CRUCIFIED – and realize He is the Messiah!
      • Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn!”
      • If we reject Jesus today – we will still bow before Him one day – Romans 14:11
      • But there is a difference between bowing NOW and bowing LATER…
      • If we bow NOW to Jesus it is for salvation – if we wait to bow LATER it is in judgment…

• NOW is the time to believe – today is the day to put our FAITH in Jesus!
• II Corinthians 6:2 – “Today is the day of salvation.”

• 3^rd – Moses… vs. 17-43
  • 1^st – Early years… vs. 17-22
    • Infanticide… vs. 17-19
      • When the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham.
      • The people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose who did not know Joseph.
      • This man dealt treacherously with our people – and oppressed our forefathers.
      • Making them expose their babies so that they might not live!
      • Towards the end of the FOUR hundred years – Israel had MULTIPLIED [five million]
      • Until a different [ἕτερος] KING rose to power who had NOT seen [εἴδω] Joseph…
      • Fearing the STRENGTH of Israel – he had a cunning [κατασοφίζομαι] plan to weaken them…
      • He had any MALE children killed by throwing into the NILE river – Exodus 1:22
    • Pleasing to God… vs. 20
      • At this time Moses was born – and was well pleasing to God.
      • And he was brought up in his fathers house for three months.
      • It was during this TIME of the killing of infants – that MOSES [drawn out] was born…
      • WELL pleasing – [ἀστεῖος] 2x in NT [both about Moses] – to be elegant or handsome…
      • I do NOT think Moses was the most handsome baby ever [EVERY parent think that]
      • I think Amram and Jochebed [his parents] believed God had a PURPOSE for their son…
      • Therefore they DEFIED the king – and did NOT throw him into the Nile [for three months]!
    • Wisdom of Egypt… vs. 21-22
      • When he was set out Pharaohs daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son.
      • Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians – and was mighty in words and deeds!
      • But [δέ] – when they could NOT hide him any longer…
      • The Lord was the one who led his little ARK [safe from wrath] to the PRINCESS – Exodus 2:5
      • And Moses was TRAINED [passive] in ALL the wisdom [σοφία] of EGYPT…
      • So he was POWERFUL [δυνατός] in words – and works – but NOT in the Lord!
      • There is a LOT of pressure from the WORLD today on parents…
      • Put our kids into an education system – that often indoctrinates them – NOT to believe in God!
      • I wish ALL parents had the heart of Amram and Jochebed when it comes to their kids…
      • Having FAITH – that God has great plans for their children…
      • Not giving into the FEAR of this WORLD [follow the SYSTEM or your child will FAIL]
      • Instead believing the Lord – and by FAITH seeing what God desires for them to be!
  • 2^nd – Rejection… vs. 23-29
    • Deliverer… vs. 23-25
      • [But] when he was forty years old it came into his heart to visit his brethren.
      • The children of Israel – and seeing one of them suffer wrong. 
      • He defended and avenged him who was oppressed – and struck down the Egyptian.
      • He supposed his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand.
      • But [δέ] – when Moses was a FORTY years old [number of testing]
      • He had the idea [active] – to go and SEE [ἐπισκέπτομαι] his BROTHERS [Israel]
      • Seeing an EGYPTIAN being unjust [ἀδικέω] towards one of them – he KILLED him…
      • Moses THOUGHT [νομίζω] Israel knew God was going to use him to SAVE them!
    • Failure… vs. 25-29
      • But they did not understand. The next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting.
      • [He] tried to reconcile them saying: Men you are brethren – why do you wrong one another?
      • But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away saying:
      • Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
      • Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?
      • At this saying Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian where he had two sons!
      • But Israel had NO [οὐ] idea [συνίημι] what God was going to do…
      • Which is why the next day – when Moses tried to stop TWO men from fighting [ἀδικέω]
      • And the one who did WRONG [ἀδικέω] shoved [ἀπωθέω] Moses away – Exodus 2:14
      • Saying – who made you our ruler and judge – he would NOT [μή] be killed like the Egyptian…
      • Terrified – MOSES ran for his life to MIDIAN [strife] – and had TWO sons…
      • FIRST was called Gershom [גֵּרְשֹׁם] – I am a FOREIGNER…
      • SECOND [born much later] was called Eliezer [אֱלִיעֶזֶר] – God is my HELPER!
      • Moses had it all – and he knew God had called him to redeem Israel…
      • But he tried to do in his OWN strength – his OWN understanding…
      • FORTY years in Egypt – had filled Moses with confidence in himself….
      • The result – FAILURE – Moses fled for his life to STRIFE [Midian]!
      • The worst thing we can ever start a sentence with is the word I…
      • The only thing that will EVER follow the word I – is CANNOT….
      • Because when we try and do anything in our own strength – it ends in FAILURE!
  • 3^rd – Meeting God… vs. 30-34
    • Forty years… vs. 30-31
      • When forty years had passed an Angel of the Lord appeared to him.
      • In a flame of fire in a bush – in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.
      • When Moses saw it – he marveled at the sight – and as he drew near to observe!
      • After FORTY years – an ANGEL [message] appeared to MOSES on Mount Sinai…
      • It had taken FORTY years to undo the WISDOM of Egypt – humble MOSES…
      • The [message] came in a BURNING bush – to catch MOSES attention [it did NOT burn up]!
      • Moses FIRE for God had gone OUT – he was NOT serving the Lord…
      • God wanted to reignite his passion – prepare him for the work God still wanted him to do…
      • Like the bush – the FIRE of God does NOT destroy – it consumes us so we SHINE for Jesus!
      • Hebrews 12:29 – “For our God is a consuming fire.”
    • Burning Bush… vs. 32-34
      • The voice of the Lord came to him saying: I am the God of your fathers.
      • The God of Abraham – God of Isaac – the God of Jacob. Moses trembled and dared not look.
      • The LORD said: Take your sandals off your feet for the place where you stand is holy ground.
      • I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt.
      • I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. 
      • And now come – I will send you to Egypt!
      • The VOICE of the Lord said to MOSES – I am the God of Abraham – Isaac – and Jacob…
      • Moses was TERRIFIED [trembling] – and would NOT look up – Exodus 3:6
      • The VOICE commanded [imperative] MOSES to take off his shoes 
      • Because the PLACE he was standing – was HOLY [ἅγιος] ground [because God was there]
      • God had SEEN [2x for emphasis] the EVIL [κάκωσις] done to His people – Exodus 3:7
      • He had HEARD their GROANS [2x in NT] – also Romans 8:26
      • And He had come to DELIVER them – by [imperative] sending [ἀποστέλλω] MOSES!
      • I think we often wonder if God really SEES our hardships – or HEARS our cries…
      • We wonder if He cares – if perhaps He is too BUSY to help us out…
      • God KNOWS our troubles – and He desires to HELP – the question are we looking to Him!
  • 4^th – Second time… vs. 35-37
    • Sent by God… vs. 35-36
      • This Moses whom they rejected saying: Who made you a ruler and a judge?
      • Is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer.
      • By the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.
      • He brought them out after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt.
      • And in the Red Sea – and in the wilderness forty years!
      • The same MOSES – who the people had DENIED [ἀρνέομαι]
      • God SENT [ἀποστέλλω] to RULE and DELIVER them from SLAVERY [Egypt]
      • MOSES led them out with SIGNS and WONDERS [ten plagues]
      • Even parting the RED sea – so they crossed on dry ground [baptism] – I Corinthians 10:2
      • Continuing to LEAD them for FORTY years into the PROMISED Land!
    • Another prophet… vs. 37
      • This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel:
      • The LORD your God will raise up a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear!
      • This is [present] MOSES – who said the Lord God [Κύριος ὁ θεὸς] would raise up a PROPHET…
      • Who would be like [ὡς] him – rejected the FIRST time – deliver the SECOND time…
      • Him the people would [future] listen to – Deuteronomy 18:15
      • The nation of Israel had NOT changed since the time of Moses… 
      • Just as they CAST away Moses – they also REJECTED Jesus Christ!
      • John 19:15 – “They cried out: Away with Him – away with Him! Crucify Him!”
      • When we first heard about the Gospel – we likely did NOT listen…
      • Although we were in BONDAGE to sin – we were SLAVES to this world…
      • We did NOT see that Jesus was the answer – He was the one God sent to SAVE us…
      • The GOOD news is God does NOT just give us ONE chance – He keeps trying!
  • 5^th – Golden Calf… vs. 38-43
    • Rebellious… vs. 38-39
      • He who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Sinai.
      • And with our fathers – the one who received the living oracles to give to us.
      • Whom our fathers would not obey – but rejected. In their hearts they turned back to Egypt!
      • This is [present] MOSES who was in the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] in the wilderness…
      • When God SPOKE to him on Mount Sinai – giving living WORDS [λόγια ζῶντα] to US…
      • Yet the FATHERS did NOT [οὐκ] want [θέλω] to LISTEN [ὑπήκοος] to those WORDS…
      • And just like the MAN had PUSHED [ἀπωθέω] MOSES away – Acts 7:27
      • The nation of Israel PUSHED [ἀπωθέω] away the WORDS of life…
      • And turned their hearts to go BACK to the WORLD [Egypt]!
    • Make us gods… vs. 40-41
      • Saying to Aaron: Make us gods to go before us.
      • This Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt we do not know what has become of him.
      • They made a calf – offered sacrifices to the idol – and rejoiced in the works of their hands!
      • They DEMANDED [imperative] that Aaron make them gods to LEAD them back…
      • Because MOSES – who brough them out of the WORLD [bondage]
      • Who went up the mountain [Sinai] to get the WORDS of life…
      • They assumed would NEVER [perfect] be seen [εἴδω] again – Exodus 32:1
      • So they made a golden CALF – and offered sacrifices to the work of their HANDS!
      • The people said – THIS is your god Israel – who brought you out of Egypt – Exodus 32:4
      • Israel had a lapse of FAITH – they were doubting God – because they could not SEE God…
      • They stopped looking UP – and started looking around to see what else they could worship!
    • Given over… vs. 42-43
      • Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven.
      • As it is written in the book of the Prophets: Did you offer Me slaughtered animals.
      • And sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness O house of Israel? 
      • You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god Remphan.
      • Images which you made to worship – and I will carry you away beyond Babylon!
      • Because they did NOT want God – He turned them over – Romans 1:28
      • And they began to SERVE [λατρεύω] the fallen angles [στρατιά] from heaven [demons]
      • Although – they had offered SACRIFICES to the LORD in the wilderness…
      • They also WORSHIPED [προσφέρω] other gods…
      • MOLECH [pleasure] – they would sacrifice their children [abortion] – II Kings 23:10
      • REMPHAN [כִּיּוּן] – or the star SATURN – putting faith in horoscopes…
      • The results of which was Israel was carried away into CAPTIVITY to Babylon – Amos 5:25
    • Conclusion…
      • In answering the FIRST accusation against Steven – changing the Laws of Moses…
      • Steven points out the Jews had NEVER even tried to keep the Law…
      • Because they were NOT looking for heaven – they were looking for the WORLD!
      • God is not concerned about us being HAPPY in this life…
      • He is concerned about making sure that we ACCEPT Jesus – and receive ETERNAL life…
      • That means that God may allow HARDSHIPS now [to humble us] – I Peter 5:5
      • So that we will run to Him and receive salvation and HEAVEN…
      • If we are focused on PLEASURE and MONEY – if our heart is SET on EGYPT…
      • We are going to be confused – why is life so HARD – why is God NOT helping us…
      • But if we INSTEAD choose Jesus – if we walk by FAITH – we will have JOY!