Sunday Morning 8/1/10

This was an eventful morning for me.  I did pulpit supply in another church so this is the “second run” of this sermon.  I don’t write sermons out, so I know each sermon has its own unique content and feel based on the leading of the Spirit.  This is the sermon as it was recorded during our worship service.  May God richly bless you through His Word.

Getting to Know Stephen

Sermon notes 8/1/10

Acts 6:8-7:53

1. He was a Hellenist Jew
   1. Full of faith and the Holy Spirit (power) Acts 6:8
   2. A skilled defender of the faith
2. Brought up on false charges
   1. Speaks blasphemy against Moses and God – Acts 6:11, 13
   2. Speaks against the Temple- John 2:19-21
   3. Wants to change the Law of Moses
      1. Matthew 5:17-19
      2. This false charge persisted a long time – Acts 21:17-26
3. Stephen’s defense against the false charges – Acts 7:2-53
   1. A historical pattern of rejection of God by His people
   2. Identifying Jesus as the prophet like Moses – Acts 7:37 (Deuteronomy 18:15-22)
   3. Turning the charges around – Acts 7:51-53
      1. Jesus’ accusation – Matthew 23:3, 23, 28
      2. Matthew 5:16-20
4. What about us?
   1. Follow the Master – Matthew 5:16-20
   2. Keep His commands – John 14:15, 21, 23-24; 1 John 2
   3. Paul said it too – Galatians 5:13-6:10