Faithfulness and Heart: God's Call Amid Rejection

Throughout the history of Israel, there has been a recurring pattern of rejecting the very messengers and deliverers God has sent. From Joseph to Moses, and ultimately to Jesus, the people often failed to recognize God’s chosen ones until it was too late, and their hearts turned back to the comforts and idols of the world. Yet, even in the midst of this cycle of rejection and rebellion, God’s faithfulness remains unshaken. His promises to Israel endure, and His plan of redemption is still unfolding, both for the Jewish people and for all who would believe.

Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin is a powerful reminder that God’s dealings with His people are not about outward appearances or religious rituals, but about the condition of the heart. The Israelites carried the tabernacle, built the temple, and boasted in their heritage, but their hearts were often far from God, turning instead to idols and the pursuit of material prosperity. This same danger exists for us today—anything that takes the place of God in our affections becomes an idol, whether it’s wealth, status, pleasure, or even good things that become ultimate things.

God is not confined to buildings or traditions; He seeks worshipers who honor Him in spirit and in truth. The real issue is not whether we maintain religious forms, but whether we are resisting or yielding to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. The call is to examine our hearts, to repent of the ways we have resisted God, and to embrace the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.

Stephen’s vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, even as he faced death, is a profound encouragement. When the world looks down on us, we are called to look up to heaven, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. In the face of opposition, suffering, or even persecution, we are empowered to forgive, to love, and to remain steadfast, knowing that our hope is secure in Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus not only secures our forgiveness but also transforms our hearts, freeing us from the cycle of sin and enabling us to extend grace to others.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Faithfulness Amid Human Rejection Despite Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s messengers—Joseph, Moses, and ultimately Jesus—God’s faithfulness to His promises remains unwavering. He is not finished with Israel, nor with any of us, even when we are unfaithful. God’s redemptive plan continues, and His grace is always available to those who turn to Him, no matter how many times they have failed in the past. [01:08]
• 2. The Danger of Outward Religion Without Inward Change Carrying the tabernacle or building the temple did not guarantee Israel’s faithfulness; their hearts often turned back to idols and the ways of the world. Outward religious observance can mask an inward resistance to God, and it is possible to appear devout while harboring idols in the heart. True worship is a matter of spirit and truth, not just external conformity. [22:22]
• 3. The Cycle of Blessing, Compromise, and Chastisement Israel’s history reveals a cycle: God blesses, the people become complacent, compromise sets in, and eventually they fall into idolatry and sin. God sends prophets to call them back, but often they are rejected or persecuted. This cycle is a warning for us to remain vigilant, to not let God’s blessings become a source of spiritual complacency, and to respond quickly to His call to repentance. [27:54]
• 4. The Call to Yield to the Holy Spirit The real issue is not about defending religious traditions or buildings, but about whether we are resisting or yielding to the Holy Spirit. God desires brokenness, repentance, and obedience from the heart. Delaying surrender to God is dangerous, for none of us knows how much time we have; today is the day to respond to the Spirit’s prompting and walk in obedience. [36:02]
• 5. Looking Up to Jesus in the Face of Opposition Stephen’s example teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, especially when facing misunderstanding, rejection, or suffering. As we look up to Christ, we are empowered to forgive others, just as we have been forgiven, and to find peace even in the midst of trials. The vision of Jesus standing to receive us assures us of His presence and approval, no matter how the world may judge us. [44:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:08] - God’s Faithfulness to Israel
• [02:50] - The Pattern of Rejection in Israel’s History
• [04:02] - Joseph and Moses as Types of Christ
• [06:45] - Israel as God’s Congregation
• [09:46] - The Promise of New Bodies and Christ’s Return
• [12:05] - Turning Back to Egypt: The Danger of Idolatry
• [15:01] - The Golden Calf and Modern Idolatry
• [18:56] - Abortion and the Loss of Sensitivity to Evil
• [22:22] - Outward Religion vs. Inward Reality
• [27:54] - The Sin Cycle: Blessing, Compromise, and Chastisement
• [31:21] - God’s Presence Beyond the Temple
• [34:27] - Resisting the Holy Spirit
• [38:45] - The Cost of Rejecting God’s Messengers
• [44:54] - Forgiveness, Communion, and Looking Up to Jesus

Bible Reading

Acts 7:35-60 (ESV) — (You may want to read all of Acts 7:1-60 for full context, but the focus is on Stephen’s defense and martyrdom.)

John 1:11 (ESV) — “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”

Romans 11:25-27 (ESV) — “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
‘The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob’;
‘and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.’”

Observation Questions

1. According to Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, what pattern do we see in how Israel treated God’s messengers like Joseph, Moses, and Jesus? ([04:02])
2. What did the Israelites do while Moses was on the mountain, and what does Stephen say this reveals about their hearts? ([15:01])
3. In Acts 7:48-50, what does Stephen say about God’s presence and the temple? How does this challenge the religious leaders’ view? ([31:21])
4. What was Stephen’s response as he was being stoned, and what did he see in his final moments? ([44:54])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Israel repeatedly rejected the people God sent to deliver or speak to them? What does this reveal about the human heart? ([04:02])
2. Stephen accuses the religious leaders of being “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears.” What does it mean to be “uncircumcised in heart,” and why is this such a serious accusation? ([34:27])
3. The sermon describes a cycle of blessing, compromise, and chastisement in Israel’s history. Why do people tend to become complacent or turn to idols after experiencing God’s blessings? ([27:54])
4. Stephen’s vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God is unique. What is the significance of Jesus standing (rather than sitting) in this moment? ([44:54])

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns that anything we put before God—even good things—can become an idol. What is something in your life that sometimes takes God’s place in your affections? How can you recognize when this is happening? ([27:54])
2. Outward religious activity does not guarantee a heart close to God. Are there any “religious routines” in your life that might be masking a heart that is drifting from God? What would it look like to worship God in spirit and in truth this week? ([22:22])
3. The cycle of blessing, compromise, and chastisement is not just Israel’s story—it can be ours too. Can you identify a time in your life when you became spiritually complacent after a season of blessing? What helped you return to God? ([27:54])
4. Stephen challenges us not to resist the Holy Spirit. Is there an area where you sense God prompting you to change, but you’ve been resisting? What is one step you can take to yield to the Holy Spirit today? ([36:02])
5. When Stephen faced opposition, he looked up to Jesus and was able to forgive those who hurt him. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, or a situation where you need to look up to Jesus instead of focusing on how others see you? ([44:54])
6. The sermon reminds us that God’s faithfulness remains even when we are unfaithful. How does this truth encourage you in your current struggles or failures? ([01:08])
7. Stephen’s example shows that sharing our faith—even when it’s hard—can bring us closer to Jesus. When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? What holds you back, and how can you take a step of courage this week? ([40:21])