Stephen's Trial: Unbelief, Transformation, and Divine Mercy

 

Summary

In the sermon delivered on July 2, 1967, at Westminster Chapel, the focus is on Acts 7:54-60, where Stephen, one of the early Christians, stands trial before the Sanhedrin. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, is accused of blasphemy against Moses, God, the temple, and the law. His defense is a profound exposition of the Christian faith, emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of salvation. Stephen's speech is not just a historical recount but a powerful message that contrasts belief and unbelief, illustrating the stark difference between a Christian and a non-Christian.

Stephen's trial is a vivid portrayal of the nature of unbelief. Despite being aware of the same facts, the Sanhedrin's reaction to the gospel is one of fury and violence, highlighting their spiritual blindness. This blindness is not merely intellectual but a deep-seated incapacity to perceive spiritual truths. The sermon delves into the profound nature of unbelief, explaining that it is a result of the fall of man, affecting the mind, will, and heart. Unbelief is not a simple decision but a condition of spiritual deadness, where the natural man cannot comprehend the things of God.

The sermon challenges both believers and non-believers to recognize the depth of sin and the need for a radical transformation through the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that becoming a Christian is not a superficial change but a profound rebirth, a new creation in Christ. The message is a call to acknowledge the irrationality of unbelief and to seek God's mercy for a new heart and mind capable of receiving the truth of the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

- The Nature of Unbelief: Unbelief is not merely a lack of decision but a profound spiritual blindness resulting from the fall of man. It affects the entire being, rendering one incapable of perceiving spiritual truths. This condition is illustrated by the Sanhedrin's reaction to Stephen's message, showing that without the Holy Spirit, one cannot truly understand or accept the gospel. [12:48]

- The Profound Distinction: The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is not superficial. It is a radical transformation, a new birth that changes one's entire relationship with God and truth. This transformation is essential for understanding and believing the gospel. [13:33]

- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is crucial in enabling one to understand and accept the gospel. Without the Spirit, the natural man finds the things of God foolish and cannot comprehend them. This highlights the need for spiritual rebirth to truly grasp the message of Christ. [23:08]

- The Irrationality of Unbelief: Unbelief often prides itself on rationality, yet it is deeply irrational and emotional. The violent reaction of the Sanhedrin to Stephen's message exemplifies how unbelief can lead to irrational hostility against the truth. [45:11]

- The Call to Seek Mercy: Recognizing the depth of sin and the incapacity to believe on one's own should lead to a cry for God's mercy. Only through divine intervention can one receive a new heart and mind, enabling true faith and understanding of the gospel. [55:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Stephen's Trial
- [00:58] - Charges Against Stephen
- [01:50] - Stephen's Belief in Christ
- [02:40] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
- [03:30] - Accusations of Blasphemy
- [05:13] - Stephen's Defense and Application
- [06:28] - Contrast Between Belief and Unbelief
- [08:34] - The Problem of Unbelief
- [11:16] - The Nature of Unbelief
- [13:33] - The Profound Distinction
- [17:08] - Spiritual Blindness
- [23:08] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [45:11] - The Irrationality of Unbelief
- [55:38] - The Call to Seek Mercy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 7:54-60
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
- Romans 8:7

---

Observation Questions:

1. What were the charges brought against Stephen by the Sanhedrin, and how did he respond to them? [01:15]

2. How does Stephen's speech illustrate the difference between belief and unbelief? [07:01]

3. What was the reaction of the Sanhedrin to Stephen's message, and what does this reveal about their spiritual state? [44:13]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding and accepting the gospel? [23:08]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the nature of unbelief as a result of the fall of man? What implications does this have for understanding human nature? [13:52]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Sanhedrin's reaction to Stephen is a portrayal of spiritual blindness? How does this relate to the concept of being "uncircumcised in heart and ears"? [15:34]

3. How does the sermon describe the irrationality of unbelief, and what examples are given to illustrate this point? [45:11]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the necessity of a radical transformation through the Holy Spirit for true belief? [13:33]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with unbelief or spiritual blindness. What steps can you take to seek a deeper understanding of the gospel through the Holy Spirit? [23:08]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need for a radical transformation to become a Christian. How can you assess whether your faith is a superficial change or a profound rebirth? [13:33]

3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's guidance and transformation in your daily walk with Christ? [23:08]

4. The sermon describes unbelief as irrational and emotional. Have you ever experienced or witnessed this kind of reaction to the gospel? How can you respond with grace and understanding? [45:11]

5. How can you cultivate a heart and mind that are receptive to spiritual truths, avoiding the spiritual blindness described in the sermon? [15:34]

6. The sermon calls for a recognition of the depth of sin and a cry for God's mercy. How can you incorporate this recognition into your prayer life and spiritual practices? [55:38]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually "stiff-necked" or resistant. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God and seek His transformation? [36:17]

Devotional

Day 1: The Depth of Spiritual Blindness
Unbelief is not merely a lack of decision but a profound spiritual blindness resulting from the fall of man. This blindness affects the entire being, rendering one incapable of perceiving spiritual truths. The Sanhedrin's reaction to Stephen's message in Acts 7:54-60 exemplifies this condition. Despite being aware of the same facts, their response is one of fury and violence, highlighting their spiritual incapacity. This blindness is not just intellectual but a deep-seated inability to perceive spiritual truths. It is a condition of spiritual deadness, where the natural man cannot comprehend the things of God. Recognizing this profound nature of unbelief challenges both believers and non-believers to seek a radical transformation through the Holy Spirit. [12:48]

Ephesians 4:17-18 (ESV): "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself struggling to perceive spiritual truths? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate these areas today?


Day 2: Transformation Through New Birth
The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is not superficial. It is a radical transformation, a new birth that changes one's entire relationship with God and truth. This transformation is essential for understanding and believing the gospel. Becoming a Christian is not a superficial change but a profound rebirth, a new creation in Christ. This new birth is a complete transformation that affects one's mind, will, and heart, enabling a true understanding and acceptance of the gospel. It is a call to acknowledge the irrationality of unbelief and to seek God's mercy for a new heart and mind capable of receiving the truth of the gospel. [13:33]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What aspects of your life reflect the old self, and how can you actively embrace the new creation you are in Christ today?


Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Role in Understanding
The Holy Spirit is crucial in enabling one to understand and accept the gospel. Without the Spirit, the natural man finds the things of God foolish and cannot comprehend them. This highlights the need for spiritual rebirth to truly grasp the message of Christ. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the heart, allowing one to see and understand the truth of the gospel. It is through the Spirit that believers are empowered to live out their faith and grow in their relationship with God. This understanding is not achieved through human effort but through the work of the Holy Spirit in one's life. [23:08]

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding and acceptance of God's truth today?


Day 4: The Irrationality of Unbelief
Unbelief often prides itself on rationality, yet it is deeply irrational and emotional. The violent reaction of the Sanhedrin to Stephen's message exemplifies how unbelief can lead to irrational hostility against the truth. This irrationality is rooted in a spiritual blindness that prevents one from seeing the truth of the gospel. It is a condition that affects the mind, will, and heart, leading to a rejection of God's truth. Recognizing the irrationality of unbelief challenges individuals to seek God's mercy for a new heart and mind capable of receiving the truth of the gospel. [45:11]

Romans 1:21-22 (ESV): "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools."

Reflection: In what ways have you seen irrationality in your own or others' responses to the gospel, and how can you address this with grace and truth today?


Day 5: Seeking God's Mercy for Transformation
Recognizing the depth of sin and the incapacity to believe on one's own should lead to a cry for God's mercy. Only through divine intervention can one receive a new heart and mind, enabling true faith and understanding of the gospel. This call to seek mercy is a recognition of the need for God's grace in transforming the heart and mind. It is an acknowledgment that true faith and understanding come not from human effort but from the work of the Holy Spirit. This transformation is essential for living out the Christian faith and growing in one's relationship with God. [55:38]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to God, asking for His mercy and transformation today?

Quotes



Steven is on trial because he's a Christian Because he believes the Christian message he believes that Jesus of Nazareth is the only begotten Son of God and that he had come into the world to save men he believes that by dying upon the cross he was the means of atoning for sin thereby reconciling men unto God and he believes further that this is the only way of Salvation. [00:01:36]

The difference between the Jew and the Heathen the Jew and the Gentile was the Jew circumcised the Gentile isn't circumcised and what he's saying is this though you are Jews in your thinking you are uncircumcised you are thinking like Heathen you were thinking like people who are natural and not the people of God you are bursting that you're the people of God but you're not you are behaving exactly as the Gentiles the unbelievers. [00:16:08]

Before a man can receive this truth he must undergo this process which is represented by a kind of circumcision the Hees have to be circumcised, the heart has to be circumcised something a radical operation has to be performed upon it in other words the principle is that men by Nature as the result of the fall and of sin is incapable of receiving the truth of God. [00:16:47]

The natural men receiveth not the things of the spirit of God why not well there foolishness under him neither can he know them that's what the Apostle says the natural men cannot know these things why he says because they are spiritually discerned and of course he's been saying this previously he says None of the princes of this world knew the Son of God appeared before them they didn't recognize him for had they known him they would not have crucified the Lord Of Glory. [00:18:05]

The natural man he receiveth not the things of the spirit of God because they're foolishness to him neither can know them why not well they are spiritually discerned they are spiritual things and unless you've got the corresponding spirit in you you won't be able to appreciate these spiritual things there'll be foolishness to you you see it's like the man who is entirely divided of any kind of poetic in interest or ability or Instinct poetry doesn't speak to them. [00:22:07]

The trouble with the natural man is that he cannot appreciate the things of the spirit of God and he regards them as foolishness why well because he hasn't got the spirit of God in him his nature is Twisted it's perverted it's formed his mind can't appreciate these things it's nonsense to him and he rejects it uncircumcised of heart and of ears they cannot believe it neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. [00:23:03]

Man as the result of sin is not only in terrible trouble in his mind and rendered incapable of appreciating God and the truth of God and the most glorious things that have ever happened in this universe but he's in terrible trouble in the realm of his will stiff necked stubborn what does that mean well you know this is the trouble with the unbeliever he's not ready to listen he not only can't but he's not ready to he won't even allow himself to listen. [00:35:57]

Man is never neutral men is never open-minded man is always by Nature antagonistic to the truth now listen to Paul putting this he says that the carnal mind is enmity against God not neutral enmity against God is Not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be and it's simply the truth about every one of us by Nature man is opposed to it instinctively everything that is in him is against it. [00:37:04]

Unbelief, which likes to Pride itself on its rationality and its intellectuality, is nothing but sure irrationality it is madness it is sheer emotionalism you see it isn't a Believer who suffers from emotionalism it is the unbeliever look at it this is how it works it starts with a kind of irritation against the truth a general annoyance against it this Christianity they say the derision the Scorn the laughter the jokes haven't you seen it. [00:45:11]

This is the nature and the character of unbelief and this is the position of every unbeliever in the world tonight it is that which leads men into this condition where the mind and the will and the heart are enslaved and incapable of recognizing the truth of God as it is in the face of Jesus Christ here he is the Blessed Son of God who thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation. [00:53:11]

There's only one hope for you if you're in this position and that is that you be born again you can't do anything El you are except to cry out to God to have mercy upon you have you seen yourself have you seen the state of your mind the state of your heart the state of your will aren't you horrified aren't you terrified if you are cry out unto God to have mercy and to have pity you can't do anything else. [00:55:38]

Look unto him cry outto him to have mercy and he will operate in you and will give you new life and all that accompanies it amen we do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of Dr Martin lyd Jones all of the sermons contained within the mlj trust audio library are now available for free download you may share the sermons or broadcast them however because of international copyright please be advised that we are asking first that these sermons never be offered for sale by a third party. [00:57:41]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?