Suffering and Glory

Acts-The Gospel in the City PART XI
17 February 2013
Dr. Timothy Keller

Acts 7:1, 35-39, 51-8-1
1Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?"

35"This is the same Moses whom 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.  36He lead them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert.

37"This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.'  38He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mout Siniai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.

39"But our fathers refused to obey him.  Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

51"You stiff-necked people, with uncircimcised hearts and ears!  You are just like your fathers: You always reisist the Holy Spirit!  52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?  They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.  And now you have betrayed and murdered him--53you who have receieved the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.  55But 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."

57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

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

8:1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

How they faced suffering was a big part of the Apostle's power.
In Christianity, Suffering is the way to enter glory.

WHAT STEPHEN SAID
--Because of Jesus, we don't need "just" the Temple or Law.
--Under Moses, Aaron, etc, people still didn't obey the law.
--We should obey the law, but we always fail.
--Deliverer of God's word is always rejected and persecuted.
--v.52 - The only way is the Righteous One, (the only one who fulfills the law)
--Jesus was the climax of those before him.
--Jesus delivers the people through suffering and rejection.

WHAT DID STEPHEN SEE
--v.56 I've seen heaven and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
--Since Jesus was standing, he was advocating for Stephen--confessing him before God.
--Earhtly court condemned Jesus, but the heavenly court exonerated him.
--St. Augustine - Only love for the immutable will bring tranquility.

WHAT STEPHEN DID.
--Stephen's speech changed Saul who eventually became Paul.
--Death of Stephen pushed people to the outskirts--they were scattered.