Stephen's Defense: The Urgent Call of the Gospel

 

Summary

In the book of Acts, chapter 7, we find Stephen, the first Christian martyr, on trial before the Sanhedrin. He is charged with blasphemy for preaching about Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified and, according to the apostles, rose from the dead. Stephen's defense is a profound reminder of the Christian message, which is as relevant today as it was then. He begins by recounting the story of Abraham, emphasizing that the world is God's creation, not man's. This is the foundation of the Gospel: the God of Glory, who created the universe, is deeply concerned with the world and has a plan for its redemption.

God's plan is centered on Jesus Christ, who reconciles the world to Himself. The Gospel is not just a historical account but a living call to each individual. It is a personal invitation from God, who calls us out of our old ways of life into a new existence. This call is not just about leaving behind a worldly view but embracing a new way of thinking, one that prioritizes our relationship with God above all else. The Christian life is a journey from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, a transformation that begins with a personal decision to follow Christ.

The message of the Gospel is not about reforming the world through human efforts but about preparing for the new heavens and the new earth that God will bring. This hope is not in the gradual improvement of the world but in the promise of a new creation, a city whose builder and maker is God. This is the hope that sustains us, even in times of war and calamity. It is a call to focus on our eternal destiny rather than the temporary concerns of this world.

Key Takeaways:

- The world is God's creation, and He has a plan for its redemption through Jesus Christ. This foundational truth reminds us that our hope lies not in human efforts but in God's divine purpose. [04:03]

- God's call is personal and individual, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with Him. In a world that often prioritizes social and political issues, the Gospel calls us to focus on our personal salvation and spiritual journey. [15:14]

- The Christian life requires leaving behind a worldly view and embracing a new way of thinking. This transformation involves prioritizing our relationship with God and recognizing our life as a preparation for eternity. [21:43]

- The hope of the Gospel is not in worldly reform but in the promise of a new creation. This hope sustains us through trials and reminds us that our ultimate destiny is with God in the new heavens and new earth. [44:01]

- The call to follow Christ is urgent and personal, inviting us to leave the city of destruction and become citizens of God's eternal kingdom. This decision is crucial for our eternal destiny and requires a commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. [49:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Stephen's Defense
- [01:36] - Stephen's Historical Context
- [03:19] - The Christian Message
- [04:03] - God's Creation and Concern
- [05:26] - Jesus Christ: The Center of the Message
- [06:19] - The Gospel's Call to Us
- [07:22] - God's Call Through Preaching
- [09:04] - Other Ways God Calls Us
- [11:29] - Personal Stories of God's Call
- [14:19] - The Personal Nature of God's Call
- [20:28] - Leaving the Old Way of Life
- [26:09] - The Worldly Life We Leave Behind
- [30:22] - The City of Destruction
- [35:02] - The Invitation to a New Life
- [39:29] - Life as Preparation for Eternity
- [44:01] - The New Hope in Christ
- [49:24] - The Urgent Call to Follow Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 7:1-3
- 2 Corinthians 5:19
- Revelation 21:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the main charge against Stephen when he was on trial before the Sanhedrin? ([00:47])

2. How does Stephen begin his defense, and why is this significant in the context of the Gospel message? ([01:36])

3. According to the sermon, what is the essence of the Christian Gospel as presented by Stephen? ([04:03])

4. What are some of the ways mentioned in the sermon that God calls individuals to Himself? ([09:47])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the call of God to Abraham in Acts 7:3 relate to the personal nature of God's call to individuals today? ([15:14])

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian life is a journey from darkness to light? How does this align with the passages from 2 Corinthians 5:19 and Revelation 21:1-4? ([39:29])

3. The sermon emphasizes leaving behind a worldly view. What does this mean in practical terms for a believer today? ([21:43])

4. How does the hope of a new creation, as described in Revelation 21, provide comfort and direction for Christians facing trials in the present world? ([44:01])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you prioritize this relationship above social and political issues in your daily life? ([15:14])

2. The sermon calls for a transformation in thinking. What specific worldly views or habits do you feel called to leave behind, and how can you begin this process? ([21:43])

3. Consider the urgency of the call to follow Christ. What steps can you take this week to respond more fully to this call in your life? ([49:24])

4. How does the promise of a new creation influence your perspective on current global issues and personal challenges? How can this hope sustain you through difficult times? ([44:01])

5. Identify one area in your life where you are relying on human efforts rather than God's divine purpose. What changes can you make to align more closely with God's plan for redemption? ([04:03])

6. The sermon mentions various ways God calls individuals. Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([09:47])

7. How can you actively prepare for your eternal destiny while living in the present world? What practical steps can you take to focus on your spiritual journey? ([39:29])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Creation and Redemption Plan
God's creation is not just a backdrop for human history; it is the stage upon which God's redemptive plan unfolds. The world, as God's creation, is central to His purpose, and through Jesus Christ, He has a plan for its redemption. This foundational truth reminds us that our hope lies not in human efforts but in God's divine purpose. As we navigate our lives, we are called to remember that God is actively working to reconcile the world to Himself through Christ. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary worldly achievements to the eternal work God is doing. [04:03]

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you align your daily actions with the understanding that the world is God's creation and He has a plan for its redemption?


Day 2: The Personal Call of God
God's call is deeply personal and individual, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with Him. In a world that often prioritizes social and political issues, the Gospel calls us to focus on our personal salvation and spiritual journey. This call is not just about leaving behind a worldly view but embracing a new way of thinking, one that prioritizes our relationship with God above all else. It is a reminder that God knows each of us by name and desires a personal relationship with us. [15:14]

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with God today, amidst the distractions of the world?


Day 3: Transforming Our Worldview
The Christian life requires leaving behind a worldly view and embracing a new way of thinking. This transformation involves prioritizing our relationship with God and recognizing our life as a preparation for eternity. It is a journey from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, a transformation that begins with a personal decision to follow Christ. This new way of thinking challenges us to see beyond the immediate and the material, focusing instead on the eternal and the spiritual. [21:43]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific worldly views or habits do you need to leave behind to embrace a new way of thinking in Christ?


Day 4: Hope in the Promise of a New Creation
The hope of the Gospel is not in worldly reform but in the promise of a new creation. This hope sustains us through trials and reminds us that our ultimate destiny is with God in the new heavens and new earth. It is a call to focus on our eternal destiny rather than the temporary concerns of this world. This perspective provides comfort and strength, especially in times of uncertainty and difficulty, as we look forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. [44:01]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of a new creation influence the way you handle current challenges and trials in your life?


Day 5: The Urgent Call to Follow Christ
The call to follow Christ is urgent and personal, inviting us to leave the city of destruction and become citizens of God's eternal kingdom. This decision is crucial for our eternal destiny and requires a commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. It is an invitation to a new life, one that is marked by a commitment to Christ and a focus on eternal values. This call challenges us to evaluate our priorities and make a conscious decision to follow Christ with all our heart. [49:24]

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to respond to the urgent call to follow Christ more closely and wholeheartedly?

Quotes

The world is God's world, not man's. Man's invented many things, but he hasn't invented the world. Man can make many things, but he can't make a universe. He's trying to discover a little bit more about it, but it's still the mysterious universe. It's God's world, the God of Glory, the God of creation. [00:03:45]

God is reconciling the world unto himself. That's the message. Man has sinned, brought down misery and unhappiness upon himself, and he can't extricate himself out of it. His only hope lies in that God should do something about it, and God has done this. God of Glory has appeared unto Abraham. [00:05:00]

The Christian life is a journey from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, a transformation that begins with a personal decision to follow Christ. It is a call to leave behind a worldly view and embrace a new way of thinking, one that prioritizes our relationship with God above all else. [00:36:00]

The call of God is a call to us to get out of this sort of thing. We are all in it by nature; we are all born into this. This is what we inherit. We listen to older people when we are children, we listen to their stories, stories of what they've seen and heard and known and done. [00:25:35]

The message of the Gospel is that this world is the city of Destruction. Our Lord himself said that there shall be wars and rumors of wars to the end of time. He painted a very terrible picture of the end of this age. He doesn't promise a gradual and increasing reform and improvement. [00:42:30]

The hope of the Gospel is not in worldly reform but in the promise of a new creation. This hope sustains us through trials and reminds us that our ultimate destiny is with God in the new heavens and new earth. It is the only hope for the world tonight. [00:44:00]

The call to follow Christ is urgent and personal, inviting us to leave the city of destruction and become citizens of God's eternal kingdom. This decision is crucial for our eternal destiny and requires a commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. [00:49:24]

The Christian life is a journey from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, a transformation that begins with a personal decision to follow Christ. It is a call to leave behind a worldly view and embrace a new way of thinking, one that prioritizes our relationship with God above all else. [00:36:00]

The message of the Gospel is not about reforming the world through human efforts but about preparing for the new heavens and the new earth that God will bring. This hope is not in the gradual improvement of the world but in the promise of a new creation. [00:44:01]

The world is God's creation, and He has a plan for its redemption through Jesus Christ. This foundational truth reminds us that our hope lies not in human efforts but in God's divine purpose. [00:04:03]

God's call is personal and individual, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with Him. In a world that often prioritizes social and political issues, the Gospel calls us to focus on our personal salvation and spiritual journey. [00:15:14]

The Christian life requires leaving behind a worldly view and embracing a new way of thinking. This transformation involves prioritizing our relationship with God and recognizing our life as a preparation for eternity. [00:21:43]

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Transcript
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