Embracing the Living Oracles: Stephen's Call to Faith

 

Summary

In the seventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we find Stephen, the first Christian martyr, standing before the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy. Stephen seizes this opportunity not just to defend himself but to enlighten his accusers about the true meaning of their history and the living oracles of God. He recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing that their pride in figures like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses is misplaced because they have misunderstood the essence of their own heritage. Stephen highlights that Moses, revered by the Jews, prophesied the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom they have rejected. The Jews' uniqueness, Stephen argues, lies in their reception of the living oracles from God, which they have failed to understand and accept.

The core of Stephen's message is the importance of recognizing, receiving, and submitting to the word of the Living God. This word is not just historical or philosophical; it is alive, powerful, and eternal. It is the only hope for mankind, offering salvation and a true understanding of life. Stephen's address is a call to see beyond the superficial pride in religious heritage and to embrace the transformative power of God's word, which is as relevant today as it was in the past.

The living oracles of God reveal the nature of God as holy, just, and loving, and they demand worship and obedience. They also reveal the true nature of man, created in the image of God, yet fallen and in need of redemption. The law, given through Moses, exposes human sinfulness and points to the need for a savior. Stephen's message culminates in the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, offering salvation to all who believe.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding Our Heritage: Stephen's recounting of Israel's history serves as a reminder that pride in religious heritage is meaningless without understanding its true significance. The Jews' failure to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of their prophecies highlights the danger of missing the essence of one's faith. We must seek to understand the deeper meaning of our spiritual heritage and embrace the living word of God. [06:47]

- The Living Oracles of God: The word of God is not just historical text; it is alive and powerful, offering guidance and salvation. Unlike human philosophies, which are limited and transient, God's word is eternal and transformative. It is the foundation of true faith and the key to understanding life and salvation. [15:09]

- The Nature of God: God is holy, just, and loving, demanding worship and obedience. He is not a distant or lifeless deity but a living God who intervenes in history and in our lives. Understanding God's nature is essential for true worship and for living a life that honors Him. [33:32]

- The True Nature of Man: Man is created in the image of God, with dignity and purpose, yet he is fallen and in need of redemption. Recognizing our true nature helps us understand our need for a savior and the futility of relying on human wisdom or strength. [44:06]

- The Fulfillment in Christ: The law given through Moses points to our sinfulness and the need for a savior. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, offering salvation to all who believe. Embracing Christ is the key to overcoming sin and finding true life. [54:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Stephen's Defense
- [01:08] - The Charges Against Stephen
- [02:04] - Stephen's Historical Review
- [03:38] - Misunderstanding of Jewish Heritage
- [05:42] - Stephen's Evangelistic Purpose
- [07:19] - The Unique Role of Moses
- [09:05] - The Living Oracles of God
- [11:13] - The Importance of God's Word
- [13:33] - The Essence of Christianity
- [17:43] - The Message of the Living Oracles
- [21:24] - The Content of God's Word
- [24:10] - The Nature of God
- [31:35] - The Only True and Living God
- [39:35] - The True Nature of Man
- [47:05] - How We Should Live
- [54:20] - Fulfillment in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 7:37-38
- Exodus 20:1-17 (The Ten Commandments)
- John 1:14 (The Word became flesh)

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific prophecy did Moses make about a future prophet, and how does Stephen use this in his defense? ([08:03])

2. How does Stephen describe the role of Moses in relation to the living oracles of God? ([08:49])

3. What was the main accusation against Stephen, and how does he address it in his speech? ([05:09])

4. How does Stephen connect the history of Israel to the rejection of Jesus by the Sanhedrin? ([06:28])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Stephen's recounting of Israel's history serve as a critique of the Sanhedrin's understanding of their heritage? ([06:47])

2. In what ways does Stephen argue that the living oracles of God are more than just historical texts? ([09:23])

3. How does Stephen's speech challenge the Sanhedrin's perception of their religious practices and beliefs? ([07:19])

4. What does Stephen's emphasis on the living oracles suggest about the nature of God's word and its relevance today? ([11:13])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual heritage. Are there aspects of it that you might be taking pride in without fully understanding their significance? How can you seek a deeper understanding? ([06:47])

2. The living oracles of God are described as alive and powerful. How can you incorporate the living word of God into your daily life to experience its transformative power? ([09:23])

3. Stephen highlights the nature of God as holy, just, and loving. How does your understanding of God's nature influence your worship and obedience? ([33:32])

4. Consider the true nature of man as described in the sermon. How does recognizing your need for redemption change the way you approach your faith and reliance on God? ([44:06])

5. Stephen presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. How does this understanding impact your view of salvation and your relationship with Christ? ([54:20])

6. In what ways can you ensure that your faith is not just a superficial pride in religious practices but a genuine embrace of the living word of God? ([06:47])

7. How can you actively submit to the word of the Living God in your daily decisions and interactions with others? ([10:11])

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding Our Spiritual Heritage
Understanding our spiritual heritage requires more than just pride in our religious history; it demands a deep comprehension of its true significance. Stephen's recounting of Israel's history serves as a poignant reminder that the Jews' failure to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of their prophecies highlights the danger of missing the essence of one's faith. This is a call to look beyond the superficial pride in religious heritage and to seek the deeper meaning of our spiritual roots. Embracing the living word of God is essential for a true understanding of our faith and its transformative power. [06:47]

Deuteronomy 32:7-9 (ESV): "Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage."

Reflection: Think about your own spiritual heritage. How can you move beyond pride in tradition to a deeper understanding and embrace of its true significance today?


Day 2: The Living Oracles of God
The word of God is not merely a historical text; it is alive, powerful, and eternal. Unlike human philosophies, which are limited and transient, God's word offers guidance and salvation. It is the foundation of true faith and the key to understanding life and salvation. The living oracles of God are transformative, providing hope and a true understanding of life. Embracing this living word is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [15:09]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the living word of God to actively guide and transform your daily decisions and actions?


Day 3: The Nature of God
God is holy, just, and loving, demanding worship and obedience. He is not a distant or lifeless deity but a living God who intervenes in history and in our lives. Understanding God's nature is essential for true worship and for living a life that honors Him. Recognizing His holiness and justice, alongside His love, calls us to a life of worship and obedience, acknowledging His active presence in our lives. [33:32]

Isaiah 6:3-5 (ESV): "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and obedience to God in your daily life, acknowledging His holiness and love?


Day 4: The True Nature of Man
Man is created in the image of God, with dignity and purpose, yet he is fallen and in need of redemption. Recognizing our true nature helps us understand our need for a savior and the futility of relying on human wisdom or strength. This understanding calls us to humility and dependence on God, acknowledging our need for His grace and redemption through Jesus Christ. [44:06]

Psalm 8:3-5 (ESV): "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own strength rather than acknowledging your need for God's grace and redemption?


Day 5: The Fulfillment in Christ
The law given through Moses points to our sinfulness and the need for a savior. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, offering salvation to all who believe. Embracing Christ is the key to overcoming sin and finding true life. This fulfillment in Christ calls us to a life of faith and trust in His redemptive work, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of salvation and life. [54:20]

Galatians 3:24-26 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the fulfillment of the law in Christ, allowing His redemptive work to transform your life and relationships today?

Quotes



"Steven's Point is this nothing is more important in this life and in this world than to recognize and to receive and to submit to the word of the Living God now that's the reason why I'm calling your attention to it as Steven I say was not concerned merely to interest these people or to take them over the history for the sake of doing so and indulge in some sort of antiquarian inquiry." [00:10:14]

"Christianity unlike every other teaching offering itself to mankind tonight is a matter of Revelation that's the fundamental thing Moses receive the living oracles he didn't go up onto the mountain to do research work or to spend time thinking with a towel around his head as it were in order to work out a philosophy nothing of the sort philosophy is the greatest enemy of the Christian faith because it depends entirely upon the ability of men and Christianity is the exact opposite it is God speaking God giving the revelation God giving the knowledge and the information and the truth it is all from God nothing of men's Discovery at all that's the basic thing." [00:14:16]

"God is holy, just, and loving, demanding worship and obedience. He is not a distant or lifeless deity but a living God who intervenes in history and in our lives. Understanding God's nature is essential for true worship and for living a life that honors Him." [00:33:32]

"Man is created in the image of God, with dignity and purpose, yet he is fallen and in need of redemption. Recognizing our true nature helps us understand our need for a savior and the futility of relying on human wisdom or strength." [00:44:06]

"The law given through Moses points to our sinfulness and the need for a savior. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, offering salvation to all who believe. Embracing Christ is the key to overcoming sin and finding true life." [00:54:20]

"Now you see he uses this to show them that they are rejecting this selfsame word in other words Steven's Point is this nothing is more important in this life and in this world than to recognize and to receive and to submit to the word of the Living God now that's the reason why I'm calling your attention to it." [00:10:14]

"Christianity unlike every other teaching offering itself to mankind tonight is a matter of Revelation that's the fundamental thing Moses receive the living oracles he didn't go up onto the mountain to do research work or to spend time thinking with a towel around his head as it were in order to work out a philosophy nothing of the sort philosophy is the greatest enemy of the Christian faith because it depends entirely upon the ability of men and Christianity is the exact opposite it is God speaking God giving the revelation God giving the knowledge and the information and the truth it is all from God nothing of men's Discovery at all that's the basic thing." [00:14:16]

"God is holy, just, and loving, demanding worship and obedience. He is not a distant or lifeless deity but a living God who intervenes in history and in our lives. Understanding God's nature is essential for true worship and for living a life that honors Him." [00:33:32]

"Man is created in the image of God, with dignity and purpose, yet he is fallen and in need of redemption. Recognizing our true nature helps us understand our need for a savior and the futility of relying on human wisdom or strength." [00:44:06]

"The law given through Moses points to our sinfulness and the need for a savior. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, offering salvation to all who believe. Embracing Christ is the key to overcoming sin and finding true life." [00:54:20]

"Now you see he uses this to show them that they are rejecting this selfsame word in other words Steven's Point is this nothing is more important in this life and in this world than to recognize and to receive and to submit to the word of the Living God now that's the reason why I'm calling your attention to it." [00:10:14]

"Christianity unlike every other teaching offering itself to mankind tonight is a matter of Revelation that's the fundamental thing Moses receive the living oracles he didn't go up onto the mountain to do research work or to spend time thinking with a towel around his head as it were in order to work out a philosophy nothing of the sort philosophy is the greatest enemy of the Christian faith because it depends entirely upon the ability of men and Christianity is the exact opposite it is God speaking God giving the revelation God giving the knowledge and the information and the truth it is all from God nothing of men's Discovery at all that's the basic thing." [00:14:16]

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